HomeGrid Forum, a global, non-profit trade group promoting International Telecommunication Union’s Standardization Sector (ITU-T) G.hn standardization efforts for next-generation home networking, today announced that ITU-T has successfully Consented the PHY and architecture portions of the ITU-T G.hn specification at its Geneva meeting held at the United Nations, December 1-12. The ITU is a global standards body that is under the auspices of the United Nations. Comprising more than 185 member countries, the ITU sets standards for global networks. This Consent demonstrates significant momentum for G.hn and helps establish one global networking standard for the exploding digital home market.
“We applaud ITU’s success in achieving this major milestone,” said Matthew Theall, president of HomeGrid Forum. “This achievement allows chipset providers to begin design of silicon which will be used to create new products that will form the foundation for next-generation whole-home networking. HomeGrid Forum continues to be committed to driving the rapid and broad adoption of G.hn technology in the consumer electronics, PC, and service provider markets.”
The G.hn standard is aimed to deliver a single unified technology for the wired home network that addresses key issues for service providers, electronics manufacturers, and consumers alike. Through one worldwide standard, G.hn will unify the networking of content and devices over any wire — coax cable, phone, and power lines. With it, ITU enables service providers to deploy new offerings including IPTV more cost effectively; allows consumer electronics manufacturers to provide powerful devices for connecting all types of entertainment, home automation, and security products throughout the house; and greatly simplifies consumer purchasing and installation processes.
“There’s a clear market need for a unified networking approach,” said Malcolm Johnson, director, ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “We appreciate the efforts of the HomeGrid Forum in bringing about commercial products that effectively deliver on the promise of G.hn, and look forward to continued cooperation between our two organizations to help streamline the provision of advanced, multimedia services in homes throughout the world.”
HomeGrid Forum members share their extensive technical and marketplace expertise to make well-vetted and impactful G.hn technology contributions to ITU-T. On December 19th, the organization will host a webinar covering the consent and its implications for the consumer market. The event will begin at 10am PST. For additional details on the webcast, please visit https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/110360035. HomeGrid Forum is also actively developing compliance and interoperability test programs for the G.hn standard. These programs will simplify the development, purchase, installation and use of HomeGrid Forum-Certified products through the entire ecosystem of silicon providers, service providers, CE companies, PC companies, retailers, and consumers. Finally, HomeGrid Forum continues to seek new members that can help drive the success of G.hn. To learn more about becoming a HomeGrid member, please visit www.HomeGridForum.org/join.
About ITU
ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technology issues, and the global focal point for governments and the private sector in developing networks and services. For more than 140 years, ITU has coordinated shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoted international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, worked to improve telecommunication infrastructure in the developing world, and established the worldwide standards that assure seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems.
ITU also organizes worldwide and regional exhibitions and forums bringing together the most influential representatives of government and the telecommunications industry to exchange ideas, knowledge and technology for the benefit of the global community, and in particular the developing world.
From broadband Internet to latest-generation wireless technologies, from aeronautical and maritime navigation to radio astronomy and satellite-based meteorology, from phone and fax services to TV broadcasting and next-generation networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world.
About G.hn
The members of the ITU-T’s G.hn Rapporteur Group are creating a specification for a single MAC/PHY technology which can run over coaxial cable, phone lines, or power lines. G.hn participants include service providers, consumer electronics and information technology manufacturers, and component and intellectual property providers from around the world.
About HomeGrid Forum
HomeGrid Forum is a global, non-profit trade group promoting the International Telecommunication Union’s G.hn standardization efforts for next-generation home networking. HomeGrid Forum promotes adoption of G.hn through technical and marketing efforts, addresses certification and interoperability of G.hn-compliant products, and cooperates with complementary industry alliances.
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