Mediacom Becomes First U.S. Cable Operator to Conduct Field Trial of New 10G Platform

Smart Home event hosted by company demonstrates how the next great leap forward for broadband can enable the technologies that will change how we live, learn, work and play

AMES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mediacom Communications today provided a firsthand look at the future of connected-living during a smart home event powered by the next generation of broadband technology.

Conducted in partnership with CableLabs and NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, the tour of the Mediacom 10G Smart Home represented the first U.S. field trial of the cable industry’s new 10G™ platform. The next great leap forward for broadband, 10G is a powerful, capital-efficient technology breakthrough that will ramp up from the 1 gigabit offerings of today to speeds of 10 gigabits per second and beyond in the coming years.

“Mediacom worked with CommScope and other leading tech companies to move 10G from a laboratory concept to a real world consumer experience,” said Mediacom CTO, JR Walden. “Similar to our rapid deployment of 1-Gig across our national network in 2017, the beauty of 10G is that it’s extremely scalable within our existing network infrastructure. This means the compelling demos we showcased today in Ames will be part of the near future for Mediacom customers.”

In order to simulate the types of experiences the 10G platform will make possible, Mediacom installed over 70 internet-enabled devices within the home. Many of these were bandwidth intensive applications including stunning footage shot by Mystery Box in 8K 60fps, encoded at a high bit rate and streamed over a Vecima CDN server to a Samsung QLED Smart 8K ultra-high definition television inside the home.

“Some of these emerging technologies were once thought of as science fiction, but now they’re on the cusp of reality,” said CableLabs CEO, Phil McKinney. “What Mediacom was able to do with this demonstration was give consumers a glimpse of the unbounded innovation the 10G platform will drive in the years ahead.”

The tour of the Mediacom 10G Smart Home was led by connected-living experts who demonstrated cutting edge technology and applications that are changing the way we live, learn, work and play, including:

• Alarm.com exhibited award-winning home automation functionality that greatly enhances security and efficiency.
• CableLabs presented holographic 3D images through a Looking Glass light field display that could be seen without the need for glasses or headwear.
• Healium harnessed the power of virtual and augmented reality to improve mental fitness.
• Iowa Chill explored the innovation driving the rapidly expanding eSports revolution.
• UnityPoint Health connected patients with doctors using the latest telemedicine solutions.
• Zestful Kitchen created delicious recipes using state-of-the-art kitchen appliances and fixtures.

CommScope provided the broadband architecture and network solutions to connect these applications together and a 10G performance app illustrating how bandwidth was being used in the smart home.

“The cable industry’s commitment to bringing world class technology to American homes and businesses was on full display today in Iowa,” said NCTA President and CEO, Michael Powell. “Mediacom’s groundbreaking 10G field trial is the latest example that our member companies are delivering an exceptional national infrastructure that will inspire American ingenuity for generations to come.”

About Mediacom Communications

Mediacom Communications Corporation is the 5th largest cable operator in the United States and the leading gigabit broadband provider to smaller markets primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. Through its fiber-rich network, Mediacom provides high-speed data, video and phone services to over 1.4 million households and businesses across 22 states. The company delivers scalable broadband solutions to commercial and public-sector customers of all sizes through Mediacom Business, and sells advertising and production services under the OnMedia brand. More information about Mediacom is available at mediacomcable.com.