Merger boosts evolution of home wireline networks
May 29, 2013
By Colin Mann
Industry bodies HomeGrid Forum and the HomePNA Alliance have merged to create a single organisation focused on promoting advanced wired home networking technologies. The combined entity, under the HomeGrid Forum banner, will promote the smooth transition of all current generation wireline home networking technologies to G.hn, the ‘any wire’ technology defined by ITU-T open international standards. The merged HomeGrid Forum has more than 70 members, including 28 Service providers, and some of the largest OEMs, ODMs and retailers in the world.
Right at the time G.hn-based products are starting to ship, the merger creates an organisation that will guide those planning new networks based on G.hn as well as migrating from earlier network technologies to G.hn. However, there will also be continued support for the installed base of over 40 million certified HomePNA devices, thereby protecting the investment of both HomePNA equipment manufacturers and their customers.
“HomePNA is a mature, field proven technology, and continues to be selected by large service providers worldwide for IPTV deployments,” said HomePNA president Eran Gureshnik. “Service providers over four continents have achieved great results with HomePNA-based products and we have gained considerable experience in deploying home networks. However, the obvious future direction for all wireline home networking is to migrate to G.hn. Therefore, it made sense for us to merge the HomePNA Alliance with the HomeGrid Forum at this time, providing a clear, strong vision to existing and new customers.”
Eric Puetz, AT&T Director of Industry Standards said that as an active member of both the HomePNA Alliance and the HomeGrid Forum, AT&T saw the merger as “a great step” towards advancing and harmonising those standards-based home networking technologies.”
According to the pair, the merger takes two organisations with a common view of the market’s direction and the same core values, and creates a single, more focused organisation. The expanded HomeGrid Forum is committed to a well-developed support and transition plan for HomePNA users, while providing a long-term vision that leads global markets toward a hybrid wired/wireless home network where G.hn provides the wireline backbone.
“The merger was a natural evolution for the two organisations. There was tremendous synergy between us and what we were both aiming to achieve,” said HomeGrid Forum president John Egan. “The core focus of both organisations was to support technologies based on open ITU-T Standards that provide wired home networks for service providers to meet their customers’ needs for robust, high-speed networking with the highest Quality of Service. This remains the primary goal of the expanded HomeGrid Forum. The HomePNA Alliance’s knowledge of real-world installations will be an invaluable resource as service providers roll out G.hn networks. As service providers consider their next steps beyond HomePNA or any other wireline home network technology, they can be confident in our vision and migration plan that maximises the value of the installed base while providing a smooth transition plan to G.hn.”