The proposed G.hn specification is several steps closer to becoming an international standard, close enough now for semiconductor companies to start producing G.hn chips.

Those developing the home networking technology intend for G.hn to unify the networking of content to devices over the three most pervasive wired media: coax cable, phone line and powerline.

The International Telecommunication Union agreed to publish an Approved G.hn Recommendation for the physical layer (PHY) and architecture portion of the standard.

Also, Recommendation G.9972 achieved Consent, allowing coexistence between G.hn products and other wireline networking standards.

In addition, the data link layer (DLL) portion of the G.hn standard was deemed stable and is expected to reach Consent at the January 2010 ITU-T meeting.

This standard is now stable enough to allow silicon manufacturers to move forward with their development programs and bring products to market, according to the HomeGrid Forum.

“G.hn will empower service providers to deploy new offerings, including IPTV, more cost-effectively; allow consumer electronics manufacturers to network all types of entertainment, home automation and security products throughout the house; and greatly simplify consumers’ purchasing and installation processes,” said Matthew Theall, president of the HomeGrid Forum . “HomeGrid Forum and its member companies applaud the ITU-T for its success in developing a standard that will greatly simplify home networking, provide a platform for new services and deliver the next-generation performance needed in the marketplace.”