This morning CableLabs announced qualification of the first devices that use the DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON (DPoE) specifications.

Devices achieving qualification status were DPoE systems from CommScope, Huawei, Sumitomo Electric, and ZTE and optical network units (ONUs) from CTDI, Finisar, Huawei, and Sumitomo Electric. The vendors were the first to pass compliance testing and functionality with other CableLabs qualified devices in the same class.

The vendors qualified under version 1.0 of the DPoE specs.

CableLabs said the qualification marked a new milestone in the cable industry; enabling the interoperability of access network equipment based on Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) technology. This capability allows cable operators to quickly and seamlessly integrate fiber-based access network technology to meet the high bandwidth demands of business customers.

"It is excellent news for the cable industry to now be able to choose between so many qualified DPoE devices as the complexity and speeds of our offered services continues to increase," said Craig Cowden, senior vice president of network engineering, operations and enterprise solutions at Bright House Networks. "Having qualified devices will provide cable operators with yet another valuable tool as we continue to pursue our respective deployment objectives."

CableLabs DPoE specifications provide cable operators with a means of delivering business connectivity services, such as those defined by the Metro Ethernet Forum over fiber networks. DPoE compliant devices fully support the DOCSIS provisioning process, enabling services to be managed just like those delivered over cable modem networks.

CableLabs said more than 20 vendors were involved in the development and interoperability testing of the DPoE specs.

"When so many equipment suppliers dedicate themselves to interoperability, it helps us increase the speed of innovation within the industry," said Glenn Russell, vice president of business services at CableLabs. "Their commitment to interoperability will significantly expand the options for cable operators, as well as the service options for their customers."

CableLabs issued the DPoE spec [1] in early 2011  and hosted its first interoperability-testing event [2] the same year.