Arris Group Aims CCAP Market

Recently, Arris Group Inc. ( ARRS - Analyst Report ) unveiled its innovative converged edged router called E6000. The newly introduced E6000 router will act as a powerful C4 cable modem termination system (CMTS) of the company while it can be converted into a Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP). CCAP will help the carriers to maximize bandwidth, simplify the operational structure and evolve according to subscribers’ demand.

E6000 will integrate edge QAM legacy video architecture and CMTS DOCSIS IP network of Arris so that the cable TV operators can get a readymade integrated-IP platform. The CCAP market is highly competitive with incumbents like Cisco Systems Inc. ( CSCO - Analyst Report ) , Google Inc. ( GOOG - Analyst Report ) controlled Motorola Mobility, and Harmonic Inc. ( HLIT - Snapshot Report ) to name a few. The largest two customers’ of Arris, viz, Comcast Corp. ( CMCSA - Analyst Report ) and Time Warner Cable Inc. ( TWC - Analyst Report ) are gradually exploring CCAP. Comcast may deploy CCAP within some of its footprint by the end of 2012.

Earlier, Arris unveiled an innovative and upgraded cable modem termination system (CMTS). The new cable access module (CAM) will be integrated with Arris’ flagship C4 CMTS and will upgrade the C4 CMTS with 24 downstream ports immediately doubling the speed of the existing 12 downstream port CMTS. The new upstream card will complement the company’s XD CAM, which supports 32 downstream ports.

The new CAM will support S-CDMA technology enabling CMTS to support upstream HFC capability. The existence of S-CDMA technology will enable Arris’ new cards to support upstream services in as low as 5 MHz frequency and as high as 85 MHz. Thus, cable operators can use more spectrums for future services in a cost effective manner. One of the primary features of this product is that it can support DOCSIS 3.0 upstream channel bonding with IPv6 capabilities.