In addition, CableLabs certified new versions of DOCSIS modems from Thomson Consumer Electronics and Toshiba Corporation, vendors whose high-speed cable modems were previously certified. These devices have new, improved features that enable wider distribution of lower cost cable modems. Further broadening the pool of available cable modems, several new vendors also have expanded the market as original equipment manufacturers (OEM) providing certified cable modems under new brand names.

Said Rouzbeh Yassini, senior executive consultant to CableLabs and the head of the CableLabs modem certification effort: "The cable modem re-certification program has added a new dimension to the CableLabs^® Certified^™ initiative. We are now seeing new companies adopting modems from other manufacturers in an OEM relationship. That is a great industry success because it adds a tremendous amount of retail market capability."

Certified modems are identified by a "CableLabs^® Certified^™" seal. This seal informs consumers and cable operators that a modem complies with CableLabs’ cable modem specification; it also assures that it communicates (interoperates) with qualified cable system headends, which soon will be deployed in a substantial number of systems worldwide.

Cable modems are used to provide high-speed Internet and data access over cable’s broadband networks. Cable modems are always connected and, unlike telephone industry modems, they do not require re-dialing to a service provider. In addition, because the connection is via two-way cable, these modems do not tie up telephone lines for Internet surfing. Certified cable modems can co-exist in cable systems with existing, proprietary cable modems.

Manufacturers who receive CableLabs certification for their high-speed cable modems have successfully completed an extensive series of interoperability tests supported by CableLabs membership. Modems are tested against CableLabs-qualified headend equipment supplied by different manufacturers.