The Home Gateway Initiative brings service providers and manufacturers together to enable next generation communications services

17 May 2011. As part of the Home Gateway Initiative’s (HGI) forward looking work, exciting plans for the analysis of next generation (NG) communications in the connected home have been drawn up in Paris by broadband service providers (BSPs) and manufacturers. Ideas were brought to the table by Samsung and France Telecom that will lead to integrated communications that enhance the end user experience.   

HGI, which is the world’s leading member‐led organisation devoted to translating BSP’s service plans into published technology requirements, agreed on applicable next generation technologies and devices. The technologies considered are DECT CAT-iq, SIP, UPnP Telephony, and RCS. The applicable devices are the Home Gateway, connected TV, multimedia cordless devices and Internet tablets.

Members at the HGI event discussed service deployment issues, communications use-cases, and technical architecture requirements and choices.

Philippe Calvet, HGI Business Group Chairman, said: “Communication services are key for BSPs. With the arrival of new rich communication services, it is key to federate a new ecosystem of connected communication devices including smart phones around the Home Gateway. It is also crucial for initiating calls from other devices. This HGI work will shape the rollout of a range of next generation communications services.”

Duncan Bees, HGI CTO added: “HGI’s Business Group is a unique working group within the broadband industry that allow BSPs and manufacturers to jointly discuss requirements for current and future services. In many cases this has led to important technical requirements documents being made available to serve as references for manufacturers. I expect the NG communications work to move forward quickly within HGI.”

For more information about HGI visit www.homegatewayinitiative.org or email [email protected].