No single networking solution will rule over STBs-- a device category IHS iSuppli predicts will grow to 184.6m units WW by 2014.

The analyst expects the STB market to have a CAGR of 6.9% from 2009 to 2014. 156.3m units should ship this year, up from 2009's 144.9m.

This situation will mean each networking technology currently available-- such as coax, wifi, Cat5/6 and HomePlug AV-- will carve its own niche, rather than dominate over any of the others.

Not even a system as high performance as built-in multimedia over coaxial (MoCA), which delivers up to 100Mbit-per-second data rates in US-based field tests, will completely take over-- partly due to its not being widely available in Europe. Only 10-20% of European households currently own the technology, according to iSuppli.

Wireless solutions will gain more ground in the future, but the analyst says penetration in excess of 50% of the market is unlikely in the short term.

Powerline might also prove to be an alternate solution, but its costs will probably remain a major hurdle to its widespread adoption.

Go No Universal Networking Technology to Rule STB Market

The HomePNA Alliance announces its new industry specification, Fast EoC-- delivering up to 320 Mbps in regular mode, and up to 640 Mbps/more than 300 Mbps user data throughput to to MDU environments in an "enchanced" mode.

The enchanced mode uses bonded channels, providing guaranteed QoS and true multicast capability to enable triple play service delivery to MDU residents.

The standard builds on HomePNA 3.1, an ITU and world standard.

Fast EOC also provides high security and privacy, via encryption and a unique MAC architecture, while enabling control of up to 126 endpoints. It also provides vendors with access to network management tools.

Go HomePNA Ratifies New Broadband Access Specification

Cisco launches its Linksys E-Series product family-- a suite of wifi routers and switches offering what the company describes as the "next generation" in a new hardware design.

The E-Series includes x5 routers providing not only enough performance for connected homes, but also faster speeds (up to 450 Mbps), 3x3 spatial stream configurations, external power amplifiers and virtual USB technology.

The routers' design is also a winner-- receiving a Red Dot product design award.

Each router comes with Cisco's Connect software for simplified network setup and management, as well as an internet speed test with which users can check their connections' bandwidth and speeds.

Meanwhile the 3 Linksys switches include plug and play capabilities for ethernet-enabled devices, QoS for traffic prioritisation, auto-sensing ports and power saving features.

Go Cisco Linksys E-Series

Devolo AG shows off its powerline-based offerings at CeBIT 2011-- including its new dLAN 500 series, the dLAN 200 AV USB extender and the dLAN Cockpit home network management software.

The dLAN 500 range has a transmission rate of 500 Mbps, fast enough to carry services such as broadband, 3D IPTV and VoIP. It is IEEE 1901-based, and thus compatible with all corresponding standardised powerline adapters (including the company's earlier dLAN 200 products) and carries TR069 support for remote management.

Products include the AVmini (coming in a compact paackaging) and the AVplus (with integrated power outlet and mains filter).

Meanwhile the dLAN 200 AV USB extender allows sharing of USB HDDs and printers over a powerline network. For powerline network management, Devolo offers Cockpit-- not simply a status monitor, it allows users to all their network's adapters' connection speeds.

Go Devolo

QEES' Smartgate Gb wifi router not only acts as a NAT and firewall, but carries most-- if not all-- connection types under the sun.

These include WAN, LAN, wifi 802.11n, Bluetooth and a plug-in interface for Z-Wave and ZigBee connections.

It also carries  2x POTS for analogue telephony, 2x external USB ports and a VoIP client, while its embedded software turns it into a smart home controller-- complete with a smart metering and home networking solution.

Go QEES Smartgate

In-Stat predicts shipments of 802.11ac-enabled devices will soar dramatically-- from 0 in 2011 to nearly 1bn by 2015.

What drives such growth? The ever-pressing demand for more and more speed. The 802.11ac standard promises speeds of up to 1 Gigabit.

The standard also leverages multiple user MIMO, sending streams of data to different users on the same channel-- even if the technology itself is not yet finalised. It will probably involve bonding 4 (or even 8) channels together, and some tweaks to the modulation scheme.

The analyst predicts the first devices carrying the standard should be available by 2012's end; but by 2015 100% of mobile hotspot shipments will be 802.11ac enabled.

Go Zero to a Billion; 802.11ac-Enabled Device Shipments to Soar by 2015