Issues and industry activities in the United States on broadband customer premises networks

Home networks in some form interconnect the growing base of computers, audio and video equipment, and advanced security and lighting systems in over 20% of U.S. households. As a result, several industry sectors are promoting concepts or products for residential customer premises networks (CPNs) to assure lowand high-speed digital wiring capabilities will meet their needs. Also growing is emphasis on a related concept, the residential gateway (RG), which mediates between different service-provider access networks and different CPNs and devices within the home. RGs enable intelligent testing of both premises and access networks and related equipment, leading to annual per-line maintenance savings. RGs can also support intelligent provisioning for new, flexible service capabilities. Key industry and standards groups in the U.S. are becoming involved with both CPNs and RGs.