Interoperability groups merge into Broadband Forum

May 19, 2009

A coalition of broadband internet providers, equipment manufacturers and chip makers have merged two different industry groups - the Broadband Forum and the IP/MPLS Forum - under the Broadband Forum name.

The new organization will play an influential role in defining interoperable network equipment for local broadband access, advancing mobile backhaul solutions as well as empowering the next wave of business services, IPTV (internet TV), gaming and other applications, the group announced.

"Both organizations have played an important and highly valued role as the world has grown into the broadband-rich society we enjoy today. Now, together, we can help guide the industry forward across an ever-widening range of technologies and applications," said Broadband Forum chairman and president George Dobrowski.

The union follows an industry analysis undertaken by the IP/MPLS Forum board last year, which concluded that convergence was the key to the future success of standards specifications work, the group said.

The announcement comes as broadband deployment continues around the world, despite the current economic challenges across all industry sectors. More than 410 million users now enjoy the benefits of broadband - and the union of the two organizations will only help sustain this momentum, the group said.

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