移动通信网 程然
有线电视宽带接入芯片市场再起波澜。MaxLinear 日前正式推出其新一代 Puma 9 DOCSIS 芯片组，并将其定位为"AI 就绪"（AI-ready）平台，瞄准 DOCSIS 4.0 时代有线电视运营商的下一代网关和终端设备需求。这一发布恰逢 SCTE TechExpo 展会前夕，时机选择颇为讲究——有线电视行业正处在从传统 HFC 网络向高速对称宽带转型的关键窗口期，芯片层面的竞争格局也随之升温。
AI 就绪：不只是速率数字游戏
从公开信息看，Puma 9 芯片组最大的卖点并非单纯的速率提升，而是对 AI 工作负载的原生支持。MaxLinear 强调，该平台具备在网关侧处理 AI 任务的能力，可为运营商提供边缘智能的硬件基础。这与当前行业的大方向高度吻合——Comcast、Charter（Spectrum）等北美头部有线运营商均在积极布局 AI 边缘计算，Spectrum 更是在本次 TechExpo 上重点展示了其 AI 边缘进展。
在基础连接能力上，Puma 9 支持 DOCSIS 4.0 标准，下游速率可达 10Gbps，上游最高 6Gbps，同时集成 Wi-Fi 7 无线连接。对于仍在与光纤运营商竞争的有线电视行业而言，这套规格组合直接回应了对称千兆乃至多千兆业务的市场压力。
【关键数据】
- 下游速率: 最高 10Gbps（DOCSIS 4.0 满规格下行能力）
- 上游速率: 最高 6Gbps
- 无线规格: 集成 Wi-Fi 7
- DOCSIS 标准: 支持 DOCSIS 4.0
- 发布日期: 2026 年 9 月 28 日
标准演进与产业竞速
Puma 9 的发布并非孤立事件。同期，CableLabs 宣布为 DOCSIS 4.0 增加 25G 能力的新附录，进一步扩展 HFC 网络的容量上限；AOI 也展示了 3GHz 频谱演示，为 HFC 网络的远期演进提供预览。整个有线电视技术生态正在多个层面同步推进，从标准、芯片到光器件，形成一条清晰的升级路线。
在芯片侧，MaxLinear 面临的竞争同样激烈。Broadcom 在 DOCSIS 4.0 芯片领域布局较早且占据运营商设备主赛道，MediaTek 等厂商也在持续加码。Puma 9 打出"AI 就绪"牌，本质上是试图在速率同质化竞争之外开辟差异化战场——当 10G 下行逐渐成为标配，边缘 AI 处理能力可能成为运营商选择供应商的新筹码。
商用节奏与市场判断
从产业节奏看，DOCSIS 4.0 的规模商用仍在爬坡阶段。Comcast 和 Charter 已在部分市场启动 DOCSIS 4.0 部署，但终端侧的芯片供给能力和成本结构，仍是决定放量速度的关键变量。Puma 9 此类面向下一代网关的芯片到位，意味着运营商在 CPE 侧的选择空间进一步扩大。
值得关注的是"AI 就绪"这一概念的实际落地路径。网关侧 AI 能力能否转化为运营商可运营的业务——例如本地化的智能家庭服务、低时延 AI 推理卸载——仍有待生态配合。从长期看，MaxLinear 此举反映出一个更广泛的趋势：接入网芯片的竞争维度正从纯连接性能，扩展至算力、智能化与生态整合，这一变化对整个宽带设备产业链都将产生结构性影响。
出处：MaxLinear intros 'AI-ready' Puma 9 DOCSIS chipset
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# MaxLinear intros 'AI-ready' Puma 9 DOCSIS chipset
MaxLinear aims to slash costs with the Puma 9, a new DOCSIS chip for DOCSIS 4.0, D.3.1+ and D3.0 modems and gateways. #pressrelease
September 28, 2026
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[MaxLinear, Inc](https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.maxlinear.com%2F&esheet=54611806&newsitemid=20260928528178&lan=en-US&anchor=MaxLinear%2C+Inc&index=1&md5=83637090b2e8823c26f1e96f66111d3b). (Nasdaq: MXL), a leading provider of communications semiconductors for broadband, connectivity, and infrastructure applications, today announced Puma? 9, a next-generation DOCSIS? platform designed to help broadband operators accelerate the rollout of D4.0/D3.1+ multi-gigabit services, power Edge AI, personal AI and Wi-Fi 8 connectivity while also helping operators to reduce their cost and complexity of transitioning to DOCSIS 4.0.
Puma 9 brings advanced Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) security readiness and DDR5 memory compatibility, helping operators protect their networks against future threats and avoid supply chain risk associated with legacy memory types. Built with a secure-by-design approach, Puma 9 is designed to support compliance with leading cybersecurity frameworks and regulations, including NIST IR 8425A (US), Radio Equipment Directive (RED), and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) (EU).
Related:[Comcast and Fastly connect to support Peacock's live sports streams](https://www.lightreading.com/cable-technology/comcast-and-fastly-connect-to-support-peacock-s-live-sports-streams)
Operators are facing expanding demands that extend far beyond raw bandwidth. From Edge AI and Personal AI to Wi-Fi 8, heightened security requirements, and tighter capital budgets, success increasingly depends on the ability to evolve services without constantly replacing hardware. Puma 9 reimagines the gateway lifecycle, helping operators maximize existing DOCSIS 3.1 investments while preparing for next-generation services. Through flexible in-field upgrades, operators can deliver multi-gigabit experiences on their own timeline without frequent hardware refreshes or costly requalification cycles.
With a high level of integration in 8nm process technology, Puma 9 is the first and only platform that can support DOCSIS 3.1, DOCSIS 3.1+, and DOCSIS 4.0 standards on a single SoC without incurring significant cost additions. By unifying these capabilities into a highly integrated architecture, Puma 9 enables operators to reduce their spending today while providing a path to accelerate new services, reduce deployment complexity, and maximize infrastructure investments.
##### Key Capabilities
Key features in Puma 9 help bridge gaps in network economics and flexibility for DOCSIS deployments:
* Post-Quantum Security Readiness: Enabled with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) technology to help operators secure their broadband networks against emerging post-quantum threats.
* Next-Gen Memory Technology: Industry's only DOCSIS platform compatible with DDR5 memory, allowing for greater memory supplier flexibility and a longer lifecycle for the platform.
* Wi-Fi 8 Integration: Provides a scalable foundation for next-generation Wi-Fi 8 gateways, delivering low latency and processing headroom needed for AI-driven applications.
* Flexibility Across Evolving Standards: Support for DOCSIS 3.1, 3.1+, and 4.0 standards enabled on a single platform. Allows easy in-field upgrades and maximizes return on investment over time.
* Leading 3.1+ Performance: With support for 5x OFDM channels, delivers greater than 10 Gbps of downstream throughput – higher than many other DOCSIS 3.1 solutions available today.
* Integrated Edge AI Processing: MaxAI?-powered NPU enhances QoS, optimizes networks, improves user experiences, and lowers operational costs.
Related:[CableLabs supercharges DOCSIS 4.0 with 25-Gig 'annex'](https://www.lightreading.com/cable-technology/cablelabs-supercharges-docsis-4-0-with-25-gig-annex-)
##### Addressing the DOCSIS 4.0/3.1 Upgrade Dilemma
As operators prepare for a new wave of growth fueled by Edge AI, personalized AI services, Wi-Fi 8, and increasing demand for uninterrupted multi-gigabit speeds, they face a significant challenge: existing solutions typically require expensive DOCSIS 4.0 CPE refreshes and qualification cycles. To manage costs, many operators delay CPE investments until broader network upgrades are underway. This approach not only increases the financial stress on operators but also takes away the flexibility to offer D4.0 surgically in those markets where competitive pressure or consumers demand it sooner than other markets. Long and costly D4.0 qualification cycles and expensive D4.0 CPE HW deployments take the flexibility and competitive advantage away from DOCSIS operators.
Related:[Spectrum touts AI edge progress at TechExpo](https://www.lightreading.com/cable-technology/spectrum-touts-ai-edge-progress-at-techexpo)
Operators are also contending with growing supply chain uncertainty as major memory vendors transition away from DDR4. Dependence on DDR4-only D4.0 CPE introduces further price pressure and significant longevity risk, as broadband equipment requires stable component availability and support throughout extended product lifecycles.
Puma 9 addresses both challenges by optimizing CPE cost to enable a software-driven migration path from DOCSIS 3.1 to DOCSIS 3.1+ and/or to DOCSIS 4.0 through in-field upgrades. Puma 9-based designs offer CPE cost parity with existing D3.1 CPE costs. This enables operators to deploy a highly capable DOCSIS platform without incurring additional CPE spend. That means operators can now deploy DOCSIS 4.0-ready devices today, preserve their investments, and upgrade to D4.0 or D3.1+ only when their business requires it—without costly truck rolls, expensive HW/SW investments, or large-scale equipment replacement programs. Further, Puma 9 supports five OFDM channels in D3.1+ configuration. This allows operators to offer 12 Gbps, i.e., a D4.0-like experience, over existing D3.1 networks. This further accelerates time to better consumer experiences and enables operators to phase their network spend.
Read the full press release[here.](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260928528178/en/MaxLinear-Launches-Puma-9-Enabling-Operators-to-Accelerate-AI-ready-DOCSIS-4.03.1-Multigigabit-Services-while-Slashing-Deployment-Costs)
[MaxLinear](https://www.maxlinear.com/)
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