The cable headend or modem termination system (CMTS) qualification process parallels another CableLabs-managed process called CableLabs® Certified™ that certifies cable modems for retail sale. CMTS qualification consists of interoperability, stability, conformance to specification, and product manageability.

Certification provides retail customers with assurance that the cable modem they purchase complies with the DOCSIS specification and will interoperate with other certified modems and qualified headend systems. So far, cable modems from 10 manufacturers have been "certified" interoperable with each other for retail sale.

DOCSIS headend equipment and modems are now deployed in more than 60 locations with as many as 20,000 cable modems deployed in one system. The DOCSIS process has proven to deliver high-speed cable data equipment that is better, faster, and less expensive than other modems.

The qualification process provides the cable operator or broadband service provider with information on how the headend equipment—CMTS—will interoperate with multiple vendors’ certified cable modems using different silicon. "The qualification of additional CMTSs is the stamp of approval for the DOCSIS open process and further proves that multiple vendors from around the world can design and can build products that conform to the specification," said Rouzbeh Yassini, executive consultant to CableLabs and head of the cable modem effort.