Chapter 1: Connections and Setup
Illustrations contained in this document are for representation only.
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Relationship among the Devices
This illustration shows a cable company that offers Euro-DOCSIS compliant voice/data services.
What the Modem Does
The voice over IP cable modem is a residential voice-enabled cable modem that provides voice
and high-speed data services over cable via your Telephony and Internet Service Providers (TSPs/
ISPs). It converts information that originates from the Internet or your computer into electronic
messages that can be transported over the same wires your cable company uses to transport
video signals. In addition, it converts standard telephone signals to a format that can be reliably
transported over the Internet.
What the Modem Needs to Do Its Job
The Right Cable Company: Make sure your local cable company provides data services
that use cable TV industry-standard Euro-DOCSIS or DOCSIS compliant technology (for
DOCSIS, only for frequencies between 93-861 MHz).
The Internet/Telephony Service Provider (ISP/TSP): Your cable company provides you
access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and Telephony Service Provider (TSP). The ISP is
your gateway to the Internet and provides you with a pipeline to access Internet content on
the World Wide Web (WWW). The TSP provides you with telephony access to other modems
or other telephony services over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Check with your cable company to make sure you have everything you need to begin; they’ll
know if you need to install special software or re-configure your computer to make your cable
