Nokia Bell Labs today said it achieved the world’s first 10 Gbps symmetrical — download and upload — data speeds over Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) networks.

Espoo, Finland-based Nokia Bell Labs XG-CABLE proof of concept demonstrated feasibility of Full Duplex DOCSIS 3.1 laid out by CableLabs.

The world’s first lab test — using a prototype technology called XG-CABLE — demonstrates how cable service providers can use existing cable systems to deliver symmetrical ultra-broadband access services.

The fact that network can simultaneously support 10 Gbps data speeds for both uploading and downloading content will be a major breakthrough for the cable industry.

The XG-CABLE test used point-to-point cable topologies to deliver 10 Gbps symmetric data speeds over coaxial cable using 1.2 Ghz of spectrum.

XG-CABLE can integrate into the CableLabs new Full Duplex DOSCIS 3.1 concept. By leveraging the XG-CABLE technology, operators can effectively use existing HFC cables over the last 200 meters to provide upstream speeds never before achievable due to the limited spectrum available.

This will enable cable operators to effectively bring ultra-broadband services to consumer locations that were not physically or economically viable unless fiber was brought all the way to the residence. XG-CABLE will provide operators with greater agility in how they use and manage their spectrum.

Robert Howald, vice president, Network Architecture at Comcast Cable, said: “Nokia’s XG Cable proof of concept shows that multi-Gigabit symmetrical speeds over HFC, as targeted in the CableLabs FDX initiative, are achievable.”