What feature was added in DOCSIS 3.0 besides channel bonding?

The addition of support for both IPv4 and IPv6 in DOCSIS 3.0 is significant as it allows for greater scalability and future-proofing of broadband services. IPv4 addresses are running out due to the vast number of devices connected to the internet, which necessitated the transition to IPv6, offering a vastly larger pool of addresses. This dual support ensures that service providers can manage the legacy systems using IPv4 while also transitioning to the more advanced and capable IPv6, facilitating a smoother transition for users and devices as internet infrastructure evolves.

The introduction of wireless connectivity is not a feature related to DOCSIS 3.0 specifically; instead, DOCSIS predominantly deals with the cable internet access technology. Similarly, while hardware costs can be influenced by the advancements in technology such as DOCSIS 3.0, the standard itself does not directly focus on hardware cost reduction as a defined feature. Enhanced VoIP capabilities, while relevant for many broadband services, do not represent the core advancements that DOCSIS 3.0 introduced compared to its predecessors; the primary focus was on improving data rates and channel capacity, mainly through channel bonding, and supporting both IPv4 and IPv6 was a critical component of that upgrade.