NBASE-T technology is Ethernet signaling that boosts the performance of Cat5e and Cat6 twisted-pair cabling well beyond the 1 Gbps rates used for the past nearly 20 years. Delivering up to 2.5 Gbps or 5 Gbps to the 1.3+ billion installed base of Cat5e and Cat6 outlets, NBASE-T solutions enable users to transform their networks in the most cost-effective, least disruptive manner. A complement to the IEEE 802.3bz, 2.5GBASE-T and 5GBASE-T standard, the NBASE-T specification includes NBASE-T Downshift that dynamically selects the maximum sustainable speed for a particular cable.
Per an Ethernet Alliance statement, "The new agreement serves as a significant growth milestone for the Ethernet community, and represents four years of collaboration between the organizations, including joint market research, member plugfests and support of the IEEE 802.3bz 2.5GBASE-T and 5GBASE-T Ethernet standard development."
Joint Ethernet Alliance, NBASE-T Alliance Plugfest demonstrates market-readiness of 2.5GBASE-T, 5GBASE-T products
“In just over four years, the NBASE-T Alliance member companies helped build consensus within the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group, enabling approval of a new 2.5G/5G Ethernet standard, and deployed the technology so it is now entrenched in multiple markets well beyond our target industries," says Peter Jones, NBASE-T Alliance Chairman. "With the momentum growing stronger every day, the time is right to consolidate the strength of our members with the Ethernet Alliance, the leading voice of Ethernet technology, to ensure NBASE-T, and all Ethernet technologies, continue to best serve the needs of the market.”
Through the merger, NBASE-T Alliance resources, activities and members will be consolidated into the Ethernet Alliance, increasing the focus on mainstream BASE-T Ethernet technology. All NBASE-T technology specifications and the alliance’s library of resources will continue to be publicly accessible.