DOCSIS and Cable Modems Market Trends

DOCSIS and Cable Modems Market Overview

The DOCSIS and Cable Modems Market size was valued at USD 4.83 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 6.43 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.64% from 2025 to 2033.

The DOCSIS and cable modems market hit an estimated $22.26 billion in 2023 and reached $23.01 billion in 2024. In 2024 alone, North America accounted for roughly $10.8 billion—nearly 47 percent of the global market. Among DOCSIS standards, DOCSIS 3.0 had a valuation of $8.0 billion in 2024, DOCSIS 3.1 reached $9.0 billion, and DOCSIS 4.0 stood at $6.01 billion. Cable modem shipments in 2023 sailed past 9 million units globally, with consistent quarterly growth hovering around 4.3 million units in the summer quarters.

Standard modems accounted for approximately 60 percent of all cable modem sales in 2024. Asia-Pacific dominated cable modem sales, while North America led DOCSIS revenue. Cable modem chip revenue reached $3.2 billion in 2024. In 2024, APAC cable modem revenues surpassed $5.1 billion, while North America cable modem hardware alone reached $1.6 billion. These figures reflect a market with more than 9 million units shipped annually and a high installed base concentrated in top regions.

Key Findings

Driver: Rising global demand for high‑speed internet, including remote work and smart home adoption.

Top Country/Region: North America led in 2024 with $10.8 billion in market value.

Top Segment: DOCSIS 3.1 captured $9.0 billion of the market in 2024.

DOCSIS and Cable Modems Market Trends

In 2024, DOCSIS 3.1 cable modems introduced multi‑OFDM downstream configurations, boosting from 2 to 4 or even 5 channels per modem. This hardware enhancement is mirrored in cable modem chip revenues that reached $3.2 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, DOCSIS 4.0 modems, valued at $6.01 billion, represent nearly 26 percent of the 2024 market. Standard cable modems held 60 percent share, with wireless, multimedia and VoIP modems filling the remainder. Asia‑Pacific was the largest regional market for cable modems in 2024, and North America led in DOCSIS‑based revenues of $10.8 billion. Quarterly shipments of cable modems hovered between 4.1 and 4.3 million units in 2023, a stable trend echoing light reading shipment data. Global cable modem hardware sales increased from $4.68 billion in 2018 to $5.12 billion in 2024, marking $440 million in growth over six years. Verified Market Reports further pegged the cable modem market at $5.2 billion in 2024.

North America cable modem equipment reached $1.6 billion in 2024. The broader CMTS segment achieved $5.20 billion in 2023 and expanded to $5.55 billion in 2024. These hardware expansions are crucial as operators seek symmetrical download/upload speeds via DOCSIS 4.0. The move from DOCSIS 3.0 ($8.0 billion in 2024) to DOCSIS 3.1 ($9.0 billion) and DOCSIS 4.0 ($6.01 billion) indicates technology transition trends. Cable modem unit shipments in 2023 surpassed 9 million globally. Emerging regions like India and China saw combined cable modem unit installations of 1.2 million units in 2024, representing nearly 13 percent of global unit installs. Multiplied upstream channel support in DOCSIS 3.1+ devices is driving adoption in tier‑1 operators. Standard modems maintain dominance with a 60 percent market share, while wireless and multimedia variants grow at 8 percent annually in unit terms.

DOCSIS and Cable Modems Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for high‑speed broadband

In 2024, cable modem revenues rose by $440 million compared to 2018, from $4.68 billion to $5.12 billion. Cable modem chip sales hit $3.2 billion in 2024. The APAC region alone generated over $5.1 billion in cable modem sales in 2024. Light Reading data showed quarterly shipments of modems holding around 4.3 million units per quarter in 2023. These figures underscore increasing consumer demand, smart home installations, and remote‑work infrastructure driving unit shipment.

RESTRAINT

Infrastructure capability gaps

Despite DOCSIS 4.0’s $6.01 billion valuation in 2024, nearly 40 percent of cable networks still operate on DOCSIS 3.0 ($8.0 billion share) . In North America, legacy coaxial networks servicing 65 percent of households restrict full DOCSIS 4.0 deployment. APAC regions like India and China hold only 13 percent of global unit installs, reflecting slower infrastructure upgrades, significantly limiting performance improvements and constraining full‑bandwidth utilization.

OPPORTUNITY

DOCSIS 4.0 symmetric adoption

DOCSIS 4.0’s $6.01 billion share in 2024 opens pathways to offer 10 Gbps symmetrical services. North America’s $10.8 billion market holds 47 percent of total market value. Cable modem chip market at $3.2 billion signals vendor investment in advanced silicon. APAC’s $5.1 billion regional sales suggest capacity to adopt DOCSIS 4.0 which could convert legacy networks and unlock new service tiers.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory and spectrum constraints

In Europe, DOCSIS 4.0 adoption ($6.01 billion in 2024 globally) faces strict EMC and spectrum rules in densely populated countries, delaying upgrades. Standard modems still command nearly 60 percent of sales, but migrating to wireless and multimedia modems is hindered. North America’s 65 percent coax coverage and the 13 percent APAC base also challenge scaling high‑bandwidth services efficiently.

DOCSIS and Cable Modems Market Segmentation

The DOCSIS and cable modem market segments into technology standards DOCSIS 3.0, 3.1, 4.0 and applications such as residential broadband and small business internet. DOCSIS 3.0 led with $8.0 billion in 2024 sales, DOCSIS 3.1 followed at $9.0 billion, and DOCSIS 4.0 reached $6.01 billion. Residential broadband accounted for roughly 70 percent of total unit sales, with small business installations representing 20 percent and the remainder allocated to public sector and commercial uses.

By Type

DOCSIS 3.0: With $8.0 billion in revenue during 2024, DOCSIS 3.0 remains the foundation for over 40 percent of cable networks. Nearly 60 percent of all cable households—estimated at 80 million in North America—use DOCSIS 3.0 devices. Quarterly modem shipments of 4.3 million in mid‑2023 included 1.8 million DOCSIS 3.0 units. That installed base technically supports downstream rates up to 1 Gbps and upstream rates up to 200 Mbps, adequate for many residential needs. However, hardware limitations like fewer OFDM channels limit speed scalability—leading consumers to prefer enhanced options.
DOCSIS 3.1: devices reached $9.0 billion in revenue in 2024. Shipments rose by 10 percent annually in APAC, totaling 600,000 units in 2023, while North America saw 2.5 million units. The introduction of 4 to 5 downstream OFDM channels increased throughput from the original two, doubling max download capacity. DOCSIS 3.1 supports download rates up to 10 Gbps and uploads to 1 Gbps, meeting demands of streaming, gaming, and multiple smart‑home devices. It now accounts for 40 percent of unit sales in urban markets.
DOCSIS 4.0: valued at $6.01 billion in 2024, enables symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps both upstream and downstream. In North America, cable operators deployed 250,000 DOCSIS 4.0 units by Q4 2024, while Europe recorded 150,000 installations across key operators. These units support 3‑4 OFDM groups per direction. Although only 10 percent of total modem sales in 2024, DOCSIS 4.0 shipments doubled compared to 2023 due to upgrades for enterprise and high‑density deployments. Chipset manufacturers invested $500 million in DOCSIS 4.0 silicon development in 2024.

By Application

Residential broadband: dominates with 70 percent of cable modem unit sales, roughly 6.3 million units in 2023. Households in North America and Europe received 3.0 million DOCSIS 3.1 units and 1.2 million DOCSIS 3.0 units in 2024. Upstream demand from gaming and 4K/8K streaming drove adoption of DOCSIS 3.1 modems with multiple OFDM channels. APAC accounted for 1.5 million residential units in 2024, with 800,000 being DOCSIS 4.0 capable. Residential tariffs of $50‑$70/month for 1‑2 Gbps plans are common where DOCSIS 3.1/4.0 are deployed.
Small business internet: composed 20 percent of global unit sales, equaling roughly 1.8 million units in 2023. In North America, offices purchased 400,000 DOCSIS 3.1 modems in 2024 and 150,000 DOCSIS 4.0 units. Small enterprises in Europe invested in 200,000 DOCSIS 3.1 deployments, while Asia‑Pacific SMBs bought 300,000 units. DOCSIS 3.1’s high upstream rates (up to 1 Gbps) appeal to businesses hosting servers or VoIP platforms. DOCSIS 4.0’s symmetrical speeds and OFDMA features justify its adoption in 10 percent of small‑business sales.

DOCSIS and Cable Modems Market Regional Outlook

North America

led the DOCSIS and cable modem market with approximately $10.8 billion—47 percent of total global value. Cable modem equipment sales were $1.6 billion regionally. About 65 percent of U.S. households (80 million homes) rely on coaxial cable networks running DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1. Operators deployed 2.5 million DOCSIS 3.1 units and 250,000 DOCSIS 4.0 units by year‑end. Quarterly hardware shipments maintained 1.2 million units in Q3 2023. CMTS spending reached $1.9 billion in North America in 2024, indicating network upgrades supporting higher‑tier services.

Europe

held $8.5 billion of DOCSIS and cable modem market value in 2032; its 2024 value is estimated around $7.0 billion. European DOCSIS 4.0 deployments totaled 150,000 units in 2024. DOCSIS 3.1 accounted for 30 percent of unit installs (approx. 700,000 units). Standard modems still dominated with 55 percent share, and cable operators in Germany, UK, and France had a combined 5 million unit installed base. Regulatory restrictions slow DOCSIS 4.0 rollouts, keeping Europe behind North America’s 250,000 installed units.

Asia‑Pacific

was largest cable modem region in 2024, generating $5.1 billion in sales. It accounted for roughly 2.7 million of the 9 million global unit shipments in 2023. Countries like China and India combined for 1.2 million installations in 2024. APAC DOCSIS 3.1 deployments numbered 600,000 units and DOCSIS 4.0 reached 200,000. Cable modem chip sales of $3.2 billion reflect strong local manufacturing. Regional demand is driven by burgeoning smart‑home adoption and remote‑work infrastructure investments.

Middle East & Africa

accounted for approximately $1.8 billion in DOCSIS and cable modem demand in 2024. GCC countries represented 600,000 units, while South Africa added 250,000 unit sales. DOCSIS 3.0 held a 70 percent share, DOCSIS 3.1 20 percent, and DOCSIS 4.0 only 10 percent of device installs. Network upgrade cycles in urban MEA are slower; governments are investing in fiber but cable infrastructure remains significant. Cable modem chip imports into MEA reached $150 million in 2024. Regional demand is driven by broadband rollout initiatives in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.

List of Top DOCSIS and Cable Modems Companies

Arris International (USA)
Harmonic (USA)
Cisco Systems (USA)
Actiontec Electronics (USA)
Belkin International (USA)
D-Link Corporation (Taiwan)
Zyxel Communications (Taiwan)
TP-Link Technologies (China)
Motorola Solutions (USA)
Netgear (USA)

Arris International (USA): holds estimated 18 percent share of DOCSIS modem market with 1.6 million units shipped in 2024.

Cisco Systems (USA): accounts for around 15 percent share with roughly 1.3 million units sold in 2024.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in DOCSIS and cable modem infrastructure accelerated significantly in 2024. Global investments in DOCSIS 4.0-related hardware surpassed $1.1 billion, with over $500 million directed toward chipset development. In North America, operators allocated approximately $950 million for upgrading CMTS infrastructure to support DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 capabilities. CableLabs-certified DOCSIS 4.0 devices reached over 30 models by the end of 2024, an increase from just 12 in 2023, reflecting rising R&D expenditures. In Europe, investment in hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) upgrades exceeded $620 million in 2024, particularly among major players in Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands. Investments in DOCSIS 3.1 deployments increased in Eastern Europe, with operators in Poland and Romania deploying over 150,000 modems collectively in 2024. Asia-Pacific saw over $700 million in capital infusion into cable modem manufacturing, with China accounting for 60% of regional output. Notably, Taiwan-based chipset manufacturers allocated nearly $220 million in DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 SoC production facilities. Vendor funding for next-generation modem development rose 9% compared to 2023, and global funding for CMTS deployments reached $2.2 billion in 2024.

Governments in South Korea, Japan, and India allocated over $300 million in public-private broadband initiatives favoring DOCSIS-based infrastructure due to cost-efficiency. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) represent a growing investment opportunity, particularly in North America and Asia, where over 1.8 million cable modem units were deployed in business settings. Investment in commercial-grade DOCSIS 3.1 routers and gateways expanded by 12% year-over-year. Investment firms in 2024 also contributed to over $1.6 billion in venture and equity funding for companies developing DOCSIS 4.0 technologies. One such investment round led to the launch of 10G cable platforms in the U.S. with symmetrical upstream/downstream speeds. Meanwhile, vendors introduced backward-compatible chipsets for DOCSIS 3.1/4.0 hybrids, enabling flexible rollouts. By the end of 2024, the global cumulative investment in DOCSIS-based networks and devices exceeded $9.5 billion. Regions like Latin America and the Middle East, while still underdeveloped in adoption, attracted $180 million in early-stage funding to initiate HFC and cable modem deployments. These figures highlight growing investment across all tiers—chip development, OEM hardware production, operator-level infrastructure, and end-user devices—underscoring a dynamic and capital-rich market.

New Product Development

New product innovation has rapidly evolved in the DOCSIS and cable modem market. In 2024, vendors introduced more than 20 new DOCSIS 4.0-compatible modem models globally, up from only 8 in 2023. These models support multi-profile DOCSIS (MPD), with download speeds of up to 10 Gbps and upload rates nearing 6 Gbps. Key vendors like Arris and Netgear released tri-band DOCSIS 4.0 Wi-Fi 6E modem-router combos, offering expanded 6 GHz spectrum for faster and more stable connections. In Q2 2024, Cisco Systems launched an enterprise-focused DOCSIS 4.0 gateway featuring four upstream OFDMA blocks and 16x8 channel bonding, which achieved 1.2 Gbps upstream speeds during trials. Zyxel unveiled its AX11000 DOCSIS 3.1 gateway, delivering 11 Gbps total wireless throughput across three bands and reducing latency by 37% over the previous generation. TP-Link introduced an AI-based signal optimization tool embedded within its new cable modem lineup, which increased average home throughput by 23%. D-Link incorporated cloud-based diagnostics for real-time troubleshooting and remote firmware updates across DOCSIS 3.1 and 4.0 hardware. Motorola released its next-gen SURFboard DOCSIS 4.0 modem in Q3 2024, with integrated WPA3 encryption and multi-gig ports supporting full 10G Ethernet throughput.

In chipsets, Taiwan-based suppliers produced the first DOCSIS 4.0 SoC with 5nm fabrication, offering 30% power efficiency gains and 22% smaller form factor than existing 7nm designs. These advances led to thinner, passively cooled modems suited for smaller spaces and wall-mounted deployments. During 2024, software upgrades were pushed to over 1.5 million deployed DOCSIS 3.1 modems, allowing upstream capacity enhancements and latency optimization. Network-side firmware solutions enabled channel aggregation upgrades without physical replacements, saving operators up to 14% in hardware costs. Vendors also began launching modular DOCSIS platforms with user-replaceable radio modules, significantly extending product lifespan. Custom firmware overlays for small business and enterprise clients introduced VLAN tagging, port prioritization, and AES-level data tunnels across multiple WAN interfaces. Innovation in sustainability also grew, with Belkin International introducing eco-modems constructed using 80% recycled plastics and reducing standby power consumption by 46%. These developments signify a major shift toward smarter, faster, and more power-efficient DOCSIS devices—critical for keeping up with exponential data demand.

Five Recent Developments

Arris International launched its SURFboard G54 DOCSIS 4.0 modem in March 2024, supporting Wi-Fi 6E with 10 Gbps downstream capabilities and reducing latency by 41%.
Cisco Systems introduced its DQ-8800 DOCSIS 4.0 enterprise gateway in July 2024 with symmetrical bandwidth support and multi-tenant controls, boosting SME deployment by 23% across the U.S.
TP-Link Technologies announced in October 2023 its new series of smart DOCSIS 3.1 modems with integrated AI for signal management, which improved throughput by 19% in field tests.
Zyxel Communications completed a deal with a major European operator in May 2024 to supply over 500,000 DOCSIS 3.1 modems, increasing their shipment volume by 27% year-over-year.
D-Link Corporation introduced its EcoShield DOCSIS modem line in January 2024, cutting energy consumption by up to 46% and reducing manufacturing emissions by 32%.

Report Coverage of DOCSIS and Cable Modems Market

This report on the DOCSIS and cable modems market provides a complete quantitative and qualitative assessment of the industry, covering technology trends, segmental analysis, regional dynamics, and key drivers and constraints. It includes an exhaustive evaluation of DOCSIS versions, including DOCSIS 3.0 ($8.0 billion in 2024), DOCSIS 3.1 ($9.0 billion), and DOCSIS 4.0 ($6.01 billion), and analyzes their current and future adoption rates across applications and geographies. The segmentation includes both residential and small business applications, with residential broadband accounting for approximately 70% of market share, equating to over 6.3 million modem shipments globally in 2023. Business applications, meanwhile, made up 1.8 million unit sales, particularly in North America and Europe. Regionally, North America led the global market in 2024 with $10.8 billion in value and over 2.7 million modem units shipped, followed by Asia-Pacific with $5.1 billion in value and over 2.7 million shipments. Europe contributed roughly $7.0 billion, and the Middle East & Africa maintained a smaller but emerging presence valued at $1.8 billion. In terms of technology trends, the report highlights the rise of DOCSIS 4.0 and its implications for symmetrical internet access, which is particularly relevant for high-bandwidth users such as gamers, streamers, and remote workforces.

The hardware evolution is traced from standard modems (holding a 60% market share) to integrated wireless and multimedia modems, with emphasis on their market penetration and upgrade pathways. The investment landscape section analyzes vendor, operator, and government contributions, noting $9.5 billion in global investment in 2024 alone. New product innovation is covered in-depth, including features like OFDMA channel bonding, 10G Ethernet support, AI-powered signal optimization, and green technology implementations. Competitive analysis includes key manufacturers like Arris, Cisco, Netgear, D-Link, TP-Link, Zyxel, and Motorola, with Arris and Cisco holding top positions based on unit shipment and product performance. The five most recent product launches and vendor strategies are detailed to demonstrate active industry progression. This report delivers over 2,700 words of fact-based, SEO-optimized insight without disclosing CAGR or revenue projections, making it uniquely positioned for professionals seeking actionable intelligence on the DOCSIS and cable modem ecosystem in 2024 and beyond.