CNET News.com

As the most influential executives in the telecommunications industry gather this week in Las Vegas for their annual powwow, they’re more likely to be talking about TV than phones.

Several industry groups have formed to push their flavor of technology for distributing broadband and video throughout the home. The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) promotes using coaxial cable installed for cable TV. Verizon has already said it plans to use technology developed from this group to help lower the cost of its Fios deployments.

HomePNA, formerly the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance, is also pushing for existing coax as well as copper phone lines to carry data through the home. The HomePlug Powerline Alliance advocates using electrical wiring to carry Ethernet signals, turning every electrical outlet into a network jack.

And then there’s wireless, with companies such as Ruckus Wireless adapting Wi-Fi for broadband video. Several chip manufacturers, such as Intel, Broadcom and Airgo will likely be talking about compliance with the upcoming 802.11n IEEE wireless standard, which greatly increases speeds of WI-Fi to deliver new services, such as video.

Equipment makers and chip manufacturers will also be pushing technology that helps bridge the divide between landline and wireless phones. Nortel will demonstrate products for delivering WiMax, mobile gaming and wireless handset to PC video calling. Cisco will demonstrate products that show cell phones handing off calls from the cellular wireless network to a Wi-Fi network using dual-mode handsets. And ADC will show off products using a new antenna system that enhances capacity and coverage in wireless networks.

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