Next-generation cable modems that can deliver multi-gigabit speeds have been certified by CableLabs, the cable industry's research and development lab.

The new modems use version 3.1 of DOCSIS (the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification), cable's answer to fiber Internet speeds. The first DOCSIS 3.1 certifications were earned by Askey, Castlenet, Netgear, Technicolor, and Ubee Interactive, according to the announcement by CableLabs. The group's testing confirms that the modems comply with the new DOCSIS spec.

DOCSIS 3.1 reduces network latency and will enable "high-speed applications including Virtual and Augmented Reality, advanced video technologies such as Ultra High Definition 4K television, tele-existence and medical imaging, and gaming," CableLabs said.

Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, said last month that it deployed its first DOCSIS 3.1 modems in a small number of homes in Pennsylvania, Northern California, and Georgia. Comcast says its commercial gigabit cable offerings will debut this year and extend throughout its nationwide footprint in two or three years.

Comcast also has a new fiber-to-the-home service that hits 2Gbps both upstream and downstream. However, the fiber upgrades won't extend throughout Comcast's territory. With DOCSIS 3.1, Comcast is expected to offer 1Gbps download speeds and lower upload speeds over existing cable. (Good luck staying under your data cap.)

DOCSIS 3.1 products could eventually scale up to 10Gbps download and 1Gbps upload. The first modems won't go quite that fast, but they will be plenty fast enough for gigabit speeds. Though it apparently hasn't gotten a certification yet, Arris has already unveiled DOCSIS 3.1 modems that can hit 5Gbps downloads and 2Gbps uploads.