Rye, N.Y.-based C-Cation Inc. claimed that the MSO infringed on its patent when it developed its architecture to push fiber closer to the user for voice, video and data services.

Dubbed LightWire, AT&T Broadband's network scheme created mini-fiber nodes that extended closer to subscriber homes. The MSO tested the scheme in Salt Lake City in 1999, but it has not debuted it elsewhere since then.

C-Cation, meanwhile, has developed a last-mile hybrid fiber-coaxial technology that creates electronic 'cells,' which aggregate signals at a centralized unit within local for transmission to customers.

The company claimed that AT&T’s LightWire and its newer 'Oxiom' network architectures infringe on its patent by creating localized hubs, carving out distinct frequencies for two-way signals and gathering two-way signals at a single point within these hubs for distribution to the greater network.

When contacted, C-Cation CEO Alexander Cheng said he would refrain from comment on advice of the company’s attorneys.

AT&T Broadband spokeswoman Tracy Baumgartner said the cabler has received a copy of the complaint filing, and it is evaluating it.