Broadcom Says Chip Triples Content Speed

Broadcom Corp., the largest maker of semiconductors for cable modems, said Monday it has developed a chip that triples the speed of sending voice and Internet content over cable-television lines.

Broadcom also has developed a semiconductor that more than doubles the speed of receiving data, the Irvine company said. The chips will be used in the equipment that enables data to travel over cable networks.

Increasing network capacity allows cable-TV companies to offer such services as videoconferencing and Web-site hosting, as well as private access to corporate networks for telecommuters. These new services are expected to boost sales, offsetting increased competition and the cost of expanding networks.

The new products were unveiled at the National Cable & Telecommunications Assn. convention in Chicago.

Broadcom’s stock closed at $35.90, off 89 cents a share in Nasdaq trading.