But meanwhile, existing powerline systems from the HomePlug Powerline Alliance and coaxial networks from MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) are gaining large customer bases among consumer electronics vendors and with service providers that distribute home networking gear, said Parks Associates analyst Kurt Scherf.

"It's going to get a lot harder for companies to switch boats in midstream," Scherf said.

Just as important, he added, these technologies are now being mated with Wi-Fi, the type of network most consumers like to use in their homes, at least for devices such as PCs and tablets. On Tuesday, chip maker Atheros said it introduced a faster, more advanced version of its Hy-Fi silicon that combines Wi-Fi, HomePlug and Ethernet.

Vendors will be able to combine Wi-Fi with G.hn gear as well, HomeGrid's Lewis said. She downplayed potential lost opportunities.

"There's still a whole big market out there that still has to make a decision," Lewis said.