[Keep an eye on Westell]
FYI...Westell board mentions a possible GTE/UUNET/BA announcement...?
<<AURORA, Ill., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Westell (Nasdaq: WSTL) expanded its
portfolio of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) products by today announcing immediate
availability of a low-cost consumer-styled system that operates at speeds 75 times
faster than 28.8kbps modems for lightning-fast Internet access and
telecommuting/remote LAN access applications.
The FlexCap2 Rate Adaptive ADSL system was specifically developed to meet the
high bandwidth requirements of telecommuters, remote offices and small Office/Home
Office (SOHO) workers, and ergonomically designed for the flexibility and space
saving needs of these consumers. FlexCap2 operates at speeds of 64OKbps to
2.2Mbps downstream and 272Kbps to 1.O88Mbps upstream. The rate adaptive
feature allows the FlexCap2 to adjust speeds as necessary to adapt to line conditions
and distance. The modems will automatically configure themselves for the optimal
condition, or can be preset by the service provider using Westell's management
system.
This ADSL system provides an Ethernet 1OBaseT interface at both the central
exchange and customer premise and also offers an integral bridging capability for
cost-effective support of high speed remote LAN access applications. FlexCap2
enables homes, schools or businesses to "surf the Internet" or download large data files
without tying up phone lines, as it supports simultaneous voice and data on the same
telephone line.
The FlexCap2 system based on GlobeSpan Technologies CAP transceiver, offers
customers a low profile, ergonomically designed remote unit for easy installation in a
commercial office or home. The FlexCap2 central exchange unit is housed in the
multimount shelf which supports 14 ADSL lines and a System Management Unit
(SMU). The SMU provides configuration, control, performance statistics, continuous
monitoring, and status reporting for up to 84 subscriber lines. FlexCap2 is also
supported by Westell's AccessVision(TM) Element Management System. Access
Vision is a standards compliant, scaleable, distributed element management system that
enables service providers to manage Westell's DSL products from a single workstation
providing a consolidated interface to the operator. FlexCap2 also offers a standard
SNMP interface enabling interoperability with existing operational support systems for
easy implementation in today's networks.
"Westell believes that the strong demand from consumers for applications such as
high-speed Internet access and telecommuting has driven the need for DSL products
which are approved for in-home operation and specifically designed for high-speed
data transfer," said Westell's President of Global Operations, Rob Faw. "Westell
continues to provide solutions for our worldwide customers. FlexCap2 provides the
competitive edge for service providers around the world."
Service providers in the United States and Canada are currently trialing FlexCap2
systems to enable delivery of high-speed Internet access, remote LAN access, and
distance learning to their customers.
Both FlexCap2 and Westell's previously announced SuperVision(TM) ATM based
DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM), can quickly and easily be deployed giving service
providers the ability to meet today's competitive environment, and the flexibility to
deliver products that best meet the needs of their customers.
Westell is a leading innovator of DSL systems, with corporate and international
headquarters in Aurora, Illinois and Tampa, Florida, respectively. Westell DSL
systems are currently being used by more than 40 customers worldwide, including trial,
at Bell Atlantic, Bell Canada, BT, GTE, NYNEX and US West. In addition to
developing and manufacturing non-DSL data and telecommunications products,
Westell also owns Conference Plus, Inc., a multipoint telecommunications service
bureau specializing in audio teleconferencing, multipoint videoconferencing, broadcast
fax and multimedia teleconference services. More information on the company can be
obtained by visiting its web site at westell.com.
FlexCap2 is a registered trademark of Westell Technologies, Inc.
SuperVision is a registered trademark of Westell Technologies, Inc.
Access Vision is a registered trademark of Atlantech Technologies.
Copyright 1997, PR Newswire>> |
