Pacific Bell's ADSL-Internet Access Packages Now Available to 180 California Communities
Company delivering on promise to provide communities with high-speed data and Internet solutions to more than 5 million California residential and business customers
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 1, 1998-- Pacific Bell also announces new ADSL ISP Partner Program
Underscoring Pacific Bell's commitment to deliver high-speed Internet and data access to Californians, the company today announced the immediate availability of Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology in approximately 180 communities through 75 central offices - more than 85 percent of the planned 87 central offices it announced it would equip this summer. All 87 central offices will be equipped by September 8.
This deployment is the first step in Pacific Bell's plans to deliver ADSL service to more than 200 communities across California, as announced in May. In July, Pacific Bell received approval from federal regulators to begin providing the service.
ADSL is a high-speed, always-on service that enables customers to transfer data, graphics, audio and video files at speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps). ADSL runs over existing telephone lines, allowing customers to simultaneously make a phone call and access information via the Internet or an office local area network (LAN).
''Our ADSL service in California is geared toward customers who rely heavily on access to the Internet and LANs for personal or professional use,'' said Ray Wilkins, president of business communication services at Pacific Bell. ''Expanding the information pipeline is essential to the future of the Internet, and Pacific Bell's now widely available ADSL packages answer this need for our customers.''
Internet Packages
The cornerstone of the ADSL deployment is the immediate availability of two new Internet access packages from Pacific Bell Internet Services. The new packages -- ''ADSL Home Pack'' and ''ADSL Internet Access Pack'' -- provide customers with new features and a single source for all of their high-speed Internet access needs -- including hardware, installation services and customer support.
ADSL Home Pack
''ADSL Home Pack'' includes Pacific Bell Internet Services' Basic ADSL Internet Access and is designed for the single workstation home or office user who requires greater bandwidth to effectively search, manage and retrieve information online.
Basic ADSL Internet Access provides customers with a dedicated link to their Internet account and one Internet Protocol (IP) address.
*Total start-up cost for the ''ADSL Home Pack'' begins at $299. It combines the following into one package: on-site service installation; Basic ADSL Internet Access; and ADSL equipment, including an ADSL modem, an ethernet network interface card, a splitter, and inside wiring.
''ADSL Home Pack'' begins at speeds from 384 kilobits per second (Kbps) downstream and 128 Kbps upstream. Monthly service price for this offering is $89 per month (includes $59 ADSL service and $30 Internet access from Pacific Bell Internet).
ADSL Internet Access Pack
''ADSL Internet Access Pack'' is designed to increase online productivity by giving businesses higher speed and secure connections to the Internet over their home or office LANs. It includes either Pacific Bell Internet Services' Enhanced ADSL Internet Access for home offices, or Business ADSL Internet Access for small and mid-sized business customers.
Enhanced ADSL Internet Access provides home office customers with a dedicated link to their Internet account, five IP addresses, and the option of a custom domain name.
Business ADSL Internet Access offers small and mid-sized businesses a dedicated link to a customers' Internet account, a minimum of 29 IP addresses, and 24-hour proactive network monitoring.
/1 Total start-up cost for the ''ADSL Internet Access Pack'' begins at $449. It combines the following into one package: on-site service installation; Basic ADSL Internet Access; and ADSL equipment, including an ADSL modem, a splitter, and inside wiring.
''ADSL Internet Access Pack'' is available at three different speed options:
Up to 384 Kbps upstream and 128 Kbps downstream, at a monthly service price starting at $139 (includes a $59 ADSL connection and $80 Internet access from Pacific Bell Internet Services.)
Up to 384 Kbps upstream and downstream, at a monthly service price starting at $199 (includes $99 ADSL connection and $100 Internet access from Pacific Bell Internet Services).
Up to 1.5 megabits per second Mbps downstream and 384 Kbps upstream at a monthly service price starting at $339 (includes $189 ADSL connection and $150 Internet access from Pacific Bell Internet Services).
As part of its initial roll out of ADSL, Pacific Bell has deployed the high-speed service in communities that have been traditionally underserved by technological innovation.
''Because of this investment, students, teachers, community leaders and ordinary consumers in all parts of California will have access to a high-speed state-of-the-art telecommunications network, not just those who are in high-tech centers,'' said Jacquelyn Brand, founder and former executive director, Alliance for Technology Access, Universal Service Alliance, San Rafael. ''It means more opportunities and a better future for more Californians.''
In related news, Pacific Bell also announced the creation of its ADSL Internet Service Provider Partner Program. This program, which will include prominent ISPs, will increase the availability of ADSL in California and enable participating ISPs to package their online services with Pacific Bell's ADSL transport services.
About ADSL
Due to existing technical and distance limitations, ADSL will not be available to some customers served by the ADSL-equipped central offices. Initially, the service will be available to approximately 70 percent of the households and businesses in each service area. To use the service, customers must be located within 17,500 feet of a ADSL- equipped central office and their lines must meet certain transmission criteria.
Additional charges may apply for purchases of customer premise equipment and network integration services. For more information on ADSL and to order the service, California residents can call 1-888-884- 2ADSL or visit the Pacific Bell Web site at pacbell.com .
/1 Prices based upon one-year term agreements; prices will increase on month-to-month contracts. With Business ADSL Internet Access package, discounts are available with one, two or three year agreements.
Pacific Bell is a company of SBC Communications Inc., a global leader in the telecommunications industry, with more than 34 million access lines and over 5.8 million wireless customers across the United States, as well as investments in telecommunications businesses in 10 countries. Under the Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell and Cellular One brands, SBC, through its subsidiaries, offers a wide range of innovative services, including local and long-distance telephone service, wireless communications, paging, Internet access, and messaging, as well as telecommunications equipment, and directory advertising and publishing. SBC (http://www.sbc.com) has more than 119,000 employees and reported 1997 revenues of nearly $25 billion. SBC's equity market value of $74 billion as of June 30, 1998, ranks it as one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world.
Pacific Bell
ADSL Central Offices
September 8, 1998 Deployment
The following central offices cover all or part of more than 200
communities in California.
Alameda
Los Angeles (5)
Albany
Milpitas
Alhambra
Mountain View
Anaheim (2)
National City
Arcadia Newport Beach
Berkeley
Northridge
Beverly Hills
North Hollywood
Burbank
Oakland (3)
Burlingame
Palo Alto (2)
Canoga Park
Pasadena
Colma
Pleasanton
Compton
Redwood City
Concord
Reseda
Costa Mesa
Sacramento (4)
Culver City
San Bruno
Danville (2)
San Carlos
El Toro
San Diego
Escondido
San Francisco (5)
Fair Oaks
San Gabriel
Fremont (2)
San Jose (5)
Fullerton
San Mateo
Garden Grove
San Ramon
Glendale
Santa Ana (2)
Hayward
Santa Clara (2)
Hollywood
Sherman Oaks
Irvine
Simi
La Crescenta
Sunnyvale
La Jolla
Tustin
La Mesa
Van Nuys
Laguna
Nigel
Ventura (2)
Livermore
Walnut Creek |
