Efficient Networks Selected by Ameritech as CPE Provider for Its ADSL Service
Efficient's SpeedStream 3010 ATM25 Adapter Selected To Provide Cell-Based Customer Premises Equipment Connecting to Alcatel ADSL Modems
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1998-- Efficient Networks, Inc., today announced that it has been selected by Ameritech to provide asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network adapters for use in Ameritech's ADSL network infrastructure. Efficient's low-cost SpeedStream 3010 ATM25 network adapters will serve as customer premises equipment (CPE) for Ameritech.net's High Speed Internet Service. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Efficient Networks' SpeedStream 3010 adapter is designed to meet the needs of service providers deploying an end-to-end ATM over ADSL service using cell-based modems and Efficient's adapters at the customer premises. Ameritech.net High Speed Internet Service uses Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology to enable customers to connect to the Internet at speeds up to 50 times faster than a standard telephone line and modem.
''Ameritech's decision to deploy Efficient's SpeedStream 3010 ATM25 adapter as one part of its CPE solution underscores our commitment to providing DSL products that meet the requirements for broad scale implementation in production networks,'' said Mark Floyd, president and CEO of Efficient Networks.
Ameritech is utilizing Efficient Networks' SpeedStream 3010 ATM25 PCI bus adapter in customers' Windows-based personal computers. The SpeedStream 3010 has been optimized to interoperate specifically with ATM/ADSL modems co-located at the customer premises. In the Ameritech.net network, Efficient's adapters connect to Alcatel A1000 ATM/ADSL modems co-located at the customer premises using standard Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable.
Key features of the Efficient adapter that are ideal for DSL service offerings include aggregate peak cell rate control, and support for PPP over ATM. ''Maintaining users' familiarity with existing remote access procedures is critical to the successful implementation of any DSL service,'' said Efficient's vp of marketing, Greg Langdon. ''Efficient Networks' PPP over ATM software enables service providers to connect a greater number of customers, and reduce cost and complexity.''
In addition, Efficient Networks' SpeedStream 3010 enhances DSL service reliability through traffic shaping features. The adapter ensures zero cell loss by allocating a peak cell rate to control the amount of bandwidth consumed on a DSL network.
Product Specifics
Efficient's SpeedStream 3010 ATM25 adapter, which began shipping in April, 1996, has been rigorously tested for interoperability with ATM switches, routers and edge devices from all major manufacturers, as well as with Alcatel ADSL modems and central office equipment. Complex ATM protocol functions are all performed in hardware. The product includes features that are ideally suited to the requirements of high-performance, reliable ADSL service.
Service Specifics
Ameritech.net High Speed Internet Service is based on Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology, which enables users to connect to the Internet at speeds up to 50 times greater than with a regular phone line and a standard 28.8 modem. Other benefits of ADSL-enabled Internet access include an always-on capability that means users won't have to re-establish their connection. ADSL is ideal for multimedia and data communications, such as Internet access because it reduces to seconds the amount of time necessary to download complex graphics and information that used to take several minutes.
About Efficient Networks
Efficient Networks, Inc. is a premier supplier of ATM over ADSL customer premises equipment (CPE) to the worldwide data and telecommunications markets. The company's SpeedStream product line includes a broad range of internal and external modems all designed for simple installation. As a recognized leader in ATM technology, Efficient Networks is a member of the ATM Forum and the ADSL Forum. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, Efficient Networks also has offices in Amsterdam, Chicago, Walnut Creek, Calif. and Arlington, Virginia. For more information, see Efficient's World Wide Web home page at www.efficient.com.
About Ameritech
Ameritech (NYSE: AIT - news) serves millions of customers in 50 states and 40 countries. Ameritech provides a full range of communications services, including local and long distance telephone, cellular, paging, security monitoring, cable TV, electronic commerce, on-line services and more. One of the world's 100 largest companies, Ameritech (www.ameritech.com) has 69,000 employees, 1 million shareowners and $24 billion in assets.
Efficient Networks and its logos are registered trademarks and SpeedStream is a trademark of Efficient Networks, Inc. All other names may be trademarks, services or registered trademarks of their respective vendors.
Microsoft and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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