BW)(CA-ASCEND-COMM-2)(ASND) Ascend Adds New DSL MAX 20 Access Concentrator to the
Multi DSL Family of Solutions and Products
Business/Technology Editors
ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 1999--
The DSL MAX 20 is a Compact and Cost-Effective
DSL Access Concentrator Providing High-Speed Access
Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) and Intelligent Networking (IN)
solutions for providers and users of the next-generation public network, today unveiled the DSL MAX 20, a compact and
cost-effective Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access concentrator that allows service providers to enter the Multi-Dwelling Unit
(MDU) and small office/home office (SOHO) markets with minimal investment. This entry level solution supports Symmetric Digital
Subscriber Line (SDSL) and provides high-speed secured access over existing telephone wire within buildings or local loops, ideally
suited for MDUs, small central offices, hotels and campus/enterprise applications.
The DSL MAX 20 is a space-saving solution that fits easily into any telephone closet or desktop in a building basement, allowing
service providers to offer tiered services based on speed and application requirements of the users. The DSL MAX 20 uses multi-rate
capabilities providing speeds ranging from 144kbps to 2.3Mbps.
Service providers can easily scale from 8 to 32 SDSL ports with the DSL MAX 20, as well as provide a wide variety of WAN
interfaces (T1/E1 or DS3/OC-3/STM-1) to connect to the data network. In addition, it offers integrated routing capabilities and the
highest throughput with an unprecedented 2.3 Mbps circuit speeds on each SDSL line and throughput of up to 20,000 PPS (packets
per second).
"The Ascend DSL MAX 20 enables us to provide our smaller sized customers with high-speed DSL services that we can
customize in the most profitable manner," said Scott Kozicki, chief technical officer of Blue Star Communications, a competitive local
exchange carrier (CLEC). "The form factor is ideal for the deployment environments that we're seeing, where space is a premium. Yet
the form factor deceives the eye when it comes to the power and flexibility of the product in reaching our goal of profitable deployment
without giving up Quality of Service."
For service and network management, the DSL MAX 20 utilizes simple network management protocol (SNMP) based on the
Ascend NavisAccess network management system to offer service providers an end-to-end solution. This allows the service providers
to remotely manage and monitor the Ascend DSL MAX 20 decreasing the cost of implementing an MDU solution.
"I'm pleased to see Ascend offer a solution specifically targeting the MDU market; most vendors re-package their high density
central office DSLAMs as MDU solutions" stated Claudia Bacco, director of DSL products at Telechoice. "This compact DSL
access concentrator has all of the features and functions necessary for the service provider to enter the MDU market with a very
reasonable investment level."
Leveraging Ascend's reliable, feature-rich True Access(TM) Operating System (TAOS), the DSL MAX 20 offers integrated
routing capability (Layer 2 and Layer 3) in a low end access concentrator, for enhanced service management and smooth integration
into service provider networks.
"As an increasing number of institutions, hotels, and small companies worldwide look to deploy Internet and remote network access
services at the customer premise, it is clear that the entry level DSL market will see a rise," said Susan Thomson, senior analyst at
Gartner Group. "Cost-effective and easily deployable solutions will help fuel the integration of DSL networks in the smaller SOHO and
multi-tenant markets."
"The DSL MAX 20 integrates the ease-of-use and flexibility of our compact scalable unit, with the high-performance and reliability
of the TAOS operating system," said Kurt Bauer, vice president of product marketing, Access Switching Division, Ascend
Communications. "As the Internet continues to push demand for access services, our DSL MAX 20 enables service providers to offer
its smaller customers a full-featured yet manageable solution that supplies all the benefits of market-leading technology with simple
deployment and provisioning features."
The DSL MAX 20 adds to the Ascend MultiDSL product portfolio by complementing the high-end DSL TNT access
concentrator/router targeted at medium to large MDU's, campuses, hotels and central offices. In addition, the DSL MAX 20 is
compatible with the Ascend DSL Pipe CPE product for SDSL and also supports other CPE vendors. Furthering the evolution of
DSL, Ascend is responsible for the creation of IDSL.
According to Dataquest's report, Worldwide xDSL Market Analysis and Forecast for the first half of 1998, Ascend is ranked
number two in SDSL ports shipped.
Pricing and Availability
The DSL MAX 20 is available this quarter. U.S. list pricing starts at $495 per port and will vary according to product configuration.
The DSL MAX 20, along with other Ascend DSL products, will support G.Lite in the future. Customers outside the U.S. should
contact their local Ascend representative or reseller for pricing and availability information.
About Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASND) develops, manufactures, sells and services wide area networking solutions for
telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate customers worldwide.
For more information about Ascend and its products, please visit the Ascend Web site at www.ascend.com, or send e-mail to
info@ascend.com. For Investor Relations, please call our communications hotline at 800-648-3059 or 760-704-4423 (outside the
U.S. & Canada). Additional investor information can also be accessed on our Web site at: ascend.com. Ascend
is headquartered at One Ascend Plaza, 1701 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, Calif. 94502; phone is 800/ASCEND4 and fax is
510-814-2300.
The foregoing statements may contain forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations and involve risks and
uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from these expectations as a result of factors including, but not limited to, the
Company's success in developing, introducing or shipping new products, competition, the mix of distribution channels employed, the
Company's dependence on single or limited source suppliers for certain components used in its products, risks inherent in international
sales, seasonality and general economic conditions. These and other factors are discussed in Ascend's 10-K, 10-Q and other filings
made periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
--30--sg/bos*
CONTACT: Alexander Ogilvy Public Relations
Christine Andrews, (415) 923-1660 x138
candrews@alexanderogilvy.com
or
Ascend Communications
Michael Robinson, (978) 952-1576
michael.robinson@ascend.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMED COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET |
