John, here's an article you may find of interest:
Source: Computer Reseller News
San Mateo, Calif., Computer Reseller News via Individual Inc. : A little-known high-bandwidth technology promises to
deliver Internet and LAN remote access at T1-line speed, but for a fraction of the cost.
Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) is being used internally by the Regional Bell Operating Companies as a
replacement for T1 lines. By year's end, however, the technology will become commercially available for $50 to $100 per
month vs. about $2,000 for T1 lines.
AT&T Paradyne, based in Largo, Fla., is a division of Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, N.J., and has completed the
first industry implementation of the technology in the form of a PC card.
SDSL is a modulation technique that allows for large amounts of data to be carried over ordinary phone lines, capable of
using much more of the copper line than currently is used by voice communications.
Unlike Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), SDSL is full-duplex, so it provides speeds of up to 1.5 Mbits per
second coming and going, or uploading and downloading data. ADSL downloads data at that same speed but returns data at
only 64 Kbits per second to 384 Kbps, making it ideal for surfing the Net (CRN, May 6).
SDSL, however, will be the preferred method for sophisticated realtime functions, such as conducting audio, data and
video communications, or remotely connecting to a corporate LAN.
AT&T Paradyne currently is talking with US West Communications Inc. about distributing the technology. And US West,
Englewood, Colo., is planning on deploying the service by year-end, with a probable price tag of $100 per month,
according Steve Lane, product developer at the Baby Bell.
Other RBOCs, including Pacific Bell, said they are reviewing the technology, but also anticipate a year-end rollout.
"We believe SDSL, or all DSL technologies, are key to the telcos' competition against cable companies for delivering
multimegabit Internet access over the last mile. [SDSL] will be their chief weapon," said Kieran Taylor, broadband
consultant for TeleChoice Inc.
Bill |
