Story for ADSL and Belgacom Telecom at:
belgacom.be
I wonder who will be the vendors. I heard that CAP was not too popular in Europe.-->(someone can confirm or deny this). Could this be DMT ADSL ? If so vendors could be Alcatel ? WSTL/Amati ? Aware ? ...
If it is DMT and not WSTL/Amati I hope it will be not exclusive as all ANSI and European standard compliant modems should interoperate. For example, an Amati ATU-C (CO Modem)should be able to work with an Alcatel ATU_R (Remote Modem) and vice-versa as they follow the standards.
Regards, Andy
"<OKTOBER 22, 1997
I. Belgacom offers a super fast access to the information highway
On 1 January 1998 Belgacom will launch a pilot project which adds a new dimension to the Internet as we know it today. Today Belgacom announces the launch of the test phase of its new service Turbo Line r
I.1. What is Turbo Line r ?
Turbo Line r is a service which first of all offers access to the Internet at very high speed.
This means fast Internet via the Belgacom copper wire network.
In January 1998, Belgacom will be start a pilot project involving 1,000 customers in Antwerp,Brussels, Louvain, LiŠge and Mechelen.
I.2. How is Turbo Line r implemented ?
Turbo Line r is implemented thanks to the introduction of new technologies in the Belgacom network.
This upgrades the network up to a level unique in Belgium for fast-Internet services. This is possible a.o. with the assistance of ADSL technology in the access network.
What is ADSL?
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. It is a transmission technology used in the access network of Belgacom, the copper network between the user and the initial
telephone switch. By means of Belgacom's existing copper network, ADSL enables the transmission of information at a high speed. Information flows reach speeds of maximum 8 Mb
per second to every customer and up to 600 Kb per second from the user to the net. As a matter of comparison, on an ordinary telephone line a transmission takes on average 28.8 Kb
per second and via an ISDN up to 128 Kb per second (8 Mb stands for 8000 Kb).
ADSL is a transmission technology which is limited to the access network. In order to guarantee high transmission speeds further up the Belgacom network in the so-called "backbone", Belgacom's backbone will also be extended. This will happen by installing
additional ATM nodes (Asynchronous Transfer Mode). In order to generate information flows in good time, Belgacom will also install more decentralized servers. In this way, more "local"
content will also be permanently available on the Net.
What does ADSL offer?
Thanks to ADSL, Belgacom's ordinary copper network will not only be efficient but will also offer the best guarantee for speed in Belgium.
While the customer is surfing, he/she is continues to access his/her telecommunication services. Via the traditional copper pair, a wide range of interactive broadband services also become
available: fast Internet, tele-working, Home shopping, clips and news on demand, videoconferencing,...
The big advantage of ADSL is that the line is not shared with other users. It is always a point to point connection in which every user has his/her own copper pair. This offers many advantages:
* a constantly high turnover can be guaranteed independent of the number of users accessing the network at the same time;
* transmitted information sent is not shared with other users: this ensures a high level of security and confidentiality of information;
* other users can never, purposely or accidentally, disrupt someone's access line.
Another important advantage compared to PSTN and ISDN access is that the user is always on-line and therefore does not have to "dial up" and won't have to pay communication costs.
The user can check at all times for new electronic mail without having to start up the connection.
Home users only need a "splitter", an ADSL modem and a PC Network Interface Card. A PC, a Macintosh or a Web Box can be used as a terminal.
ADSL is not a product nor a service but a technology which vastly improves the transmission speed of the access network. Due to this improvement, a whole range of multimedia and
broadband services and products will be made possible. The Turbo Line r is the first example of this.
I.3. Why a pilot phase with Turbo Line r?
The pilot phase has various aims:
* the market developing rapidly but being still relatively unknown, customers have to get to
know the various applications. Their experience needs to be examined in order to improve the product. The pilot phase will therefore involve very intensive interaction with users;
* to create a framework for developing new applications and services;
* to test the technical reaction of the network and deal with any technical limitations/thresholds as well as gaining operational know-how; * the choice of a final supplier. Although the pilot phase will be carried out with Alcatel
equipment, a final choice of supplier has yet to be made.
I.4. Contents and new applications for the Turbo Line r service
During the pilot phase, Belgacom is working on audio and video contents through cooperation agreements and is developing new applications which will take full advantage of the faster and
improved access network. Belgacom is working at a cooperation agreement with Microsoft.
The demonstrations shown during the press conference are a preview of future products and services which will become available via the telephone line :
* Video cooperation
Via an Internet connection, it will be possible to set up a video conference between two PC users and to exchange and alter audiovisual content.
* Clips on demand
Audio and video animation via the Internet
* News on demand
News flashes (video, audio, text) via the Internet
* Web Box
A user-friendly access to on-line services via the television set and telephone network
* IP Watch
A new monitoring application sent via the Extranet
* Interactive games
Users in different places will be able to play interactive games in real time.>" |
