SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- ADSL pioneer and leader, Amati Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:AMTX), today reached an
agreement with PairGain Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:PAIR) for license of Amati's DMT patents.
The agreement includes licensing by PairGain of Amati patents covering the implementation of Discrete Multi-tone Technology for ADSL. Additionally,
Amati and PairGain agreed to cross-license additional DMT related patents. The Amati patents cover elements of the ADSL standard established by the
ANSI and ETSI committees. As defined, the standard provides for up to 6.144 Mbps transmission from a telephone company's central location to a remote
user, as well as a return channel capable of transmitting 640 Kbps over existing telephone lines. These data services are available without affecting normal
telephone service on the same connection.
DMT technology, incorporating Amati patents, is an international standard for ADSL recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), and is under consideration by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). DMT ADSL is
a means of transmitting high-speed data over existing copper phone lines, making broadcast quality video, video-on-demand, interactive services and
Internet access realizable by many subscribers, at speeds of up to 8 Mbps. Amati has developed communication products based on their patented DMT
technology to provide high-speed data connectivity. These products include the Overture 8 Model 810 ADSL/DMT modem for Internet access and the
Allegro ADSL/DMT Data/Video Access Concentrator.
The telecommunications industry requires that any service targeted at the residential market, such as ADSL, provide the consumer with a range of vendor
products from which to choose. To supply competitive equipment and therefore support an economical service, the industry requires the development of a
standard for equipment design and the formation of alliances intended for multiple vendor testing and evaluation of those products. The agreement signed by
Amati and PairGain also supports joint considerations. As the two companies develop standards-based equipment solutions, they will work together to
make those solutions interoperate, thus assuring multiple sources of technology for the large-scale service implementation.
''The agreement with PairGain demonstrates that another leading telecommunications equipment developer is committed to meeting the requirements for
standards-based ADSL solutions,'' said James Steenbergen, President and CEO of Amati. ''Companies such as PairGain will help accelerate the roll-out of
industry-standard ADSL equipment and services. Amati offers licensing agreements to all vendors in order to expedite the growth of the ADSL marketplace
and to comply with customer requirements for multi-vendor solutions.''
Amati Communications Corporation
Amati is a pioneer and leading developer of advanced transmission equipment utilizing DMT technology for the ADSL, Very High-Speed Digital Subscriber
Line (VDSL) and xDSL markets. Amati recently announced execution of a merger agreement with Westell Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:WSTL). Amati is the
holder of the ADSL/DMT patents and has licensed the technology to companies such as Alcatel, Analog Devices, Inc., Motorola and PairGain
Technologies, Inc. The ADSL/DMT technology, recently selected by BC TEL, Canada for a proposed roll out of commercial ADSL services, is an effective
means of transmitting high-speed data over existing copper phone lines, making Internet access, interactive services, broadcast quality video and
video-on-demand realizable to many subscribers. Amati is involved in tests and service offerings of ADSL at speeds from 1.5 Mbps for applications ranging
from Internet access to broadcast video. The trials are worldwide with companies such as BC TEL, GTE, Siemens, Philips, Italtel, Tadiran and Samsung.
Examples of international ADSL solutions include the first standards-based ADSL service in Canada and Data and Video residential services at 8 Mbps in
France. In the U.S., Amati is providing ADSL/DMT equipment for GTE's Internet access and work-at-home trials.
Amati also provides network connectivity systems for the internetworking and OEM marketplaces. The company's connectivity products include local area
network gateways, client-based workstation software and network data communications interfaces. For more information about Amati Communications, see
our website at amati.com.
Statements made in this press release which are not historical, including statements regarding product demonstration, product capabilities and markets, are
forward looking statements and as such are subject to a number of risks. See the Company Annual Report and Form 10-K for the 1996 and 1997 fiscal
years and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional disclosure regarding such risk factors.
SOURCE Amati Communications Corporation |
