We're starting to see evidence of test and measurement equipment for DSLs. Another case of such capabilities trailing the deployment of a technology by several years.
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HP Enters Low-Cost-Telecom-Test Market With Three-Tier ADSL Solution to
Support Local-Loop Service Deployment
July 10, 1998
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE) via NewsEdge Corporation --
New Service Test Division Targets Emerging Need for Portable,
Service-Specific Solutions With HP Service Advisor Tablet
Platform, "Golden Modem" Handheld and IP Verification Software
Hewlett-Packard Company today enters the low-cost-telecom-test market with a
three-tier asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) solution to support local-loop
service deployment. The solution consists of the first products from HP's newly
formed Service Test Division, including HP's first Windows(R) CE portable test
tablet and application modules.
The Service Test Division was created to develop low-cost, small-format test tools
designed specifically for customers installing and maintaining emerging services
such as ADSL, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), Frame Relay and integrated
services digital network (ISDN).
The new solution addresses all three levels of testing required
to deliver and qualify high-speed ADSL services for consumers and
businesses over existing copper networks:
-- HP Service Advisor, a fully portable transmission impairment
measurement (TIMS) tester for identifying line conditions that
may have an impact on or preclude ADSL transmission;
-- HP ADSL Service Installer, a handheld "golden modem" tester to
verify interoperability between ADSL modem cards and the central
office (CO); and
-- HP IP Service Installer software, a set of IP traffic and
connectivity testing applications that run on the HP Service
Advisor platform or on a palmtop computer.
"As the leading provider of ADSL technology and products for carriers, we know
that the availability of service-oriented test tools is a key requirement for the
long-term success of our customers," said Steve Makgill, director of Product Line
Management for ADSL at Alcatel, a world leader in telecommunications systems and
equipment. "We believe the HP solution addresses many key installation issues, and
Alcatel intends to work closely with HP on future enhancements to its initial set of
ADSL products."
"An increasing number of service providers have announced their intention to
accelerate ADSL offerings, but still face the challenge of installing and maintaining
these services on a location-by-location basis," said Edward Richards, general
manager for HP's Service Test Division. "ADSL trial experience to date has shown
that, with current tools, it can take up to four dispatched visits to get a single
household operating properly. Our new solution can help reduce installation time
and costs while improving customer satisfaction.
"HP's entry into this growing market segment will allow us to leverage our strong
market position and customer relationships, and to provide HP quality, service and
support for users of this new generation of instruments and applications."
NEW SERVICE ADVISOR TABLET
The new HP Service Advisor tablet is a compact, lightweight (5.4 lbs.),
battery-powered platform that incorporates a rugged PC processor and slots that can
accept a variety of transmission-testing and connectivity modules. Oversized
command buttons and touch-screen capabilities, coupled with a graphical Windows
CE user interface and software, simplify use for field service personnel. Product
capabilities also are available in a remote-access configuration, designed for use with
a PC. The HP Service Advisor can support a wide variety of Windows CE-based
testing applications, allowing customers to purchase HP solutions, such as the HP
IP Service Advisor software, on an integrated or stand-alone basis.
The ADSL tablet solution combines the HP Service Advisor tablet with a specially
developed ADSL TIMS drop-in module that provides a full range of transient and
steady-state tests and measurements, including frequency, level, noise, delay and
cross-talk. Additional modules for other service test requirements are planned for the
Service Advisor platform.
COMPLETE ADSL TEST SOLUTION
Complementary to the HP Service Advisor is the HP ADSL Service Installer, a fully
capable, handheld ADSL tester that emulates the Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)
ADSL modem and can accept modules for Carrierless Amplitude Phase (CAP) or
Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) transmission protocols. It includes a built-in load-coil
detector, performs cable-loss measurements and generates test tones for measuring
and tracing cable pairs. HP also expects to make the HP ADSL Service Installer
available as a drop-in module for the HP Service Advisor tablet later this year.
The HP IP Service Installer software, which runs on a Windows CE handheld PC or
directly on the HP Service Advisor tablet platform, allows installers to send and
measure actual IP traffic over the ADSL link to verify data transmission and to
ensure that maximum transmission speeds meet service guarantees. Using standard
streams, the software also can measure uplink- and downlink-throughput speeds and
can qualify service to the customer's chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP).
U.S. PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Pricing for the HP Service Advisor with the TIMS tablet configuration starts at
$9,990. The TIMS remote unit is $9,000. The handheld HP ADSL Service Installer is
$3,000; the HP IP Service Installer software is $3,295, including an HP 620LX palmtop
PC and installed network-interface card. All products are expected to be available
early this fall.
ABOUT HP
Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and
intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions,
all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 125,300
employees and had revenue of $42.9 billion in its 1997 fiscal year.
Information about HP can be found on the World Wide Web at hp.com.
Note to Editors: Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
CONTACT: HP | Peter Harper, 978/266-3358 | fax: 978/266-3350 |
peter_harper@hp.com | Lee Feldman, 203/854-5975 | fax: 203/854-6578 |
leefeld@ix.netcom.com |
