Five Companies Select Lucent Technologies Enhanced Digital Consumer Modem ChipSet for Broader High-Speed Internet Access
Dell Computer Corp. to Use System-on-a-Chip ADSL Solution for Desktop PCs
ALLENTOWN, Pa., July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) Microelectronics Group, the world leader in communications semiconductors, today announced five companies that will use Lucent's newly-enhanced digital modem system-on-a-chip solution for high-speed Internet applications. The companies are Dell Computer Corporation, the world's leading direct computer systems company*, and retail "standalone" modem manufacturers Actiontec Electronics, Creative Technology Ltd., Multi-Tech Systems, and Zoom Telephonics.
Lucent's WildCard(TM) software-enhanced Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) modem solution will provide PC and standalone modem users with the flexibility to send and receive high-speed Internet data over regular phone lines between standards-based, digital modem equipment currently deployed in the majority of telephone company central offices in the United States.
Dell Computer Corporation plans to offer PCs equipped with this enhanced modem capability as an optional feature this fall on its Dimension(R) desktop PCs for home and small business customers. Retail modem manufacturers Actiontec Electronics, Creative Technology Ltd., Multi-Tech Systems, and Zoom Telephonics plan to introduce and make available modems equipped with Lucent's enhanced chip set during this year's fourth quarter.
Developed by Bell Labs, the enhanced chip set consists of a key software upgrade to the company's ADSL "Lite" WildWire(TM) digital signal processor (DSP) 1690 modem solution introduced last year. ADSL "Lite" technology enables transport of Internet data over regular phone lines at up 1.5 Megabits per second downstream (up to 25 times faster than today's fastest analog modems), without requiring a costly voice/data splitter to be installed at peoples' homes.
"Any chip set capable of providing consumers with worry-free connectivity between ADSL 'Lite" and full-rate ADSL equipment** -- while maintaining a lower-cost and hassle-free splitter-less solution for the home -- is unique in the industry and is a groundbreaking technology that we believe will dramatically accelerate the ADSL market," said Laurie Falconer, an ADSL analyst with TeleChoice, an industry analysis and consulting firm. "This software enhancement amounts to a master-key that opens wide the doors to the ADSL world."
The use of Lucent's enhanced chip set by these companies should help accelerate deployment of consumer high-speed Internet and intranet access, audio/video on demand, telecommuting, distance learning, entertainment, and education. Digital modem users will be able to obtain this upgraded technology via an Internet download on their PCs, as PC and modem manufacturers make them available.
Use of Lucent's enhanced chip set in the retail channel is part of The Lucent Edge campaign, which is aimed at increasing sales and end-user awareness and confidence in current and future modem technologies.
Lucent's modem chip set interoperates with telephone central office digital subscriber line access multiplexer equipment manufactured by 11 companies including Alcatel, ECI Telecom, Ericsson, Hyundai Electronics, Lucent Technologies, Newbridge Networks, Nortel Networks, PairGain Technologies, Samsung Telecommunications America, and Siemens.
Lucent ranks first in the world in sales of ADSL "Lite" modem chip sets for the PC and retail "standalone" modem market***. Lucent is also the number one seller of modem chips for modem-equipped PCs in North America***.
Lucent's enhanced modem chip set is also one of the first G.Lite****-compliant modem chip sets for PC and retail modem applications that has been approved to use the Microsoft WHQL logo.
For more product information, customers may call the Microelectronics Group Customer Response Center, 800-372-2447, Dept. R74 (in Canada, 800-553-2448, Dept. R74; fax number 610-712-4106 (especially for callers outside of North America) or write to Lucent Technologies, Room 30L-15P-BA, 555 Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa. 18103.
Lucent's Microelectronics Group designs and manufactures integrated circuits and optoelectronic components for the computer and communications industries. More information about Lucent's DSL WildWire technology can be found at lucent.com. More information about The Lucent Edge campaign can be found at lucent.com.
Lucent Technologies designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the company. For more information on Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., visit its web site at lucent.com.
* International Data Corporation
** Full-rate ADSL (ANSI T1.413, Issue 2) equipment transports Internet
data at up to 8 megabits per second and requires that a splitter be
deployed at peoples' homes.
*** VisionQuest 2000
**** G.Lite (ITU-T G.992.2) is the International Telecommunications Union
standard for splitterless ADSL "Lite" technology.
SOURCE Lucent Technologies
CO: Lucent Technologies
ST: Pennsylvania
IN: CPR MLM
SU: PDT
07/26/99 05:30 EDT prnewswire.com |
