Alcatel Launches VDSL System Delivering Up to 60 Mbit/s to the Desktop; Alcatel at Telecom 99 - Hall 4, Stand No. 210
PR Newswire, Monday, October 11, 1999 at 08:49
GENEVA, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcatel (NYSE:ALA), a dominant player in
the global xDSL market and the established leader in ADSL*, announces today
the availability of its first commercial VDSL (Very high-speed Digital
Subscriber Line) product. The VDSL system is currently being demonstrated by
Alcatel at Telecom 99.
Supporting speeds up to 60 Mbit/s, VDSL is particularly well suited for
delivering services with video or multimedia content over twisted copper
telephone pairs or providing high-speed data links to business users. The
system supports services such as digital television, high-speed Internet
access, Video on Demand and high-quality videoconferencing.
The VDSL R1.0 product, developed in-house by Alcatel, carries ATM
(Asynchronous Transfer Mode) data streams and guarantees quality of service
for a mix of services, supporting aggregate rates up to 60 Mbit/s. It can be
configured in asymmetric or symmetric modes of operation. At its core is a
digital ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) that incorporates all
digital signal processing and ATM layer functions. The advanced signal
processing in the receiver suppresses radio frequency ingress noise, ensuring
excellent performance and robust operation, even in harsh environments.
The system is based on DMT (Discrete Multi-Tone) technology, as Martin De
Prycker, President of Alcatel's carrier data activities, explains: "DMT is the
technology of choice for VDSL, offering unequalled flexibility, superior
performance and robustness against noise ingress and cable impairments. Such
flexibility is crucial for operators wishing to deploy VDSL without disturbing
existing services or causing interference with radio transmission or in-house
communication systems, such as defined by the Home Phoneline Networking
Alliance (HPNA)."
The new system is integrated in Alcatel's ASAM (Alcatel Subscriber Access
Multiplexer) DSLAM device, providing a common platform for ADSL and VDSL. A
control station enables the operator to configure the system and offers all
functions necessary for monitoring its operation.
Alcatel is an active member of the VDSL Alliance, which aims to ensure the
selection of the DMT technology for VDSL in all related standardization
bodies. The DMT-based VDSL Alliance specification has already been adopted in
the VDSL Transceiver Specification (DTS 06003-2) of ETSI (European
Telecommunications Standards Institute) and has been submitted to ITU
(International Telecommunication Union) and ANSI (American National Standards
Institute).
According to market research firm Dittberner Associates(1), Alcatel
dominates the ADSL-DSLAM (equipment at operator site) market worldwide, with
49% of the total number of ADSL lines installed. No other vendor commands more
than 15% in this area. From a customer premises equipment perspective, market
research firm Cahners In-Stat(2) noted that Alcatel leads the market in ADSL
modems shipped with 33% worldwide. Dataquest ranks Alcatel as world leader in
the overall supply of ADSL equipment -- both terminals and switch ports, with
Alcatel the largest company in the overall market for calendar 1998.
Note to editors
Alcatel and VDSL (Very high speed Digital Subscriber Line): In extending
current technology to meet future needs, Alcatel's VDSL illustrates the
strength and depth of Alcatel's research & development resources, investing
today to prepare for tomorrow -- turning research into reality. The bandwidth
challenge for operators continues to increase in line with rising demand for
bit-rate by business and residential users, fuelled by the growth of the
Internet and IP. Besides, increasing competition with cable forces telephone
operators to offer video over their network. With almost one billion of
telephone lines already deployed worldwide, VDSL will allow operators to
provide very high-speed services over a conventional copper twisted pair
access network.
VDSL delivers super-fast speeds -- either symmetrical or asymmetrical
transport (upstream/downstream rates can be identical or different) -- over a
conventional telephone line, while broadband services can coexist with
traditional narrowband services, such as POTS or ISDN. Services for business
customers could include LAN interconnection, effective teleworking and high-
quality videoconferencing; residential users could benefit from Instant
Internet access and digital video broadcasting.
The benefits to the operator include:
- The optimal re-use of twisted pair infrastructure.
- VDSL is deployable from Central Office or street cabinet.
- VDSL is compatible with other services in the network.
- VDSL can assure interoperability with ADSL.
- VDSL meets future bit-rate needs.
Alcatel's VDSL is a significant enabling technology for existing and
emerging services. For the telecommunications operator -- particularly in
competition with cable companies -- it is the ultimate strategic solution for
broadband access over twisted pair.
About Alcatel
Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end
voice and data communications solutions to established and new carriers, as
well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With 120,000 employees and sales
of EURO 21.3 billion ($25.0 billion), Alcatel operates in more than 130
countries. For more information, visit our website at alcatel.com
Contacts Alcatel
For full Alcatel Geneva Telecom press list, consult:
alcatel.com
Alcatel Telecom Geneva:
Press Office: Tel + 41 22 746 5507/08
Olivier Le Friec: Tel : +33 (0)6 08 40 94 43
Willem Zevenbergen: Tel : +33 (0)6 07 86 76 04
Alcatel Press Office (Paris)
Tel : + 33 (0)1 40 76 12 98
Investor Relations
Claire Pedini
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 13 93
Claire.pedini@alcatel.fr
Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 13 30
Charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.fr
Emmanuel Spite
Tel : +33 (0)1 40 76 16 04
Emmanuel.spite@alcatel.fr
(1) Project ESS update 39: Broadband Access systems in Public Networks
(2) August 1999 report: Q2 99 Analogue and Digital Modem Market Analysis
SOURCE Alcatel
-0- 10/11/1999
/CONTACT: Alcatel Telecom Geneva: Press Office: +41-22-746-5507 or
+41-22-746-5507-08; Olivier Le Friec, +33-6-08-40-94-43, or Willem
Zevenbergen, +33-6-07-86-76-04; or Alcatel Press Office - Paris,
+33-1-40-76-12-98; or Investor Relations - Claire Pedini, +33-1-40-76-13-93,
Claire.pedini@alcatel.fr, or Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane, +33-1-40-76-13-30,
Charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.fr, or Emmanuel Spite, +33-1-40-76-16-04,
Emmanuel.spite@alcatel.fr, all of Alcatel/
/Web site: alcatel.fr |
