still more DSL news today.
biz.yahoo.com
Covad First to Deploy G.lite and G.dmt Standards and Services Nationwide to Facilitate Broadband Access
Starting Today, All Installed Lines Will Meet Industry Standards; Announcement Enables Self Installations and Lower Pricing
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2000-- Covad Communications Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:COVD - news), the leading national broadband services provider utilizing DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technology, today announced it is the first company to fully deploy G.lite and G.dmt full rate compliant equipment within its nationwide network, making broadband access easier for consumers. Deploying these industry-standard based services is a critical component to making line-sharing a reality, enabling consumers to ``self-install' Covad's high-speed, always-on broadband Internet access.
As of today, every Covad consumer DSL order received and installed will be based on the G.lite and G.dmt standards. Covad's G.lite-based broadband services, referred to as TeleSurfer(SM) ADSL (Asymmetric DSL) and TeleSurfer Pro ADSL, will provide consumers with a dedicated high-speed, always-on broadband Internet connection.
``Being the first to fully deploy G.lite and G.dmt compliant services nationwide meets Covad's objective to make the entire purchase and installation process for broadband as simple, affordable and enjoyable as possible for the end-user,' said Robert Roblin, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Covad. ``Our efforts show that Covad continues to be the nation's leading broadband provider of DSL services to homes and businesses across the country.'
By implementing and supporting G.lite and G.dmt in its DSL network, Covad can interoperate with DSL equipment vendors and personal computers that also support the new industry standards. G.lite and G.dmt are standards approved by the International Telecommunications Union. G.dmt is a standard indicating full rate ADSL, (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) which provides standards for higher speed ADSL.
One of Covad's first production G.dmt circuits was recently established with Juno Online Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:JWEB - news), a leading Internet access provider that is currently testing its Covad-powered Juno Express(SM) DSL service in selected markets.
``Covad is the first to deliver G.dmt and G.lite services throughout its network,' said Wendy Rosenberg, Juno's senior vice president responsible for Juno Express. ``This capability will give Juno and our customers an advantage as we work toward the ease of self-installed DSL.'
In addition to the deployment of the industry standards, Covad has introduced new pricing and installation costs. End users can expect installation costs to range from free to $76.00, depending on the equipment bundle offered by the Internet Service Provider (ISP.) In addition, it is expected that Covad ISPs will resell TeleSurfer for as little as $40.00 to $60.00 per month, based on ISP service packages.
Covad is currently working with equipment companies such as Efficient Networks (Nasdaq:EFNT - news), S3 (Nasdaq:SIII - news), and Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU - news) Microelectronics Group, to ensure interoperability of equipment and services based on the G.lite standard. Covad is also working with equipment vendors and PC manufacturers to accelerate the adoption of G.lite throughout the industry so that consumers will have the most convenient and enjoyable experience possible when purchasing and installing Covad DSL.
``Covad has established itself as a continual innovator and industry leader in DSL,' says Brett Sheppard, lead DSL analyst for TeleChoice, Inc. ``With its G.lite offering, Covad is bringing DSL to the broader consumer market while illustrating its ability to make the online experience the best and most convenient possible for the end user. A nationwide network combined with constantly innovative value-added services are the keys to long-term market share in the DSL industry, and Covad exemplifies the model of a market leader.'
``Nokia commends Covad for being the first to market and mass deploy DSL services to business and consumers throughout the US,' said Olli Oittinen, senior vice president, Nokia Broadband Systems. ``For over two years, we have been working closely with Covad to build a scalable DSL-based voice and data network, which has enabled Covad's mass market service offering. With Covad's G.lite DSL services, consumers can now subscribe to secure ultra-fast internet access, at an affordable price.'
``Covad's implementation of industry standards helps make mass market DSL a reality,' said Mark Floyd, president and CEO of Efficient Networks. ``Efficient Networks' focus is to deliver customer premise equipment that end users can install themselves, thus making broadband Internet access easy to set up and use.'
Sold through an array of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and on Covad's web site at www.covad.com, consumers have a choice of broadband services that best suits their needs. The basic TeleSurfer ADSL service offers a dedicated connection to the Internet at speeds up to 608 Kbps and low monthly costs ranging from $40 to $60 per month (including Internet connection). For more aggressive and heavy Internet users, TeleSurfer Pro ADSL provides speeds up to 1.5 Mbps with expected monthly charges starting at $50 per month (including Internet connection).
Broadband services using DSL technology are up to 25 times faster than the standard 28.8 kbps dial-up connection typically used in American homes today. Since this high-speed connection is ``always on,' users do not need to dial in each time they want to browse the Internet or download email. Also eliminated are the delays, busy signals and non-connects typical in dial-up service.
About Covad
Covad Communications is the leading national broadband service provider of high-speed Internet and network access utilizing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology. It offers DSL services through Internet Service Providers, telecommunications carriers, enterprises, PC OEMs and ASPs to small and medium-sized businesses and home users. Covad services are currently available across the United States in 62 of the top Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and will be available in 100 MSAs by the end of 2000. At that time, Covad's network will reach more than 40 percent of all US homes and 45 percent of all US businesses. Covad Communications and its affiliates, doing business as Covad Communications Company, are wholly owned subsidiaries of Covad Communications Group, Inc. Corporate headquarters is located at 2330 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA, 95050. Telephone: 888/GO-COVAD. Web Site: www.covad.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding the intention to deploy our network in new and existing MSAs, the timing and breadth of coverage in each MSA, our ability to reduce our prices, changes in our installation process, including self-installation, and our ability to provide multimedia content. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the company's dependence on incumbent local exchange carriers for collocation, unbundled network elements, transport and other facilities, development of necessary technologies and operations, ability to manage growth of our operations, and the need to raise additional capital. For other risks and uncertainties applicable to our business refer to the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
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