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To: John F. Dowd who wrote (1095)	4/4/1998 8:20:00 PM
From: John F. Dowd	Respond to of 1998

To All: More on the AOL/GTE thing: America Online today announced it will begin conducting field tests for high-speed access to its service using digital subscriber line (xDSL) broadband services provided by GTE Internetworking. GTE Internetworking will provide integration services for these initial tests, coordinating between AOL and the regional phone companies providing DSL service in selected markets across the country. Among the first local carriers to take part in the tests are Bell Atlantic and GTE, AOL said. XDSL provides high-speed bandwidth, as much as 25 times that of 28.8-kbps modems, over existing copper telephone lines. Because regional telephone service providers use different xDSL equipment and multiple standards in different cities, AOL must work with a number of providers to bring this technology to its members, the company said. AOL will offer xDSL for $49.95 per month, which includes the monthly AOL subscription fee. This is a hefty premium over the regular monthly service fee, which is being raised by $2 to $21.95. At a recent industry conference, AOL chair and chief executive officer Steve Case said he wanted AOL to offer its services at a range of transmission rates and prices--the faster the transmission rate, the higher the price. In a statement today, Case said the xDSL trials represent a first step toward making the promise of broadband a reality for consumers. AOL's initial field trials will take place in Birmingham, Alabama; Phoenix; the San Francisco Bay Area; the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.; and Redmond, Washington. The interesting here is that since the various RBOC's use other equipment the word will get around regarding which equip. is easiest to install, easiest to maintain, most cost effective when all things are considered, and which performs the best etc. . It will be a critical test for all the vendors. JF Dowd