Efficient throws everything at home networking

Working off the assumption that having too many standards is better than not enough, Siemens’ subsidiary Efficient Networks announced today the release of a new residential/SOHO DSL gateway that includes both 802.11g wireless and power-line network interfaces.

The SpeedStream DSL Gateway family includes two separate units: one(dubbed SpeedStream 6300) that combines a DSL modem with 802.11g wireless networking and another (SpeedStream 6400) that pairs a DSL model with power-line, Ethernet and 802.11g/802.11b networking. Power-line networking, which has done relatively well in European markets, lets users transmit data inside the home using standard electrical wiring. The company currently is shipping the 6300 and will have the 6400 available by the end of the year.

In addition to the gateways, the company also has released software that gives carriers the ability to sell additional services. ControlNet operates as a service platform, giving the service provider a link into the home to market services such as content filtering and time-of-day access control. ControlNet also can be branded and customized by carriers

“The industry needs to come to the table and offer subscribers a little more,” said Patrick Fitzgerald, director of product marketing for Efficient. “They need to define the service as more than just access. We believe this is an additional churn fighter."

Efficient’s release comes at a time when telcos and ISPs are struggling to cut into the lead established by cable operators in the residential high-speed access market. While cutting prices has helped a little, many vendors believe the key is increasing user friendliness and refining content.

“Because [the market’s] become so competitive, we’re seeing a big jump in churn,” said Fitzgerald. “This is more of an applications approach.”