AT&T targets SMB with optical service

AT&T today introduced a DWDM-based optical access service aimed at small to mid-sized business customers. The AT&T Ultravailable Service Option 2 uses AT&T ACCU-Ring Network Access Service in a pre-packaged approach that is more affordable for smaller enterprises, the company said.

AT&T can make the service less expensive for smaller companies by creating a standardized service product across its optical network, a spokeswoman said.

“Normally, these would be more highly customized-type services,” she said. “For this servce, we’ve created a standard package with fewer options.”

Because it is optically based, using Dense Wave Division Multiplexing technology, the transport service can carry any kind of traffic, including IP or legacy ATM, frame or TDM traffic at bit rates between 10 megabits per second and 100 Mb/s.

Following the merger of AT&T with SBC, the company pledged to do more for small to mid-sized businesses and this new service, which is available immediately, is part of that effort, the company said.