Corralling modems GTE trots out modem pooling service to ISPs

If offering Internet access to customers is a first step into that lucrative arena, then offering advanced services to other Internet service providers would be the next logical step. CyberPOP is GTE's subsequent effort in scaling the rungs of the ladder.

The new service offers remote access modem and primary rate interface pooling and aggregation, which is specifically targeted at large ISPs and on-line service providers with a 4000-port minimum.

With CyberPOP, GTE can create a point of presence for providers in any of the central offices in its 28-state territory. CyberPOP is already available in 130 markets at speeds up to 28.8 kb/s with the ability to support new 56 kb/s analog modems and ISDN. And with dial-up ports right in the CO, GTE can offer a higher quality of service.

"I think it'll be well received by a number of on-line service providers that want to provide local service but don't want to buy equipment to put in every central office," said Mike Smith, analyst for DataPro in Delran, N.J.

National and regional ISPs can get many local access numbers with less effort and expense, he said, adding that it's easier to manage that single piece of equipment instead of many modems.

For now, each service provider will still manage its own modem pools within the CO, but Chris Brickler, Internet access services product manager at GTE, said a future CyberPOP release will include GTE managed service. That way, an ISP could simply purchase ports and share space with other providers, another cost-saving measure in less-dense customer areas. The GTE-managed service should be available in the first quarter of 1997, Brickler said.

ISPs and on-line service providers have been asking for modem pooling services for some time because of higher cost effectiveness and easier network management, Smith said.

"I don't know why more service providers aren't getting into it. I would bet that in 1997, you'll see more of this-the need, if anything, will only increase. You have to remember the Bell companies only rolled out Internet access service about six months ago. They don't have a whole lot of experience in this area yet," Smith said.

For GTE, which offers its own Internet access service, CyberPOP is another way to profit from the Internet boom. As Brickler said, GTE knows it's not going to be the only ISP, so it might as well offer other providers advanced services.

The service may also alleviate some of the pressure on Internet-loaded voice switches. CyberPOP uses a trunk-side design with only one local loop, Brickler said.