Defining DSL for mass markets

In the wake of concern about different interpretations of industry standards and interoperability with DSL technologies, competing equipment vendors are forming partnerships to quicken the pace of the market.

Accelerated Networks and Efficient Networks have teamed to provide interoperability between Efficient's DSL data products and Accelerated's central office multiservice access platform. Accelerated also has completed successful interoperability testing between its data and voice-over-DSL integrated access devices and Promatory Communications' multiservice access system.

"Even though [Efficient and Promatory] are [our] competitors, we have a mutual interest in certifying that our equipment will work together," said Kevin Walsh, vice president of marketing for Accelerated. Markets don't bloom until vendors agree to follow certain procedures, he said.

"It's not possible to force customers to purchase all their equipment from one vendor." added Walsh, pointing to Accelerated's recent $8 million contract with CTC Communications.

CTC will use Cisco Systems' equipment for the ATM backbone and Accelerated's integrated access devices and multiservice access platform to deliver voice and data services.

"Any movement toward openness is a significant boost to market growth," said Christine Heckart, executive vice president at Tele-Choice.

Efficient sees the partnership as an opportunity to expand combined solutions. "Interoperability is a mandatory and ongoing activity," said Greg Langdon, vice president of marketing for Efficient. "At the end of the day, the only success will be in building robust and reliable high-scale networks."

Six to 12 months from now, these partnerships may not be necessary Walsh said. "Nobody should have to have a partnership. That's why we are pushing to get standards in place."