Designers take ADSL to the hearth

Nynex became the latest carrier to test asymmetrical digital subscriber line technology last week, but it is focusing on Lotus software designers and developers who work at home.

The first three of 60 Lotus employees to participate in the trial are now beta testing the carrierless amplitude/phase modulation technology. When everyone gets on board for the year-long trial, they'll provide a test bed for the carrier, said Jeff Waldhuter, executive director of Nynex research and technology.

The technology will allow the Lotus employees to make phone calls while simultaneously accessing the Internet and working at home through their corporate local area network. The trial will use Westell's FlexCAP ADSL modems, and Lotus can use the experience to develop a new set of applications, Waldhuter said.

Though Internet access is driving ADSL, it's important that the technology address the needs of businesses, as well as consumers, said Kieran Taylor, analyst at TeleChoice Inc., Verona, N.J.

Bell companies that have yet to announce an ADSL trial are Ameritech and SBC Communications.