DSL takeoff?: ComNet developments touch on sticky spots

After taking the back seat to cable developments recently, some DSL equipment vendors appear to be fighting back - addressing key concerns of service providers and adding cable to their capabilities. Several vendors at ComNet last week revealed new product augmentations that will move them into a more general "voice-over-broadband" space.

TollBridge Technologies, which previously was lumped into the "voice-over-DSL" group alongside CopperCom and Jetstream Communications, is trying to shake that labelto reflect its ability to operate over cable as well. As the company tries to hit service provider sweet spots by having the flexibility to address DSL and cable, it also is attempting to heal sore spots such as provisioning and quality concerns with voice over DSL.

"It's our mission to be the voice of broadband," said Agnes Imregh, vice president of marketing for TollBridge. "Everyone sees the need to offer both cable and DSL, as well as voice and data, and with the flexibility of our IP-based equipment, we can do that."

But TollBridge seems to be surviving the IP vs. ATM war. The vendor already has won over Mpower Communications, formerly MGC, which is using TollBridge equipment to offer voice over DSL to Las Vegas customers. And at last week's show, BTI Telecom, a southeastern U.S. integrated communications provider, announced plans to roll out TollBridge's equipment.

To top off its carrier win, TollBridge added new software that supports features such as system redundancy, load monitoring, dynamic load balancing, remote monitoring and hot-swapping.

On the customer premises side of DSL, Efficient Networks is trying to feed on the growing demand for DSL services.

"It's all about meeting the needs of multiple markets," said Peter Bourne, vice president and general manager of integrated access for Efficient. The vendor's new SpeedStream 8600 integrated access device (IAD) is intended to solve those needs by enabling service providers to offer multiline voice and data services over DSL. The company also has developed the SpeedStream 7451, which is targeted at the small office/home office market.

PairGain Technologies also has been working on easing service implementation with its new RapidLaunch support and marketing program. RapidLaunch's primary objectives are to help service providers leverage DSL investments as well as implement them.