IBM joins cable modem crowd >BY SHIRA McCARTHY, Associate Editor-News

IBM threw its hat into the data-over-cable ring last week, debuting an end-to-end package of hardware, software and services to deliver high-speed data over hybrid fiber/coax networks.

The IBM Cable On-Line package includes an IBM-developed cable modem; an access system based on asynchronous transfer mode; an operations support systems software solution for network, subscriber and service management; a value-added server complex that lets cable operators offer services such as Web hosting, e-mail and news services; and integration services provided by the IBM Integrated Services Solution Corp.

With ATM as the underlying transport technology, cable operators can tailor data service to fit their customers' needs, said Eric Graves, broadband segment executive in the IBM Telecommunications and Media Industry Solutions unit.

The system uses ATM to create a dynamic switched virtual circuit connection between the end user and the network, enabling the cable operator to apportion bandwidth as required-up to 30 Mb/s downstream and 8 Mb/s upstream. The cable operator can guarantee bandwidth to high-volume customers such as telecommuters and charge them a higher price than casual Web surfers who don't need as much bandwidth.

The Cable On-Line system supports Zenith's HomeWorks cable modem, and IBM is committed to supporting other vendors' cable modems as well, Graves said. IBM is expected to begin shipping modems this month.

IBM also announced the availability of IBM MediaStreamer Solutions, which will enable cable operators to integrate digital technology into their commercial spot insertion and video storage operations.

The MediaStreamer can stream audio and video in both analog and digital output formats, which lets operators make a smooth transition from analog to digital.

Both products will be demonstrated at the Western Cable Show this week in Anaheim, Calif.

Voice over frame relay received another vote of confidence last week. Motorola scaled down its technology to add voice capability to its low-end customer premises equipment, Vanguard 100 and 300, for even smaller remote user access.

Eighteen months ago, the company added voice to its larger Multimedia Periphery Router access family. Motorola added voice ports to its smaller products because of the success of the first offerings and an increasing demand for voice over frame relay.

"Voice over frame relay is becoming accepted technology," said Eric Larson, Motorola product marketing manager. "The questions aren't, 'How is the quality?' anymore, but 'How can I use it?'" In the past six months, Motorola has seen a huge upswing in the use of voice over frame relay. That popularity is evidenced by the change in the configuration of Motorola's frame products when leaving the factory. Approximately one of every four frame relay access devices (FRADs) used to ship with voice ports, Larson said. Now each FRAD is shipping with more than one voice port.

Motorola hopes to snare carriers that are starting to offer voice over frame relay. Southern New England Telecommunications plans to use the new Motorola products in Connecticut to offer voice over frame technology to corporations with telecommuting employees.

The Vanguard 300 has just finished SNET lab testing and will now ship to the customer-Hartford Insurance Group-for its lab test, said Chris Barrett, SNET product manager for frame relay.

In the past, it was unusual for local exchange carriers to embrace voice over frame relay, which takes away traditional voice revenue.

"Service providers have to provide the best solution. You can't hide the best solution," Barrett said.

Another push in getting carrier customers will probably come when the Frame Relay Forum finishes its implementation agreement standards on voice over frame relay. The completion of that agreement is expected at the earliest in January. The forum last week ratified the voice compression algorithm for voice over frame relay.