Alcatel, the world`s leading ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) vendor, has launched its new Speed TouchTM family of ADSL modems - the most comprehensive and fully featured range of next-generation modems available.
Internet applications are demanding ever-increasing speeds, but traditional modem technologies have reached their practical limits. The Alcatel Speed TouchTM ADSL modem family overcomes all such limitations, offering data rates up to 200 times faster than a conventional 56 kbps modem made possible with ADSL.
John Pitout, Managing Director, Alcatel Altech Telecoms commented: "What makes this technology so important to the South African market is that no infrastructure changes are necessary. ADSL technology turns standard twisted-pair copper phone lines into a high-speed connection.
As South Africa has a very high existing copper line infrastructure, it is a cost effective alternative to optical fibre. The new Speed TouchTM family of modems, available in South Africa through Alcatel Altech Telecoms, will compliment a comprehensive end-to-end solution for high-speed internet access, not only for Internet Service Providers but also for Carriers and Public Switch Telephone Network Operators (PSTN). It is now possible to provide real time information services to both business and customers. Other applications such as distance education, video-on-demand, e-commerce and tele-medicine provide immense advantages for South Africa, all of which are now more easily accessible through Alcatel's new next-generation modem range."
At the time of introducing the new Speed TouchTM family, Alcatel announced that Compaq Computer Corporation had selected Alcatel's DynaMiTe ADSL modem chipset for use in Compaq's newest additions to its Presario 5600 Series of Internet personal computers. The DynaMiTe chipset offers either G.Lite or full-rate ADSL with only a software change, allowing users to benefit from a broad range of ADSL access services.
Consumers can now purchase Compaq Presario 5600 Series Internet PCs with Compaq's 6.0 Mb Max Digital modems containing Acatel's DynaMite MTK-20140 ADSL chipset on Compaq's On-Line store on their website. The 6.0Mb Max Digital modems are supported on the newest Presario 5600i and 5600s models, which were announced February 26, 1999.
The "packaged modem" approach adopted by Alcatel gives clients a total solution for ADSL. The DynaMiTe development kit includes the chipset, evaluation boards for both Central Office (CO) and Client Premises Equipment (CPE) modems, as well as reference designs, full documentation, test and verification tools, including Alcatel's DeTonator software and full specifications.
Alcatel products are marketed, manufactured, installed and supported in South Africa by Alcatel Altech Telecoms, a joint venture between Alcatel, Altech, the South African based electronics giant, and The Rethabile Group, one of South Africa's growing black empowerment companies.
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