InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
May 31, 1999
Low-Cost ConvergenceRhythms, Jetstream aim at small and remote offices
By Mary E. Thyfault
| Related links: |
|
|
| And from our sister publications: |
|
|
arriers and vendors are gearing up to make integrated voice and data services more attractive to
small businesses and companies with remote offices. Digital subscriber line carrier Rhythms
NetConnections Inc. is upgrading its network to asynchronous transfer mode. Jetstream
Communications Inc. will license its voice-over-DSL technology to end-user and network
equipment vendors. Both initiatives should result in companies being able to buy integrated
telecom services at low monthly costs.Rhythms will offer small offices a metropolitan area network at LAN speeds that can handle voice and data. In the past, such high-speed services were available only to large businesses. Rhythms' new network is based on Cisco BPX 8650 IP+ATM switches and long-distance services from MCI WorldCom and Qwest Communications International Inc. "We're going to be able to carry quality voice traffic efficiently using ATM," says Rand Kennedy, Rhythms' VP of engineering and chief network architect.
Rhythms customer SGI says integrated services let businesses save on support costs for remote offices. "Allowing teleworkers to use a data line for voice is more productive and less expensive," says Guillermo Diaz, SGI's director of enterprise network services. Rhythms will start rolling out the new network to its existing 13 markets this summer. It plans to be in 50 markets by the end of 2000.
Jetstream says 10 end-user and seven network equipment vendors will license its
voice-over-DSL technology or interoperate with it, including Ramp Networks Inc. The Jetstream
voice-over-DSL gateways let carriers sell integrated voice and data service based on a
wholesale price of $10 to $20 a month for leased telephone lines. Several carriers will move to
field trials this quarter, says Ken Kolderup, Jetstream's director of marketing. Deployments are
likely in the third quarter.
Back to This Week's Issue
Send Us Your Feedback
Top of the Page
Featured Microsite
