Accelerating Internet Access: Telcos and Tech Giants Unite for Universal ADSL Standard

A major effort is underway to revolutionize the way people access the internet, driven by a coalition of technology and telecommunications giants. Heavyweights Microsoft, Intel, and Compaq have joined forces with six major US telephone companies, including Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, GTE, SBC Communications, Sprint, and US West, to promote a new variant of ADSL technology. Dubbed Universal ADSL, this breakthrough promises to deliver much faster internet access via conventional copper telephone lines, potentially eclipsing the speeds of existing cable modem services. As part of this initiative, a new group called the Universal ADSL Working Group (UAWG) has been formed to propose specifications for endorsement by the International Telecommunications Union.

Key Takeaways:

• The Universal ADSL Working Group (UAWG) has been established to propose specifications for a Universal ADSL standard, which aims to become the preferred PC modem technology by 2000.
• At least five major US telephone companies (Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, GTE, and SBC Communications) are set to offer ADSL-based services.
• GTE already offers full-rate ADSL Internet service in Ann Arbor, Michigan and plans to deploy the service in several other cities in the American Midwest this year.
• The company has partnered with Compaq to supply ADSL-enabled PCs in those cities from spring 1998.
• The new technology promises to deliver always-on internet access at speeds 25 times faster than current rates, without the need for new wiring.

Statistics:

• There are approximately 4,000 ADSL Internet connections in the US, compared to about 100,000 cable modems installed by competing cable TV operators.
• The UAWG aims to propose specifications for the Universal ADSL standard by the end of 1998.

Sources:

• www.uawg.org
• [Source 1 - exact format not provided]
• [Source 2 - exact format not provided]
• (UAWG)