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Network hardware industry

Cincinnati Bell Launches Zoom, a High-Speed DSL Service

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Cincinnati Bell, a full-service integrated communications company, has launched Zoom, a digital subscriber line (DSL) service that provides high-speed data connectivity to residents and businesses in the Cincinnati area. This innovative service delivers Internet access at speeds up to 50 times faster than a 28.8 Kbps modem, making it an attractive option for those seeking fast and reliable connectivity. With Zoom, customers can enjoy a secure connection to the Internet and use the line for phone conversations simultaneously, while they are connected to data services.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cincinnati Bell is the first DSL provider in the region, offering a unique and cutting-edge combination of end-to-end DSL networking equipment manufactured by Cisco.
  • Zoom offers customers line speed connections up to 50 times faster than a 28.8 Kbps modem, with downstream speeds of 384 Kbps, 768 Kbps, and 1.5 Mbps, and upstream speeds of 90 Kbps, 384 Kbps, and 768 Kbps.
  • The service is priced at three of the lowest plans in the industry, with options starting at $29.95 per month for the ZoomSpeed plan, which offers 13x speed, and going up to $159.95 per month for the HyperZoom plan, which offers 50x speed.
  • Cincinnati Bell has partnered with Cisco Systems to deploy the DSL technology, using a combination of Cisco equipment, including the Cisco 6100 series advanced DSL access multiplexer, the Cisco 6510 Service Selection Gateway, and Cisco 7000 series terminating units.
  • The company aims to make Zoom available to 85 percent of its customers by the end of next year and is offering a free DSL modem and installation to customers who act quickly, along with a self-install option.
  • Cincinnati Bell customers must have an account with a local Internet service provider that supports the Zoom service and can check the availability of the service at 513-565-ADSL or on the company's website, www.cincinnatibell.com.

Statistics:

  • Cincinnati Bell's Zoom DSL service offers speeds up to 50 times faster than a 28.8 Kbps modem.
  • The company aims to make Zoom available to 85 percent of its customers by the end of next year.
  • The service is priced at three of the lowest plans in the industry: $29.95 for the ZoomSpeed plan, $59.95 for the TurboZoom plan, and $159.95 for the HyperZoom plan.
  • The ZoomSpeed plan offers a downstream speed of 384 Kbps and an upstream speed of 90 Kbps, while the TurboZoom plan offers downstream speeds of 768 Kbps and upstream speeds of 384 Kbps, and the HyperZoom plan offers downstream speeds of 1.5 Mbps and upstream speeds of 768 Kbps.

Sources:

  • Cincinnati Bell, "Cincinnati Bell Launches Zoom, a High-Speed DSL Service," Business Wire, October 22, 1998.
  • Cisco Systems, "Cisco and Cincinnati Bell Team to Bring DSL Technology to Greater Cincinnati," Business Wire, October 22, 1998.
  • Cincinnati Bell, "Zoom - Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Service," www.cincinnatibell.com.
  • Cisco Systems, "Cisco Systems, Inc.," www.cisco.com.

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