NorthPoint Communications Partners with Lucent Technologies to Expand DSL Network

Strategic Insights -

NorthPoint Communications, a leader in broadband communications services, has announced a partnership with Lucent Technologies to accelerate the expansion of its digital subscriber line (DSL) network. The agreement will enable NorthPoint to quickly add capacity to its network, speed network expansion, and deliver advanced new broadband services and features to homes and businesses.

The partnership will allow NorthPoint to deploy Lucent's PacketStar Access Concentrator PSAX 1250 in its national DSL backbone, which spans nearly 2,000 cities and towns across 33 major U.S. markets. The agreement also includes Lucent's NetCare services, which will provide NorthPoint with data networking services, including installation and maintenance of the equipment.

Key Takeaways:

  • NorthPoint Communications is partnering with Lucent Technologies to expand its DSL network, enabling the company to quickly add capacity and speed network expansion.
  • The partnership will allow NorthPoint to deploy Lucent's PacketStar Access Concentrator PSAX 1250 in its national DSL backbone, which spans nearly 2,000 cities and towns across 33 major U.S. markets.
  • The agreement includes Lucent's NetCare services, which will provide NorthPoint with data networking services, including installation and maintenance of the equipment.
  • NorthPoint expects the partnership to facilitate the introduction of new services, including consumer-class DSL, voice over DSL, and quality of service features.
  • The partnership will give NorthPoint increased flexibility in deploying new services currently under development.
  • NorthPoint's agreement with Lucent builds on an existing relationship that has played an important role in bringing new broadband services to the underserved small and midsize business market.

Statistics:

  • NorthPoint's DSL network spans nearly 2,000 cities and towns across 33 major U.S. markets.
  • The company operates DSL-based local networks in 62 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and expects to reach over 60 markets and 110 MSAs by the end of 2000.
  • By the end of 2000, NorthPoint's DSL network will pass nearly 45% of homes and more than half of all businesses in the U.S.
  • NorthPoint provides DSL-based Internet access service at speeds up to 1.5 Mbps, more than 25 times faster than common dial-up modems.

Sources:

  • Lucent Technologies. "Lucent Technologies and NorthPoint Communications Announce Agreement to Expand Digital Subscriber Line Network." PRNewswire, 1999.
  • NorthPoint Communications. "NorthPoint Communications and Lucent Technologies Announce Agreement to Expand Digital Subscriber Line Network." PRNewswire, 1999.
  • NorthPoint Communications. "About NorthPoint Communications." NorthPoint Communications website, 1999.