xDSL - Next-Generation Broadband Access For Business
ADSL and NEW RADSL Extended Reach Tchnology
Now Available From PIPEX
June 2001 - PIPEX Internet, the UK's first commercial ISP and provider of business class Internet connectivity solutions to SMEs and Home Professionals, has expanded its xDSL broadband family to include RADSL (Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line) services.
A PIPEX xDSL broadband connection provides the same high speed, permanently connected Internet access previously only available with dedicated leased lines, but at a fraction of the cost, as it operates over the existing telephone network. Two xDSL versions are currently available from PIPEX: ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and the new RADSL Home Professional service which goes live on 18 July 2001.
To date, customers looking for a broadband connection have signed up to an ADSL service. ADSL is the first generation of xDSL technology. It is called 'asymmetric' because it moves data faster from the telephone exchange to the customer than from the customer to the exchange. This makes it particularly suitable for applications where users expect to receive more data than they transmit. An excellent example of this is Internet 'surfing'.
ADSL transforms the existing telephone network from one limited to voice, text and low resolution graphics to a high speed network capable of carrying multi-media, including video, to every business. Typically, an ADSL connection can provide maximum downstream (Internet to Customer) speeds of up to 2MB with the PIPEX Business 2000 service (up to 512Kbps with the PIPEX Home Professional service) and up to 256Kbps upstream.
However, ADSL is a distance-sensitive technology. As the connection's line increases in length, the signal quality decreases and the connection speed goes down. Until now, customers outside the 3.5km DSL enabled exchange radius were unable to gain access to the service.
Introducing RADSL (Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line), also known as Extended Reach ADSL.
The PIPEX RADSL service is designed to allow more customers to receive the PIPEX Home Professional service by extending the current range of ADSL from 3.5km to 5.5km. With RADSL, user coverage around DSL enabled exchanges is increased to over 90% availability.
RADSL adapts to differing line conditions and distances by adjusting upstream speeds automatically from a maximum of 256Kbps down to a minimum of 64 Kbps. This is done via the modem which scans the DSL line for the fastest upstream connection available, i.e. it adapts itself to take advantage of the fastest accessible rate. The downstream speed remains constant at up to 512Kbps.
As the majority of traffic travels downstream, for example the downloading of Internet pages, end users should notice little impact on their broadband experience.
The PIPEX RADSL Home Professional service will be charged at the same rate as the ADSL Home Professional service. For £49.99 (ex VAT) a month, plus a one-off installation charge of £160, users can take advantage of the high speed, 'always on' unmetered access offered by broadband connectivity.
David Rickards, Managing Director of PIPEX commented, "For those customers who have previously been disappointed at their inability to have ADSL access due to poor line quality or distance from an enabled exchange, RADSL could be the solution they have been looking for".
He continued, "With PIPEX xDSL services, users can combine the speed of local broadband access with the world's fastest network, backed up by a service provider recognised for delivering high performance, reliable connectivity solutions".
Currently only available with the PIPEX Home Professional 500 service, there are plans to extend RADSL to the Business 500 service in the near future.
For further information on PIPEX's xDSL connectivity solutions, or to sign up to receive the service, visit our website at www.dsl.pipex.net.
