Ascend Introduces New Carrier-Class xDSL Concentrator and Multi-Port SDSL Customer Premise Router.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1997

End-to-End xDSL Solution Includes High Density DSLTNT

for the Central Office and SDSL Router That Delivers

1.54 Mbps Data Rate

Ascend Communications, InPipe router. This end-to-end xDSL solution is concentrator that supports a wide range of DSL services -- including IDSL, SDSL, RADSL-DMT and RADSL-CAP -- as well as a complete suite of traditional data services. DSLPipe-2S may also be used to provide 768 Kbps over a single SDSL line.

"DSL is a hot technology, but it is also a new market for us," said Mike Henry, president of MegsINet, Inc., Chicago, Ill. "It is extremely important t question, Ascend has the broadest DSL solution in the industry," says John Morency, Director of the Networkdify that position. The DSLTNT is a comprehensive all-in-one platform for the service provider, and the DSLan excellent job responding to these end-to-end requirements with complete solutions."

To help carriers move new xDSL services into the market more quickly, Ascend is offering a special bundled discount program that enables service providers to deploy a complete end-to-end xDSL solution for as low as $875 per port. The "YellowJacket" program, which runs from now until December 15, 1997, bundles the CPE and COE devices (DSLPipe and DSLTNT) for a discounted price. For example, service providers can purchase an end-to-end SDSL solution for $875 per port and an end-to-end ADSL solution for $999 per port.

"Ascend has been a major proponent of DSL technology, and they're making it easier and more attractive for service providers to deploy the technology with announcements like this," says Kierone xDSL concentrator and a DSL CPE device for customers. Then they've added a great discount program to get service providers started. It should be a very effectivether vendor has delivered a complete solution, , general manager for high speed access products at Ascend. "Ascend's strategy is to deliver a fully integrend DSL solution

The DSLTNT dramatically reduces the cost and complexity of offering DSL services; cend solution. Ascend is the first vendor to offer a router-based DSL solution capable of supporting T1-equivalent bandwidth that service providers can sell to their corporate customers. This CPE router provides full security, including support for industry standard PAP and CHAP authorization and authentication protocols, remote provisioning and management, as well as the ability to consolidate IP/IPX and Frame Relay traffic over the same line. The DSLPipe-2S supports 768 Kbps over a single pair of copper wires and, using MultiLink PPP or MultiLink Protocol Plus, bonds two lines together for a full 1.54 Mbps throughput up to 12,000 feet.

About the DSLTNT

The DSLTNT is designed and optimized around carrier requirements, featuring a compact size, low power consumption, high density, support for existing authentication and billing systems (including RADIUS and TACACS+), and complete flexibility in mixing and matching DSL technologies and network service types.

A standard 7-foot rack supports either 1,344 IDSL ports, 1,440 SDSL ports, 540 RADSL-CAP ports, or any mix of services. Carriers have similar flexibility on the network side through a complete suite of plug-in network cards, including DS3, HSSI, T1, E1, Serial WAN, 10Base-T Ethernet and 100-Base-T Ethernet. With one platform, carriers can deliver DSL services to corporate users, ISPs, and home office/telecommuters.

The DSLTNT also supports a wide variety of Virtual Private Network (VPN) protocols, including L2TP, PPTP, ATMP, FR Direct and IP Direct. This enables carriers to offer VPN services to corporate customers. Carriers can also use VPN technology to segment their own networks to resell bandwidth to smaller ISPs.

About the DSLPipe-2S

The DSLPipe-2S has two SDSL ports, one Ethernet port and one console port. The DSLPipe-2S supports Frame Relay PVC (Permanent Virtual Connection) and IP/IPX routing.

The DSLPipe-2S is the newest member of Ascend's DSLPipe family, which includes the DSLPipe-S for SDSL and the DSLPipe-C for RADSL-CAP.

Pricing and Availability

The DSLTNT is available now. For information about Ascend's special YellowJacket program, offering bundled xDSL packages at discount prices, see the Ascend web site at www.ascend.com . Standard U.S. pricing is as follows: the base chassis, with ADSL support, lists for $8,900. The RADSL-DMT module will be available Q4, 1997. Ascend is also offering the RADSL-CAP modules at a reduced price, $4,995 for a 6-port card (previous price was $8,250). The DSLTNT features softkey upgradability to SDSL and IDSL.

The DSLPipe-2S will be available October, 1997. Price is $1,650 (U.S.).

The DSLTNT and the DSLPipe-2S will be available for international customers by Q4 1997.

About Ascend cations

Ascend Communications, Inc. develops, manufactures and sells wide area networking solutions nd and its products, please visit the Ascend w

CONTACT: Gallaghe Business Wire's full file on the Internet