Ericsson solves slow Internet access with new COBRA Web solution.

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 26, 1996--Ericsson today presented a new solution to address the problem of slow Internet access by developing the "COBRA Web" (Copper Broadband Access) as an Internet solution for copper networks.

The COBRA Web transmission system includes a unit the size of a modem that splits a standard telephony line into two channels. One channel, the low-band, is used for voice communications, the other -- high-band, is used for data communications at up to 768 kbps.

"This is good news for telecommunications operators because whereas callers spend an average of five minutes a day on the phone `Net surfers' are usually on-line for 30 minutes to an hour," says Hans-Erhard Reiter, vice president, Local Loop Transmission, Ericsson Austria.

While there are a number of different solutions that address the problem of slow Internet access, COBRA Web has several advantages. Unlike cable modems -- for sending data over cable TV networks -- COBRA Web is a high volume product. "There are 700 million standard (copper pair) lines in use in the world, but only 20-30 million of the subscribers to cable networks can use cable modems," says Reiter.

Moreover, because cable modems use the whole cable tree in a given segment, if a lot of people use them, there will be data collisions and access speeds drop. With COBRA Web, you have the individual link to the Internet yourself.

"With COBRA Web, we are addressing the copper pair cabling between telephone subscribers and the central switch," says Reiter. "Usually one subscriber is connected by one pair of wires. If we can make more efficient use of this network, there is a huge business opportunity."

The first prototypes of the COBRA Web have been displayed by Ericsson at CommunicAsia '96 in Singapore, June 4-7. High volume production versions of the system are planned to become available in the third quarter of 1996. Market acceptance will lead to highly competitive product pricing.

At present, most Internet users can only access the Internet at 28.8 kbps, 64 kbps with ISDN. The COBRA Web will give users access at the much higher speed of 768 kpbs. In addition, users can still make or receive voice phone calls while on-line.

COBRA Web's high-band channel links the telephone line at home or at the office to associated COBRA Web equipment in the network. Data is routed to a nearby Internet node and voice telephone calls are transferred to the telephone switch.

COBRA Web is based on ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology. This is a transmission method designed for future interactive services from interactive video to high-speed Internet access.

Ericsson already has extensive experience in enabling network operators to get more use from existing networks using technologies, such as Pair Gain, where up to 12 subscribers can use one copper pair, and HDSL (High Speed Digital Subscriber Line), where 1.5 Mbps is offered over standard copper pair.

Ericsson's 85,000 employees are active in more than 100 countries. Their combined expertise in switching, radio and networking makes Ericsson a world leader in telecommunications.

CONTACT: Ericsson

Kathy Egan or Lars Jonsteg, 212/685-4030