Hoping to build on its position as the market leader in ADSL customer premise equipment, Efficient Networks Inc. last month introduced a new line of DSL modems and routers.
Dubbed SpeedStream, the family consists of four devices that each can be configured four different ways. The product line includes the 5100, 5200, 5400, and 5500. All four devices can be configured as a bridge device, providing basic access; as an embedded PPPoE bridge that eliminates the need to use a software client for gaining broadband access; or as a router to all concurrent users, said Patrick Fitzgerald, director of product marketing at Dallas-based Efficient Networks, a subsidiary of Siemens.
“We worked with our service providers to design products that help with voice, video, and data,” said Fitzgerald. “Service providers want predictability and stability.”
The 5100 is described as a single Ethernet LAN port or simply a DSL modem. The 5200 is a DSL modem but with a USB port for connectivity with the computer. Meanwhile the 5300 and 5400 are four port-switched modems that can be used to connect multiple users.
Fitzgerald adds that all of the devices contain the same software and service providers will be able to turn on and off functionality as required or requested by customers. In other words, a DSL subscriber will not have to trade in a customer premise equipment device when requesting additional features like routing or security, which is built into the device.
The family provides full-rate ADSL and G.lite support with 8Mbps downstream and 1MPBs upstream connectivity.
According to first quarter 2002 data from market research firm Dell’Oro Group Inc., Efficient Networks possesses a 24 per cent market share for ADSL customer premise equipment.
Fitzgerald concluded that the company intends to offer 802.111 wireless connectivity in the first quarter 2003, thus permitting users to concurrently share DSL access wirelessly.
