The ultimate convergence of next-generation voice and data networks will be driven firstly by the adoption of DSL (digital subscriber line) technology, Anthony Cesta, of Brampton, Ont.
Industry Canada last month announced plans to create a task force that will devise options for bringing high speed Internet access to every rural and remote community by 2004. The timeline of the vision raised eyebrows as both carriers and analysts wondered how this goal would be accomplished when service providers in urban communities are still struggling over how to solve the last mile bottleneck in those areas.