Aiding DSL rollouts Catena Networks Inc. launched a network access architecture designed to accelerate mass deployment of DSL services, making them available faster and less expensively. As costs fall and bandwidth increases, the digital subscriber line trade-off between transmission speed and price alters, giving small and midsize businesses reasons to re-examine the technology, particularly if installation does not require a truck roll.
Service integration Catena, of Redwood Shores, Calif., integrates POTS (plain old telephone service) and DSL, putting the data service on each voice line at prices approaching the POTS level. The companys line card and asynchronous transfer mode multiplexer card, installed in remote terminals, let carriers deliver traditional voice service and DSL together without diminishing the number of available voice lines. The “card for card” upgrade lets carriers expand the DSL footprint without bolting on space-consuming multiplexer systems, external cabling and cabinets. Also, service requests can be handled from the central office with the CatenaView Element Management System, eliminating the need for truck rolls.
Testing, testing Three of the 10 largest U.S. local exchange carriers are testing the Catena upgrade. It costs less than $3,000.