DSL Use Up
The number of DSL customers quadrupled in 2000, but growth in the segment halted in the first quarter, as many of the major competitive carriers filed for bankruptcy and others hiked rates, market research company TeleChoice says. There were more than 3.5 million DSL customers in North America in the first quarter, up from 882,470 in the same period a year ago. Of the 2.9 million DSL customers in the U.S., 83 percent were getting service from incumbent carriers.
Why Not Wi-Fi?
The Federal Communications Commission may agree to boost 802.11b wireless data networking, or Wi-Fi, transfer speeds, paving the way for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to roll out a new 54-megabit-per-second standard, about five times faster than allowed today. Wi-Fi enables wireless networking of laptops and desktops.
Bankrupt!
OnSite Access, which wires multitenant buildings with high-speed Internet access, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing $172 million in assets and $121 million in debts. Creditors include bankrupt Winstar Communications, which holds an $8 million unsecured claim.
Another Chip
TriQuint Semiconductor in Hillsboro, Ore., says it will buy Sawtek for $1.29 billion in stock. Sawtek, based in Apopka, Fla., makes filters used to clean up signals for wireless gear. TriQuint makes chips, including amplifiers used to boost weak wireless signals.
Branching Out
High-end router maker Juniper Networks says it has new technology that will help service providers to simultaneously deploy smart Internet Protocol services without compromising performance.