Acterna Introduces First Single-Platform Multi-Rate DSL Solution
Tester Speeds Up DSL Provisioning and Troubleshooting
GERMANTOWN, MD. – July 17, 2001 – Acterna, (NASDAQ: ACTR) today announced the addition of symmetrical high speed DSL analysis capability to the Acterna Testpad DSL Broadband Services Module, making it the only all-in-one solution available for DSL service provisioning. With the release, Acterna offers the convenience of testing multiple DSL services from a single platform without the need for exchanging test modules. As a result, network operators can more quickly install, commission and maintain revenue-generating DSL services.
The new functionality allows technicians to use the Acterna's Testpad DSL Broadband Services Module to deploy SDSL and G.SHDSL, two emerging high-speed symmetrical DSL services that deliver services up to 2.3 Mbps both upstream and downstream.
The DSL Broadband Services Module is the most comprehensive DSL solution available. It offers full-service DSL test capability, including ATM loopback, to validate the ATM virtual circuit, point-to-point protocol, PING to test connections across the entire network, and Ethernet through mode to pinpoint customer premises equipment problems. The tester supports automated testing and test configuration, and multiple test configurations can be stored for later use.
"The incorporation of SDSL and G.SHDSL capability into the Acterna DSL Broadband Services Module directly addresses the growing deployment of symmetrical DSL," said Chris Brozenick, director of marketing for the Acterna TestPad. "The DSL module will help service providers reduce costs because it streamlines DSL testing procedures, allowing technicians to switch between ADSL, SDSL, and G.SHDSL with the push of a button. Technicians can perform more turn-ups per day and troubleshoot problems the first time out, reducing truck rolls."
The Acterna TestPad is a universal, modular field tester engineered to meet the portability and technological requirements of service providers' mobile workforces. Designed to quickly and accurately provision, troubleshoot, and ensure service for today's rapidly evolving communications technologies, the lightweight tester combines with eight application-specific modules to support and optimize performance of optical, voice and data networks. The TestPad's touch screen color GUI simplifies testing procedures, and many of the most commonly required applications can be accessed via one-touch testing.
About Acterna Access Network Solutions
Acterna is the global market leader in access network test and management equipment, systems, software and services. With an unmatched product portfolio, Acterna provides more than 100 solutions for testing access networks and services that help carriers bridge the "last mile" to businesses and residential customers. Acterna's solutions are used to manufacture, deploy, manage and optimize networks to carry high-speed broadband services, including DSL. An industry pioneer, Acterna was the first to introduce a portable ADSL test solution.
Glossary: ADSL: asymmetrical digital subscriber line; ATM: asynchronous transfer mode; DSL: digital subscriber line; SDSL: symmetrical digital subscriber line; G.SHDSL: single-pair high-speed digital subscriber line
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Acterna, 20400 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876-4023. Tel: 301-353-1560; Fax: 301-353-9380.