ADSL: Lucent Technologies signs OEM agreement with Efficient Networks to deliver interoperable ADSL solutions - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, May 31, 1999

Lucent Technologies and Efficient Networks, Inc., Tuesday announced an OEM agreement that gives service providers an end-to-end, standards-based solution for delivering ADSL service to businesses and homes.

Based on the agreement, Lucent will market and distribute Efficient Networks' SpeedStream ADSL routers and modems used by end users that interoperate with Lucent's AnyMedia ADSL solutions in service provider networks.

"A key factor for service providers buying and deploying ADSL network equipment is the number of interoperable ADSL customer premises equipment (CPE) options it supports," said Linda Manchester, director of DSL, Lucent Technologies. "With this agreement, service providers using Lucent's AnyMedia ADSL solutions in their network can add Efficient's SpeedStream ADSL modems and routers to their list of interoperable CPE, giving end users multiple options."

"As an independent CPE supplier, Efficient Networks has always been active in working with leading central office equipment vendors to prove interoperability," said Greg Langdon, vice president of marketing, Efficient Networks Inc. "Lucent is a major player in the communications market and we are pleased to combine our SpeedStream ADSL products with their AnyMedia ADSL solutions as a world-class, interoperable ADSL solution for service providers."

Lucent's AnyMedia ADSL solutions are based on an ADSL line card that can be "plugged" into an AnyMedia Access System, a local or remote AnyMedia Access Interface Unit connected to a 5ESS switch, or a PathStar Access Server, giving service providers multiple choices within their network architecture for deploying ADSL service. Both the Lucent and Efficient Networks equipment offer full-rate ADSL today and support for G.Lite is forthcoming.

Lucent will continue to work with Efficient Networks in an effort to achieve interoperability across its entire line of ADSL routers and modems based on chip sets from multiple ADSL silicon providers. Multi-vendor ADSL interoperability will accelerate the deployment of ADSL service and help ensure that if an end user moves to a new location or changes service providers, their ADSL modem will work in other networks.

The AnyMedia Access System is a global, multiservice platform designed to provide network access to any service - voice, data and broadband - from any medium - fiber, copper and wireless. With its high line densities, small size and broadband capabilities, service providers using the AnyMedia Access System can cost-effectively meet current service requirements while preparing themselves for future demand. Since its introduction last September, the AnyMedia Access System has been purchased by more than 25 service providers in seven different countries with a number of them currently trialing the system's integrated AnyMedia ADSL capabilities.

Efficient Networks' comprehensive line of SpeedStream DSL CPE includes Ethernet-attached external routers and bridges, consumer-installable Universal Serial Bus-attached external modems and internal add-in modems. This broad line provides a range of CPE solutions for service providers, ISPs, PC OEMs and integrators. To minimize training and support calls, Efficient's ADSL products have been designed to be uniquely easy to install, use and service.

Efficient Networks, Inc., is a premier supplier of DSL customer premises equipment (CPE) to the worldwide data and telecommunications markets. The company's SpeedStream product line includes a suite of internal and external modems all designed for simple, rapid installation. As a recognized leader in ATM/ADSL technology, Efficient Networks is a member of the ATM Forum, the ADSL Forum and the Universal ADSL Working Group. With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, Efficient Networks also has offices in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Chicago, northern California and Virginia. For more information, see Efficient's World Wide Web home page at www.efficient.com.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communication systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm of the company. More information about Lucent Technologies can be found on the company's Web site at http://www.lucent.com.