Telco Systems Introduces Secure WiFi Hotspot VDSL Backhaul Solution That Uses Existing Copper-Pair Infrastructure to Reduce Service Provider Deployment Costs

Business Wire, May 7, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FOXBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2004

Telco Systems today announced its new, secure WiFi VDSL Internet access solution, which provides broadband backhaul Ethernet connectivity from a WiFi hotspot to a service provider's backbone network over existing copper-pair infrastructure. The new Telco Systems WiFi VDSL backhaul solution eliminates the need for expensive T1 circuit provisioning or other costly access solutions such as deployment of fiber or Category 5 cable.

"Telco Systems' secure WiFi VDSL backhaul solution brings the simplicity and efficiency of Ethernet to legacy telephony infrastructures to provide high-bandwidth backhaul connectivity that can significantly improve Return On Investment when compared to the cost of WiFi network deployments that utilize other backhaul approaches," said Irit Gillath, Telco Systems' Vice President of IP Product Line Management.

The new Telco Systems' VDSL (Very high data rate DSL) Ethernet backhaul solution was developed for WiFi hotspot deployments at hotels, airports, Multi-Dwelling Units (MDU), Multi-Tenant Units (MTU), and other public locations.

VDSL offers the highest data rates of the DSL technologies and supports full duplex transmission at 10 Mbps to distances as much as 4,200 feet. Ethernet over Category 5 cable has a distance limitation of 300 feet. Using T1 links for backhaul has a bandwidth limitation of 1.54 Mbps compared to 10 Mbps for VDSL.

Telco Systems' solution also provides user authentication capabilities so that security is ensured throughout the entire network locking out unauthorized users and delivering service to only paid subscribers.

The Telco Systems secure WiFi VDSL backhaul solution integrates the company's EdgeLink VTU10 VDSL termination unit, which is at the WiFi access point; the EdgeLink V24S, which concentrates up to 24 VDSL lines from up to 24 wireless access points and provides uplink connectivity to the service provider's Internet backbone. Telco Systems' T5 Compact IP routing switch handles user authentication as well as traffic aggregation. The complete solution complies with the IEEE 802.1x standard and, when used in conjunction with a RADIUS server, controls access in a central location on a user or device basis with a certificate or user name and password combination.

About Telco Systems

Based in Foxboro, Massachusetts, Telco Systems provides industry-leading networking solutions to the carrier, service provider and enterprise markets. Telco Systems' focus is to maximize the power of their customers' networks by integrating transport, access, and packet technologies onto industry-leading platforms that meet today and tomorrow's network demands.

Telco Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of BATM Advanced Communications. BATM (London stock exchange ticker symbol: BVC) is a worldwide leader in designing and supplying carrier-class IP packet-based systems, such as high-capacity, self-routing switches with extensive QoS (Quality of Service). For more information, please visit Telco Systems' web site at http://www.telco.com.