Tier1Net's "DSL Tomorrow" Program Powered by Pre-configured Netopia Routers - Brief Article

ISP Business, Oct, 2000

Tier1Net Inc., a full service integrated communications provider specializing in wholly managed Internet network solutions, has launched the DSL Tomorrow program, a quick-start program designed to get business customers connected to the Internet within 24 hours without having to wait for DSL provisioning. To drive its new program, Tier1Net has standardized on routers with integrated dial-up support manufactured by Netopia Inc., a provider of DSL Internet equipment and e-commerce Web platforms to small and medium size businesses.

Tier1Net's innovative network architecture coupled with Netopia's R2020 dual analog router and R7120 SDSL router enable Tier1Net to offer customers a high-speed Internet connection in a day. Tie1Net ships pre-configured Netopia Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to its small business customers via overnight courier. When the Netopia router arrives, the customer simply connects it to his local area network and an outside telephone line, and has an Internet connection at speeds from 56 Kbps to 168 Kbps, with higher dial-up speeds attained by bonding multiple analog lines. When a high-speed DSL connection becomes available for that customer, Tier1Net can either ship a DSL router to replace the analog unit, or activate the DSL daughter card already in place inside the Netopia router and reroute the connection over DSL.

Netopia's R2020 dual analog router provides dial-in/dial-out access over one, two, or three telephone lines. Unlike other analog devices, the R2020 has a built-in 8-port hub and secure Virtual Private Networking (VPN) so it can connect a customer's LAN to the Internet or extranet by aggregating up to three modems for an effective throughput of 168 Kbps. Netopia's R7120 has integrated V.90 dial backup as well as symmetric DSL (SDSL) support, and is capable of sustaining data rates from 160 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps. It also has built-in NAT and MultiNAT security, VPN support, a built-in firewall, and other security and optimization features.

Tier1Net is offering customers DSL services at data rates ranging from 144 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps for prices starting at $125 per month.