FastADSL Extends Bandwidth for Broadcast-Quality Video

By Laura Michalski

(03/14/01, 05:14:22 PM EDT)

FastADSL technology, developed by Analog Devices and Aware is now available. FastADSL is a software enhancement to Analog Devices' ADSL chipsets, found in 8 of the world's top 10 PSTNs (Public Switched Telephone Networks) and designed into more than 75 percent of the world's xDSL systems. With FastADSL, a single telephone line can carry two channels of broadcast-quality (MPEG-2) video, high-speed Internet access, and traditional voice services. Coupling the ADI chipset with FastADSL technology enables data rates in excess of 11 Mbps, nearly 200 times faster than V.90 modems.

Since the majority of households currently have more than one television, advanced video services that support two or more separate channels of video simultaneously have tremendous market potential. By adding digital television and video-on-demand (VOD) to their high-speed Internet access and traditional telephony offerings, service providers, such as telephone companies, can now offer a comprehensive bundle of services utilizing their existing ADSL and wireline infrastructure to compete effectively with cable and satellite services.