The new VDSL2 solution was presented Monday at the international GLOBALCOMM telecommunication trade show in Chicago.

VDSL2 has enough bandwith to provide residential and business customers a super-fast triple play of services - voice, video and data - over standard copper telephone lines. That puts them on par with customers on fiber-optic networks who already enjoy such services.

Ericsson's VDSL2 solution also allows operators to compete head-to-head against cable and satellite companies. With VDSL2, broadband providers can sell high-definition television, video-on-demand, interactive gaming and other services that today's copper consumers can get only via cable or a dish.

Consumers will also be able to enjoy the new combinations of technologies that are transforming today's telecommunications market.

At GLOBALCOMM this week, for example, Ericsson is conducting a joint demonstration with Sony to show how consumers can wirelessly view digital photos stored on their phones on their high-definition televisions at home. VDSL2 would allow consumers served by copper lines to tap into such services.

Ericsson is the first telecommunication vendor to roll out a brand new product line for VDSL2 access using Ethernet architecture. The technology is being tested successfully in Spain, Singapore and Germany.

Several operators have already expressed interest in the product, says Björn Odenhammar, Ericsson's product management director for Ethernet Access.

"We believe we have a head start of 6-12 months on our competitors," Odenhammar says. "Our competitors offer only VDSL upgrades or additions to previous products."

Ericsson's VDSL2 is next-generation DSL, using a simplified network architecture that reduces overhead expenses for operators. Until now, one of the main barriers to wide deployment of VDSL has been cost.

VDSL2 is expected to grow as consumer demand for high-end video and data services continues to increase.

"GLOBALCOMM is one of the key broadband-focused events in the world," he says, "and I believe our VDSL2 launch will be one of the most important announcements at this year's event."

Karin Rives
Editorial Services