The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) last week endorsed the G.Lite asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) standard, paving the way for modems based on the technology.
G.Lite is a slower version of ADSL that offers data transmission rates of up to 1.5M bit/sec. The standard will help pave the way for easy migration from today's analog modems to always-on, high-speed connections over standard phone lines, according to the Universal ADSL Working Group, which developed the standard.
Final ratification of G.Lite is expected at an ITU meeting next June, but the ITU's decision to "determine" the standard for G.Lite will give manufacturers and service providers confidence enough in the spec to move forward with bringing compatible products to market, according to the Working Group.
Dave Dorsey, a Working Group member and employee of Compaq, said that Compaq will integrate G.Lite into its Presario line of personal computers. "Compaq continues to be on track to ship G.Lite in Presarios in 1999," Dorsey said.
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Global telco leaders join universal ADSL group
IDG News Service, 5/12/98.
The Universal ADSL Working Group site
