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DSL Modems Go Standard

3Com and Intel modems support G.Lite and add USB support.

By Eric Brown, PCWorld   

For over a year, Digital Subscriber Line vendors have been promising two new features designed to ease the often prickly DSL installation process: the G.Lite standard and Universal Serial Bus connectivity. At this week's Consumer Electronics Show here, 3Com and Intel showed off new DSL modems that support both standards, and 3Com went one step further by introducing a modem that offers USB and Ethernet DSL access simultaneously.

The G.Lite and USB standards help to smooth and in some cases eliminate two different parts of the installation process. DSL customers typically need to stay home from work for at least two visits: one from a telecommunications technician and one from a PC installation tech. Because industry-standard G.Lite modems have a splitter built in, there's no need for a telecommunications technician to make an appointment to enter the home and install a splitter.

A splitter is required, however, if the DSL provider does not yet support G.Lite or if the user signs up for one of the higher-speed (1.5 to 8 megabits per second) tiers of service. Both these modems also support the full-rate G.DMT standard for high-speed, full-rate DSL.

Technically savvy users who have USB-equipped PCs can theoretically install the modem and set up the service themselves, without a PC technician. At the very least, the technician can forego the hassle of opening up the computer to install and configure an Ethernet card. And since USB devices draw power from the host computer, that means one less power cord in the tangle behind your desk.

USB and Ethernet Support

3Com's ADSL HomeConnect Modem Dual Link USB is not only one of the first USB DSL modems available, it's one of the first to offer USB and Ethernet connectivity simultaneously. Since the supplied USB cable stretches only 9 feet, however, the main focus is not on networked users, but on users who bring a laptop home from work. Rather than copy work to the PC, you can plug in directly and share the line, even when another user is surfing the Web from the desktop PC.

According to 3Com spokesperson Dave DeVries, the external-only Dual Link doesn't replace 3Com's existing external and PCI Ethernet HomeConnect modems. The modem has no retail price, since the modems are discounted significantly by providers, but DeVries expects that most HomeConnect resellers, such as Bell Atlantic, will offer the Dual Link as an option at a very small additional cost. The modems are available immediately.

Intel's First Mainstream Play

Although Intel has provided proprietary DSL modems to US West, its Intel PRO/DSL 3100 Modem is its first standards-based DSL solution aimed at the general market. Due to ship in February, the external modem comes with a suggested list price of $295. However, as with the 3Com modem, most users are likely to see the modem heavily discounted or even given away free. Intel has not yet announced its DSL provider partners.

Both vendors have introduced new software aimed at easing the installation process for users. "We have developed a software wizard that walks you right through the process," says Intel spokesperson Jessica Daughetee.

Not Totally G.Lited Yet

Although both modems support G.Lite, the standard itself is still being tweaked, and providers have yet to support it. Both vendors plan to provide for software updates over the Internet when the standard solidifies this summer. "Numerous lines of code need to be tweaked [by both providers and vendors]," says 3Com's DeVries. "But it's going fast and furious, so I think we're on target for midyear."

Originally, two types of G.Lite modems were expected: cheap G.Lite and more expensive full-rate. But vendors are delivering a single line of modems that support both. "The cost differential for creating two separate lines doesn't make sense," says Intel's Daughetee.