BOSTON (07/19/2000) - Gateway Inc. Wednesday hitched a ride on the DSL (digital subscriber line) bandwagon by announcing the launch of its SDSL (symmetric DSL) and ADSL (asymmetric DSL) services for small and medium-sized businesses. The services, claims the company, will speed up a customer's Internet experience by offering data throughput at up to 14 times the speed of today's fastest modem.
DSL technology uses normal telephone lines to offer high-speed and dedicated access to the Internet. The technology eliminates the need for dialing into the Internet with its "always on" capability.
Gateway will offer DSL connections at varying prices to customers depending on their requirements. The company's SDSL package, WorkGroup DSL, is targeted at small businesses and work groups and will offer Internet access at a maximum speed of 784K-bps (bits per second), priced at a flat rate of US$199.95 per month.
For the upwardly mobile and SOHO (small office home office) market, Gateway has introduced an ADSL package dubbed Telecommuter DSL. On offer will be remote DSL Internet access from prearranged locations at speeds of up to 784K-bps, priced at $79.95 per month.
Gateway is bundling free installation and equipment fees for a one year commitment for either package, said Ruth Rosene, public relations manager at Gateway Business, in a telephone interview Wednesday. The company said it will also offer free technical support and handle everything -- from installing the DSL modem to getting the connection up and running, she added.
In addition to complementing its Web hosting and electronic commerce services, Gateway will also provide the DSL service as a stand-alone offering, Rosene said. "Unlike IBM (Corp.), we are not asking customers to purchase our hardware to avail (themselves) of this service," she said, adding that the service is intended to help customers by providing them with an end-to-end service. "They don't need to call different vendors for DSL hardware, installation and access.
We handle it all and send out just one bill," Rosene said.
Gateway, in North Sioux City, South Dakota, can be reached at +1-605-232-2000 or http://www.gateway.com/.