AT&T Project Lightspeed Brings High Speed Internet Access to More Communities
DSL Internet access from telephone companies has come under fire from cable ISPs claiming that their Internet access plans will always be faster than DSL. Additionally, with the popularity of VoIP, cable companies are beginning to compete with telcos on their primary service. To level the playing field, AT&T has implemented Project Lightspeed, an extensive upgrade that brings high speed fiber-optic networking to 18 million additional customers.AT&T Project Lightspeed: Faster Broadband Internet
Project Lightspeed is a multibillion dollar venture that involves running fiber-optic cable deeper into neighborhoods, providing high speed voice, television and Internet services to AT&T customers. AT&T conducted a controlled launch of the service in San Antonio, Texas last year, and is continuing to add new communities to its program as the service increases in popularity.
AT&T plans to incorporate Project Lightspeed technology into service areas that span 13 states in the U.S. by 2008. Project Lightspeed works by bringing fiber-based cable within 3,000 feet of customer homes, which affords a substantial improvement in data transmission speeds and quality. Fiber-optic line can also handle more bandwidth than AT&T’s current choice of regular copper line. The fiber-optic cable provides 25 Mb of bandwidth, whereas copper line provides 1 - 2 Mb per second.
Project Lightspeed Features and Improvements
Increased transmission speed allows AT&T to bring enhanced services and features to their customers. The fiber-optic cable, of course, allows AT&T to offer super high speed Internet with transmissions speeds far beyond Internet and VoIP offerings. In addition to these standard services, AT&T is dreaming up other exciting and unique innovations to release with Project Lightspeed.
For instance, John Britton, a spokesman for AT&T, has described a scenario in which AT&T television services may broadcast sporting events at different angles all at the same time. AT&T television customers would then be able to choose which angle they would like to view their favorite sports game in, and be able to switch from angle to angle themselves in real time.
Britton also imagined a scenario in which an integrated network between television, Internet and VoIP services would allow caller ID to show up on the television screen without the viewer ever having to get up to check his or her phone. In general, AT&T is moving toward innovations that are highly interactive and will improve the daily lives of those subscribing to the service.
No matter what exciting innovations may come with Project Lightspeed, AT&T envisions this program will help the business community and residents alike with day-to-day activities. Project Lightspeed does not have a specific timeframe as to when work will begin in particular areas, but it will be interesting to see how residents use this enhanced Internet service and what offerings cable companies will come up with in response to be able to compete.