Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Ltd, the leading supplier of high performance telecommunications solutions, is unveiling its new FDX Multi-Service Broadband Solution today, launching its second generation broadband platform at London's Vinopolis City of Wine to an audience of over 100 European network operators and service providers. As the UK's leading supplier of broadband access solutions, Fujitsu's focus at the event is on providing tangible proof that the FDX product will change the business economics of broadband access. Unique features of Fujitsu's new FDX platform include the ability to deliver a world-leading five times increase on currently-available DSL capacity. It is also the first product of its type to combine fast Internet and video services on the same platform, as well as enabling huge amounts of core bandwidth to be saved in the network infrastructure.

Andy Hunwicks, Director of Marketing, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Ltd, highlights the business message of the launch: "Our message is one of maximising the business advantages presented by the new operating environment, giving new and incumbent operators as well as service providers the tools to forge ahead in the competitive telecommunications market. With local loop unbundling just around the corner, we are working with both technical and managerial staff all the time, offering guidance on the realities of deploying DSL access networks as they move into the unbundled copper access market. And now, with our new FDX multi-service broadband platform, we believe that we can dramatically change the economics of the European broadband access environment."

"We also have extensive international broadband expertise, offering a unique understanding of the market issues, regional requirements and infrastructure. The UK ADSL roll-out provides a prime example of this approach in action. Not only are we are the leading supplier of broadband access solutions in the UK, but we are also a global provider of Internet-focused IT solutions, with extensive international broadband expertise (including deployments in the USA, Asia and Japan). These factors have contributed significantly to the success of the UK project. Add to this our new second generation DSL product line, and we believe that we can offer an unprecedented combination of business knowledge and innovative technology to the European marketplace."

Fujitsu's new FDX DSL Access Concentrator is an advanced next-generation access product, specifically designed to maximise the use of copper access networks. It provides a modular, future-proof platform that enables straightforward, rapid service deployment - encompassing voice, data, multimedia applications and new-generation telecommunications services. The system concentrates multiple DSL access lines into high-speed switching network interfaces, reducing the amount of equipment and cabling required for broadband support.

The FDX DSL Access Concentrator offers an immediate five times increase in DSL line density, enabling operators to exceed the OFTEL requirement well into the future, without the need to change any equipment. It also facilitates major cost savings, as the first solution to allow simultaneous fast Internet and video services on the same platform. With the addition of SDSL line cards and Integrated Access Devices (IADs), the platform can support voice emulation through class-leading gateway products. In addition, it also reduces the costly element of home Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) installation, as CPE is software configurable from the network. With its high density and high speed network interfaces, including auxiliary ports, huge amounts of core bandwidth can be saved with FDX, as it enables broadband content to be provided from local centres rather than the central network. As a modular platform, FDX allow operators to build the optimum size of DSLAM for each application. Line cards can be added as required, and the FDX CPE can be upgraded from one to four ports over the Internet, helping to maintain customer satisfaction.

Key product features include:-
Multi-service DSL platform, supporting business and residential services
Supporting simultaneous operation of ADSL, SDSL and VDSL line cards for future customer upgrades
Flexible, modular architecture, making deployment cost-effective in a wide range of Geotypes
Ultra-high density, using minimum exchange floor space
Compatible with a wide range of CPE
Designed to support evolution to emulated legacy services

The FDX DSL Access Concentrator forms part of Fujitsu's market-leading broadband access equipment, developed to provide network operators with a choice of high-performance access solutions. FDX supports both ADSL (dmt/G.lite) and SDSL (G.shdsl) technology, with evolution to the emerging VDSL standards planned for 2001. The FDX platform complements Fujitsu's range of access multiplexers, the FBX-Access SDH platform, and the FBX-DSL - the first SDH-based HDSL system. Fujitsu's FDX provides xDSL access via the copper infrastructure, with services concentrated using the ATM switch. This also provides VC priority-based queuing, VP shaping, flexible QoS and congestion control for network and user traffic. The modularity of the FDX makes it possible to expand the network interface rate from STM-1 to STM-4. A software-download capability enables remote upgrades, and all the key system features can be configured, maintained and managed remotely by Fujitsu's well-established Access Network Management System - FLEXR-EM/AC.

Currently employing 1,230 staff around Europe, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe is a strategic division of the Telecommunications Group, Fujitsu Limited, Japan - one of the world's largest communications equipment suppliers. Fujitsu's customer base includes wide-ranging contracts across the breadth of modern telecommunications networks. Focused on providing strategic end to end solutions, Fujitsu offers a complete turnkey service - from project planning, community liaison, cable laying and civil engineering, to installation, implementation and ongoing maintenance.

Headquartered in Birmingham, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe has extensive research and development facilities and also operates as part of Fujitsu's global manufacturing resource. The company has a long-established track record for product and service innovation, with extensive expertise in the field of leading edge optical transmission and telecommunications switching technology. This ranges from the development of the most advanced Photonic Network Solutions; to Passive Optical Networks; Fibre Access Systems; Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) networks; Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) solutions; Radio Access Systems and IP Applications; in addition to its TMN-compliant Network Management Systems.

For further information, please contact: