Dell Computer Corp said yesterday it would begin to ship integrated Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modems within its Dimension XPS line of desktop PCs as early as next week. The Austin, Texas-based PC giant got together with US West and Cisco Systems Inc at this week’s COMDEX trade show in Las Vegas to announce what they claim is the first integrated broadband modem solution. Under the partnership, Dell will custom configure Cisco’s ADSL modems within its PCs for customers who use US West’s MegaBit (ADSL) services. Earlier this week, Compaq Computer Corp announced that it would integrate a version of the new ADSL modem, G.Lite, inside its new Presario PC (CI No 3,541). But until service providers start to offer G.Lite standards, which some pundits predict won’t be until next year, users won’t be able to take advantage of the high-speed technology. On the other hand, Dell, Cisco and US West’s announcement is about delivering ASDL services today, albeit restricted to those customers who sign up to US West’s MegaBit service. By making the announcement, the companies are delivering on a promise they made back in May when the three unveiled an alliance (CI No 3,502) to work together to provide ADSL-ready PCs later this year. A spokesperson for Dell said the PCs would go into production this week and would begin to ship as early as next week. He added that the modem will download data from the internet at speeds up to 7.5Mbps, faster than the standard 1.5Mbps of other DSL modems and four to 125 times faster than traditional 56K dial up modems. The announcement is part of Dell’s strategy, called ConnectDirect, aimed at getting users up and running on the internet within 15 minutes. The initiative was initially established as a result of partnerships the PC maker formed with AT&T Corp’s WorldNet service, Excite Inc and SBC Communications Inc. Under the program, the spokesperson said Dell offers consumers and small businesses a quick and easy internet sign-on process and personalized web start pages that will, through integration with Excite, offer customizable news content and direct links to Dell services, support and registration. The program also offers high- speed access to other DSL services via partnerships with SBC and Bell Atlantic. But to access them, users have to buy separate, external modems. And the same is true of Dell’s recently- announced partnership with @Home Networks to access its cable internet service (CI No 3,542). Dimension PCs with the Cisco ADSL modem start at $1,399 and include a 333MHz Intel Celeron processor and 32MB of memory. All PCs are covered by Dell’s 3- year warranty.
