One of the most useful weapons for competitive local exchange carriers attacking the business market is the integrated access device.

Until now, most devices have been based on time division multiplexing and have required a T-1 link to the customer premises. But a new device from Jetstream uses asynchronous transfer mode over digital subscriber line. CLECs could use it offer integrated voice and data service to businesses with fewer than 12 telephone lines. Companies of that size make up 95% of the small to medium-sized business market, said Jetstream President David Frankel.

Jetstream's Unity product supports up to 16 voice lines and a data connection over a single DSL link. A CLEC can configure a customer for fewer phones and add new ones as required without returning to the incumbent for additional facilities, said Ken Kolderup, director of marketing.

When a telephone is on-hook, no bandwidth is required, freeing up space for data connectivity, he added.

Although the only DSL-based integrated access device, Unity is likely to face competition from another manufacturer within the next two months, said Greg Cline, principal analyst for Internet architecture at In-Stat/Business Research Group.

"We see the emergence of multiservice DSL as the T-1 of small business. DSL will play the same role T-1 plays, but it's less rigid," said Cline, adding, "Sprint alluded to this type of functionality in its ION announcement."

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