If you're thinking about consulting with companies that use SHDSL equipment, you'd better think global. SHDSL is not as popular in the United States as it is in other countries. Instead, business professionals and businesses use ADSL or SDSL in the United States.

Symmetric High-Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Loop (SHDSL) or better yet, G.HDSL, is an international standard ratified in February 2001. It’s a symmetric technology, meaning that data travels at the same speed for both uploading and downloading. If you have American customers who are interested in this technology, you won’t find many ISPs that provide SHDSL services. You’ll be more successful in finding SHDSL equipment. Here are three main things to consider when contacting SHDSL equipment providers:

1. Stick with SHDSL equipment providers that sell loop G.SHDSL modems.

2. Work with SHDSL manufacturers that sell G.SHDSL routers.

3. Deal with SHDSL equipment providers that sell SHDSL bridges.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work with SHDSL equipment providers that sell loop G.SHDSL modems

Modems are the gateways to the Internet, so you'll want to work with companies that produce reliable and sophisticated modems. Make sure the SHDSL manufacturers are using the latest technologies when it comes to modems. For example, they should have wireless SHDSL modems that have advanced security features.

I recommend: Semaphore makes the S20 digital subscriber loop modem that converts existing copper wire technology into high-speed Ethernet network. The modem uses dual Ethernet transmission that enables data to travel faster over copper wire. RADirect, another SHDSL manufacturer, makes a modem that expands a T1 line, data traffic, or LAN up to four miles over copper wire. It is also compatible with multiple various data rates, ranging from 64 to 4608Kbps.

Stick with SHDSL equipment providers that sell G.SHDSL routers

You definitely want to work with companies that produce G.SHDSL routers, because routers enable you to access the Internet. In addition, such routers give you the ability to connect other computers so they can access the Internet.

I recommend: Telindus Access Products make an SHDSL router that has multiple ports, along with a built-in SHDSL line interface that provides symmetric full-duplex transmission. Data can travel up to 2.3Mbps. You’ll also want to look at ZyXel, which makes an SHDSL modem for medium-sized businesses to access the Internet. Remote offices also will like this router.

Work with SHDSL manufacturers that sell SHDSL bridges

Bridges may not be as popular in the United States because of the dominance of routers and switches. However, bridges play essential roles when it comes to SHDSL. You want to work with companies that make SHDSL bridges which can handle bandwidth-hungry applications.

I recommend: CDW Corp. has a Symmetric High-Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber loop bridge that offers symmetric data rate up to 10,000 feet at 9.2Mbps. It is designed to tackle applications that require large bandwidth, such as video conferencing and video streaming. Billion Electric Co. also makes an SHDSL bridge that not only is a router, but also provides symmetric data rate up to 2.3Mbps/4.6Mbps.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Contact Verizon for SHDSL services if you must have SHDSL services. Verizon is one of the few ISPs (Internet Service Providers) in the United States that offers SHDSL services.