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History of DSL When DSL was first developed in 1989 it was designed primarily for video. ADSL was the flavor of choice because it provides the high downstream rates needed for streaming video. Video on Demand (VOD) was viewed as the next generation service supporting the next generation network from telephone companies around the world. Video on Demand was expected to be the telephone company's way of competing with cable television providers, and ADSL was the technology to make it possible. However, with few exceptions, VOD has not proven to be as popular as was once predicted. Instead, the market for DSL has emerged much differently than was once expected. As it turns out, personal computer users need high-speed access to the Internet and corporate networks from residences and remote offices. Now, this PC user market has captured the attention of both cable TV providers and telephone companies, as both are furiously working to meet their needs. Avalon's DSL History Avalon Networks began ground-breaking research of DSL in 1997. Our founder and current head geek, "Doctor" Dave, teamed up with his pal, Mike Lutz, in an attempt to bring stable high-speed access into their own homes. In their struggle with no industry standard for DSL equipment, Avalon Networks became a testbed for manufacturers wanting to build more reliable, long-distance DSL hardware. Dave and Mike presented the results of Avalon's research at several DSL conferences. If you're a techie interested in the early xDSL trials performed by Avalon Networks, visit the link below. The site has not been updated since January 1999 and we ask that you ignore any dead links. 1997-98 Avalon Networks xDSL Trial ©2000 New Edge Network, Inc., All Rights Reserved.