SWITCHED DIGITAL SERVICE 56 (SDS 56) DESCRIPTION ------------- SDS 56 is a digital telecommunications service available from Pacific Bell. It is a low-cost digital, dial-up alternative to leased lines or analog services. CAPABILITIES ------------ Switched 56 is easy to use -- you simply dial another user's Switched 56 number to transmit data at 56 Kilobits per second (Kbps). And it's affordable -- your data call won't cost any more than a regular voice call. For all of these reasons, Switched 56 is especially suited to intermittent, high-speed data transmission applications. EASE OF USE: A standard telephone number is provided for placing and receiving Switched 56 calls, including 1+, 7 and 10 digit intraLATA , interLATA and international dialing. PRICING: Pricing is similar to regular telephone service -- You pay only for what you use: a low, flat monthly charge plus intraLATA transport at existing voice usage rates, with time-of-day discounts. RELIABILITY: Pacific Bell Switched 56 services are designed to exceed the minimum performance thresholds; they have a Bit Error Rate of 8.9 x 10(-8) and 95 percent Error Free Seconds (EFS) on 99 percent of end-to-end intraLATA calls. SUPPORT: All of our data transport products and services are backed by extensive network services experience and highly trained professionals. If your require assistance, call us 24 hours a day, and day of the year. COMPATIBILITY ----------------- To ensure the quality and reliability of Pacific Bell Switched 56, we've designed and engineered the Pacific Bell Circuit Switched Data 56 (CSD 56) network exclusively for switched digital data services. Pacific Bell offers three products which provide Switched 56 capability using the CSD 56 network: Centrex IS, CenPath, SDS IS and SDS 56. These products connect to the CSD 56 network and are fully interoperable with all other connected services, including Switched 56 services from other local exchange carriers (LECs) and inter-exchange carriers (IECs). As a result, Pacific Bell Switched 56 users can complete local, long distance, interstate and even international calls. You have a choice of IECs on demand. WHAT YOU NEED ----------------- You need special equipment to use Switched 56 services, which varies depending on the application. In all cases you need a DSU (either a Datapath compatible two-wire DSU or a four-wire Switched 56 DSU with dialing capability. Pacific Bell has arrangements with equipment manufacturers to help you select and install the correct equipment. BUSINESS USES FOR SDS 56 and SWITCHED 56 ----------------------------------------------- VIDEO CONFERENCING: This exciting application allows businesses to hold face-to-face, interactive meetings between people in two or more locations. While the cost of data transport previously put video conferencing out of the reach of many companies, Switched 56 services make it affordable. Most video codecs (used for video conferencing) are designed to take two Switched 56 inputs and automatically combine them for 112 Kbps. HIGH SPEED BULK DATA TRANSPORT: Switched 56 offers the speed of dedicated services and the economy of dial-up for transferring data files. Applications include uploading/downloading, terminal to host access, database access and shared library resources. IMAGING: With Switched 56, users can quickly exchange high quality images, replacing overnight courier services. Imaging applications include advertising layouts, radiology images, real estate listings, digitized microfiche, electronic publishing and digitized fingerprints. DISASTER RECOVERY/BACKUP: If your are using a 56 Kbps Digital Data Service (DDS) or Advanced Digital Network (ADN) circuit, it makes sense to back it up with digital Switched 56 rather than a slower speed analog dial-up service. That way, you can enjoy digital service and maintain productivity even during a disaster situation. GROUP IV FAX: Group IV fax offers superior resolution and is, at a minimum, five times faster than Group III fax (the current standard). Switched 56 offers a flexible and low-cost method for connecting your Group IV machines together. Group IV fax is great for blueprints, library documents, legal documents and detailed graphics. HIGH SPEED TELECOMMUTING: For telecommuters using high speed workstations, Switched 56 alleviates the communications bottleneck caused by modems and analog lines. HIGH QUALITY DIGITIZED AUDIO (7.5 Khz): Many radio stations are installing Switched 56 service to broadcast from remote locations instead of using satellite transmission or leased lines. CONNECTING LANS: SDS 56 can be a cost-effective way to link distant LANs. With the right equipment, data destined for a remote LAN can be recognized and the line automatically dialed for a connection through SDS 56. CONNECTING REMOTE USERS TO LANS: SDS 56 can be a cost-effective way to connect remote users (PCs, Macintoshes and workstations) to their company LAN or host computer. AVAILABILITY ---------------- Like our other Switched 56 products, SDS 56 transmits data at a full-duplex, digital synchronous 56 Kbps rate for the price of a voice phone call. SDS 56 significantly increases Pacific Bell's Switched 56 availability to more than 80% of our business customers. With SDS 56 technology, Pacific Bell can now offer Switched 56 service to customers who previously could not be served because of technical limitations. In addition, SDS 56 provides a Switched 56 option for our not-Centrex customers. To increase the availability of Switched 56 service, SDS 56 will be provided using either two- or four-wire technology. The distance from your central office (where the telephone switch is) will determine which of these technologies will be used -- the four-wire option extends the service farther. You can call the Switched Data hotline at 800-995-0346 to find out about availability for your telephone prefix. Pacific Bell will work with the inter-exchange carrier (IEC) of your choice, who provides the long distance portion of your transport. TO GET MORE INFORMATION ----------------------------- Contact your Pacific Bell account team for more information. For fax-back information on any of Pacific Bell's switched digital products, call 800-995-0346. The fax-back system has diagrams and other information not on this BBS. Application example diagrams are available on this BBS for download. Go to the main menu and visit the FILES FOR DOWNLOAD area. ** Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.**