30 November 2009 - TRaC – testing consultancy of choice for major telecoms operators around the world – has unveiled its expanded flagship DSL test facility during an official opening ceremony at its UK headquarters.

Robin Mersh, chief operating officer at the Broadband Forum - the global organisation working to develop the full potential of broadband, and of which TRaC is a member – cut the ribbon officially opening the newly extended centre, in Hull.

The opening follows the re-location of TRaC’s Santa Clara test operation back to the UK and has created the most advanced and comprehensive independent DSL testing capability anywhere in the world today.

Robin Mersh said: “The growth of broadband around the world has created a phenomenal change in how people communicate, and an absolutely vital component in making it all possible are test laboratories that ensure products can work successfully – and easily – with each other.

“What TRaC has created here in Hull is a truly world class facility – one of the flagship laboratories at the very heart of the broadband revolution. I feel very privileged to have been invited here today to see it for myself and to formally open it for the benefit of telecommunications network operators and equipment and chipset vendors across the world.�

Among the equipment and services open to chipset manufacturers, equipment vendors and telecoms operators at the new facility will be access to nine test rigs and over 25 DSLAMS, the availability of two dedicated interoperability laboratories, access to both European and US DSLAMS and 24/7 working with remote capability.

The technologies covered at the centre will be ADSL, SHDSL, ADSL2plus and VDSL2, as well as worldwide regulatory testing covering EMC, Radio, Safety and DSL.

“We have a proud heritage in testing that goes back 25 years and our expanded test facility offers a truly world-class capability for anyone needing to carry out this type of work in the DSL sector,� said TRaC Telecoms & Radio managing director Paul Russell.

“The broadband explosion of the past few years has heaped enormous pressure on everyone concerned with all aspects of DSL delivery as bandwidth expectations have continued to increase. Now, everything people need in the testing, interoperability or regulatory fields is here under one roof, ready to support them as we move into an exciting new era where ‘super-fast’ broadband becomes the norm.�

TRaC's extensive range of telecoms testing and consultancy services is already utilised by many of the world's largest telecoms manufacturers. TRaC also assists telecoms operators worldwide with interoperability testing, test plan development and demonstrating compliance with the essential requirements of the European RTTE Directive.

For further information about TRaC's comprehensive telecoms services - supported by a full regulatory solution covering Radio, EMC, Safety and Approvals for global market access – visit the website at www.tracglobal.com.