The device, called the Expand Network Accelerator, increases data/voice downloads by up to four times, by eliminating bottlenecks which can occur when transferring data between office branches.

Yesterday, executives of Illuminat and Expand introduced the system to potential customers at a seminar at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

The system accelerates the transfer of graphics, video, voice, spreadsheet and secured files. It also increases bandwidth speed, upping a 256k connection to a 1 megabit connection.

Tom LaFayette, who is Expand's director of global networks, told participants at the seminar that the Accelerator eliminated the need for "buying additional bandwidth" to optimise applications.

The system optimises existing bandwidth by compressing data and other technologies such as SCPS-a technology developed by NASA, the US space department.

"We do not care what connection you have, we optimise [it]," said LaFayette. "We also increase applications, we try to make it feel like the applications are right in office."

Illuminat is a member of the Trinidad & Tobago group, Neal and Massy Ltd.

Expand Networks started six years ago and is said to be the international market leader in accelerators, supplying the US Army, CitiBank, and the global news service Reuters, among other institutions.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20041021T220000-0500_68050_OBS_ILLUMINAT_PROMISES_FIRMS_HIGH_SPEED_DOWNLOADS.asp