Definition: EtherLoop

(ETHERnet Local LOOP) A transmission technology from Nortel Networks that combines DSL and Ethernet to deliver up to 6 Mbps between the customer and telco central office (CO). As a point-to-point technology, it eliminates the collision detection used in Ethernet, and it also eliminates much of the crosstalk associated with DSL. Unlike asymmetric DSLs, such as ADSL, which provide higher downstream speed, and unlike symmetric DSLs, such as HDSL, which is uniform in both directions, EtherLoop can vary its rates depending on requirements.

At the central office, an EtherLoop multiplexor separates the traffic, sending voice to the voice switch and IP traffic to an Ethernet switch.