Broadcom Announces Speedy New PC Switch

Broadcom Corp. said Tuesday that it has developed a new switch that will enable desktop computers to transmit data 10 times more quickly than fast ethernet or 100 times more quickly than ethernet.

The new eight-port gigabit ethernet switch-on-a-chip will allow companies to exchange larger files and increase data and Internet traffic over existing copper lines. The ethernet is the most popular cabling and data delivery standard among computer networks.

The Irvine manufacturer said the cost would be less than $200 a port or about a third of what competitive products cost. The Broadcom product will be available to consumers by early next year.