Because French telephony and Internet giant Wanadoo wanted to communicate the fun of connectivity to its Livebox combined home consumer Internet, telephone and TV services, its new asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) Livebox modem combines the height of style with high technology. Much of the visual effect of the new modem depends on Xantar® polycarbonate (PC) from DSM Engineering Plastics. The translucent Xantar FC 19 UR grade of PC resin imparts a brilliant finish to the impact- resistant Livebox enclosure, allowing a large Wanadoo logo in its side emit a pulsing glow during operation while still meeting UL V0 at 3mm flame ratings for safety.

Produced by Sagem Communications (Paris) for Wanadoo, the Livebox modem incorporates a special opalescent colorant that allows the Wanadoo logo to gently remind consumers of Wanadoo's comprehensive connection services through a pulsing internal light.

"Contrary to recent past when these types of modems where dull grey boxes, nowadays more and more, electronics have become visual design items needing special plastics," said Rob Demandt, application development manager for electrical and electronics, DSM. "Wanadoo wanted its new ADSL modem to convey modernity and excitement both in looks and in function. Xantar proved to be the only material that could both produce the desired visual effect and still meet strict flame retardancy specifications."

Marketers and designers at Sagem and Wanadoo worked in close cooperation with DSM Engineering Plastics to develop the new modem, the central element in the Livebox promise to make "every family ready for the future." The Livebox experience combines gaming with both high-speed Internet access and digital telephony, allowing everyone in the house to connect to the modem through wireless technology.

Xantar polycarbonate provides excellent mechanical properties at elevated temperatures and is capable of accepting a wide range of colors and aesthetic effects. Xantar general purpose grades are characterized by crystal clear transparency, high impact strength, excellent temperature resistance, good dimensional stability and biological inertness. There are two non-brominated, non-chlorinated Xantar flame retardant grades, one meeting UL V0 at 3 mm, the other at 1.5 mm.