Talkway Chooses AboveNet to Provide Online Communities With Superior Internet Experience
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 1999--AboveNet Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:ABOV - news), the architect of a global one-hop network that brings together high-bandwidth content sites, Applications Service Providers, and ISPs in centralized co-location facilities, today announced that Talkway, Inc., a service enabling the global exchange of ideas online, has joined AboveNet's San Jose Internet Service Exchange (ISX).
By co-locating its servers at AboveNet's high bandwidth facility, Talkway has access to the scalable bandwidth it will need as is grows rapidly. Talkway's user friendly graphical interface makes it much easier for a broad range of World Wide Web users to find and participate in Usenet's thousands of active newsgroups. The company also enables marketers to target particular groups with advertising messages.
''The main factor in our selection of AboveNet was its capabilities to support our goals for growing a loyal base of users who will return repeatedly to our Web site for information and to develop relationships with others who share their interests,'' said Carlos Tribino, vice president of Marketing at Talkway. ''Minimal downtime and reliable, dependable service, regardless of where our users are located, were the key factors in our selection.''
The global exchange of ideas to find information, get support and voice opinions originated with Usenet discussion groups more than twenty years ago. Usenet's interface is a non-graphical interface and the naming of the thousands of discussion groups is non-intuitive and often confusing.
Talkway makes these groups easier and quicker to find -- at no charge to users -- with its GUI interface and custom navigation and selection features. Users can browse through previous conversations of these Usenet communities and add thoughts or pose questions to them. Talkway also offers marketers a costeffective means for reaching the right audience by enabling them to strategically place their banners and e-commerce links in prime view of relevant discussion groups.
In addition, Talkway's OpinionTrack service captures information for companies about what consumers are saying regarding particular products. Because these offerings require extremely accessible and dependable Internet connectivity, Talkway chose to co-locate its servers at AboveNet.
''Talkway is transforming one of the most valuable resources on the Internet into a true consumer service by making it easier to find information, and allowing advertisers to more effectively reach their target audiences,'' said Van Jepson, vice president of Marketing at AboveNet. ''We are pleased that Talkway has selected AboveNet to help ensure that its users around the world, now and in the future, will be able to confidently access its innovative Web site whenever they choose.''
AboveNet ensures the speed and reliability of its network by providing Talkway with access to AboveNet's significant bandwidth which currently totals over 10.5 Gbps -- the most bandwidth available at a co-location facility. In addition, AboveNet's more than 257 private and public peering agreements with leading ISPs in the U.S. and worldwide will provide Talkway users with fast, reliable connectivity to Talkway's Web site.
About Talkway, Inc
Founded in 1996, Talkway opens the door to the world's largest thriving online community. Based in California and privately held, Talkway has received venture funding from Asset Management, ABN AMRO, Stanford University, KLM Capital Partners and other investors. For more information, Talkway can be contacted by visiting their Web site at www.talkway.com/corp/.
About AboveNet Communications Inc.
AboveNet Communications Inc. is a premier provider of co-location and Internet connectivity solutions for high-bandwidth and mission-critical operations. AboveNet is the architect of the Internet Service Exchange (ISX) -- a world class network that provides co-location services for content provider, Application Service Providers, and ISPs interested in developing business and strategic partnerships.
The unique global One-Hop network design delivers fast, reliable connections to the Internet and improves the Internet experience for end-users. With its Tier 1 status and ISO 9002 certification, AboveNet is positioned to serve the global community of the Internet. For more information on AboveNet and its service offerings, call 800/475-2733 or visit the company's Web site at www.above.net.
Note to Editors: AboveNet, Internet Service Exchange, ISX and AboveNet Global One-Hop Network are trademarks of AboveNet Communications, Inc. All other company or brand names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward looking statements within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the company's expectations, beliefs, hopes, intention or strategies regarding the future. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks related to the company's services, including network scalability and Internet connectivity, the ability to maintain and increase peering relationships, intense competition, and other factors and risks discussed from in AboveNet's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including AboveNet's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 1999. . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contact:
AboveNet Communications Rose Marr, 408/367-6681 rose@above.net or The Weber Group Tiffany Francis, 650/463-8642 tfrancis@ca.webergroup.com or Connors Communications Meredith Mansfield, 212/807-7500 meredith@connors.com |