Not exactly the buyout we were hoping for...
Company Press Release
STAR Telecom and IJNT.net Announce Strategic Alliance
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 1999--IJNT.net, Inc. (OTCBB:IJNT - news), a leading integrated communications provider, and STAR Telecommunications, Inc. (Nasdaq:STRX - news) today announced a strategic alliance which will allow IJNT to utilize STAR Telecom's Network Control Center.
Under the new five year partition agreement, IJNT.net and its UBNetworks subsidiary will share space and resources in the network control center, as well as STAR's adjacent conferencing facilities. IJNT's network elements are being integrated into the control center environment so that IJNT's network may be monitored and controlled simultaneously with STAR's. STAR will also assist UBNetworks in the roll-out of their DSL service offerings as well as utilize other access services that UBNetworks will provide.
STAR Telecom operates seventeen switching centers worldwide. STAR's premier West Coast switching facility located at the One Wilshire Building in Los Angeles, California, houses its Network Operations Center (NOC), from which its global communication network can be monitored and controlled in real time. Incorporating software and a versatile array of network tools to interface with every network element, the NOC permits extensive flexibility and dynamic control of the whole network as well as virtually instantaneous notification of network outages or congestion. Engineers in the NOC are able to reroute traffic around congested or problem areas and apply maintenance resources appropriately.
Winston Johnson, IJNT Chief Technical Officer, stated: ``The STAR Telecom NOC at One Wilshire is truly an impressive engineering achievement, as well as a powerful command center for the network. Because of the open architecture and flexible design of all layers of the management systems, the NOC can be partitioned so that our technicians are able to run our network and troubleshoot anywhere in the country and beyond from this single location, which is located just a few feet from our Los Angeles Nortel DMS 500© switch. This agreement with STAR will provide immediate access to an invaluable testing and development environment as well as first-class management facilities which few, if any companies of our size enjoy.'
Dominic Bohnett, STAR's VP of Integrated Services remarked: ``IJNT's unified network integrates a wide variety of elements, transport protocols and platforms ideally designed to make full use of the myriad monitoring and control options offered by our NOC.'
Chris Edgecomb, STAR's Chairman and CEO, commented, ``STAR is extremely pleased to be able to provide our advanced facilities to assist UBNetworks in its network build out and next-generation DSL deployment. 'Upon completion, we will be able to utilize IJNT's DSL service offerings for our own commercial and residential customer base.``
Jon H. Marple, Chairman and CEO of UBNetworks, was quoted as saying: ``This is another major step toward the completion of IJNT and UBNetworks' national backbone network. It represents a tremendous advantage for us to be able to share in the outstanding technology and facilities that STAR Telecom has developed. This Agreement will enable us to better serve the consuming public with respect to our DSL network build out.'
About IJNT.net
IJNT.net provides high-speed, wireless Internet access, wired broadband solutions and operates UBNetworks, a facilities-based competitive local exchange carrier offering products and services to business and residential customers. By early 2000, the Company's high-speed DSL network will pass millions of homes and businesses. IJNT.net subsidiaries provide DSL and wireless broadband Internet access and communications over several ``last mile' systems at speeds up to 100 times faster than common dial-up modems, through the Company's own sales channels and through other carriers and resellers. The company's customer base is growing rapidly as the Company expands its network across the United States and internationally. IJNT also provides Website development, online advertising, and e-commerce services as well as traditional dial-up Internet access throughout the United States and internationally. The company's rapid growth is the result of aggressive marketing and sales, internal development, acquisitions, and strategic alliances. Visit IJNT.net at www.ijnt.net
About STAR Telecommunications
STAR Telecommunications provides global telecommunications services to consumers, long distance carriers, multinational corporations and Internet service providers worldwide. STAR provides international and national long distance services, international private line, prepaid calling cards, dial around services and international toll free services. Visit STAR Telecom at www.startel.com.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the ``safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the company's products, subscriber growth, product demand, competition, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on 10-K. This and additional information can be found on the companies' Web sites at startel.com or ijnt.net or can be obtained from either company upon request. |
