Global Crossing Teams Up With I-Link
Agreement Allows I-Link to Become First Company Ever to Offer One-Touch Internet Calling from Home Phones, Not PCs
ROCHESTER, N.Y. and DRAPER, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 27, 2000--
Agreement Allows I-Link to Become First Company Ever to Offer
One-Touch Internet Calling from Home Phones -- Not PCs
Global Crossing Ltd. (Nasdaq: GBLX - news), which is building and offering services over the world's first global fiber optic network, today announced that its Carrier Services Division has signed a multimillion dollar agreement with I-Link, Inc., (Nasdaq: ILNK - news) an enhanced voice/data service provider. Global Crossing will provide I-Link with network transport, toll-free and private line services. The agreement will enable I-Link to become the first Internet company to offer ``one-plus' Internet calling (dialing one digit, plus the area code and phone number) from home telephones. I-Link can offer enhanced long-distance services as an option in major metropolitan areas nationwide.
A pioneer in the communications industry, I-Link will deliver to homes the types of enhanced services that have previously been available only through computers or 800/888 toll-free services. Because these calls are conducted using Internet technology, significant enhancements to telephone services, never before available to home users, are now possible. I-Link can offer the average person, without a computer or connection to the Internet, features such as unified messaging, call screening, fax-back, conference calling and more.
With this development, I-Link becomes the first telecommunications provider to offer users a seamless transition to Internet enhanced services simply by dialing a single digit, plus the area code and phone number on their home phones. Homes in the largest 40 U.S. cities will be the first to experience Internet telephony services with the same ease of use as the typical long-distance phone call.
``While many companies are just now talking about bringing IP telephony to corporate LANs and the general public, I-Link is pioneering mass deployment of advanced services. With this deployment, we are clearly demonstrating that we are years ahead of everyone,' said John Edwards, CEO of I-Link. ``Plain and simple, we are radically changing the telecommunications landscape.'
``We're proud that I-Link has chosen us as its carrier of choice in this groundbreaking endeavor. It reflects our commitment to providing the most advanced network services available today, with backroom support that is recognized in the industry as being second to none,' said Brian V. Fitzpatrick, president of North American Carrier Operations for Global Crossing.
How It Works
To use the services from home, customers are given a code number, an ``enhanced carrier identification code (CIC),' which signals the local phone provider to route long-distance calls to I-Link's nationwide Internet Protocol (IP) network. Global Crossing provides the connection from local phone companies in major metropolitan areas including New York, Boston and Los Angeles to I-Link's IP network, where all of the enhanced telephone services are made available to end users. The transition from a normal dial-tone to an enhanced Internet phone call is transparent to the user.
About I-Link Enhanced Services
Some of the enhanced services available to consumers using I-Link's services include:
A one number ``follow-me service' that lets callers reach a V-Link subscriber anywhere with just one phone number. In one-step, V-Link automatically dials numerous follow-me numbers and a pager. Anyone can connect instantly to V-Link users no matter where they are -- in the office, at home, or on the road;
Boomerang calling: V-Link users can dial out to a caller while in voicemail to respond to a message left. After completing the call they can instantly return to their messages. Checking voicemail and responding to calls from a car is now easy and safe. Usually when driving, you can't call someone back if you don't know their number and if you are able to call out, you then have to place another call to get back into your voicemail. V-Link allows you to do everything just by dialing into your one number;
Prioritize and screen incoming calls to accept certain calls and forward-unwanted callers automatically to a voicemail or another person;
Enhanced conference calling on-the-fly: V-Link subscribers can initiate a conference call from any phone, anywhere and connect up to twelve people. At the same time, they have access to all their additional enhanced services and an unlimited number of incoming calls. All of this can be done for a much lower cost than traditional phone systems and at the same time there are no associated hardware costs;
A Web browser tool for organizing communications and accessing voice, fax and email enables V-Link users to access their system from any computer or Web kiosk;
Personal voice-on-demand that allows callers to access the V-Link user's pre-recorded menu of up to 90 messages. Fax-on-demand: anyone can call a subscriber's V-Link number and choose from up to 90 documents and have the document immediately faxed back to them;
Music on hold.
About I-Link
Headquartered in Draper, Utah, I-Link (Nasdaq:ILNK - news) is an enhanced voice/data service provider. With its software defined network architecture, I-Link simplifies the delivery of unified communications today. I-Link offers a full range of enhanced services such as one-number call routing, caller screening, unified voice, fax, pager and e-mail messaging, voice-and fax-on-demand, conference calling and seamless call transfer from cell phone to land-line and vice-versa via a direct connection to its nationally deployed Internet Protocol telephony network. For further information visit I-Link's Web site at i-link.net.
About Global Crossing
Global Crossing Ltd. (Nasdaq: GBLX - news) is building, and offering services over, the world's first global fiber optic network, which will have more than 101,000 route miles, serving five continents, 27 countries and more than 200 major cities. Global Crossing's subsidiary, GlobalCenter Inc., is a leading Internet service business, and its customers include many of the largest and most densely trafficked sites on the Web. Global Crossing's operations are headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, with principal offices in Los Angeles, California; London, England; Morristown, New Jersey; Rochester, New York; and Miami, Florida. Visit Global Crossing at www.globalcrossing.com on the Web. |
