MFN First Co-Location Provider to Deliver Cisco Powered Gigabit Ethernet
Thursday June 22, 7:30 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Metromedia Fiber Network Customers Take Advantage of Unparalleled Dedicated Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity
MFN First Co-Location Provider to Deliver Cisco Powered Gigabit Ethernet Connections for Growing Number of Streaming Media and Bandwidth-Intensive Customers
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 22, 2000-- Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc. (MFN) (Nasdaq:MFNX - news), the leader in deployment of optical IP Internet infrastructure within key metropolitan areas internationally, and its subsidiary AboveNet Communications, Inc., has deployed its Gigabit Ethernet capacity for its first group of more than a dozen co-location customers.
These were the initial customers to take advantage of Gigabit Ethernet capacity, giving them the capability to meet high-bandwidth demands for content-intensive and streaming media applications. By leveraging Gigabit Ethernet connectivity at MFN's Internet Service Exchange(TM) (ISX(TM)) data centers with Metromedia Fiber Network's unique end-to-end, purely optical IP infrastructure, customers can experience the benefits of a high-capacity, cost-effective network that is unmatched in the industry.
``We are extremely pleased with the performance capability that AboveNet's Gigabit Ethernet dedicated connections have brought to our Internet service network,'' said J.R. Reagan, chief technology officer of LivePerson (Nasdaq:LPSN - news).
``Blazing speed and minimal link delay are mission-critical to our network and our client base, and the MFN solutions deliver both,'' added Kris Spinka, vice president, Networks and Infrastructure of LivePerson. ``We are planning to extend this secure, high-capacity bandwidth and capability by linking our co-located equipment in the AboveNet ISX facilities to our main location, using the dark fiber from Metromedia Fiber Network.''
Customers using a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet connection at an AboveNet ISX can connect their own equipment to the MFN network at multi-gigabit per second speeds. LivePerson has a unique interface to the core routers of AboveNet's backbone, utilizing multiple Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. The resulting connection enables the high-bandwidth scaleability needed to deliver the streaming multimedia and data- rich content applications of tomorrow as well as a more intelligent, more efficient network.
``AboveNet was one of the first customers to deploy Gigabit Ethernet technology based on the Catalyst 6500 platform,'' said Soni Jiandani, vice president of the marketing workgroup business unit, Cisco Systems, Inc. ``Already MFN and Cisco have been successful in offering Gigabit Ethernet in the metropolitan area through Metro Gig-E, a Cisco Powered Network. With AboveNet and Cisco working together, that same scaleable connectivity and capacity is now being extended to the Internet.''
Members of MFN's growing customer base who have recognized Gigabit Ethernet as an ideal connectivity solution include streaming media companies, real-time interaction companies such as LivePerson, and real-time information processing companies. Dedicated Gigabit Ethernet connections are available in all of the company's ISX facilities.
``Leveraging the power of fiber-optics and Gigabit Ethernet technology reflects the value proposition of MFN, which goes beyond simple co-location services,'' said David Rand, chief technology officer of MFN. ``We can provide Internet-focused companies with the fastest, most intelligent network connection available, combined with the capacity to expand online business presence and capabilities rapidly throughout a metropolitan area.''
Offering a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet connection further enhances the benefits of the ISX co-location facilities, which utilize a ``one-hop'' network that is highly redundant and is designed to deliver superior network performance. MFN further ensures the performance of its network by providing its clients with access to its significant bandwidth, which currently totals over 30 Gbps -- the most bandwidth available on-demand at any co-location facility. Metromedia Fiber Network is currently rolling out a network that combines advanced optics and infrastructure for a better Internet, enabling millions of users to simultaneously receive video, audio, and other data-rich broadband applications that are not possible with today's existing congested Internet networks.
About Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc.
Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc., the leading provider of optical IP Internet network infrastructure solutions, is revolutionizing the fiber-optic industry. By offering virtually unlimited, unmetered bandwidth at a fixed cost, Metromedia Fiber Network is eliminating the bandwidth barrier and redefining the way broadband capacity is sold. Metromedia Fiber Network is extending metropolitan fiber-optic infrastructure to the end-user in strategic top-tier markets, enabling its customers to implement the latest data, video, Internet and multimedia applications. In addition to its current expansion in 51 cities in North America, Metromedia Fiber Network is establishing an international presence with planned fiber optic network builds in 16 cities throughout Europe. For more information about Metromedia Fiber Network, please visit the company's Web site at www.mmfn.com.
Together with its subsidiaries, AboveNet Communications, Inc., a leading provider of Internet connectivity and co-location solutions for high-bandwidth and business-critical applications, and Paix.net, Inc., the leading neutral Internet Exchange, Metromedia Fiber Network is unleashing the full potential of the Internet. The combined company facilitates the explosive growth of e-commerce and advanced Internet applications by delivering secure, reliable and scaleable optical networks and IP services to Internet content and service providers, carriers and enterprise users worldwide. AboveNet is the architect of the Internet Service Exchange (ISX) -- a world-class network that provides co-location services and Internet connectivity for content providers, ISPs and application service providers. With its Tier 1 status and ISO 9002 certification, AboveNet is seeking to serve the global community of the Internet. For more information on AboveNet's service offering 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.
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. This also includes such factors as described from time to time in the SEC filings by Metromedia Fiber Network, including the most recently filed Forms S-3, 10-K and 10-Q |
