HarvardNet drops DSL business, lays off 280
By The Associated Press
Special to CNET News.com
December 6, 2000, 6:00 p.m. PT
MEDFORD, Mass.--HarvardNet, a high-speed data communications and Web-hosting company, announced Wednesday it will lay off 280 workers, or about 58 percent of its work force.
The company, which received $70 million in financing in one of the largest venture capital deals in New England last year, said it will get out of the business of providing Internet access via digital subscriber lines (DSL) to focus on its Web-hosting service.
The company will close its 50-person Westbrook, Maine, office and a one-person office in Portsmouth, N.H. Offices in Boston, New York and Philadelphia will also be cut back.
About 200 of the layoffs take effect immediately, with the remainder taking effect in January, said spokeswoman Susan Shelby.
HarvardNet's DSL business leased lines from phone companies and installed and maintained high-speed Internet service for businesses.
Several DSL companies have announced cutbacks recently. Last week, New Haven, Conn.-based DSL.Net announced it would lay off 141 employees, just four days after Santa Clara, Calif.-based Covad Communications cut 400 jobs.
The boa constrictor kills its prey as it breaths. The prey inhales air, and as it exhales it tights the grip. Less air next time, this goes on until the prey dies of asphyxia. |
