Expanets Links With InternetConnect to Deliver High Speed Access and Turn-Key Wide Area Networking Solutions to Mid-Size Businesses Across the U.S. Agreement Adds InternetConnect's Business DSL and VPNplus(SM) Services to Expanets' Comprehensive Portfolio of Solutions
DENVER, Feb 6, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Small and mid-sized businesses that require highly secure, scalable high-speed wide area network access solutions for remote offices and employees can now turn to Expanets, Inc., for VPNplus(SM) Virtual Private Network and Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) services from Expanets' newest last-mile provider, InternetConnect, a premier broadband networking solutions provider.
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The alliance between Expanets, the nation's largest networked communication solutions provider to businesses with between 20 and 500 employees, and InternetConnect adds a host of reliable, scalable networking options to Expanets' extensive portfolio of voice, data and Internet solutions. Expanets chose its new partner based on InternetConnect's commitment to receiving the highest client service rating in the industry. Not only does it offer free 24/7 support, but also, each customer is assigned a single, dedicated coordinator during installation, thus eliminating the need to contact several parties during the process. When an order is placed with Expanets and InternetConnect, clients will receive unparalleled service and support.
InternetConnect's flagship product, VPNplus, delivers secure, reliable and cost-effective network connections to branch and satellite offices, and to mobile employees that require connections to the network from home or on the road.
VPNplus offers businesses a unique, affordable and secure wide area network without requiring users to invest in expensive equipment or specialized IT staffs. VPNplus costs up to 70 percent less than a Frame Relay, T-1 or other traditional private networks. InternetConnect bypasses the public Internet by combining its privately owned and managed Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) backbone with Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology and a national DSL or Frame Relay for last mile connectivity. Connections to networks through VPNplus can be made over a variety of technologies, including DSL, Frame Relay, ATM, private line, and even dial-up, taking advantage of existing technology and eliminating the need for businesses to invest in new networking infrastructure.
"As the importance of data networking to businesses has grown, so have the costs of network investments and the risks associated with sending business-critical data over the Internet," said Chris Younger, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Marketing, Expanets. "VPNplus gives our clients the peace of mind that they can connect into their company's network from virtually anywhere in the country, over a wide range of access technologies, and know that their connection is reliable and secure."
VPNplus connections are routed across town, or across the country, over InternetConnect's privately-owned and managed national ATM backbone, which utilizes state-of-the-art MPLS technology, with points of presences (POPs) in major markets across the U.S. The InternetConnect network detours client data traffic away from the congestion of the public Internet, and is managed on a 24x7 basis, while protecting users from data loss by instantly re-routing data traffic over the backbone during downtimes.
"We are pleased to be partnering with Expanets, given their leadership in the mid-market," said John W. Combs, Chief Executive Officer of InternetConnect. "Our VPNplus solution is a cost-effective way for Expanets' clients to connect remote locations, eliminating the need to lease or construct their own networks from the ground up. Also, as all remote connections are routed through firewall and encryption hardware and software located within our POPs, businesses don't have to invest in costly Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)."
In addition to VPNplus, Expanets is now providing high-speed, broadband connectivity via SDSL technology from InternetConnect, offering speeds from 160 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps. SDSL service delivers identical speeds for upstream and downstream data traffic, making it ideal for users who need to both send and receive large files.
About InternetConnect
InternetConnect is a leading broadband networking solutions provider. The company's flagship product, VPNplus, enables small and medium-sized business locations with a secure, private broadband wide area network between their branch offices, remote locations and telecommuters across the country. Based in Torrance, Calif., InternetConnect owns and manages a nationwide data communications network with an ATM/MPLS backbone that facilitates reliable, high-speed services such as VPNplus, videoconferencing and applications hosting. The company also provides businesses with a suite of access products including DSL and frame relay, and related value-added services. For more information, visit www.internetconnect.net.
About Expanets
Expanets is the nation's largest provider of integrated networked communications solutions to businesses ranging from 20 to 500 employees, and is also strongly positioned to serve larger businesses and clients with multiple locations. Expanets, with more than $1.4 billion in annualized revenues and a nationwide base of 750,000 clients, is national in scope, yet provides service and solutions on a local basis through more than 200 offices located throughout the U.S., and more than 4,000 associates. Expanets has experienced rapid growth since March 1998, fueled by the acquisition of over 25 leading local, entrepreneurial communications and data networking companies, as well as Lucent Technology's Growing and Emerging Markets (GEM) Division. Expanets is a strategic partner with a wide variety of "best-in-class" manufacturers, including Lucent, Avaya, NEC, Mitel, Toshiba, Siemens, Tadiran, Nortel, Inter-Tel, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, Sun and others. Expanets was founded in 1998 by NorthWestern Corporation (NYSE: NOR). NorthWestern and its partner entities are leading providers of services and solutions to more than 2 million customers across America in the communications and energy sectors. More information about Expanets is available on the Internet at expanets.com.
SOURCE Expanets, Inc.
CONTACT: Barry Hawkins of Expanets, Inc., 303-300-6120, Barry.Hawkins@expanets.com; or Aisling Broderick of InternetConnect, 310-974-2837, abroderick@icnt.net /Photo: NewsCom: newscom.com AP Archive: photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 201-369-3467 |
