The FTEL version of the announcement: (completely different words!)
(Roy you asked for it!)
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 1996--
Franklin Telecom Monday announced that it has reached an agreement
with GridNet International, based in Atlanta, which will allow
Franklin Internet (FNet) to have full use of GridNet's Internet
presence throughout the country.
GridNet, a business unit of WorldCom Inc., offers Dial-up, Frame
Relay and ATM service in more than 150 major American cities with
many additional cities to be added this month.
According to Franklin's President and CEO Frank Peters, "The use
of GridNet's nationwide Internet presence will allow Franklin to
take the integration of our channel bank technology and voice
applications nationwide. Franklin has been very active in providing
communications solutions for customers who require advanced
applications. We believe our latest product development will be
widely accepted in this market.
"This new National Product offering (F-Link) will reduce the cost
for many corporations for international Internet Phone (available in
the fall.) We intend to provide solutions that will dramatically
reduce the cost of Corporate Communication for Dial-up, Frame Relay
and ATM connections."
Peters went on to say, "This partnership is one part of our
overall plan to make FNet one of the most profitable Internet -
Advanced Solution Providers in the world. The system will go online
for testing this week and our target for nationwide availability is
August 15, 1996. Charges for a typical user with a 28.8 modem will
be $16.95 per month for 15 free hours and $1.95 per hour thereafter
for that month. Our research shows most users use about 15 to 17
hours per month."
According to O.G. Greene, president and CEO for GridNet, "We are
extremely excited about the future relationship with Franklin
Telecom and FNet. Franklin is positioned to offer unique,
innovative and comprehensive solutions by utilizing GridNet's
extensive access network, coupled with a high quality, fully meshed
ATM network for connection to the Internet and intranet."
Greene went on to say, "The broad geographic coverage and
capacity of The Grid (GridNet's Network), will allow Franklin to
deploy its services nationwide very quickly. GridNet is not
burdened with legacy systems. We have efficiently deployed the
latest technologies in a way no other carrier has done before."
GridNet has deployed a nationwide switched access, value added
network using IP, X.25 and other protocols at speeds up to and
including 28.8 Kbps. The dial-up services utilized by Franklin are
carried on an IP backbone accessible by an end-user's dialing either
a local or toll-free number.
Calls are then routed to a GridNet point of presence and are
terminated in an adaptive access device which includes a digital
modem/channel bank and either contains or is connected to a terminal
server. The terminal server sets up the IP session and the call is
then routed to WorldCom Inc.'s fully meshed and multi-homed
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network for forwarding directly to
the Internet or to Franklin's hosts, depending upon the service.
Additionally, GridNet maintains Unsurpassed, First Tier
Internet connections via WorldCom's ATM backbone. The Grid
dedicated Internet services utilized by Franklin will offer Frame
Relay connections with speeds ranging from 64 Kbps to 1.536 Mbps.
The unique architecture of The Grid allows Franklin's customers to
be literally "one hop" away from multiple Internet Exchange Points.
FNet's objective is to be one of the leading worldwide suppliers
of complete communications solutions to businesses, professionals
and individuals, utilizing Internet-related technologies. FNet
intends to develop this business offering a rich suite of Added Value
Applications such as Voice Messaging, FAX Broadcast and many others.
FNet is a provider of a comprehensive range of Internet access
options, applications and consulting services to businesses,
professionals and on-line service providers. FNet provides
dedicated high speed and low cost dial-up Internet access and other
applications and services which include Web server hosting. Voice
telephone calls, voice messaging, FAX and FAX Broadcast over the
Internet free of long-distance charges will also be included in the
near future.
Franklin Telecom is the parent corporation, a designer and
manufacturer of channel banks and other high speed communications
equipment including X.25 and frame relay products which FNet uses.
GridNet is a high speed native dial service, providing remote
users a convenient link to corporate enterprise networks, as well as
to the nearly 80,000 networks that comprise the global Internet.
Tailored to meet the needs of the customers, GridNet offers
high-speed dial connections and sophisticated security mechanisms.
Using a local or toll-free 800 number, GridNet provides users
throughout the United States convenient, easy access to IP network
services such as high-speed dial access up to and including 28.8
Kbps (V.34), Frame Relay, ATM, local or 800 number availability and
sophisticated security mechanisms.
GridNet is a limited liability corporation majority owned by
WorldCom Inc. WorldCom is one of the largest long distance
telecommunications companies in the United States, offering domestic
and international, voice, data and video products and services to
business customers, other carriers and the residential market. The
company operates a nationwide digital fiber optic network in the
United States and has worldwide network capacity. The common shares
of WorldCom trade on the NASDAQ Stock Market's National.
NOTE:
More information can be obtained by contacting Frank Peters or
Helen West, Shareholder Relations at 805/373-8688, 800/372-6556, by
fax at 805/373-7373, Internet: hq@ftel.com, or on the Web
ftel.com or by writing to Franklin at 733 Lakefield Road,
Westlake Village, CA 91361. Franklin Telecom, founded in 1981,
designs and manufactures communications devices, high speed LAN and
WAN access cards and software. Franklin has an installed base of
more than 100,000 nodes. Franklin is traded on the Over the Counter
Market as "FTEL."
--30--jw/la* les/la
CONTACT:
Franklin Telecom
Frank Peters/Helen West
805/373-8688 or
800/372-6556
Fax: 805/373-7373
Internet: hq@ftel.com
WWW: ftel.com |
