All,
I wonder how the following release plays with US West's concerns about the "reverse xDSL effect," and the lifting of their "dry copper" tariffs. I'm sure that they wont expose themselves to the conditions that would cause the effect, but it does raise speculation about the timing of their removal of the dry services several months ago. Anyone happen to know what the central office colocation costs are per sq ft in US West territory?
Frank
=================
U S WEST Takes Wait Out of Getting
On-Line With First-In-Nation Consumer &
Business Offer of High-Power DSL For
Speedy, 'Always-On' Internet Access
Integrated One-Stop Data Shop Includes
Phoenix-Area Launch of Internet Service <>
October 29, 1997
PHOENIX, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ via Individual Inc. -- U S WEST Communications
(NYSE: USW) today launched a new package of integrated high-power data services that
eliminates Internet users' two biggest headaches -- waiting to get on-line and waiting for
data to download. The package includes a new "U S WEST.net" Internet service and the
company's new "MegaBit Services, " the nation's first broad commercial offering of the
long-awaited, high-speed Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access technology that keeps
consumers and businesses continuously connected to the Internet.
"This is a real breakthrough. No longer does getting on-line mean having to wait in line.
No longer does the World Wide Web have to be the 'World Wide Wait'," said Solomon
D. Trujillo, president and CEO, U S WEST Communications. "Today, we're unleashing
the power of the Internet so everyone -- business and residential customers -- can
access its wealth of information. U S WEST's new one-stop shop of Mega-networking
services gives people the speed and simplicity they need to make the Internet a vital part
of their lives. We're making it as reliable, quick and easy-to-use as the telephone."
U S WEST "MegaBit Services" gives customers advanced DSL transport to the Internet
or their corporate networks at speeds up to 25 times faster than 28.8 kbps Modems. The
service is unique because it lets customers always stay connected to the Internet or
other data networks over a dedicated portion of their existing phone line -- with no dial-in
required. Customers simply open their Internet browser software, and can make or
receive phone calls over the same line simultaneously while surfing the Internet.
To provide an Internet platform for a wide range of customers, U S WEST is also
launching its fast, reliable U S WEST.net service, offering an array of Internet features
and dial-in speeds of up to 56 kbps. Used in tandem with "MegaBit Services," no dial-in
is needed and the full range of DSL performance is available.
"MegaBit" DSL access will be available in a phased roll-out from wire centers serving
some 500,000 customer lines in Phoenix. "U S WEST.net " is available immediately
throughout Phoenix. Both services -- available separately or as a package -- will be
offered in other cities in U S WEST's 14 states in coming months.
"MegaBit Services" DSL Commercial Roll-Out in Phoenix
Previously, advanced DSL was limited to only select businesses and others on a trial
basis. "U S WEST MegaBit Services" makes DSL available for the first time to a broad
range of residential and business customers, who will benefit from its "always-on"
connection and dramatically improved on-line performance. DSL works over existing
phone lines, providing customers their own private, dedicated digital connection off the
standard voice network. This gives subscribers increased security and reliability,
eliminating traffic jams that come from having to share copper or fiber-optic lines with
other on-line users.
"Today, Phoenix is connected like no other city in the country," said Joe Zell, president,
U S WEST !NTERPRISE Networking. "It has one of the fastest- growing high-tech
economies and a positive business environment. That's why we're making it the first city
in the nation to have affordable, high-speed Internet and corporate network access.
"MegaBit Services" gives customers the ability to finally get maximum value out of the
Internet, and enables businesses to establish office-quality work-at-home connections. "
"MegaBit Services" offers several DSL options to meet the needs of all Internet and data
network customers:
* "MegaHome" -- At only $40 per month plus installation, "U S WEST MegaHome"
gives recreational Internet or occasional work-at-home users 192 kbps access, 7-14 times
faster than standard modems.
* "MegaOffice" -- Telecommuters and smaller businesses with greater bandwidth needs
can select "U S WEST MegaOffice," which provides access at 320 kbps for $65 per
month plus installation.
* "MegaBusiness" -- Heavier-use business customers and serious cyber- surfers who
need more bandwidth and video capability can get "U S WEST MegaBusiness." With
704 kbps at $125 per month plus installation, customers can work from home at speeds
once only available at the office.
* "MegaPak" -- Customers can also get high-speed DSL along with unlimited Internet
service in "U S WEST MegaPak," which combines "MegaHome" and "U S WEST.net" at
$59.95 per month and a discounted installation fee. Other "MegaBit" users can add "U S
WEST.net" for $19.95 per month.
To hook up customers, "MegaBit Services" will install a small DSL connection box,
convert the customers' computer dataport and provide instructional material on their new
DSL product. Customers can also get a "one-bill" option, which puts all their DSL,
Internet and local phone charges on a single monthly statement.
Businesses and Internet service providers (ISPs) that want an end-to-end package of
DSL connections for their customers or employees can install "U S WEST MegaCentral"
at their host site. "MegaCentral" gives businesses the ability to keep employees
continuously connected to their own private high- speed Intranets, and lets ISPs keep
customers continuously linked to the Internet -- all via "MegaBit Services."
For business and government customers setting up telework programs, "U S WEST"
offers its "Telework and Mobility Solutions" services. This end- to-end package
integrates professional services, software, hardware, data transport, service and support
into a telework program customized to the organization's needs. In the emerging virtual
work environment, "U S WEST Telework and Mobility Solutions" helps employees,
students, teachers, even healthcare practitioners perform outside their traditional
settings.
"U S WEST.net" Internet Service
Available with "MegaBit" or as a stand-alone Internet service, " U S WEST.net" is
engineered with an extremely high ratio of dataports to customer lines, so that
subscribers won't have to deal with busy signals or slow connections. "U S WEST.net"
platforms are built to withstand occasional equipment and backbone failures that may
take other Internet providers off- line, and are monitored 24-hours, seven-days-a-week.
For $19.95 per month, customers receive unlimited Internet access, newsgroup access,
two e-mail boxes, two megabytes of personal Web-page storage and 24-hour, seven-day
technical support. U S WEST.net's homepage will also link directly to "azfamily.com" and
a U S WEST custom version of " Snap! Online" from CNET: The Computer Network,
offering localized business, restaurant and other Web information.
To make getting on-line hassle-free, U S WEST.net provides easy installation
instructions and customized "Netscape Communicator" 4.0 software. Customers also
receive an easy-to-understand Internet guide that explains how to send e-mail and
search the World Wide Web. U S WEST also offers a " one- bill" option for U S
WEST.net that combines Internet and local phone service charges on a single monthly
statement.
Customers who need additional capabilities for video-conferencing and other data
network uses can get U S WEST ISDN OnePak service. In Phoenix, a special offer is
available that includes a 128 kbps ISDN line with full-voice features, a high-speed digital
modem, unlimited access to U S WEST.net, and "Smooth Start" customer support for
$133.95 per month with a one-time $31O equipment charge. As part of the offer,
customers receive a $50 rebate that applies toward U S WEST.net service.
U S WEST Communications provides a full range of telecommunications services --
including wireline, wireless PCS and data networking -- to more than 25 million customers
in 14 western and Midwestern states. The company is one of two major groups that make
up U S WEST, a company in the connections business, helping customers share
information, entertainment and communications services in local markets worldwide. U S
WEST's other major group, U S WEST Media Group, is involved in domestic and
international cable and telephone, wireless communications, and directory and
information services. U S WEST !NTERPRISE is the data networking arm of U S WEST
Communications. U S WEST Communications, Inc. can be found on the Internet at
uswest.com.
SOURCE U S WEST Communications
/CONTACT: David Beigie for U S WEST Communications, 303-896-5528,
dbeigie@uswest.com; or Jeremy Story of U S WEST !NTERPRISE Networking,
303-896-0934, jxstory@uswest.com/ /Company News On-Call:
prnewswire.com or fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 103985/ (USW)
[Copyright 1997, PR Newswire]
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