Company Press Release
New Orders Running Strong For U S WEST's First-In-Nation Consumer & Business Offer of High-Power DSL For Speedy, 'Always-On' Internet Access
Phoenix-Area Requests Running 200% Over Projections For New High-Speed DSL and Internet Service;
New Customers Include Business and Gov't Enterprises, Consumers and Internet Service Providers
PHOENIX, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Customer demand is exceeding expectations by as much as 200% for US WEST's new high-power MegaBit Services, the nation's first broad commercial offering of the long-awaited, high-speed Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access technology. The service, launched in Phoenix on Oct. 28, offers access speeds up to 25 times faster than traditional modems. It lets customers stay on-line 24-hours-a-day over a dedicated portion of their existing phone line, enabling them to surf the Internet and make phone calls at the same time.
Since the introduction a week ago of U S WEST's new package of integrated, high-power data services:
More than 500 people requested U S WEST MegaBit Services DSL access on the first day of availability. After the first week, 1,714 customers have requested the service, exceeding projected demand by 200%. 30 businesses, government agencies and educational institutions have requested MegaBit Services DSL access to enable their employees to telework, telecommute or connect to the Internet. These larger customers will require hook-ups for hundreds of locations and thousands of employees. Requests for U S WEST's powerful MegaCentral service have been made by 12 business and government enterprises and 7 Internet service providers. Some are packaging MegaBit Services DSL access along with U S WEST ISDN to meet their needs. More than 400 orders have been placed for U S WEST's new U S WEST.net Internet service from a wide range of business and residential customers, meeting expected demand projections.
''When we launched our new high-power data services, we called it a breakthrough. Our customers agree,'' said Solomon D. Trujillo, president and CEO, U S WEST Communications. ''For the first time, people can get high-speed, affordable access to the Internet or their corporate networks -- all over their existing phone lines. No longer does the World Wide Web have to be the 'World Wide Wait'. And finally, telecommuting is a viable alternative to sitting in traffic on the way to work.''
MegaBit Services gives customers 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 works over existing phone lines, giving customers their own private, 'always-on' digital connection off the standard voice network. Customers remain continuously connected over a dedicated portion of their existing phone line -- with no dial-in needed. Customers also have increased security and reliability by not having to share copper or fiber- optic lines with other on-line users, and can even make or receive phone calls over the same line, while surfing the Internet.
''We're excited by the demand for our new services,'' said Joe Zell, president, U S WEST !NTERPRISE Networking. ''Phoenix has a fast-growing high- tech economy, and customers are looking to take advantage of affordable, high- speed Internet and corporate network access. MegaBit Services lets them finally get maximum value from the Internet, and lets businesses establish office-quality work-at-home connections.''
To provide a fast, reliable Internet platform, U S WEST is also offering U S WEST.net, which provides an array of Internet service 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 is being made 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 alone or as a package -- will be offered in other cities in U S WEST's 14 states in coming months.
U S WEST's One-Stop Shop for Internet and Data Networking Services Previously limited to only select businesses and others on a trial basis, MegaBit Services makes DSL available in packages for a broad range of business and residential 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 installs 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, putting 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. Mega Central 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.
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. US 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 can also get ''one-bill'' option for U S WEST.net.
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 $310 equipment charge.
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 |
