[Advanced Radio Telecom Launches New Metropolitan Area Network]
ART Provides High-Speed Data Services to Businesses in Seattle-Metro Area
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON (September 15, 1998) Advanced Radio Telecom Corp. announced today the commercial implementation of its new metropolitan area network strategy in Seattle and the surrounding areas. Through the integration of broadband wireless and fiber optic technologies and a packet switched IP and ATM network architecture, ART will offer highly reliable, high speed data communications services to the business marketplace at a cost far less than existing alternatives.
"We've invested a tremendous amount of effort in getting ready for this hallmark day," said Henry C. Hirsch, ART chairman and CEO. "By combining fixed wireless technology with existing fiber optic networks, we will provide fiber-quality advanced data communications services to the many thousands of businesses that do not have direct access to fiber. In the process, we have redefined the pricing paradigm for high-speed data communications."
For about $900/month, ART will provide a Dedicated Internet Access service at 1.544Mbps, which is roughly one half of the average price paid today by businesses for the same service. As part of a complete suite of Internet Services, ART also offers managed router service, web hosting, e-mail service, Domain Name Services and Internic registration. ART will rapidly expand the number of buildings to which it provides its broadband data communications services, and will be introducing commercial service in Phoenix and Portland before year end.
"We elected to initially enter the communications market as an ISP because of the tremendous growth in demand for high-speed access to the Internet," said Hirsch. "ART will offer businesses the ability to connect to the Internet at speeds up to 10 megabits per second. Generally, access speeds this fast are available only to businesses that have direct fiber connectivity.
We will quickly be expanding our product set to include the full range of Security Services, Intranet, extranet, VPN, and other data services as well as IP telephony."
More than 20 businesses in Bellevue have participated in an eight-week test of ART's services, prior to the commercial service launch today. Initial feedback from the test participants has validated ART's strategy of providing the fast, cost-effective Internet access.
"We are definitely getting our money's worth with ART," said Peter Henley, Information Services Director, Clark Nuber, one of ART's pilot test customers in Bellevue, Wash. "The quality and reliability of ART's network has been great. ART can keep its rates so competitive because they've taken the middleman out of the equation. With the standard approach, we would be paying the ISP for Internet fees and the local telephone company for the line. With ART's new style network -- where they do both - we are able to enjoy superior service at a reasonable cost." |
