MCI WorldCom Takes DSL Nationwide
Business Wire - November 18, 1998 19:46
COMDEX Fall 98
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 1998--
New Service Brings Affordable, Broadband Internet Access to Small
Businesses and Online Service Providers
America Online and EarthLink to Trial Service For Consumer
Internet Access By Year-End
MCI WorldCom today announced nationwide deployment of DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) based Internet access services with availability in more
than 400 Points of Presence (PoPs) by year end and 600 PoPs in March 1999. The services, available through the company's UUNET network,
provide economical, higher-bandwidth Internet access to online service providers and smaller businesses. The deployment marks the first time that
these groups have had access to a fully integrated, national DSL service from a single supplier company and a single contract. America Online and
EarthLink will begin trials of the new service by the end of the year.
"DSL technology will dramatically change the online experience for businesses and consumers alike," said John Sidgmore, vice chairman of MCI
WorldCom. "The significance of today's announcement is that it represents the first major deployment of DSL based Internet access service
throughout the U.S. This will be the boost that small and medium businesses need to benefit from the Internet in a meaningful way and we believe this
is a highly significant milestone in the evolution of the Internet."
Broadest Deployment of DSL to Date
The broad national footprint of the new services includes major markets such as: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, San Diego,
Chicago, Washington, D.C., and many others. The roster of PoPs that make up the services includes a combination of facilities from MCI
WorldCom and third party LECs and CLECs. In the future, additional PoPs from MCI WorldCom local facilities will be deployed, bringing the total
number to more than 1,000 by the end of 1999.
Making DSL a Reality for Businesses
The DSL service for corporate customers, called UULink(SM)DSL, is a fully integrated, end-to-end Internet access solution. In addition to
supplying a DSL access circuit, the service includes comprehensive Internet connectivity, as well as domain name registration, e-mail accounts and
news readers. The business DSL service is a symmetrical service available in bandwidths from 128 Kbps through 768 Kbps.
Following the initial offering, MCI WorldCom will introduce a comprehensive suite of DSL services for businesses of all sizes as part of its On-net
product suite. This offering will be available in the first quarter of 1999.
Consumer Offering Through Online Service Providers
The DSL consumer service is asymmetrical with per-user bandwidth that ranges from 64 Kbps to 384 Kbps upstream and from 384 Kbps to 768
Kbps downstream, depending on such factors as the customer's region and distance from the central office. America Online and EarthLink will trial
the service as a way to test high-speed Internet connectivity for their consumers who connect at higher speeds.
"Working together, AOL and MCI WorldCom are very well-positioned to bring high-speed access to the mass market audience," said Bob Pittman,
president and chief operating officer of America Online Inc. "We believe this new technology promises to significantly enhance our member's online
experience and we fully support MCI WorldCom's efforts to make high-speed access more broadly available."
"This is exactly what the ISP industry has needed to give DSL a push?a single source that can provide nationwide coverage," said Garry Betty, CEO
and president of EarthLink. "We try to provide our members with as many different ways to access the Internet as possible, so we look forward to
offering them affordable DSL connections nationally."
Pricing
UULink DSL will be offered to corporate customers starting at $500 per month, including the DSL circuit and Internet connectivity. Charges vary
based on the customer location and bandwidth used.
Rates to online service providers will depend upon volume commitment and chosen service level parameters. End-user prices to consumers will be
determined by each service provider but are expected to >be in the $40-$60 range per month.
Additional information is available at UUNET's Web site, usa.uu.net
About MCI WorldCom
MCI WorldCom is a global communications company with revenue of more than $30 billion and established operations in over 65 countries
encompassing the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions. MCI WorldCom is a premier provider of facilities-based and fully integrated
local, long distance, international and Internet services. MCI WorldCom's global networks, including its state-of-the-art pan-European network and
transoceanic cable systems, provide end-to-end high-capacity connectivity to more than 38,000 buildings worldwide. For more information on MCI
WorldCom, visit the World Wide Web at mciworldcom.com or wcom.com.
UUNET, an MCI WorldCom company, www.uu.net is a global leader in Internet communications solutions, offering a comprehensive range of
services to businesses, online service providers and telecommunications firms. The company's network is comprised of more than 1,000 Points of
Presence (POPs) throughout the United States and in Canada, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as connections to Internet service
providers around the world.
CONTACT: MCI WorldCom/UUNET
Media Relations:
Mara Radis
703-206-5441
1-800-644-NEWS
or
MCI WorldCom
Investor Relations:
Gary Brandt
601-360-8544 |
