FCLX NEWS:
FirstCom Corporation Announces Internet Strategy for Latin
America
Business Wire - April 08, 1999 08:45
Appoints Marco A. Northland as Vice President
Of Internet Services and Business Development
FirstCom Corporation (NASDAQ: FCLX) ("FirstCom") today announced that it has launched an
aggressive campaign to become a premier provider of Internet connection and content services to
business customers and other high volume users in South America. This campaign includes
providing high speed Internet access to business customers, pursuing strategic alliances for
developing and deploying E-commerce, and delivering local and long distance voice services over
IP.
Already the second largest Internet Service Provider in Chile, FirstCom will soon commence
Internet services in Peru and in Colombia. Because of FirstCom's existing state-of-the-art
telecommunications networks in Peru, Chile and Colombia, it is in a unique position to become a
preferred provider of Internet solutions to corporations in these markets, as well as providing a
platform to replicate similar business models in selected markets throughout South America. The
Company plans to offer a premium level service guarantee, assuring its rapidly growing customer
base a broad range of quality Internet services comparable to those of the leading U.S. based
Internet service providers.
Even though South America represents a large percentage of the world's population, there continues
to exist a significant unmet demand for high-speed Internet access and related services. Industry
estimates indicate that the Internet is expected to grow at a tremendous rate during the coming years
in this region. The Company believes that during the next several years South America will begin
to emulate the explosive growth of the Internet that has been experienced in the United States.
FirstCom also announced today, in conjunction with the rollout of its Internet strategy, the
appointment of Marco A. Northland, as Vice President of Internet Services and Business
Development. Prior to his joining FirstCom, Mr. Northland was the CEO at @Phone, an early stage
provider of Internet and related services in Latin America. Mr. Northland's extensive background
also includes successful telecommunications experience at Hughes Network Systems and Panamsat,
and was one of the founders of Americatel, a highly successful early-stage Latin America based
telecommunication company. Mr. Northland's entrepreneurial background and over fifteen years of
telecommunications experience provides excellent credentials to lead FirstCom's rapid emergence
as a predominant Internet service provider in selected South American markets.
"I am excited to lead FirstCom's new Internet strategy and look forward to establishing the
Company as a leading provider of Internet solutions to business customers throughout South
America", commented Marco Northland. He continued, "We plan to immediately capitalize the
untapped demand for Internet services in the Company's existing markets. FirstCom's initial
implementation is based on three core elements: First, to provide business and other high volume
users, high speed Internet access utilizing the Company's existing state-of-the-art
telecommunications networks in Chile, Peru and Colombia. These networks currently consists of
over 1300 route kilometers of fiber optic cables providing connectivity to over 700 corporate
buildings and access to thousands of potential businesses. Second, to leverage the Company's
existing and potential financial and banking customers, along with other possible strategic
alliances, to create and deploy E-commerce solutions throughout the region. Third, to develop and
provide local and long distance voice over IP services in the Company's targeted markets.
FirstCom's goal is to become a leading full service Internet provider to business customers and
other high volume users in South America by delivering content rich applications over the premier
Internet fiber optic based ATM/IP backbones in the region."
FirstCom Corporation is rapidly emerging as an alternative provider of high bandwidth integrated
telecommunication services to business customers in Chile, Colombia and Peru. FirstCom owns
state-of-the-art fiber optic networks in each of these countries that are used to provide high-speed
connectivity and content to the business community. FirstCom also operates a competitive
long-distance carrier in Chile and recently received its license to provide similar services in Peru.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The foregoing
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual
results or outcomes to be materially different from those anticipated and discussed herein. The
matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental and technological
factors detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which
readers are urged to read carefully in assessing the forward looking statements contained herein.
CONTACT: Douglas G. Geib II Richard Cooper
Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations
(305) 448-4422 (516) 829-7111 |
