e.spire Enhances Nationwide Internet and Data Network infrastructureANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 1999--e.spire Communications, Inc.(Nasdaq:ESPI - news), the communications company for the networked economy, announced enhancements to its nationwide Internet and data network that supports its e.spire XpressLink(TM) suite of integrated Internet, data and voice services. e.spire XpressLink provides customers the benefits of a comprehensive service portfolio, an integrated access platform and network, responsive customer care, one point of contact and one invoice from a single provider.
To support rapid traffic growth, e.spire
has initiated upgrades of its national ATM network to significantly enhance efficiencies and functionality. e.spire is currently implementing both software, equipment and facility upgrades.
These upgrades are expected to improve bandwidth capacity by an estimated 60% in the near future and prepare the network for another upgrade early next year that will further increase throughput, enabling e.spire to deliver additional high-speed multi-megabit traffic for its customers.
With data applications growing in size, many companies now require broadband capacity for point-to-point data transmission, access to the Internet and other interconnectivity, and they will need increasing capacity as their businesses grow.
According to IDC, International Data Corporation, a leading provider of information technology data, industry analysis and strategic and tactical guidance, data sales will grow at a compound annual rate of 35% over the next six years and generate $750 billion in revenue.
This is an opportunity for e.spire to continue to do what it does best -- provide integrated Internet, data and voice services via its own network infrastructure.
``e.spire has recognized for several years the necessity of robust and high-performance Internet and data networks and services,' said Anthony J. Pompliano, e.spire Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. ``We are one of the first of our peers to deploy and enhance such an advanced national network, the cornerstone of communications solutions that our customers need to thrive in the networked economy.'
To support its popular e.spire XpressLink service portfolio, e.spire is deploying Cisco 6732 Integrated Access Devices (IADs) with its voice switches. This new equipment improves delivery of services by separating a customer's data, Internet and voice traffic and sending each to the appropriate network.
By using IADs, e.spire can cost-effectively service customers that choose to have their local, long distance and Internet or data services combined on the same access platform.
``Customers benefit from simplicity and reduced costs, while e.spire benefits from efficiency,' said Pompliano.
In addition to implementing enhancements to its own network, e.spire continues to improve connectivity to other networks through private IP (Internet protocol) peering arrangements and public IP peering interconnections.
It is currently upgrading connections at MAE-East and MAE-West and installing a new connection to MAE-Central. These connections help to ensure that customer traffic is routed quickly and reliably.
Also, to expand the reach of it nationwide backbone, e.spire has recently deployed Newbridge MainStreet 36170 ATM switches and carrier-grade Cisco routers in San Antonio, TX; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC/Northern Virginia.
e.spire's national ATM backbone -- one of North America's largest -- transports data over local metropolitan networks and leased long-haul fiber networks to e.spire-owned and -operated Newbridge data switches, called network points of presence, or POPs, and on to destinations around the world.
Through internetworking relationships, the e.spire data network accesses nearly 400 POPs throughout the United States. e.spire's carrier-grade backbone now rivals the most extensive backbones in bandwidth, performance, coverage and redundancy.
e.spire operates 38 local area fiber-optic networks, including three new ones in the Tier-1 markets of New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC/Northern Virginia. In total, as of September 30, 1999, e.spire's network is comprised of 28 Lucent 5ESS voice switches, more than 179,900 fiber miles, 3,800 route miles, 110 co-locations and 4,145 on-net buildings.
e.spire has networks in the following metropolitan markets: Albuquerque, NM; Amarillo, TX; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Baltimore, MD; Baton Rouge, LA; Birmingham, AL; Charleston, SC; Chattanooga, TN; Colorado Springs, CO; Columbia, SC; Columbus, GA; Corpus Christi, TX; Dallas, TX; El Paso, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Fort Lauderdale/Miami, FL; Greenville, SC; Irving, TX; Jackson, MS; Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO; Las Vegas, NV; Lexington, KY; Little Rock, AR; Louisville, KY; Mobile, AL; Montgomery, AL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; San Antonio, TX; Shreveport, LA; Spartanburg, SC; Tampa, FL; Tucson, AZ; Tulsa, OK; and Washington, DC/Northern Virginia.
e.spire Communications, Inc. is a leading integrated communications provider, offering traditional local and long distance, Internet access and Web-hosting services, and advanced data solutions, such as ATM and frame relay.
In addition, e.spire's subsidiary, ACSI Network Technologies, Inc., provides third parties, including other communications concerns, municipalities and corporations, with turnkey fiber-optic design, construction and project management expertise. For more information on e.spire, contact espire.net. |
