CONV news...
(PR NEWSWIRE) Convergent Communications 'Turns Up' Phase II Of Next Generatio
Convergent Communications 'Turns Up' Phase II Of Next Generation Multi-service
Nationwide Network
Cisco-Powered IP+ATM Switch Sites Now Live with Initial Data,
Voice and Video Traffic in 16 Markets
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Convergent Communications(TM)
(Nasdaq: CONV), a provider of broadband IP-based business communications
solutions including a full range of eBusiness services, has completed the
installation of Phase II of its IP (Internet Protocol) + ATM (Asynchronous
Transfer Mode) multi-service switching platform.
Convergent Communications is one of the first providers to exclusively
deploy Cisco Systems' multi-service data and voice switching platform
nationwide. It is a data-centric switching platform capable of integrating
voice, video and data through a single, integrated platform. Each enterprise
Point of Presence (ePOP(TM)) site includes a Cisco-powered multi-service
switch platform based on BPX(TM) 8600 and MGX(TM) 8850 IP+ATM multi-service
switches.
"This platform lends itself to a 50 percent reduction in operating costs
compared to traditional circuit-based operating costs," said John R. Evans,
chairman and chief executive officer of Convergent Communications.
"Additionally, we anticipate an 80 percent reduction in capital costs compared
to the costs of traditional circuit-based carrier networks that comprise
separate voice, data and Internet switches."
Phase II of the plan included deployment of ePOPs in Dallas, Miami,
Minneapolis, Seattle, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Stamford, Conn., Portland,
Ore. and Kansas City, Mo., bringing the number of ePOPs deployed nationwide to
16. The sites are connected with high-bandwidth backbone capacity leased from
national transport providers.
Phase I of the plan, which included IP+ATM upgrades to the company's
original ePOPs in Denver, Des Moines, Iowa and Santa Clara, Calif. as well as
new deployment of ePOPs in Atlanta, Chicago, Herndon, Va. and Irvine, Calif.,
was completed in October 1999. Phase III of Convergent Communications' ePOP
rollout plan includes deploying an additional 16 ePOPs by 2001.
Cisco's MGX 8800 switch platform enables a packet-based network that
incorporates both IP and ATM technologies for integrated data and voice
networks, "allowing us to manage our clients' information from
source-to-destination," said Keith V. Burge, president and chief operating
officer of Convergent Communications. "Completion of this second phase of
ePOPs allows us to deliver a total solutions package to these 16 markets."
"We are unique in our market in that we have the ability to provide
facilities-based transport of data and voice services and the turnkey design,
implementation and management of all the equipment required to enable those
services," Burge added.
About Convergent Communications(TM)
Convergent Communications Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Convergent Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CONV), a provider of IP-based
business communication solutions including a full range of e-commerce
services. With operations in 35 markets, the company's services include the
design, implementation, support and monitoring of data and voice networks and
Internet services. Through its Enterprise Network Services (ENS) offering,
Convergent Communications owns, manages, maintains and monitors client data
and voice networks under long-term service agreements.
For more information on Convergent Communications, visit the company's Web
site at converg.com.
The statements made by Convergent Communications(TM) in this press release
may be forward-looking in nature. Information in this press release is
qualified by the more detailed information contained in the company's 1998
annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 18, 1999 and its quarterly reports on form 10-Q filed on May 14,
1999, August 11, 1999 and November 10, 1999. Forward-looking statements in
this news release are expectations, not historical facts. Such statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes
to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, the degree to which the company is leveraged and the restrictions
imposed on the company under its existing debt instruments that may adversely
affect the company's ability to finance its future operations, to compete
effectively against better-capitalized competitors and to withstand downturns
in its business or the economy generally; and other factors discussed in the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
BPX(TM) 8600 and MGX(TM) 8850 are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems,
Inc.
SOURCE Convergent Communications, Inc.
-0- 01/18/2000
/CONTACT: Investors: Tom Kennedy, 303-749-3041, tom.kennedy@converg.com,
or Media: Jil Hicks, 303-749-2970, jil.hicks@converg.com, both of Convergent
Communications/
/Web site: converg.com
(CONV)
CO: Convergent Communications, Inc.
ST: Colorado
IN: TLS
SU:
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