Qwest Expands Data Services With Remote Access Virtual Private Networks, Frame Relay and ATM
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 1998--Qwest today announced
the aggressive expansion of its high speed data networking service
offerings. In separate strategic agreements with Cisco Systems and
Ascend Communications, Inc., Qwest will offer Remote Access Virtual
Private Networking and advanced Frame Relay/ATM services using the
Qwest Macro Capacity Fiber Network. By leveraging its unparalleled
network capacity and TeraPOP (Terabit Points of Presence) network
design, Qwest will deploy dual OC-48 backbones with both a Native IP
backbone for IP services and a Native ATM backbone for Frame Relay/ATM
services. This unique deployment will provide customers with virtually
unlimited bandwidth along with industry-leading network speeds and
reliability.
Qwest has teamed with Cisco Systems to offer Remote Access
Virtual Private Network (VPN) services, a remote dial-in access
service connecting off-site employees to corporate host applications
in a secure and efficient manner. Cisco will provide Qwest with the
reliable, high-performance Cisco 12000 Gigabit Switch Router (GSR) for
the VPN network backbone, the carrier-class Cisco AS5800 universal
access server for the VPN network edge and the Cisco IOS(tm) software
platform for the integrated VPN features.
Remote Access VPN is the most recent IP service offering from
Qwest, joining high speed Internet access, web hosting and web content
services. Qwest's unique offering allows corporate customers complete
control over the number of ports they wish to use (thereby defining
their own user-to-modem ratio), while avoiding the costs and time
associated with on-site modem pool maintenance. To simplify the
customer's budgeting process, this service is priced on a
per-port-per-month basis for local dial service, with a surcharge for
toll-free roaming access.
Ascend Communications will team with Qwest to offer Frame Relay
and ATM services across their new nationwide backbone network. Ascend
will provide Qwest with carrier-class CBX 500 Multiservice ATM
switches, as well as the market-leading B-STDX 9000 Multiservice Frame
Relay switches. This new network, managed by Ascend's Navis end-to-end
network and service management products, will provide Qwest the
ability to offer data services with Service Level Agreements to their
corporate customers. With seamless interworking and Quality of Service
(QoS) between Frame Relay and ATM, customers will have network
connectivity between sites at speeds from 56 Kbps Frame Relay up to
155 Mbps (OC-3) ATM, including 45 Mbps (DS-3) network access for Frame
Relay.
"Qwest makes companies' technological transition into the future
painless as they migrate from the traditional networking technologies
of today, to the native IP networking capabilities of tomorrow," said
Lew Wilks, president of Business Markets at Qwest. "As Qwest rolls out
more services on its activated coast-to-coast network, establishes a
significant presence in the European data market and works with
Internet2 on creating future data applications, customers will be
given an unparalleled choice to merge traditional mission-critical
data applications with emerging IP centric electronic commerce
services."
"We firmly believe the VPN product area is going to be one of the
most exciting and high growth areas in the marketplace in the coming
months," said Kevin DeNuccio, Cisco's Vice President, Service Provider
Operations. "Qwest's market position and service capabilities it is
announcing today, firmly establishes them in a leadership position to
take advantage of this significant market trend."
"The combination of Ascend's Frame Relay and ATM switching
technology along with Qwest's new OC-48 high speed backbone will
provide corporate customers with the Quality of Service necessary for
today's real-time data applications," said Dan Smith, Executive Vice
President and General Manager, Core Systems Division, Ascend
Communications, Inc. "We're very excited to team with Qwest and be an
integral part of this new endeavor."
Qwest's Remote Access Virtual Private Network services will be
available beginning in June with Frame Relay/ATM services to be
commercially available by August.
The Qwest Macro Capacity Fiber Network
Qwest's planned domestic 16,285 mile network will serve more than
125 cities, which represent approximately 80 percent of the data and
voice traffic originating in the United States, upon its scheduled
completion in the second quarter of 1999. Currently, more than 5,400
miles are activated from California to New York, from Dallas to
Houston and from Phoenix to Austin, Texas.
Qwest is also extending its network 1,400 miles into Mexico with
completion slated for late third quarter 1998. The Qwest Macro
Capacity Fiber network is designed with a highly reliable and secure
bi-directional, line switching OC-192 SONET ring architecture. Upon
completion, the network will offer a self-healing system that provides
the ultimate security and reliability by allowing instantaneous
rerouting in the event of a fiber cut.
About Ascend Communications
Ascend Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASND) develops, manufactures,
sells and services wide area networking solutions for
telecommunications carriers, Internet service providers and corporate
customers worldwide. For more information about Ascend and its
products, please visit the Ascend web site at www.ascend.com, or send
e-mail to info@ascend.com.
About Cisco
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in
networking for the Internet. News and information are available at
cisco.com.
About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. (NASDAQ:QWST) is a
multimedia communications company building a high-capacity, native IP
fiber optic network for the 21st century. With its cutting-edge
technology, Qwest will deliver high-quality data, video and voice
connectivity securely and reliably to businesses, consumers and other
communications service providers. Further information is available at
www.qwest.net .
-0-
Note to Editors: This release may contain forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may
differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are
referred to the documents filed by Qwest with the SEC, specifically
the most recent reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual
results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking
statements, including potential fluctuations in quarterly results,
dependence on new product development, rapid technological and market
change, failure to complete the network on schedule, failure to
consummate the proposed merger with LCI International timely or at
all, volatility of stock price, financial risk management and future
growth subject to risks.
The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications
International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.
CONTACT:
Qwest Communications
Diane Reberger, 303/291-1662
dreberge@qwest.net
Lee Wolfe, 800/567-7296
lwolfe@qwest.net
qwest.net
or
Alexander Communications
Erin McKelvey, 303/615-5070 ext. 108
emckelvey@alexander-pr.com
alexander-pr.com
KEYWORD: COLORADO
BW1082 APR 20,1998
|
