Pacific Bell Launches "ADSL ISP Partner Program"
Prominent ISPs already on board; program to accelerate availability of ADSL in California
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 1, 1998-- To meet the increased demand for bandwidth in California and accelerate the availability of high-speed Internet and data access to its customers, Pacific Bell is launching its Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) Internet Service Provider (ISP) Partner Program.
Through this partnership, ISPs act as authorized ADSL sales representatives for Pacific Bell's ADSL services, and will be able to offer their business and residential customers lightening-fast access to the World Wide Web.
''This partner program supports Pacific Bell's effort to expedite the delivery of bandwidth in California and is another example of our bottom-line focus on the customer in today's competitive marketplace,'' said Ray Wilkins, president of business communication services for Pacific Bell. ''We are demonstrating our commitment to making our broadband services more widely available to a wide range of customers throughout the Golden State.''
ISPs participating in the process include: 4Link Network, Argotech, Bay Area Internet Solutions, Channel Islands Internet, CTSnet, Data Depot, DSL Networks, EarthLink Network, Flashcom, WorldCom Advanced Networks, iHighway, Millenia Net, ISP Networks, NetConcept, Netease, PacificNet, PC Solutions, Sirius Connections, Slip.Net, Softcom, Sonic, zNET. More ISPs are expected to join by end of summer.
The partnering ISPs have joined prominent industry leaders such as Verio Southern California, Concentric Network, Best Internet, and Direct Network Access who are already authorized sales representatives to market Pacific Bell's services.
About ADSL
Designed primarily for Internet and telecommuting applications, ADSL is a high-speed, always-on service that enables customers to transfer data, graphics, audio and video files at speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps). ADSL runs over existing telephone lines, allowing customers to simultaneously make a phone call and access information via the Internet or an office local area network (LAN).
Last May, Pacific Bell announced the broad deployment of high-speed ADSL service in more than 200 communities across California to satisfy customers' increased demands for bandwidth and faster Internet access. Currently, 75 of the planned 87 Pacific Bell central offices are up and running, with all 87 central offices in full use by September 8.
Pacific Bell is a company of SBC Communications Inc., a global leader in the telecommunications industry, with more than 34 million access lines and over 5.8 million wireless customers across the United States, as well as investments in telecommunications businesses in 10 countries. Under the Southwestern Bell, Pacific Bell, Nevada Bell and Cellular One brands, SBC, through its subsidiaries, offers a wide range of innovative services, including local and long-distance telephone service, wireless communications, paging, Internet access, and messaging, as well as telecommunications equipment, and directory advertising and publishing. SBC (http://www.sbc.com) has more than 119,000 employees and reported 1997 revenues of nearly $25 billion. SBC's equity market value of $74 billion as of June 30, 1998, ranks it as one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world.
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