U S WEST Unveils Technology Enhancements That Nearly Double Number of Customers Who Can Receive Its Lightning-Fast ADSL Internet Service
- Industry-leading MegaBit Services Available to More than a Half-Million New Customers; New Online Ordering and 'Do-it-Yourself' Installation Delivers Significant Customer Savings -
DENVER, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- U S WEST (NYSE: USW - news) today unveiled a set of initiatives that significantly expand availability and simplify ordering and installation for its industry-leading MegaBit Services ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), which gives customers affordable, ultra-fast access to data networks over their existing phone lines and is revolutionizing how people use the Internet.
''Today, the World Wide Wait just got a lot faster for a lot more people,'' said Joe Zell, president, U S WEST !NTERPRISE Networking. ''Since we began offering MegaBit Services across the region last spring, customers who have tried it give it rave reviews. This lightning-fast service is truly revolutionizing how people use the Internet -- for home offices, telework, business data networks, schools and libraries, or just high-speed Net surfing. Now, new technology is letting us offer this remarkable service to even more people. Customers can even order and qualify for the service online.''
U S WEST's new MegaBit Services initiatives include:
Equipping more than 40 additional central offices in cities where MegaBit Services is available, creating a more seamless geographic footprint in existing markets -- and making it the world's largest deployment of ADSL;
Extending its reach in areas equipped to provide MegaBit Services, but where some customers haven't been able to get the service because of distance or qualification limits;
In total, more than a half-million new U S WEST customers will now have access to the service;
Easy online qualification, so customers can see if their phone line supports MegaBit Services and immediately order the service themselves via the Internet;
Simple 'do-it-yourself' installation, so customers can begin using the service without waiting for a technician visit, and save more than a hundred dollars in hook-up fees.
MegaBit Services was introduced in more than 40 cities across U S WEST's region from May to September this year. Starting at $59.95/month, the MegaPak option combines unlimited U S WEST.net Internet access with a continuous ''always-on'' digital connection over a dedicated portion of existing phone lines. Customers can surf the Net at speeds from nine to 250 times faster than traditional modems -- with no dial-up required. They simply open their Internet browser, and can make or receive phone calls over the same line simultaneously while teleworking from home or surfing the Internet.
''U S WEST has been the most aggressive company in the nation in introducing the benefits of ADSL technology to customers. But this introduction has been just that: a first step,'' said Zell. ''Now, we are taking additional steps to move MegaBit Services from an early-adopter market stage and accelerate its reach to mainstream customers. Today, we're announcing a no-holds-barred campaign to get MegaBit Services to even more people who want its high-speed data power.''
Extending the Range and Reach of MegaBit Services
Today, 213 central offices are already equipped to support MegaBit Services in more than 40 cities across U S WEST's region. To further extend MegaBit Services availability within those communities, U S WEST will equip 40 additional central offices in early 1999.
In addition, U S WEST will increase the percentage of customer lines in central offices capable of supporting the service. In the first quarter of 1999, U S WEST will begin targeted deployment of remote services solutions that enable customers currently served by Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs) to get MegaBit Services. DLC is a fiber-to-the neighborhood transport technology that is often used to provide phone service to newer housing developments and business parks. The solution initially involves placing MegaBit equipment in the field adjacent to metal cabinets that house DLCs, or directly in multi- dwelling units and large business complexes to ensure that all tenants' telephone lines are capable of supporting exceptionally high-speed data access.
U S WEST is also working closely with Cisco Systems to deploy technology that extends the distance customers can live from their central offices and qualify for MegaBit Services -- from about 15,000 to 17,000 feet early next year, with additional improvements on an ongoing basis.
With these enhancements, U S WEST will increase the percentage of telephone lines qualifying for MegaBit Services in central offices equipped for the service, to nearly 50 percent on average, up from about 30 percent today.
Online Ordering and 'Do-it-Yourself' Installation
U S WEST is also making MegaBit Services even simpler to install and order. Customers now have the option of installing the service themselves, with the assistance of the updated MegaBit Services user installation guide and improved toll-free telephone support to explain the process of installing the modem and NIC cards (network interface cards). A step-by-step self- install video will be added to the support package in November. Customers who install the modem and/or NIC card themselves save the $149 installation fee, and don't have to wait for an installer visit.
''Our research and actual experience in the marketplace has shown that customers can successfully install the modem and NIC card. Many, in fact, already do,'' said Zell, noting that currently more than 40 percent of customers either select to install themselves or complete it before company technicians show up.
In early November, customers can self-qualify and order the service directly over the Internet, with U S WEST's new, end-to-end online web ordering system. When launched, customers can simply access U S WEST's web site (http://www.uswest.com) or MegaBit site (http://www.megaspeed.com), fill in an online form and determine whether their home or business phone lines can support MegaBit Services. If the phone line supports MegaBit, the order can be completed and submitted while online.
The online ordering process takes about 15 minutes to complete, and includes accessing databases to determine whether a customer's telephone line can support MegaBit Services. All customer information submitted is encrypted and secured with U S WEST's industrial-strength firewall.
''Extending service reach, increasing our footprint through central office additions, online ordering and our continual focus on improving the ease with which customer can begin using MegaBit Services are essential to accelerating the rate of market development for U S WEST,'' Zell added.
About U S WEST
U S WEST (NYSE: USW - news) provides a full range of telecommunications services -- including wireline, wireless PCS, data networking, directory and information services -- to more than 25 million customers nationally and in 14 western and Midwestern states. More information about U S WEST can be found on the Internet at uswest.com.
U S WEST !NTERPRISE Networking is the data networking arm of U S WEST, and can be found on the Internet at uswest.com.
SOURCE: U S WEST !NTERPRISE Networking
Derek, does this mean twice as many people will be waiting for service now? <LOL> |
