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
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October 29, 1998
DENVER, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation -- U S
WEST (NYSE: USW) 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 ( uswest.com) or MegaBit site (
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) 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 |
