NAVINET/NAVISITE wholly owned by CMGi (to ipo this year) is taking on EXDS (1.5B mkt.cap.):
...
SAN FRANCISCO (Feb. 26) BUSINESS WIRE -Feb. 26, 1999--Surfree.com, a
leading provider of consumer dial-up Internet access, today announced
an agreement with NaviNet, Inc., a wholesale network service provider,
to integrate more than 150 new dial-up numbers into its existing
nationwide network.
Surfree.com currently leases its Internet backbone through wholesale
network provider PSINet. Today's announcement instantly increases
Surfree.com's capacity and further demonstrates the effectiveness of
the "virtual" Internet service provider (ISP) model. Surfree.com is the
only ISP that partners with wholesale network providers for its entire
network infrastructure.
"We're thrilled to expand our coverage with NaviNet," said Surfree.com
founder and CEO Adam Portnoy. "Through wholesale network providers such
as NaviNet and PSINet, we're able to offer premium Internet access on a
nationwide basis without building and maintaining a network of our own.
As a result, we pass these savings on to our customers by selling high
quality, unlimited Internet access for $14.95 per month, 25% to 40%
less than the competition."
NaviNet's network currently provides comprehensive coverage in New
England, New York, Illinois, Southern California, and Texas. By
partnering with NaviNet, Surfree.com gains extensive presence in these
areas, adding to its existing nationwide network of dial-up numbers
maintained by PSINet.
"NaviNet is solely focused on meeting the needs of ISPs. Our SS7-based
dial-up networking services enable ISPs to quickly and easily expand
coverage into new markets or add capacity in existing markets, while
avoiding the costs associated with a network infrastructure," said T.C.
Browne, CEO, NaviNet.
NaviNet establishes a local dial-up presence by partnering with CLECs
(Competitive Local Exchange Carriers) throughout the U.S. to build
"NaviPoPs," high-capacity Points of Presence. The "NaviPoPs" aggregate
a large volume of local dial-up numbers, thereby extending local
calling zones.
By using both the expansive range of PSINet and growing coverage of
NaviNet, Surfree.com will be able to reach more consumers throughout
the U.S., including areas where consumers have fewer choices for ISPs.
NaviNet also guarantees its connectivity with service level agreements
mandating 99% modem availability.
Matt McGinnis, senior Internet marketing manager at Ascend
Communications praised the announcement, saying, "This is further
testimony to the scalability and agility of the 'virtual ISP' model.
Surfree.com focuses on the online consumer, NaviNet and PSINet focus on
providing best of class wholesale network infrastructure, and Ascend's
leading networking equipment, such as the MAX TNT WAN access switch,
keeps wholesalers ahead of the technical curve."
About Surfree.com
Surfree.com is a leading nationwide provider of low-priced,
high-quality Internet access for consumers. Key technology partners
include Critical Path, Microsoft, NaviNet, NetHelp International,
PSINet, and Snap. The company, launched in October 1997, is privately
owned and headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, please
visit www.surfree.com or call 415/977-0999
About NaviNet
NaviNet is a wholly owned subsidiary of CMG Information Services
(Nasdaq:CMGI) providing high performance, low cost wholesale dial-up
networking service for Internet service providers (ISPs). For more
information, visit NaviNet's Web site at www.navinet.net or call
877/NAVINET (877/628-4638).
About Ascend Communication
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 email
info@ascend.com or call 800/648-3059 or 760/704-4423 (outside the U.S.
and Canada). |
