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The purpose of this Thread will be to discuss and share information about XO Communications, a full-service, integrated broadband communications offering services provider, (XOXO) (formerly NEXTLINK and Concentric). This thread is unmoderated, and I ask that you do your best to help maintain civility to facilitate relevant sharing of ideas and information. Off-topic posting is welcomed, but let's keep on point as much as we can. Below is a press release announcing the name change to XO Communications: NEXTLINK and Concentric Become XO Communications New Identity Captures Transformation to a Full-Service Integrated Broadband Communications Leader Industry-Shaking XOption Service Package Eliminates Long Distance Charges and Distinctions Between Voice and Data Services for Businesses Monday September 25, 5:01 am Eastern Time MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2000-- NEXTLINK Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXLK - news), one of the world's fastest growing providers of broadband communications services, today announced two important business initiatives that mark the company's transformation into a full-service, integrated broadband communications provider and differentiate the company from its competition in the telecommunications, data and Internet services industries. New Brand. Effective September 25, 2000, NEXTLINK becomes XO Communications. The name change is reflective of the core business strengths of NEXTLINK and Concentric, which merged earlier this year, and signifies the company's transformation into a full-service, integrated broadband communications offering services provider that are both simple to use and understand. The company launched a new web URL - www.xo.com and will begin trading under the new ticker symbol (NASDAQ:XOXO - news) beginning on Tuesday, September 26, 2000. New XOptions Flat Rate Services Packages. The XO industry-changing offerings are a group of integrated and predictable flat-rate communications packages that include local, long distance, Internet Access and web hosting (including e-mail and domain registration) services designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. ``With this service concept, we are completely blowing up the way businesses have historically viewed and purchased telecommunications,'' said XO Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. ``As of today, the distinction between voice and data communications is gone and the term 'long distance' becomes a memory of an antiquated regulatory regime. In the new XO world there are virtually no time or distance restraints. When a customer has a seat on the XO network it makes no difference if they are communicating across the street or across the United States, or if they're calling on the phone or sending data. It all arrives at the same simple, predictable flat-rate price. This is a very different way to buy communications services and will transform our industry.'' ``This industry has made it much too difficult for business customers to buy voice and data services and they are literally overwhelmed. As we take dramatic steps to transcend the complexity clouding the marketplace today, it is the right time for our company to reintroduce ourselves with an aggressive, breakthrough brand,'' continued Akerson. ``The brand XO signifies the underpinnings of simplicity that make this company and its services unique. We are making a statement with our brand by showing an 'X' indicating that we are right on target and an 'O' representing our ability to offer a complete set of services.'' In the year since Akerson was named Chairman and CEO, he has successfully guided the company's transformation from its competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) roots to a fully integrated broadband voice and data communications provider competing directly with the leaders in global telecommunications. During his tenure, XO has made significant investments designed to enhance its back office systems and has added extensive data services to its portfolio via its acquisition of Concentric Network. Recently, XO began its international expansion by announcing plans to acquire broadband fiber-optic networks being built throughout Europe. The advances of the past year have all been directed toward reaching the goal of positioning the company to offer differentiated services unique to XO. Today, the company punctuated the past year's initiatives by launching a new brand and introducing the first of its differentiated services, known as XOptions. XOptions includes a variety of service packages designed to accommodate different sized customers with anywhere from 10-100 employees per location. The XOptions service, which is available in all 51 XO markets across the United States, features flat rate pricing for bundled voice and data products. XO is the first company to bundle local, long distance, Internet Access - ranging from ``always on'' digital subscriber line (DSL) service to higher quality, dedicated Internet Access - and web hosting. The web hosting service gives customers a quick presence on the web that includes e-mail, domain registration, web site hosting, web site development and e-commerce tools. All XOption packages will be sold on a ``per user'' or ``per company'' flat rate price, depending on the individual customer's purchasing preference. In addition to eliminating the complexity of working with multiple service providers for installation, maintenance and billing, XOptions can also provide a 10 to 40 percent savings over the average cost of buying the services from four separate competitive voice and data providers. XO customers will receive one bill that can be direct mailed or viewed on-line with customers having the option to pay their monthly charges using their American Express® Card. XOptions also comes with a three-month complete satisfaction guarantee in which XO will pay a customer's cost of transferring service back to their original provider of the same service if the customer is not completely satisfied with XO's service. ``Our research shows that a majority of small and medium business (SMBs) customers are interested in purchasing local and long distance services from the same provider. We believe many of them would be receptive towards adding additional services such as Internet access and Web hosting to a service bundle,'' said Helen Chan, an analyst at the Yankee Group. ``SMBs value simplicity and predictability. This simple, flat rate monthly pricing model will be a compelling proposition for many customers.'' As a part of the service, XO also launched the XO Benchmark web tool located at www.xo.com, which gives prospective buyers the ability to instantly identify the best XOption plan to meet their communications needs. Additionally, XO has equipped its direct sales representatives with a value comparison tool that shows the savings customers can achieve in any XO market throughout the United States by purchasing the XOption package instead of each service separately from different service providers. ``We do not know of a simpler and more economical way to buy these four services in the marketplace today,'' said Nancy Gofus, XO executive vice president of marketing and customer care. ``We have taken today's business communications essentials - calling locally and long distance, connecting to the Internet, having a presence on the web and using e-mail - and removed the need to be a telecommunications expert to purchase them. Now, all you have to know is how many people work in your business and you can accurately predict your monthly expense for all of your communication needs. It's that easy.'' The XO brand will be introduced with a $20 million Fall advertising campaign that begins today and extensively utilizes network and cable television, national print, direct mail, and local print and radio advertising mediums. The campaign was produced by McKinney and Silver, a nationally reputed ad agency that has built a number of well known brands such as Aetna U.S. Healthcare, Audi of America, MicroCast, jobs.com and Ben & Jerry's Homemade. ``Building successful brands is about two things: committing the resources to ensure that the brand is seen and understood and propelling that brand with differentiated products and services that are difficult for competitors to replicate. This brand will symbolize services that deliver everything a customer wants and exactly what they need,'' continued Gofus. XO Communications is one of the world's leading providers of broadband communications services offering local and long distance voice communication services, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) access, Web hosting and e-commerce service, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), dedicated access, global transit and application infrastructure services for delivering applications over the Internet or a VPN. XO has assembled an unrivaled set of facilities-based broadband networks and Tier One peering relationships that, when complete, will serve much of the United States, Canada and Europe. In the United States, XO has more than 430,000 metro fiber miles in operation and a 384,000 fiber-mile inter-city network under construction. The Company is also North America's largest holder of fixed broadband wireless spectrum, with licenses covering 95 percent of the population of the 30 largest U.S. cities and a partnership with licenses covering all of the top cities in Canada. XO has also agreed in principle to acquire more than 80,000 metro fiber miles in Europe to serve the London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris markets and an 88,000 fiber-mile pan-European fiber network connecting 21 major European cities and transatlantic capacity that will eventually expand to 10 Gbps. | ||||||||||||||
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