MCI WorldCom Introduces Intelligent Bandwidth Services for High-Speed Data
New Services Empower Customers to Manipulate Bandwidth in Real-Time
MCI WorldCom today introduced a set of new value-added services that provide unprecedented levels of customer control and integration utilizing Web-based technologies to manage Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and Private Line services. These innovative, first-of-their-kind services enable high-speed data customers to dynamically allocate, manipulate and manage their bandwidth needs in real-time through a user-friendly Web-based customer interface.
"Web-enabled provisioning provides data customers with the direct control they need to most effectively manage their complex ATM and private line networks in a dynamic fashion,'' said Jim DeMerlis, MCI WorldCom vice president of Data and Enterprise Product Marketing. "From a web-based 'cockpit,' customers are able to swap bandwidth among sites, re-balance loads across existing circuits and self-provision new circuits in real-time - saving them time and money. What used to take them days to accomplish through normal provisioning, can now be done in seconds.''
The two new services being introduced include Smart Bandwidth On Command for ATM and a Private Line Service, Web Digital Reconfiguration Service (Web DRS).
MCI WorldCom's Smart Bandwidth service is ideal for data customers who want to integrate voice and data traffic over the same access facilities, and who want better control over their bandwidth. Customers can self-provision, alter the quality of service and the user permissions, and manage circuits up to the capacity of the physical port without involving MCI WorldCom's provisioning staff.
Smart Bandwidth benefits include: -- Integrated Access-Reduces access costs; Voice over ATM-Intranet voice is "free'' - riding on excess data bandwidth; and packetized voice requires less bandwidth; Source & Destination Address Validation-Enhanced security insuring that no unauthorized parties can call customer's sites; Closed User Groups-Permits calls and policies to be restricted to a subset of internal and/or external users; Point-to-Multipoint Service-Reduces the bandwidth needed for multi-site calls such as videoconferences and broadcasts.
The Web-enabled service for private lines, known as Web Digital Reconfiguration Service (Web DRS), provides customers with the ability to manage, control and configure their DS0 and DS1 circuits using their Internet browser and MCI WorldCom's Web-based software and special Web site. Primary applications for this value-added service include: host/disaster recovery backup; dynamic bandwidth allocation; additional bandwidth reservation for special events, videoconferences, large data exchanges and other situations requiring flexible bandwidth needs. Using Web DRS, private line customers can: Configure temporary bandwidth when they need additional capacity on a one-time, continuous or selected daily basis; View their network configuration and change configurations on demand, according to specific needs; Utilize Switched DS1 service to access full DS1 circuits on demand and pay usage rates for time connected and not have to pay for dedicated DS1 channels. MCI WorldCom (NASDAQ: WCOM) is a global leader in communications services with 1998 revenues of more than $30 billion and operations in more than 65 countries. MCI WorldCom's global networks provide high- capacity connectivity to more than 45,000 buildings worldwide. MCI WorldCom and Sprint have announced an agreement to merge, which the companies expect to close in the second half of 2000, following regulatory and shareholder approvals. The new company will be called WorldCom.
