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Bell Atlantic Extends Data Network Capabilities Across U.S.
Agreement with Intermedia Enables Company to Serve Customer
Needs Beyond Bell Atlantic Region
September 21, 1998
Media contact: | Larry Plumb, |
NEW YORK -- Bell Atlantic has signed an agreement with Intermedia
Communications Inc., that will enable Bell Atlantic to provide data services
to customers with U.S. operations outside the Northeast and mid-Atlantic
regions.
The multi-year deal allows Bell Atlantic to resell Intermedia's national
frame relay data transport services in conjunction with Bell Atlantic's
own regional capabilities once the company gains approval to offer long
distance service in its mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets. The
interface between the two companies' networks will result in an
integrated extension of Bell Atlantic's operations and service delivery
that will be transparent to customers. Bell Atlantic expects regulators
to allow the company into the long distance market by first quarter
1999.
"With this agreement, we are moving closer to the day when Bell
Atlantic will offer end-to-end data solutions to customers with regional,
national or global operations," said Joe Farina, president and chief
executive officer-Bell Atlantic Data Solutions Group. "The extensive
reach of Intermedia's network complements the next-generation, long-
distance data network that Bell Atlantic is building."
Bell Atlantic is assembling an enhanced data communications portfolio
that includes frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and
Internet protocol (IP) services. By extending the reach of Bell Atlantic's
own, facilities-based capabilities, Intermedia's extensive frame relay
network will enable Bell Atlantic to provide end-to-end solutions for
customers with U.S. operations beyond the company's service area. The
agreement also enables Bell Atlantic to use Intermedia's ViewSPAN*
software to perform network management functions. "Bell Atlantic
customers will benefit from the speed, reliability and reach of
Intermedia's nationwide frame relay network," said David C. Ruberg,
president, chairman and chief operating officer-Intermedia. "Intermedia
is well-positioned to support Bell Atlantic's drive to become one of the
premier data networking companies of the 21st Century."
Agreement Enhances Total Long Distance Portfolio
"Bell Atlantic plans to be a vigorous competitor on 'Day One,' when we
gain long distance regulatory relief," said Al Binford, president and chief
executive officer-Bell Atlantic Communications, Inc., the unit that
signed the contract with Intermedia. "We are assembling the national
ubiquity and products - both voice and data - our customers require.
This agreement with Intermedia strengthens our 'reach' and the product
set we can offer customers."Intermedia Communications Inc., based in
Tampa, Florida, is one of the nation's fastest growing
telecommunications companies. Intermedia can be found on the World
Wide Web at www.intermedia.com.
Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and
information industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines
and more than seven million wireless customers worldwide, Bell
Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice
and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's
largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are
also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global
communications markets, with operations and investments in 23
countries.
*ViewSPAN is a service mark of Intermedia Communications Inc.