NEW EDGE NETWORKS EXPANDS DSL TO MICHIGAN/NORTH DAKOTA.(Company Business and Marketing)

New Edge Networks, Vancouver, Wash., a national wholesale broadband services provider in small, midsize and semi-rural markets, has expanded its digital subscriber line (DSL) service into Michigan and North Dakota.

The high-speed Internet access service is being offered to both residential and business users through Internet service providers.

In Michigan, New Edge Networks is offering DSL service first in Kalamazoo, Lansing, Oshtemo and Portage business and residential areas. In the coming weeks, the company plans to expand its broadband services to nearly 20 other underserved Michigan cities and towns.

Grand Forks is the first North Dakota city to have DSL service powered by New Edge Networks with Fargo and Bismarck to follow. The company's network will reach more than seven in 10 homes and businesses in each of these communities.

New Edge Networks currently provides high speed Internet access in almost 300 central office locations, representing more than 150 cities and towns in 17 states. In addition to its operating locations, New Edge Networks has installed DSL network equipment in almost 200 other locations bringing to nearly 500 the total sites in 24 states. Work is progressing on more than 600 additional locations in all 50 states. New Edge Networks first launched DSL service in its home state of Washington last fall.

"Demand for broadband services such as DSL is outstripping supply regardless the size or location of the community," said Mark Smith, general manager for New Edge Networks' Midwest region. "We're focusing on rapid national network expansion to meet that demand and close the digital divide in underserved communities so they can lead more productive business and personal lives."

Smith said the broadband demand is high because, "People want more from today's content-rich Internet experience than dial up modems can deliver. DSL speeds will startle you the first time a Web page almost instantaneously blinks open. Then you're hooked because you've experienced the power of the medium that, for businesses and consumers in underserved communities, will forever change how they conduct business, and how they learn, live, work and play. In fact, we have seen local businesses go global because of DSL speeds."

DSL technology uses existing standard telephone wires in homes and businesses to enable access to the Internet and corporate data networks at guaranteed speeds of 1,500 kilobits per second or faster compared to 28.8k or 56k speeds through dial-up analog modems. In addition to guaranteed speed, other key benefits of DSL technology include an always on connection eliminating dial up or waiting; secure access using dedicated facilities; and reliability because the network is monitored around the clock.

For business customers with dedicated leased lines from the local telephone company, business-class DSL technology generally provides the same speed at half the monthly cost. Monthly DSL rate offerings range among Internet service providers and generally include the monthly ISP access charge, local telephone charges, plus unlimited usage.

About New Edge Networks

Based in Vancouver, Wash., New Edge Networks was founded in June 1999 to provide wholesale DSL service nationally in small, midsize and semi-rural markets through local, regional and national Internet service providers, communications companies, and other strategic relationships. The company's Midwest regional offices are in Minneapolis and serve North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The company is authorized to provide service in 48 states and plans to offer service in all 50 states by early next year. Top-tier private venture firms, global financial institutions and worldwide technology firms provide financial backing to New Edge Networks. These include: Accel Partners, Comdisco Ventures, Crosspoint Venture Partners, Goldman Sachs & Co., Greylock, Intel Corporation, Meritech Capital Partners and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.

For more information, visit http://www.newedgenetworks.com or call 360/906-9723.

Print Get the Mag Weekly Updates