WASHINGTON D.C. and SAN JOSE, Calif. - March 25, 1997 - MCI andCisco Systems, Inc. announced today that the two companies havecollaborated on software-based technology that will enable customers toreceive a premium grade of Internet service. Through Cisco IOS(TM)software with NetFlow(TM) Switching, MCI now has the technology it needsto enable premium quality Internet access on the InternetMCI backbone.
"Today, customers with very different needs must rely on a 'one sizefits all' Internet," said Fred Briggs, MCI's Chief Engineering Officer."With QoS (Quality of Service), MCI will be the first in the industry tooffer multiple classes of services based on the customer's individualrequirements. Once again, MCI is leading the charge to offer consumersand businesses the most advanced Internet technologies in the world. Andonce again, Cisco and MCI are working together to offer innovativeservices."
"Rapid growth in Internet and intranet deployment and usage has createda major shift in both corporate and consumer computing paradigms," saidJon Shantz, vice president of Cisco's Service Provider marketing. "Thisshift has resulted in massive increases in demand for network bandwidth,performance, multimedia and security services. The solutions introducedtoday by Cisco, supported by a full range of innovative services, will1allow MCI to differentiate its services and deliver new businesssolutions to its customers."
The new technology will be deployed as a software upgrade within MCI'sinstalled base of Cisco 7500 routers. MCI is already the industry leaderin QoS, offering the service as part of Concert InternetPlus, which wasannounced last year.
Benefits of Cisco IOS QoS Services with NetFlow Switching include theability to prioritize traffic into varying classes of services byapplication or by customer, provide preference to higher priorityapplications including mission critical or multimedia applications, andperform lightweight data collections which enables usage based or classof service billing. Cisco IOS software is a platform that deliversnetwork services and enables network applications.
Using Cisco IOS QoS services, MCI customers requiring premium gradeservice would gain priority access to network bandwidth. Non-premium MCIcustomers would continue to enjoy the same high level of quality andreliability they have come to expect from the world's most advancedbackbone operator.
MCI
MCI today is one of the world's largest Internet service providers,offering a full suite of Internet and intranet services ranging fromInternet access to web hosting and intranet management. In June 1996,MCI and BT unveiled Concert InternetPlus, the world's first globalInternet service. MCI, headquartered in Washington, D.C., provides afull range of integrated communication services to more than 20 millioncustomers. Credited with opening up the U.S. long distance market forcompetition, MCI is now leading the charge to bring competition to the$100 billion local market, offering American consumers for the firsttime the freedom to choose their local carrier. With 1996 revenue of$18.5 billion, MCI is one of the largest and fastest growingtelecommunication companies in the world. On November 3, 1996, MCIannounced a definitive agreement to merge with BT to form Concert plc,the world's first global communications company.
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News andinformation are available at http://www.cisco.com.
Cisco IOS and Cisco Systems are trademarks, and Cisco and theCisco logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. All othertrademarks, service marks, registered trademarks or registered servicemarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respectiveowners.
