Companies to Build Public Digital Network Throughout Gulf States
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- February 24, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. and American MetroComm Inc. (AMC), today announced a technology and marketing alliance to deploy an advanced, packet-based network that will deliver data, voice, video and other services to customers throughout the Gulf-States region of the United States.
To build the advanced network, Cisco will provide AMC with its industry-leading communications technology and a financing facility over a four-year period. The companies plan to work together through the Cisco Powered Network and JumpStart joint-marketing programs for the delivery of New World services that are Web based, network enabled and give customers greater control of their communications experience.
Peter Sahagen, of Sahagen Group LLC., the majority shareholder in AMC said, "After an in-depth analysis, our company has chosen Cisco for many critical reasons, including customer satisfaction, Quality of Service (QoS), end-to-end solutions, and leadership position in this competitive communications marketplace."
AMC plans to deploy Cisco BPX. 8620 wide-area switches and Cisco MGX 8220 wide-area edge switches in Bell South's Central Office facilities to build a robust and fully fault tolerant Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) transport backbone for their customers. AMC also plans to deploy Cisco 12000 Gigabit Switch Routers (GSRs), Cisco 7500 series and 7200 series routers throughout its own facilities-based, optical internetwork for the southern United States.
"The focus of this effort is to deliver high-demand, New World services based on Cisco's IP and ATM solutions," said Kevin J. Kennedy, senior vice president of the Service Provider Line of Business at Cisco Systems. "AMC takes its commitment beyond the network backbone and plans to deploy a robust broadband connection to its customers through a Cisco DSL solution."
AMC plans to deploy Cisco 6100 Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs) in future phases of the network to provide high-speed, low-cost Internet access to small office, home office and residential customers.
"AMC is targeting to become a next generation, Super Regional DCLEC (Digital Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) and as such, requires the best technology for all of our next generation applications," said Dr. John Chapman, Chairman of AMC's Board. "We are already the highest quality alternative communications carrier in the Gulf South and this will further accelerate our plans to be the first to bring the future of communications, in high-speed Internet access, better quality voice and high-speed data, to our region."
Because of its commitment to the development of advanced internetworking capabilities, Cisco has designated American MetroComm's offerings as Cisco Powered Network services. The Cisco Powered Network program recognizes a select group of service providers worldwide. AMC is building a significant part of its network with Cisco equipment and participates in the Cisco Powered Network program based on its plan to deliver comprehensive services through a robust infrastructure.
About American MetroComm
American MetroComm Corporation is a privately owned telecommunications company established to provide enhanced voice and data services across the Gulf South. Goldman Sachs & Co is a minority shareholder.Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet.MGX is a trademark and BPX, Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
