TORONTO, ON., April 27, 2000 - Rhythms Canada Inc. ("Rhythms Canada"), a new 50/50 joint venture of OCI Communications Inc.'s (OCI) (TSE: OCC.B) operating subsidiary OPTEL Communications Corp. (OPTEL) and Rhythms NetConnections Inc. (Nasdaq: RTHM), and Cisco Systems Canada Co. (Nasdaq: CSCO) today announced that Rhythms Canada is participating in the Cisco Powered Network program.
Under the program, the two companies are combining strengths to offer customers reliable and secure Internet and networking solutions. The new relationship highlights Rhythms' and Cisco's mutual focus on leveraging intelligent broadband technologies.
"We're pleased to be working with Cisco Systems. Cisco shares our vision of the IP network as the foundation for delivering intelligent business solutions and providing customers with strategic competitive advantages," said Dave Kington, director of Rhythms Canada.
Through its relationship with Cisco, Rhythms Canada deploys an end-to-end DSL (digital subscriber line)-based network using Cisco DSL technology, which includes the Cisco 6130 IP DSL switch, the carrier-grade Cisco 7500 series routers and the Cisco 600 series customer premise equipment. These industry-leading technologies offer customers next-generation networking technology, flexible service capabilities and breakthrough economics.
While much of Canada's long-distance backbone has been upgraded with high-speed, high-bandwidth connections via fibre technology, approximately 90 percent of all remote connections to corporate networks and the Internet are still made over traditional copper telephone lines. This type of connection has resulted in a bandwidth bottleneck at the "last mile" of the network. Rhythms Canada offers a cost-effective solution to the last mile issue. By combining high-speed, DSL local access technology with a nationwide, managed network, Rhythms Canada's expanded bandwidth makes it possible to use a single copper telephone line to transmit voice, data and video over a single network connection at speeds ranging from 128 kbps to 7.1 Mbps.
"Rhythms Canada's relationship with Cisco will enable customers to feel confident their service provider will deliver a high level of network interoperability and performance, as well as new, innovative and differentiated services," says Yves Laliberti, director, service provider operations, Cisco Systems Canada Co. "We're pleased to welcome Rhythms Canada to the Cisco Powered Network program."
In the Cisco Powered Network program, Rhythms Canada will market services based on Cisco equipment and software. Rhythms Canada's participation in the program - including use of the Cisco Powered Network logo to brand its services and marketing support materials - is designed to demonstrate its ability to provide innovative services, increase customer confidence and heighten Rhythms' brand recognition.
