OnFiber Communications' Optical Waves Ripple Through MSN; Microsoft Purchases 100 Gbps of Metro Connectivity for MSN

Business Wire,  August 1, 2001  

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2001

OnFiber Communications, a leader in fiber optic connectivity for metro access, today announced that MSN Hotmail, a division of Microsoft Corporation, purchased 100 Gigabits of bandwidth connectivity to support the growing user base of the MSN network. Under the multi-year agreement, OnFiber will provide 40 Optical Wavelengths transmitting a total of 100 billion bits of data per second.

OnFiber's metro core network allows MSN to provide web content from the MSN network of Internet services -- MSN Hotmail, MSN Messenger, MSN Communities, MoneyCentral, MSN eShop, and MSN Music -- to its global user base of 250 million monthly unique users. This extensive fiber optic network will not only enhance the users' experience but could also provide the foundation for future bandwidth growth.

"OnFiber is a key infrastructure component to the expansion of the MSN network," said Michael Myers, Director of Global Networking for Microsoft. "We have very specific connectivity requirements. OnFiber was able to provide the scalable network we needed in such a short time frame."

"It is exciting to know that nearly all MSN users will be traveling across the OnFiber network," said Danny Bottoms, President and CEO of OnFiber Communications. "OnFiber is committed to build upon the quality Internet experience of MSN users around the world."

OnFiber's Optical Wavelength Service is a high-capacity solution delivering point-to-point optical connections within a metropolitan market. This service offers the customer a dedicated optical connection without the expense of owning or operating a network infrastructure. The service provides the bandwidth and scalability of dark fiber, while eliminating the customer's need to deploy and manage Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) equipment. Optical Wavelength Service delivers data rates up to 10 Gbps and supports a variety of protocols including SONET, Gigabit Ethernet, ATM, Fibre Channel and ESCON.

About OnFiber Communications

OnFiber Communications is a metro access provider constructing and operating fiber optic networks in major metropolitan areas nationwide. The company delivers broadband connectivity services including SONET, Gigabit Ethernet, and Optical Wavelength to service providers and enterprises. OnFiber's unique HomeRun Fibersm network architecture offers customers rapid provisioning, high reliability and maximum scalability, giving customers the flexibility to choose the service to fit their needs. Privately held OnFiber Communications is headquartered at 11921 N. Mopac Expressway, Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759; telephone 877/266-3423. Additional information is available at www.onfiber.com.

OnFiber Communications is financed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Incepta, Bear Stearns & Co., Amerindo Investment Advisors, Level 3 Communications, GE Capital, TeleSoft Partners and numerous other leading investment firms and Internet visionaries.

OnFiber Communications, Inc., OnFiber, Coil Design, and HomeRun Fiber are trademarks of OnFiber Communications. All other products or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Business Wire
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group