IIJ Group to Operate UFJ’s VPN Network
TOKYO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 8, 2003–Internet Initiative Japan Inc.(IIJ) (NASDAQ: IIJI), Japan’s leading Internet access and comprehensive network solutions provider, and IIJ Technology, Inc. (IIJ-Tech) today announced that they will start providing IIJ’s Internet VPN service “IIJ VPN Standard” to UFJ Bank, Ltd. on September 10, 2003. This service is in addition to the current contract that the IIJ Group has to develop and operate UFJ’s Internet services and it will be the first Internet VPN service ever implemented at a commercial bank.
The IIJ Group built UFJ’s existing Internet service systems, which includes Web and customer application processing services, e-mail delivery, and other Internet-based information distribution services. Portal services for customer access via the Internet will include information distribution, application processing and other such services. Internet connectivity services will be provided by IIJ’s Data Centers using IIJ’s DNS server outsourcing service, which is monitored and operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Currently, UFJ uses dedicated lines to connect to their Internet service systems and partners, but they are switching to IIJ’s VPN Standard Service to (1) greatly reduce communication and operating costs through centralized network administration, (2) increase connection speeds, and (3) build a secure and stable VPN network through solid VPN equipment and use of strong encoding technology. This system will be installed at select sites before full deployment throughout the UFJ network.
The IIJ Group will provide flexible network expansion, reduce operating burdens, and provide comprehensive information system services through the continued supervision and operation of UFJ’s Internet-based systems.
About IIJ
Founded in 1992, Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, NASDAQ: IIJI) is Japan’s leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions provider. The company has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan, and between Japan and the United States. IIJ and its group of companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. Services range from the delivery of new generation network services over an optical-fiber infrastructure that is optimized for data communications, to the construction of pan-Asian IP backbone networks. The company also offers high-quality systems integration and security services, internet access, hosting/housing, and content design.
About IIJ-Tech
IIJ Technology Inc. (IIJ-Tech) was established in November 1996 by IIJ, Sumitomo Corp., Itochu Corp., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Hitachi Software Engineering, Sun Microsystems, Toyota, Hewlett Packard Japan and others. IIJ-Tech provides comprehensive Internet systems integration and consulting services for corporate networks and e-commerce systems.
The statements within this release contain forward-looking statements about our future plans that involve risk and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Internet Initiative Japan Inc. with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports on Forms 20-F and 6-K, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.