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AboveNet Introduces MetroFlex Services Over Its Optical Network and Via Wireless Connections

Posted on: Monday, 31 January 2005, 12:00 CST

AboveNet, a leading provider of fiber connectivity solutions for business, today announced a new metro service that gives businesses greater access to its fiber optic network, through a single Ethernet handoff capable of running virtually all of their applications. MetroFlex uses AboveNet's fiber optics, or fixed wireless using licensed spectrum to connect a company's offices to virtually any local supplier, partner, or customer site on or within three miles of the AboveNet network.

A key advantage of MetroFlex is its ability to support virtually any size of bandwidth need, beginning at 10 megabits per second through 100 megabits per second, which is suitable for branch offices or mid-sized businesses. Additional AboveNet fiber optic services allow businesses to scale up to multiple gigabits as needed.

AboveNet MetroFlex Service reduces network complexity by using one transport protocol that is universally accepted. Since the same physical Ethernet handoff scales easily, it does not require the purchase of different equipment as with traditional telco circuits.

"It is critical for fiber optic networks to become simpler and more accessible if they are to be widely accepted and used -- and 95 percent of all packetized traffic begins and ends over Ethernet," said Rick Battle, Director of Product Development for AboveNet. "By enabling a single Ethernet connection we can avoid using multiple switches, specialized equipment and personnel. MetroFlex also eliminates much of the complexity in consolidating network needs over a single simplified services access ramp," Battle added.

With MetroFlex, using virtual LANs (VLANs), network administrators have complete control over how they use their bandwidth. Unlike with traditional telco circuits, which are limited to a single application, companies can direct their available bandwidth between a wide variety of uses. These include virtual private networking options that support transparent LAN services, high bandwidth direct Internet access services, storage area networks and business continuity services, VOIP telephony and third party connectivity services, post-production digital content services, medical imaging services, CAD/CAM engineering services, and other bandwidth intensive applications.

MetroFlex Service also guarantees carrier class performance and protection. It runs over SONET on a protected ring architecture that is fully diverse and includes automatic failover. In addition, AboveNet's Service Level Agreements over fiber guarantee 99.99% network availability, 10 minute Network Management Center (NMC) response time, VLAN changes within 72 hours, and 24x7 network connectivity monitoring and remote surveillance. AboveNet also uses FCC registered spectrum to deliver secure, guaranteed, high availability fixed wireless connections.

MetroFlex is ideal for connecting branch offices or data centers to eliminate costly overlap or redundancy of services. Since the various offices can allocate bandwidth more efficiently, companies can avoid purchasing multiple circuits that are underutilized. In addition, since MetroFlex allows for increasing bandwidth without adding new circuits, it enables companies to monitor their needs more closely.

For companies that prefer to use TDM services instead of Ethernet, MetroFlex is also available in TDM circuits, including DS3s, OC-3s and OC-12s.

AboveNet MetroFlex Service is available immediately, beginning in the Dallas, Texas metro area. In the United States, AboveNet serves metro areas that include New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Seattle.

About AboveNet

AboveNet, Inc. provides fiber connectivity solutions for businesses. Its private optical network, delivers key network and IP services in and between 12 top U.S. metro markets and London. AboveNet's network is widely used in demanding markets such as financial services, where the majority of top investment banks, and five of the top 10 U.S. banks rely on AboveNet for mission critical services.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. This also includes such factors as are described from time to time in the SEC reports filed by AboveNet, Inc. including the most recently filed Forms S-3 and 8-K.

 AboveNet Contact: David Radoff AboveNet Communications, Inc. 408-350-6627 dradoff@above.net

SOURCE: AboveNet

Source: MARKET WIRE

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