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BellSouth Grows Network VPN Services to Provide Additional Data Transport Capabilities for Businesses

Posted on: Thursday, 15 April 2004, 06:00 CDT

ATLANTA, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- BellSouth announced today that it is adding features and capabilities to its BellSouth(R) Managed Network VPN Service to better meet the data networking requirements of businesses. The service initially launched in the first quarter of 2003 and will now include additional access methods, a turnkey solution option, security and service level enhancements and the ability to integrate with the BellSouth(R) Integrated Solutions portfolio.

BellSouth Managed Network VPN Service is a suite of IP-VPN connectivity solutions designed to support the remote access, intranet, Internet and extranet application needs of businesses. By utilizing its own IP backbone running MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching), BellSouth is able to shift the responsibility for network integration and configuration of the wide area network (WAN) routing topology from the customer to the provider. Prior to BellSouth Managed Network VPN Service, companies accomplished this task by self-integrating a wide variety of access technologies (Private line, SONET, Frame Relay, ATM, etc.) to build corporate backbones and access networks (dial-up, xDSL, etc.) to connect remote users.

"Over 300 BellSouth customers currently utilize Network VPN solutions to integrate various network access components, streamline network management and provide network-based security for their operations, allowing them to focus on business operations," said Mark Kaish, BellSouth's vice president of Next Generation Solutions. "Today's enhancements expand the delivery of these capabilities to a wider range of companies, regardless of size and existing network infrastructure."

The additional capabilities of the BellSouth Network VPN suite of services help deliver network management simplicity and convenience to both small and medium-sized business (SMB) and enterprise customers, including:

-- Support of additional access methods - Metro Ethernet (10 Mbps to

1.0 Gbps), ATM and additional, tiered DSL speeds complement the

existing Frame Relay, Private Line and DSL access types supported in

the initial rollout

-- Packaged equipment option - includes port, access, customer premises

equipment and equipment management

-- Advanced firewall features - include intrusion protection service and

support for a DMZ

-- Service Level Agreements (SLAs) - network availability metric has

increased to 100 percent with proactive bill credits issued to

customers if they experience downtime, as well as increased firewall

service levels, and additional monthly reports are now accessible to

customers via the CNM (customer network management) Web portal

-- Interoperability with BellSouth Integrated Solutions - a solution that

allows businesses to integrate voice and data services over a single,

managed T-1 or PRI connection can now utilize Network VPN Service to

add multi-site managed WAN connectivity, remote access and network-

based firewall solutions

BellSouth Integrated Solutions is one of the access methods that BellSouth supports with Network VPN and gives customers the ability to simplify the extension of voice and data integration across multiple locations. BellSouth Integrated Solutions customers who desire Network VPN benefit from the following packaged components that can be configured according to specific needs:

-- Voice channels on a T-1 or PRI platform (6 - 22)

-- BellSouth Managed Network VPN service (128K - 768K)

-- Business line for out-of-band monitoring

-- Integrated access device

-- Equipment maintenance

BellSouth Managed Network VPN Service provides an integrated Layer 2/3 native "Peer-to-Peer" IP-VPN service that integrates disparate access types (Private Line, Frame Relay, DSL, ATM, Ethernet) and offers greater scalability than traditional corporate networks or customer premise equipment-based VPNs. The integration of DSL as an access type for both site-to-site and remote access connectivity enables BellSouth customers to utilize the company's extensive DSL footprint to address a wide variety of applications from teleworking to automated teller machines, point-of-sale terminals and cost effective alternatives for ISDN back-up networks.

"By enhancing its Network VPN services to include additional security, access methods and integration capabilities with BellSouth Integrated Solutions, the company has vaulted into integrated data solutions for businesses of all sizes - enterprises, branch offices and SMBs," said Brian Washburn, senior analyst for Current Analysis.

BellSouth Network VPN customers represent customers of all sizes across industries such as Retail, Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing and Financial Services. To view a video testimonial from Florida Hospital, one of BellSouth's Network VPN customers, visit the links below: http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1259045&segment=125440 (300K) http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?id=1259043&segment=125440 (56K)

Related Offers

Try and Buy is an offer designed for new customers of BellSouth Managed Network VPN Service. Customers can "try" Network VPN and have up to 90 days to decide if they would like to continue with the service, with no termination penalties. Customers who choose to remain subscribers are also eligible for free months of service on 24 and 36 months contracts.

New BellSouth Integrated Solutions customers receive a packaged voice and data solution, including Network VPN capabilities, for a competitive price. Installation costs are waived and customers receive a package with T-1 voice channels for $774 per location, per month with a 24-month contract or $649 per location, per month with a 36-month contract. PRI voice channels are available for an additional $120 per month.

For more information about BellSouth Managed Network VPN Service, BellSouth Integrated Solutions and other communications services, visit http://www.bellsouth.com/business/answers .

About BellSouth Corporation

BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications services company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth serves nearly 50 million local, long distance, Internet and wireless customers in the United States and 12 other countries.

Consistently recognized for customer satisfaction, BellSouth provides complete communications solutions to the residential and business markets. In the residential market, BellSouth offers DSL high-speed Internet access and long distance, advanced voice features and other services. The company's BellSouth Answers(SM) package combines local and long distance service with an array of calling features; wireless data, voice and e-mail services; and high- speed DSL or dial-up Internet service and Cingular Wireless. In the business market, BellSouth serves small, medium and large businesses providing secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also provides online and directory advertising services through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(SM) and The Real Yellow Pages(R).

BellSouth owns 40 percent of Cingular Wireless, the nation's second largest wireless company, which provides innovative wireless voice and data services. For more information about BellSouth, visit http://www.bellsouth.com/ .

BellSouth Corporation

CONTACT: Todd Smith of BellSouth Media Relations, +1-404-829-8723,todd.smith@bellsouth.com

Web site: http://www.bellsouth.com/business/answershttp://www.bellsouth.com/

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