New National DSL Provider Edges Into Business

News Edge Networks is
introducing wholesale digital subscriber line (DSL) access to under served
markets at a record pace.

The broadband upstart is installing an average of one DSL switch a day on
its march toward establishing a national footprint of broadband services to
small markets.

The Washington-based firm took 120 days to initiate DSL service after
receiving its first round of equity finance last year.

Dan Moffat, New Edge Networks president and chief executive officer, said
the line-sharing ruling issued by the Federal
Communications Commission last year helped facilitate their expansion,
but that it’s no small task to deploy a national broadband network.

“From day one we’ve stayed focused on becoming a national wholesale DSL
provider, moving quickly to build our network, driving users to our
network,” Moffat said. “Our results speak for themselves and we’ll stack
them up against the best out there.”

In order to provide DSL service, a company must file with the local utility
commissions to gain approval for deployment. Digital Subscriber Line Access
Multiplexers (DSLAMs) switching systems must be installed at the incumbent
phone carrier’s central office. Reciprocal service arrangements must be
made and a scaled network constructed.

Moffat said the company leveraged their experience with both competitive
local exchange and incumbent carries, as well as Internet service providers
to fuel their network expansion.

“Arguably, our time to market is the fastest and most aggressive among the
new wave of data competitive local exchange carriers spawned following the
landmark Telecommunications Act of 1996,” Moffat said. “We’re scaling to
install more than 100 DSLAMS a month to capture a huge market potential of
business users that currently do not have broadband data capabilities in
under served smaller cities and rural areas.”

Moffat noted that it’s companies like New Edge Networks that would work to
span the “Digital Divide” to bring high-speed services to second and third
tier markets.

“The demand for broadband access in these markets is as strong as it is in
the major areas,” Moffat said. “We are helping bridge the digital divide
that separates those who have access to broadband technology from those who
do not.”

New Edge Networks filed for authorization to offer wholesale DSL services
as a local exchange carrier in all 50 states in October. The company is
currently providing DSL access in five states providing high-speed Internet
services to small communities through more than 50 different central offices.