NEXTLINK Transforms Into Full Service ICP

Broadband service provider NEXTLINK
Communications Inc. Monday introduced its suite of broadband Internet
services across its high-speed nationwide network.

Code named “Generation Next,” the service lineup offers fully integrated
Digital Subscriber Line Internet access, Web hosting, and local or long
distance voice services. NEXTLINK (NXLK)
bundled its enhanced service offering into a simple billing procedure that
will eventually offer clients real-time online account information.

Nancy Gofus, NEXTLINK chief marketing officer, said NEXTLINK is officially
an Integrated Communications Provider as of today.

“Today is an important day for NEXTLINK’s current and prospective customers
because we can now offer a full range of broadband data services that are
designed to be easy to buy, easy to sell and very hard to walk away from if
you’re a customer,” Gofus said.

NEXTLINK’s high-speed portfolio includes ISDN access, as well as
symmetrical and asymmetric DSL services. Customers may also opt for
selecting integrated access services, which includes local voice, long
distance and Internet services utilizing its T-1 access facility.

NEXTLINK also launched a variety of data center offerings including
dedicated and shared Web hosting and e-commerce services. The program
allows customers to create their own Web sites and on-line stores capable
of processing sales and secured transactions across the Internet.

Gofus said the program provides businesses with a wide range of services
from basic Internet needs to advanced integrated services.

“We now have voice and data services to satisfy businesses with basic data
needs and can ultimately expand services to e-commerce capabilities when
our customer is ready,” Gofus said. “The key to the new services is our
service bundle, which can give customers significantly more value through
integrated services and make their telecommunications experience easier.”

The new service offering is due in part to NEXTLINK’s recent procurement of
a private label agreement with Concentric Network Inc. As a part of
the deal, Concentric (CNCX)
will provide NEXTLINK with extensive sales training and customer care support.

Mark Fisher, Concentric senior vice president of marketing, said joint
effort to amass a set of integrated communications services provides a
powerful voice and data solutions for NEXTLINK’s customers.

“We have worked closely with the sales force at NEXTLINK to offer extensive
product training and role play modeling,” Fisher said. “As a result, the
NEXTLINK sales team is positioned to quickly deliver a truly unique set of
assets and services to the marketplace.”

Earlier this year, NEXTLINK and Concentric announced an agreement to
combine the two companies. The merger is expected to close in the second
quarter of this year.