InternetNews.com Managing Editor
PSINet Inc. Monday
reached a deal with Fiberoptic Link Around the Globe Ltd. to add a new
155-megabit per second link that will tie the Internet provider’s
operations in the Asia/Pacific region with its infrastructure in North
America and Europe, creating a global network loop.
The new fiber capacity provides a redundant connection to existing
Asia/Pacific operations in Japan, Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea.
PSINet said the deal increases its ability to offer a variety of Internet
services and business applications.
Monday’s deal marks PSINet’s seventh fiber capacity addition over the past
12 months. It is expected to be operational by the end of the first
quarter. The agreement gives PSINet the right to use the FLAG cable over
its expected 24-year life span.
Harold Wills, PSINet’s president and chief operating officer, said the deal
is in line with PSINet’s plans to target the top 20 markets around the world.
“The competitive advantages that these networks offer PSINet, combined with
the attractive financial impact of fiber ownership and our outstanding
suite of Internet services, support our aggressive growth in an
increasingly competitive market,” Wills said.
The FLAG system, which has 14 operational points in 11 countries, provides
high-speed, digital services to international carriers, resellers and
Internet providers around the world.