RMI.NET, Inc. Tuesday tapped into a top
nationwide fiber backbone provider to allow high-speed transport for its
connectivity and e-commerce services.
The deal with Global Crossing
Ltd. will cost RMI.NET $46 million over the next
five years.
The nationwide fiber network agreement connects RMI.NET to a solid SONET
platform that allows the Colorado-based Internet service provider to expand
its footprint and increase transport capacity while reducing operating costs.
Doug Hanson, RMI.NET chairman and chief executive officer, said the deal
marks another milestone in fulfilling its five-point strategic action plan.
“This agreement upgrades our network not only from a reliability standpoint
but also strengthens RMI.NET as a Tier 1 Internet provider,” Hanson said.
As a result of the deal with Global Crossing, RMI.NET
is able to leverage upgraded connections to major peering points at
MAE-East and MAE-West. The connectivity improvement also allows faster
connectivity in New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago and other key U.S.
cities.
Routing enhancements allow RMI.NET to access additional points of presence
in key strategic marketing areas, including its network operating centers
in Denver, Seattle, Phoenix, Tucson, San Francisco and Bloomington, Ill.
Brian Fitzpatrick, president of Global Crossing’s North American carrier
operations, said RIM.NET’s aggressive growth plan would proceed with greater
efficiency as a result of the agreement.
“We view RMI.NET as a progressive e-commerce business solutions provider,”
Fitzpatrick said. “It has the expertise small and medium-sized businesses
are looking for to commerce-enable their Web presence.”
Hanson has captained RMI.NET’s ambition to take stock in the firm and
reduce operating costs while expanding services. Organic growth goals and
improved customer retention rates are key to Hanson’s plan to develop
RMI.NET’s market driven services on a national scale.
RMI.NET is a relatively traditional full service provider whose product mix
includes e-business applications, Web design, hosting and marketing
services, and high-speed Internet access. The ISP provides dial-up and
digital subscriber line services to more than 100,000 customers nationwide.
