Sprint Corp. Monday
began going after business customers for its new, nationwide network that
will allow companies to use one source to carry all their data, video and
voice traffic.
Scheduled to launch in January, the Integrated On-Demand Network, or ION,
eliminates worries about obsolescence, redundant costs and the problems
often associated with managing multiple communications networks. Most
importantly for the businesses, Sprint said, it does all this at a savings
of 15 to 25 percent.
The network promises to give businesses improved bandwidth efficiency,
flexibility and security. Sprint is making it easier for companies to
migrate from their existing networks by installing equipment on-site that
will help in the process without requiring customers to invest in new
network equipment or software.
Michael Franz, president of Sprint’s business unit, called the network “a
future-proof platform.”
“By leveraging the Sprint ION services, the customer need not worry about
the complications and expense associated with network upgrades and
management of the corporate enterprise — Sprint will handle those for the
customer,” he said.
In its initial phase, customers will be able to utilize integrated Internet
and data services, including frame relay and Asychronous Transfer Mode.
There will also be long distance services and optional consulting services.
In the future, local service, enhanced network reporting and the ability to
control ION’s functions over the Internet will be added. Support for
e-commerce, customer and supplier relations and enterprise resource
planning are also on tap in the future.