WorldCom Offers DSL Wholesale

Looking to leverage its IP network, WorldCom Thursday edged into the DSL wholesale market with the commercial
launch of its Private Label DSL offering.

The service will give its customers — it is targeting ISPs and large enterprises — bulk access to WorldCom’s facilities-based DSL
network while allowing the customers to brand the service as their own.

“With WorldCom’s Private Label DSL solution, companies can quickly and easily expand their broadband service offerings,” said Frank
Grillo, senior vice president of Business Marketing for WorldCom. “WorldCom’s Private Label DSL customers immediately benefit from
WorldCom’s nationwide DSL footprint, an end-to-end DSL solution and direct connections to the world’s most expansive global IP
network.”

The communications giant said the offering is available in 31 major metropolitan markets through 709 Central Offices. It has already
signed at least two customers: DSL-focused national ISP Speakeasy, and ClearPath, which provides VPN services to small- to mid-size
businesses.

Speakeasy plans to use Private Label DSL to expand its DSL network, with ambitions to create one of the largest and deepest
nationwide service areas in the country. It also plans to make use of WorldCom’s data capabilities and high-speed transport as a
backbone for continued expansion of its service offerings.

“The WorldCom relationship builds on Speakeasy’s mission to bring an affordable, compelling Internet experience to residential and
business users,” said Michael Apgar, chief executive of Speakeasy.

Meanwhile, ClearPath is turning to WorldCom to provide “cost effective” access to its nationwide fiber optic network.