Internet service provider PSINet Inc. Monday announced a private
services agreement with telco NEXTLINK
Communications Inc.
PSINet’s carrier and ISP services division will expand NEXTLINK’s existing
business communications to include a suite of Internet connectivity and
value-added services. The Internet services will be available in NEXTLINK’s
markets in 1999. Financial agreements were not disclosed.
PSINet’s private-label program, also known as the “virtual ISP
program,” offers turnkey Internet solutions for ISPs and telcos venturing
into new markets or expanding market positions. The program uses PSINet’s
Internet Protocol (IP) international backbone and other Internet
products and technical support, allowing carriers to offer PSINet’s high-
speed Internet products and services under companies’ own labels. That
allows companies to offer services under their own brand without making
investments in infrastructure, engineering and technical support needed to
build their
own networks.
Bellevue, Wash.-based NEXTLINK presently operates 19 facilities-based
networks offering local and long distance services to business customers in
33 markets in 11 states. The company was formed in 1994 by Craig McCaw.
“NEXTLINK and PSINet share a heritage of innovation and focus on customer
needs and we look forward to jointly creating new Internet capabilities
that will complement NEXTLINK’s existing family of business-grade
telecommunication services,” said John Kraft, vice president of carrier and
ISP Services for PSINet Inc.
“PSINet’s turnkey Internet solutions reduce a carrier’s time to market —
typically 45 days or less for full-scale Internet services and support.”
“By reaching this agreement for a NEXTLINK branded Business Internet
Service, we now have the ability to provide the No. 1 requested data
service by NEXTLINK’s small to medium-sized business customers,” said
George Tronsrue, NEXTLINK president and chief operating officer.
“We are very confident that PSINet will provide NEXTLINK the outstanding
network service, quality and unique customer support that our customers
have grown accustomed to receiving.”
