Integra Telecom Launches High-Speed Internet Access via DSL for Small and Mid Sized Businesses - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, August 16, 1999

Integra Telecom Monday announced the availability of high-speed Internet access services delivered via DSL (digital subscriber line) technology in selected business districts of Portland, Salem, Beaverton, and Hillsboro, Oregon.

Designed specifically to serve the needs of small and mid-sized businesses, IntegraLink DSL Service offers between 13 to 25 times faster access to the Internet than standard dial-up accounts. Integra's service connects individual business users or companies with local area networks to the Internet for a fraction of the cost of traditional dedicated circuits.

IntegraLink DSL is the first full-service alternative to the products offered by the regional telephone companies and their internet service provider (ISP) partners. Until now, DSL services have required the involvement of multiple vendors to supply the internet access, telephone service, and installation support. With Integra, businesses can now receive the full range of telecommunications services from a single provider, including local dial tone, long distance service, and high-speed Internet access.

Integra Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark Nicklas stated, "We recognize that Internet access, like telephone service, has become a critical business service, even for small companies. However, we felt that existing DSL services from the large carriers were primarily designed for and marketed to residential users. In contrast, our product was engineered for critical, day-to-day business use -- a service with the available bandwidth and security that businesses demand."

Unlike other high-speed Internet access technologies which require special, dedicated transport lines and equipment, DSL is carried over the conventional copper wires that comprise the public telephone network. Traditional high-speed Internet access services like frame relay and dedicated T1 services are often too expensive for most small businesses. By contrast, standard dial-up Internet access is limited to 28.8 or 56 Kbps at best, and require extra phone lines and individual modems.

Integra Vice President of Sales Trent Anderson commented, "Once customers try IntegraLink DSL, they'll never want to go back to their old dial-up service. It's fast, always-connected, and effortless to use. For many businesses, it represents a quantum leap in productivity."

IntegraLink DSL provides between 256 kilobits (Kbps) and 7 megabits (Mbps) per second throughput for Internet browsing, file transfers, e-mail access and more. Priced starting at $65.00 per month for 256 Kbps throughput, IntegraLink DSL is available immediately to businesses in downtown areas of Portland, Beaverton, and Salem, and soon available in downtown Hillsboro.

In addition to its full range of business telecommunications services, Integra also offers enhanced security options and expanded Internet services, including web hosting, domain services, e-mail services and more.

For more details about Integra Telecom's IntegraLink DSL Service, interested parties should contact Integra Telecom at 503-748-7777.

Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Integra Telecom is an integrated communications provider serving the Portland and Minneapolis metropolitan areas and surrounding communities. Integra has over 14 years of experience serving a variety of technology, retail, financial, educational, residential, commercial, and institutional accounts. Today, Integra serves approximately 25,000 access line equivalents with a full range of communications services, including local dial tone, long distance, and high-speed internet and data services.