@Link Networks Launches Next-Generation Broadband Services in Cleveland Area

Business Wire,  July 17, 2000  

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Business/Telecommunications Editors

CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2000

Integrated communications provider continues aggressive

deployment across middle third of country

Integrated communications provider @Link Networks, Inc. today launched its high-speed integrated communications services in the Cleveland area, as part of an aggressive deployment schedule that includes launches in 41 markets across the middle third of the country this year en route to an ultimate nationwide presence. @Link enters Cleveland and its surrounding markets - including Akron, Canton and Youngstown - with a next-generation, private broadband network that provides small- to medium-sized businesses with secure, high-speed private networks and other connectivity and application solutions via access technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).

"For those businesses in Cleveland searching for cost-effective, broadband integrated communications, the wait is over," said Paul Osland, @Link's Midwest region president. "@Link launches its service today with a next-generation network that delivers reliable, high-speed private network solutions to the business community. And we do so with advanced Class of Service capabilities, meaning we can customize the amount of bandwidth and specifics of network performance based on the applications a customer runs over its network, when it runs those applications, where, and with how many people - and guarantee those performance levels."

By nature of @Link's next-generation network, @Link can provide small- to medium-sized business customers a combination of bandwidth, customizability, reliability and security that previously was cost-prohibitive to all but the largest of companies.

"In addition, the commitment of the @Link leadership is to entirely redefine customer service in the telecommunications and data communications space. As a rapidly growing company, we are putting the processes and systems in place to do just that," said Osland.

Through a locally-based team, including sales managers, account executives and sales engineers, @Link will directly reach business customers in the Cleveland area with the company's private network solutions. In addition, @Link's aggressive wholesale distribution channel is exploring partnership opportunities with local Internet Service Providers (ISP) to deliver high-speed access products to Cleveland-area small businesses.

@Link's deployment plan includes servicing markets in 14 states by the end of 2000. Other states in which @Link will deploy its technology in the near future include Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas. @Link recently launched services in Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit, and has targeted the Austin area as the site of the next network deployment.

About @Link Networks

@Link Networks, formerly Dakota Services, was founded in 1997 and specializes in broadband data and communications solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses. @Link is a leading provider of secure, high-speed private network solutions and other data and communications services including video and, soon, voice, via access technologies such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). @Link is building a next-generation packet-switched network utilizing an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) backbone and advanced switching capabilities that enables the company to offer its business customers extensive Quality of Service and Class of Service capabilities, including highly customized broadband solutions and iron-clad service level agreements and performance guarantees. @Link serves customers in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin and will serve markets in 14 more states by the end of 2000.

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