Independent Comparative Testing Shows GWI'S DSL as Fast or Faster Than Cable Modem

Business Wire, August 16, 2004

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Results from The Tolly Group Study Give GWI's DSL Service Edge in Speed Over Time Warner Cable's Road Runner

Great Works Internet (GWI), the largest local Internet service provider (ISP) in Northern New England, today announced the results of a speed comparison study giving its DSL service higher marks than a prime competitor, Time Warner Cable's Road Runner. The testing, commissioned by GWI and conducted by The Tolly Group, an independent, technology research company, found that "GWI Broadband DSL service consistently delivers more than 3 Mbps of file transfer throughput, which is 32% faster than Time Warner Cable's Road Runner." Moreover, the study determined that "GWI Broadband DSL modem delivers more than twice the maximum bandwidth of the TWC Road Runner cable modem, achieving 6.4 Mbps of downstream application throughput." (Report, methodology and additional results, is available at http://www.tolly.com/DocDetail.aspx?DocNumber=204135 and at http://www.gwi.net/about/tollyresults.html)

The groundbreaking study, in which Time Warner actively and willingly participated, disproves once and for all the myth that DSL service is cable modem's poor relation. "The study refutes a number of erroneous assumptions many people have about DSL service, most importantly proving our speed is comparable or better than that of cable modem," explained Rick Preti, GWI's Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. "Another finding is that GWI maintains 3 Mbps application throughput even when users are almost 2.5 miles from the central office -- in other words, you don't have to be next door to get great, consistent speed."

While claims and counterclaims have raged among DSL and cable modem ISPs for several years, never before has an independent technical comparison of the two competing technologies taken place. GWI's unprecedented monetary investment in the state-of-the-art Lucent Technologies' Stinger(R) was based on the belief that the equipment would give them the edge in speed, reliability, and consistency of service. This study proves the wisdom of that investment, both for the company and for its present and future customers.

About GWI

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, GWI's broadband network delivers non-stop, high-quality, high-speed Internet access to over 300,000 homes and businesses in Maine and New Hampshire. Visit www.gwi.net.