London, UK -- January 13, 2005 -- Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) announced the continued extension of digital subscriber line (DSL) access to its Global Crossing IP VPN Service™, Frame Relay and Dedicated Internet Access (DIA). Global Crossing now offers both Symmetric DSL (SDSL) and Asymmetric DSL (ADSL) access options in Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands, in addition to ADSL in the United Kingdom and SDSL services in the United States. This latest service reach extension paves the way to extend DSL availability to additional countries throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia in the near future.
A key feature of the DSL offering is that it is connected directly into Global Crossing's worldwide private IP network and not routed over the public Internet, making it secure for all types of data, voice and video traffic. DSL access enables multinational corporations to significantly lower their access costs, especially for the more remote locations as pricing is based on bandwidth rather than distance compared with traditional dedicated leased line local loops.
By using DSL access with Global Crossing's leading data solutions such as Global Crossing IP VPN Service, Frame Relay and DIA, customers are able to extend the reach of their networks at a lower cost compared to the use of traditional dedicated leased line access. DSL technology enables IP convergence, with simultaneous voice, video and high-speed data services over a single connection.
"We're delivering customers more access options for IP convergence solutions worldwide that continually optimize their network's total cost of ownership," said Anthony Christie, Global Crossing's chief marketing officer. "This expansion of DSL access confirms Global Crossing's strong commitment to meet the growing demand. We will continue to enhance access capabilities during 2005."
With ADSL access, Global Crossing can now offer European enterprise customers increased flexibility. ADSL access allows smaller offices, remote locations and home-workers to connect into an IP VPN and use applications that require higher bandwidth, without the cost of installing and managing a dedicated leased line connection.
"In addition to offering a flexible access option to our IP VPN service for customers with geographically diverse sites, customers also benefit from DSL's distance-independent pricing model," said Pieter Duijves, managing director, Global Crossing Europe, "The introduction of SDSL in the region increases our network reach by providing a nationwide delivery mechanism in Europe's major markets."
SDSL offers the benefits of leased line performance more cost effectively and is particularly important in the business market. In contrast to ADSL, which allows the user to download at a higher rate than they can upload data, SDSL can send and receive data at the same rate and is a cost effective alternative to leased lines. As DSL capabilities increase above 2 MB, SDSL will have the potential to provide businesses greater flexibility in access options.
Global Crossing is committed to delivering efficient, scalable IP services to its customers while supporting their transition to a converged environment. Global Crossing's converged IP network, connecting more than 500 cities in more than 50 countries on 6 continents and operating at 99.999 percent availability, enables customers to fully experience the benefits of IP. Global Crossing's IP knowledge center, located at www.ipknowledgecenter.com provides further details on the features and benefits of IP convergence.
About Global Crossing
Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) provides telecommunications solutions over the world's first integrated global IP-based network. Its core network connects more than 300 cities and 30 countries worldwide, and delivers services to more than 500 major cities, 50 countries and 6 continents around the globe. The company's global sales and support model matches the network footprint and, like the network, delivers a consistent customer experience worldwide.
