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Phoenix, Ariz. (May 12) - On the heels of a rapid nationwide expansion effort Network 99, Inc., base here, announced in March they will create a public network of 20,000 modems connected to the Internet across the United States. Scheduled to be in over 50 locations in the United States by the end of the summer Network 99's new "points of presence" (POPs) will include both major metropolitan areas and lightly-supported rural areas. All of the modems will support data transmissions at 28,800 bits per second. The network will use the Serial Line Protocol (SLIP) and the Point to Point Protocol (PPP) which will allow end users to gain the most direct access to the Internet.
Network 99, which maintains it's own national Internet-compatible computer network, is a wholesale seller of network services to many San Francisco Bay Area Internet service providers, including Best Internet Communications of Mountain View. Network 99's new dial-up network will give their customers a way for a small Internet service provider to broaden their geographic reach without investing in the equipment and locations.
The company also announced last month it will use Bay Area-based Livingston Enterprises to supply the hardware required to connect the new modem network to the Internet. Livingston will also supply special security and accounting software so Network 99's customers will get accurate reports on how individual users make use of the modems.
"This is a phenomenal thing for our customers, which goes to show Network 99 is the 'providers provider,'" said Joseph Stroup, president of the company. "This market is growing so fast no one company can keep up," added Stroup, commenting on how small Internet service providers are having growing pains.
Mike Swartz, president of Best, is planning on using the new service. "Network 99 is doing ISPs a great big favor deploying modems in places where we do not currently have a presence," said Swartz.
Small Internet service providers such as Best appeal to home and small business users because they provide a high level of service and seem to be more responsive to customer needs than larger Internet service providers such as Hendron, Virgina-based PSInet, San Jose-based Netcom Communications or San Diego-based CERFnet. These larger providers appeal to larger corporations with a nationwide work force and mobile professionals because the large providers have a nationwide dial-up network as large or larger than the network planned by Network 99.
Network 99's move should help small Bay Area-based Internet service providers broaden then appeal to mobile professionals and larger corporations who have shied away from the smaller providers because they haven't offered nationwide service.
Best's Swartz is excited about the new development. "Network 99 is saving me all the time, money and real estate to expand our service."
Separately, Network 99 announced last month a partnership with San Jose-based Net+Effects to sell and support a "turnkey" package to help new Internet service providers. A so-called "POP in a box," the package comes with a UNIX computer, security system, modems and a connection to the Internet. The cost is $35,299 for a 30-port system.