Internet Systems Consortium, NIC Mexico, Prodigy Data Center, Avantel and Alestra Install the First Root Nameserver in Mexico.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MONTERREY, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2004

Internet Systems Consortium (ISC)

-- The installation of the Root Nameserver in Mexico confirms the

importance of Mexico in the Internet

-- The Root Name Server will strengthen the worldwide Internet

infrastructure

Internet Systems Consortium (ISC), NIC Mexico, Prodigy Data Center, Avantel and Alestra install the first Root Nameserver in Monterrey, Mexico.

The Root Nameservers play a critical role in the operation of the Internet. They manage the relationship between domain names and their corresponding IP addresses, or numerical addresses in the Internet. This relationship is important, because almost all Internet Services, including Web browsing and sending e-mail, require a DNS lookup. There are 13 Root Nameservers, designated A through M, located around the world. ISC has deployed 22, F-root Nameserver mirror or duplicate sites around the globe enhancing Internet response times and reliability in key regions and reducing the vulnerability of the Internet Root Nameserver system to malicious attacks and accidental losses of international connectivity.

"Today is a very important date for the Internet history in Mexico. The fact that Internet Systems Consortium decided to install this server here in Mexico proves the growing importance of Mexico for the Internet worldwide", said Oscar Robles, Director at NIC Mexico.

"Here in Telmex, we are proud that Internet Systems Consortium and NIC Mexico had chosen Prodigy Data Center facilities to locate the first Root Nameserver in Mexico. This confirms that the investment made in Prodigy Data Center, the most advanced Data Center in Mexico, is helping our country to get a better Internet service", said Fernando Carrillo Flores, CEO at Prodigy Data Center.

Miguel Calderon, Avantel's Executive Director of Marketing said "Since Avantel began operations, our company has been leader in offering outstanding internet services to our customers. Our participation in the Root Server Project is an instance of Avantel's active participation in fostering the adoption of technology in Mexico, and a key player in the country's growth into the digital era".

"The initiative of NIC Mexico to implement a Root Nameserver truly represents the technological advance and the rapid Internet growth in our country. Alestra, is the company that offers the ATT telecommunications services in Mexico, supports and promotes this kind of initiatives that enhance the importance of the Data and Internet Services in areas such as: education, commerce", says Alejandro Irigoyen Rios, V.P. Information Technologies & Network Operations at Alestra.

Joao Damas, F-root Programme Manager at ISC, commented, "We are excited to be able to provide these services to the Internet users in Mexico and to work with NIC Mexico on this project. The deployment of a F-root nameserver in this region will provide local Internet users with enhanced response times and the security of a local root nameserver."

For this project, NIC Mexico coordinated the efforts to install the server, Prodigy Data Center, Avantel and Alestra sponsored the physical infrastructure and are bandwidth providers, and ISC is the administrator of the server cluster.

"The installation of this server will allow us to improve substantially the performance of the Internet, not only in Mexico but also worldwide" concluded Oscar Robles.

About ISC

Internet Systems Consortium (ISC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3), public benefit corporation with a long history of developing and maintaining the production quality Open Source software -- BIND and DHCP. ISC has increased its focus to include enhancing the stability of the global DNS directly through reliable F-root nameserver operations and ongoing operation of a DNS crisis coordination center, ISC's OARC for DNS. ISC is also engaged with further protocol development efforts, particularly in the areas of DNS evolution and facilitating the transition to IPv6. ISC is supported by the donations of generous sponsors, program membership fees and specific fees for services. For program or donation information, please visit our website at http://www.isc.org Technical Contact: Joao Damas, [e-mail]

About NIC Mexico

NIC Mexico is the professional independent organization that manages the country code top level domain .MX. The responsibility to manage the country code top level domain .MX was assigned by the IANA in 1989. NIC Mexico also registers IP addresses to internet users in Mexico.

By March 1st, 2004 NIC Mexico had registered 85,251 domain names, 77,090 of these domains end in .com.mx

About Prodigy Data Center

Prodigy Data Center is the lead provider of hosting and co-location services in Mexico. Prodigy Data Center provides a high security and redundant environment for all the companies infrastructure services to operate business equipment and applications. Prodigy Data Center is one of the services of TELMEX, the lead telecommunications company in Mexico.

Avantel

Avantel provides integrated telecommunications and technology services and solutions. It offers personalized, innovative and competitive approaches in the field of information and communications technologies that strengthen its customers' business relations. Avantel, a Mexican idendendent company owned by Grupo Financiero Banamex and MCI, has grown to be Mexico's preeminent provider of data services and the second-largest long distance carrier in Mexico.

Alestra

With ALESTRA, ATT offers in Mexico bandwidth and value added services with its brand prestige, acknowledge worldwide. The ATT net in Mexico, supported with the most advanced technology, offers neat access to the Smart Worldwide ATT Net which daily transmits more than 250 millions of data and voice messages in more than 280 countries and territories. ATT is the first telecommunications operator in Mexico that obtains the ISO 9002 certification for all its process.