New Edge Networks Simplifies Business Network Installations; New Services Make WANs Transparent to Businesses, Cut Costs.

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- New Edge Networks is expanding its on-site installation services to include connecting any business computer application to the broadband networks it provides, making operation of wide area networks transparent to businesses.

New Edge Networks has introduced a new family of professional services that includes premium installation and testing of any computer application to be connected to a wide area network. These include devices that support applications such as point-of-sale, back-office operations, or digital video monitoring systems, among others. The premium suite of services also includes site surveys, process documentation, remote engineering, and consulting.

In expanding its on-site professional services, New Edge Networks is positioning itself as a single-source provider for business broadband networking. It is also a way of driving new business referrals to member companies of its Retail Broadband Alliance.

"Many businesses that are switching to broadband networks do not have the time and energy to get up to speed on the latest technologies, gathering product and vendor information, reviewing features, functionality or support levels, and then coordinating installation at sites spread everywhere," said Dan Moffat, president of New Edge Networks. "They want to stay focused on managing their business, not coordinating complex network installations or troubleshooting.

"Businesses want one neck to grab and a company they can trust to ensure all their applications work as intended," Moffat said. "New Edge Networks wants to make the switch to broadband easy, fast, and transparent for customers.

Premium installations and professional site services from New Edge Networks eliminate the need for a second or third vendor to connect different applications after the broadband network is in and ready. Before New Edge Networks leaves the site, all the applications that the business wants to run on its wide area network are connected, tested, and working.

New Edge Networks is contracting with national value added resellers, systems integrators, and network installation providers to perform on-site work. This streamlines the services for businesses, resulting in reduced total expenses, simplified budgeting, decreased potential for errors, and faster network turn-up.

Generally, traditional communications providers take a hands-off attitude about connecting or testing computer devices onto a wide area network. Similarly, VARs and systems integrators rely on network providers for broadband access. With limited IT resources, customers have to fend for themselves to ensure the systems and applications they have work when the network is place.

New Edge Networks offers three new services as part of its expanded family of premium services.

--Premium installation. This includes up to three hours on-site work by a certified installation technician. Work includes installation and testing of high-speed lines as well as the broadband router. It also includes demarcation point extensions up to 150 feet and connection and testing of one LAN device to the WAN. Costs start at $399 per site. Additional LAN application connections and testing services are priced separately.

--Site Surveys. This includes locating the demarcation and preferred installation points within any location. It also includes identification of environmental issues that could affect installation such as high ceilings, missing wires, inaccessible spaces, or drilling requirements.

--Methods and procedures. These are step-by-step installation guides or site documentation with photos and diagrams. New Edge Networks can create an installation guide or implement a network based on the customer's methods and procedures.

New Edge Networks established the Retail Broadband Alliance in November 2004 to make it easy for merchants to migrate to broadband. The Retail Broadband Alliance now includes more than 150 companies that provide various products and services businesses use over broadband networks.

About New Edge Networks

New Edge Networks builds and manages broadband networks for businesses and communications carriers. Through its nationwide network of more than 850 switches and Internet routers, New Edge Networks uses various broadband access technologies for building business networks. These include all types of DSL, Frame Relay, ATM, cable modems, and Satellite. Its network coverage reaches 100 percent of U. S. business addresses. New Edge Networks' product suite of managed WAN and VPN services received Frost & Sullivan's Telecommunications Services 2005 Product of the Year Award. New Edge Networks is on the 2005 lists of 500 fastest-growing companies compiled by Deloitte & Touche and Inc. magazine. The company's Web site is www.newedgenetworks.com. Telephone: [phone].