EPIK Communications Incorporated (EPIK), a wholly-owned telecommunications subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries, Inc., (NYSE:FLA) (NYSE:FLA.b), announced its plan to enter Internet Protocol (IP) services through the launch of an integrated portfolio of enlightened IP services on its backbone network. This suite of services includes Dedicated Internet Access, IP Virtual Private Network (IP VPN), Ethernet Transport and other advanced IP services.
EPIK is already offering its customers Dedicated Internet Access. EPIK plans to introduce a new Ethernet Transport service enabling customers to connect multiple sites using Ethernet connections at 100Mbps and 1Gbps in the first half of 2001, with 10Gbps planned for future availability. EPIK also plans to provision Internet Protocol (IP) Virtual Private Networks for its customers by the second half of 2001. These services provide customers with the benefits of a virtual private IP network without having to invest additional capital and resources to build and operate their own networks. Other advanced IP services will be deployed during the second half of 2001.
EPIK is currently testing vendor equipment in its interoperability test lab and will select vendors in the next thirty days.
These announced wholesale services will enable EPIK to provide customers a single point of contact for value-added IP services on a 10 Gigabit Next Generation IP-On-Wave network. EPIK's OC-192 network is IP Version 6 enabled. EPIK utilizes best-of-breed technology and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) to provide full redundancy, low latency and aggressive Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
About EPIK Communications:
EPIK Communications operates as a "carriers' carrier," providing dark fiber and high-bandwidth fiber optic capacity to competitive local exchange carriers, Internet service providers and long-distance companies. For more information, visit www.epik.net.