EarthLink to expand fiber and data center footprint

EarthLink, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK) says it will extend its core fiber IP network, add four new data centers to its IT Solutions footprint, and launch a new cloud hosting platform. The company says the new infrastructure will create an end-to-end cloud fabric to meet customer demand for highly secure cloud hosting and IT services.

San Jose, Chicago, Dallas, and South Florida will host the new data centers, which Earthlink will install in 2013 via “agreements with leading-edge space and power providers.” Earthlink also will upgrade its data center in Rochester, NY, with its next-generation cloud architecture early next year.

In line with the expanded roster of data centers, EarthLink will extend its fiber-optic network and add next-generation optical transport capabilities from Miami, FL to Virginia. It also plans to increase capacity in markets including Ashburn, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Orlando. Meanwhile, Earthlink also plans to extend its fiber-optic network into Texas to add seven markets, including Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. The upgraded infrastructure will enable EarthLink to offer new native 100-Gbps transport services, including unique network routes for enhanced redundancy and network diversity.

"We see in the marketplace that the IT needs of companies are growing and evolving as they look for ways to virtualize their businesses and strategically maintain, if not decrease their cost structures," said EarthLink Executive Vice President of Products and Marketing Michael Toplisek. "As a result, EarthLink is continuing to evolve our IT solutions architecture, infrastructure, and services. By providing regional data center diversity combined with our expanded national IP network footprint, EarthLink can deliver the performance customers need with the peace of mind that their data is secure in our cloud. Beyond cloud hosting, in conjunction with our IP and fiber network expansion, EarthLink is poised to deliver disaster recovery and business continuity solutions that are mission-critical to businesses in all industries."

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