PAIX and Pacific Wave Extend Peering Opportunities in Seattle
Effort Creates Seamless Connection Between PAIX Seattle and Numerous Education, Research, and Government Entities.
Palo Alto, CA - October 14, 2002 - PAIX.net, Inc. (PAIX) the leading neutral commercial Internet exchange and a subsidiary of Metromedia Fiber Network (MFN), today announced an agreement with Pacific Northwest Gigapop (PNWGP) to interconnect the Pacific Wave and PAIX Seattle ISO Layer 2 switch fabrics, thereby bringing together two of the most respected peering infrastructure providers in the nation. This collaborative effort essentially creates one of the most robust Internet exchange points in the Pacific Northwest.
The immediate benefits that will be realized by each party's customer base are exceptional, adding to the number and variety of customers accessible through each of the respective switch fabrics. PAIX's Seattle participants, which include several major ISPs and network providers, will have the ability to interconnect and exchange traffic with the numerous research, education, and development networks connected to PNWGP's Pacific Wave international peering facility. The cumulative result is a robust peering network with access to over 20 separate educational and research networks, 4 major government networks, and a multitude of ISPs, ASPs and other Internet-centric companies from the U.S. and the Pacific Rim. In addition to each party being a recognized leader in the Internet exchange community, the two share very strict neutral business models and sophisticated business controls on the quality of their Layer 2 switch fabrics. This commonality serves as a great foundation on which to build this type of expanded connectivity.
"PAIX is very selective in establishing these types of relationships," said Shelly Fishman, VP of Sales, Marketing and Business Development at PAIX.net, Inc. "Pacific Wave's neutrality, their high quality network and their deep and wide participant base make them a perfect alliance partner. By connecting our networks together, we will be adding significant value to each of our respective participant communities, and at the same time, ensuring the highest possible standards of reliability and service."
"PNWGP is a strong proponent of efficient, cost-effective network design. Peering facilities such as Pacific Wave and PAIX are integral components in these designs. We believe that the Pacific Wave participants will take full advantage of this new opportunity to bring value to their networks," said Amy Philipson, Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Gigapop.
"We have already seen a demand for this type of arrangement in the Seattle metro," said PAIX's VP and General Manager Tim Guarnieri. "PAIX recently announced a similar agreement with the Seattle Internet Exchange, which our customers found valuable and brought about a frenzy of peering arrangements between our respective customers. I think we can expect an even greater response to this offering, simply because of the large number of participants on Pacific Wave's infrastructure."
About Pacific Northwest Gigapop (PNWGP) & Pacific Wave
Pacific Northwest Gigapop is the Northwest's Next Generation Internet, Internet2/Abilene applications cooperative, test bed, point of presence, and home to the Pacific Wave International Peering Service. PNWGP and Pacific Wave connect together high-performance international and federal research networks with universities, research organizations, and leading edge R&D; and new media enterprises throughout Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Canada, Australia, and Japan. For more information visit www.pnw-gigapop.net and www.pacificwave.net.
About PAIX.net
PAIX.net, Inc., headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, began operations in 1996 as Digital Equipment Corporation's Palo Alto Internet Exchange. Having proven itself as a vital part of the Internet infrastructure, PAIX serves as a packet switching center for ISPs and other Internet-centric customers. PAIX also offers secure, fault-tolerant co-location services to ISPs. PAIX enables its participants to form public and private peering relationships with each other and choose from multiple telecommunications carriers for circuits, all within the same facility. PAIX is a subsidiary of MFN. To ensure its neutrality, it operates as a separate entity with its own management. For additional information about PAIX call 877-PAIXnet (877-724-9638) or visit its Web site at www.paix.net.
On May 20, 2002, PAIX's parent company, Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc., and most of its domestic subsidiaries including PAIX commenced voluntary Chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
About MFN
MFN is the leading provider of digital communications infrastructure solutions. The Company combines the most extensive metropolitan area fiber network with a global optical IP network, state of the art data centers, award-winning managed services and extensive peering relationships to deliver fully integrated, outsourced communications solutions to Global 2000 companies. The all-fiber infrastructure enables MFN customers to share vast amounts of information internally and externally over private networks and a global IP backbone, creating collaborative businesses that communicate at the speed of light.
PAIX.net, Inc., a subsidiary of MFN and the original neutral Internet exchange, offers secure, Class A collocation facilities where ISPs and other Internet-centric companies can form public and private peering relationships with each other, and have access to multiple telecommunications carriers for circuits within each facility.
On May 20, 2002, Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc. and most of its domestic subsidiaries commenced voluntary Chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
For more information on MFN, please visit our Web site at www.mfn.com
This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, and various other factors beyond the Company's control. This also includes such factors as are described from time to time in the SEC reports filed by Metromedia Fiber Network including the most recently filed Forms S-3, 10-K and 10-Q.