Thursday, February 03, 2005

Web Hosting Company XO to Launch Flex VoIP Solution

XO Communications, Inc. (www.xo.com) today announced plans to launch XOptions® Flex, its new industry-leading bundled voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution that will give business customers enhanced features, functionality and value for their voice and Internet services.

XOptions Flex represents the first offering of the company's new XOIP services, a series of next generation IP services that will leverage the XO national IP network and softswitch technology to provide customers advanced IP-based voice and data services.

XO is the only national competitive carrier focused exclusively on businesses to offer a simple, integrated VoIP services solution with unlimited local and long distance calling over its own Tier 1 IP network. In 2000, XO revolutionized the telecommunications industry with XOptions®, the first bundled services solution for businesses that combined local, long distance, Internet access and web hosting services for one flat monthly rate on a single bill.

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Wednesday, Feb 2, 2005

Microsoft and Digital Dimension Team Up for Super Bowl XXXIX

Microsoft Corp. (www.microsoft.com) and Digital Dimension (www.digitaldimension.com), a four-time Emmy Award-winning visual effects and animation studio, today announced that Digital Dimension used Microsoft® technologies to create the visual effects for the opening sequence of Super Bowl XXXIX.

"We are currently implementing Windows Server System and customizing it for our unique needs for many reasons: total integration, performance and collaboration capabilities unheard of on any other platform," said Ben Girard, president and founder of Digital Dimension, which was named one of 10 digital studios to "storm the world" in 2005 by 3D World Magazine.

When the Philadelphia Eagles meet the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6, an estimated 140 million viewers worldwide will see one minute of cutting-edge visuals that were developed using Microsoft Windows Server System (TM) .

"The visual effects production market is booming," said Gerry Kaufhold, principal analyst with In-Stat. "But major networks need to keep tight control on what's being done, and the timelines for creating memorable images are constantly shrinking."

Digital Dimension, whose highly acclaimed visual effects have appeared in numerous movies, including "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" and

"The Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise, has a reputation for leaving audiences amazed.

"For studios wishing to maintain a competitive edge, it's become increasingly important to keep up with technology advances," said Kimberly Till, vice president of the Worldwide Media & Entertainment Group at Microsoft.

Tuesday, Feb 1, 2005

HiNet Data Network Selects Cisco for Routers

Cisco Systems (www.cisco.com) today announced that HiNet, the data communications business group of Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), has selected Cisco's high-end Internet equipment to implement an all Internet Protocol (IP) Next Generation Network (IP NGN) to consolidate traffic of all its services.

"We are delighted to be working with HiNet to simplify and consolidate its network, not only to help it reduce capital expenses but also operational expenses," said Larry Chai, general manager of Cisco Taiwan.

The new CHT IP network will help CHT to reduce capital and operating expenses as it adds new services.

The Cisco 12800 Series Router is the industry's first field-upgradable 40gigabit-per-second (Gbps) core routing solution that can double the capacity of large IP MPLS networks without a complete equipment upgrade.

"Cisco and HiNet have developed a strategic relationship over the past few years. We truly value the advice provided by Cisco," said Dr. Yen-Sung Lee, president of Chunghwa Telecom Data Communication Business Group.

"We are also very pleased with the efficient deployment of the solution. We are confident that this new upgraded network will help achieve our objectives of increasing number of customers and reducing operating expenditure," added Dr. Lee.

The major installation of the CHT IP network took less than two months. The upgraded network is expected to serve more than three million customers, including the existing 2.5million ADSL broadband users. HiNet has been voted "Best choice of ISP" in Taiwan for five consecutive years in surveys conducted by Taiwan Information and Computers Institute for Information Technology.