Bell Atlantic, ICI test high-speed data interface

ARLINGTON, Va. - Bell Atlantic and interexchange carrier Intermedia Communications Inc. (ICI) will conduct a month-long trial of a high-speed form of frame-relay access service.

"Many of our customers want a high-speed solution like this. I'm delighted we can undertake this trial with ICI to meet their needs," said Evelyn Gaines, Bell Atlantic Carrier Services manager for advanced services

Bell Atlantic's interconnection with ICI will link local area networks hundreds of miles apart across LATA (local access and transport area) boundaries through a high-speed, frame-relay network-to-network interface.

"A new era of data networking has begun with the advent of our high-speed interconnection tests with Bell Atlantic. To date, customers have been constrained to permanent virtual circuit speeds of T1 and below when traversing multiple center networks," said Bob Rouse, executive vice president of engineering systems and operations for Intermedia.

"Our customers want to take advantage of frame relay's high speed capabilities in order to utilize their networks at full potential," he added. "Once that evolutionary step is achieved, customers will finally be able to realize their multimedia dreams."

The new Bell Atlantic - formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX - is at the forefront of the new communications, information and entertainment industry. With 40 million telephone access lines and 5.5 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 21 countries.