Bell Atlantic launches ISDN referral program with N.J. Institute of Technology Alumni Association

NEWARK, N.J. -- Graduates of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) are among the most computer-literate people anywhere. Virtually all of them own PCs compared with 40 percent of the general population.

 

That's why Bell Atlantic and the Alumni Association of New Jersey Institute of Technology are launching a unique referral program to promote alumni use of a high-speed data communications technology known as Integrated Services Digital Network or ISDN.

 

Under the program, the alumni association will receive up to $50 for each alumnus who subscribes to Bell Atlantic's residential ISDN service, Bell Atlantic's Internet access service (BellAtlantic.net) or purchases an ISDN modem from the company. In addition, alumni who buy modems can take advantage of special rates available only through the referral program.

 

"We believe our program will benefit NJIT graduates and Bell Atlantic," said Curt Koeppen, Bell Atlantic consumer data services vice president. "Many graduates used the Internet throughout their college days and now they need to have a fast, high-quality way to access the Internet and download files quickly. ISDN provides the speed and quality that improves online time for anyone who surfs the Net."

 

ISDN is an all-digital network technology that combines voice, data and video signals on a single telephone line, and transmits them at speeds up to 128 kilobits per second (Kbps). When compared with 28.8 analog modems, the increase in speed can be more than four times as fast.

 

The Alumni Association of NJIT is the first university association to participate in the Bell Atlantic program. About 85 percent of the school's alumni live in Bell Atlantic's service area.

 

"Our association regularly informs NJIT graduates of new technology and services that are available which could make their lives easier and less frustrating," said John W. Gregorits, alumni association president. "We believe our graduates will be very interested in how ISDN can provide them with better Internet access, the ability to access their office computer networks and even in video conferencing."

 

The alumni association is mailing information to alumni in the mid-Atlantic states about Bell Atlantic's ISDN service and how the referral program will benefit their alumni association. The association's home page, http://www.njit.edu/Alumni, will also promote the program and provide a link to an order page on Bell Atlantic's web site. In December, the NJ Alumni Magazine will carry an article about the ISDN program.

 

ISDN is available to consumers throughout most of Bell Atlantic's service area. The association initially will promote Bell Atlantic's ISDN service to NJIT graduates who live in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. In 1998, the marketing program will include alumni in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

 

Information on ISDN is on Bell Atlantic's World Wide Web site at http://www.bell-atl.com/isdn/consumer/affinityfaq.htm. Small business customers can get information about ISDN by visiting the Web site at http://www.bell-atl.com/isdn/sbs or by calling the Bell Atlantic sales and technology center at 1-800-570-ISDN.

 

NJIT is a public research university enrolling 8,100 bachelor's, master's and doctoral students in 73 degree programs through its five colleges: Newark College of Engineering, School of Architecture, College of Science and Liberal Arts, the School of Management and the Albert Dorman Honors College. Research initiatives include manufacturing, microelectronics, transportation, computer science, environmental engineering and science, and architecture and building science. U.S. News & World Report's 1998 Annual Guide to America's Best Colleges ranked NJIT among the top120 national universities. Money Magazine's Best College Buys for 1998 rated NJIT as the sixth best value among U.S. science and technology schools.

 

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.