UUNET IS FIRST UK INTERNET SERVICES COMPANY TO BECOME MICROSOFT SOLUTION PROVIDER PARTNER

UUNET, an MCI WorldCom company and a global leader in Internet communications solutions, has confirmed its position as a leading provider of business Internet connectivity and high availability Internet hosting with its new authorisation as a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider Partner (MCSPP). UUNET's UK business is the first Internet service provider outside of the USA to be accepted by Microsoft to join this global programme at its highest level. The MCSP partner programme is an international Microsoft initiative that commits joint Microsoft sales, marketing, technical, education and support resources to deliver enterprise solutions. Accessible by invitation only, the MCSP partner programme recognises excellence and provides the most transparent and closest working relationship with Microsoft and its other MCSP partners worldwide.

UUNET's acceptance as an MCSPP will deliver considerable benefits to the shared reseller base of both companies in the UK. This includes access to business opportunities originating from Microsoft's tele-business activities, other reseller partners, participation in Microsoft's corporate marketing work including solution briefings and assistance in education and training.

Chris Jenkins-Powell, Microsoft business development manager, UUNET said: "We've worked closely with Microsoft for many years now. This new certification carries our partnership to an exciting new level of closer co-operation that benefits our customers and partners with an improved ability to deliver market leading Internet solutions based on Microsoft technology through our shared and growing reseller channel."

Richard Tooth, sales manager for Microsoft's Network Solutions Group, said: "Our MCSP partner programme recognises quite simply only the very best. UUNET brings a market leading position in Windows NT-based hosting of business services and a commitment to deliver Internet service solutions through our common reseller channels."

UUNET has worked with Microsoft for more than four years. The first initiative involved building and managing the infrastructure for the Microsoft Network (MSN) in the UK and hosting Microsoft's International Data Centre. In 1996, UUNET became the Internet Service Provider for Microsoft Solution providers.