Telecom CEOs Converge on New York, Forecasting "Clouds" for Area Business

BUSINESS Industry Execs Here to Discuss Telecom Issues and Opportunities. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) June 08, 2011 - What are the biggest issues affecting New York business today, and how is the telecom industry answering the call?

That's the focus of a roundtable discussion today as chief executives from three of the nation's leading telecom giants -- AboveNet, Broadview and EarthLink -- gather at the FedEx Conference Center to evaluate telecom's growing impact on area business and industry.

One opinion is universally shared among these industry leaders, according to Ted Schuman, founder and president of Scottsdale-based PlanetOne Communications, the host company for today's meeting.

"The New York business community is robust and will continue to flourish," Schuman said. "And it's the telecom industry that will be providing many of the tools and technology to get them there."

One key reason for this, according to AboveNet President and Chief Executive Officer Bill LaPerch, is that telecom now encompasses far more than traditional telephone service.

"Our industry has evolved into a comprehensive array of products and services that allow New York business to be more productive," LaPerch said. "Telecom now means more than voice or data or internet access. It's about the bandwidth to support our data-intensive lifestyles."

That depth of complex business telecom service offerings brings with it a vast group of skilled experts who routinely find customized telecom solutions for business customers of all sizes and across the spectrum of industry.

According to Rolla Huff, chief executive officer for EarthLink, several New York based business customers rely on his technical and support team as a virtual extension of their own engineering departments.

"We are now partnering with many of our business customers in this capacity," Huff said. "Essentially, we become our customer's offsite IT department, and the value and efficiency it offers our customers is a win/win for everyone."

But the biggest synergy between New York area businesses and the telecom industry is undoubtedly "cloud convergence," according to Schuman.

Also known as "cloud computing," this is the latest advancement in communications technology available today. In the simplest terms, cloud computing refers to resources and applications that are available on the Internet from just about any Internet connected device - servers and apps that end users don't have to maintain or support.

So how does the "cloud" benefit today's business?

"The cloud allows companies to provide services they may not otherwise be able to afford if they were to deploy their own systems," said Brian Crotty, chief operating officer for Broadview based in Rye Brook.

Not only is this more economical for business, Crotty said, it also means that the amount of computing horsepower needed will be greatly reduced.

As telecom technology pushes forward toward new frontiers, business will evolve and adapt alongside, Huff said.

"Businesses from retail chains to health care organizations are conducting more and more transactions over the web but don't want to rely on the public internet because of security concerns," he added.

"Virtual private networks and private connections such as what we're seeing with cloud convergence minimize those concerns."

The telecom industry, it seems, is leading the way for increased business efficiency, security and productivity in the city and across the state.

"Companies should seek telecom partners like these to develop customized solutions to their specific need, seamlessly integrate the products at reasonable prices and then set their sights on a very bright future," Schuman said.

Now that's a business forecast anyone would welcome.

About AboveNet, Inc.
AboveNet, Inc. provides high bandwidth connectivity solutions for business and carriers. Its private optical network delivers key network and IP services in and among top U.S. and European markets. AboveNet's network is widely used in demanding markets such as financial services, media, health care, retail and government.

Statements made in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We cannot assure you that the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements will be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of the management of AboveNet, Inc. and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, industry competition, pricing and macro-economic conditions and the Company's financial and operating prospects. The Company's business could be materially adversely affected and the trading price of the Company's common stock could decline if these risks and uncertainties develop into actual events. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their respective dates. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this presentation or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. A more detailed discussion of factors that may affect the Company's business and future financial results is included in the Company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, those described in “Risk Factors” and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and in the Company's subsequently filed Quarterly Report(s) on Form 10-Q.

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