Reading, UK, July 23rd, 2001 --- 8el , the first UK based Integrated Access Provider (IAP) has announced that freeport -asp has been launched to break through the network barrier and help ASP customers with their connectivity issues.

8el provides converged voice and data solutions that help bridge the gap between customers and their chosen service provider. By using 8el 's freeport -asp solutions, customers benefit from resilient digital voice services and private, permanent connections to their ASP. The customer's existing call traffic expenditure is used to subsidise the traditional cost of a leased line connection, opening up the bandwidth marketplace to a new spectrum of companies in the UK.

Rob Townsend, Business Development Manager for 8el commented,
8el 's freeport -asp solution has been launched for companies who want to use an ASP solution, but don't want to worry about cost or security issues. Each customer is provided with a private, secure connection to their ASP so security is not an issue, and our cross-subsidy approach enables low-cost bandwidth. We are currently discussing partnerships with a number of leading Application Service Providers, so we can deliver a complete end solution "

The freeport solutions are provided via 8el's secure ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network. This network consists of secured multiple circuits running between 137 national Points Of Presence (POP's), and TeleCity in Docklands, London.

All the connections provided are delivered over 8el's private SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) circuits, with diverse routing facilities. This ensures that the service will automatically back up via an alternative path, in the event of a single fibre failure or hardware failure occurring mid network. Any calls in progress, or information being transferred will automatically take an alternative path to reach the required destination, and successfully be completed.

Founded in 1999 8el 's network has been accredited by Ericsson and Panasonic, and Microsoft recently completed a technical Whitepaper on 8el 's ASP solutions. (ASPs: Breaking the Network Barrier.)

8el is an Integrated Access Provider (IAP) offering tailor made solutions to business users. The freeport services provide customers with a converged voice and data solution delivered over leased lines. The digital voice services provide increased resilience whilst the data connections can be used for a variety of data services - ISP, ASP, VPN or data storage. Leased line connections can be at little or no cost to 8el customers.

8el are licensed by the Department of Trade and Industry, hold an ISVR licence, full Annex II status in the UK, and are members of the Application Service Provider industry consortium - ASPIC. 8el are an independent private limited company, registered as Aggregated Telecom Ltd.

For further information please contact the press office directly on press@ 8el .com / 0845 33 000 93