In the process of transforming itself into a full-service, integrated broadband communications provider, as a result of its merger with Concentric Network, NEXTLINK Communications Inc. is also changing its identity. Effective today, the company changed its name to XO Communications Inc. (www.xo.com).
At the heart of the company's new identity and strategy are the XOptions Flat Rate Service packages, which integrate local, long distance, Internet access, web hosting, e-mail and domain registration for small and mid-sized businesses.
"In the new XO world there are virtually no time or distance restraints," says Dan Akerson, XO's chairman and CEO. "When a customer has a seat on the XO network, it makes no difference if they're communicating across the street or across the U.S., or if they're calling on the phone or sending data. It all arrives at the same simple, predictable flat-rate price. This is a very different way to buy communications services and will transform our industry."
XOptions includes a variety of packages designed to accommodate different sized customers with anywhere from 10-100 employees per location, at discounts of 10 percent to 40 percent. All packages will be sold on a per user or per company flat-rate price, depending on the customer's preference.
As part of the service, XO will offer its XO Benchmark web tool, which helps prospective customers decide which plan is best for their communications needs.
In addition, XO is launching its XO Gigabit Ethernet in selected market by November. The service will be available in most of XO's 50 U.S. markets by mid-2001. Yahoo! Inc. (www.yahoo.com) will be one of the first customers to use XO's Ethernet service.
The XO brand will be introduced this fall in a $20 million advertising campaign, that will appear on network and cable TV, national print, direct mail and local print and radio.
