Western CLEC offers high-speed options

VANCOUVER, WASH. - A competitive local exchange carrier concentrated in the western states is climbing up the bandwidth ladder with a set of new high-speed Internet access offerings.

GST Telecommunications has introduced three new standardized services: Clear Channel DS-1/DS-3, Ethernet/Fast Ethernet and ATM access. Each of the services is available at a speed up to 45M bit/sec.

The three services are also tiered in 3M bit/sec increments. For example, users can choose two times 3M bit/ sec, or 6M of bandwidth, either placed into ATM cells or kept in native Ethernet format, for the same price (see graphic).

There are some additional requirements for the native Ethernet service, though. Depending on the speed, users may be required to collocate switches or routers in GST's central office, the company says. As a result, the service is expected to be initially of interest more to ISPs than to enterprise customers.

But unlike some other CLECs, GST is also building its own intercity network to reach principal Internet exchange hand-off points as well as offering local loops. GST is employing gigabit core routers from Juniper Networks, as well as Cisco 7513 edge routers in local points of presence.

Expansion planned

The intercity network, called the Virtual Integrated Transport and Access network, currently runs 2,000 route-miles around the western U.S. at a speed of up to OC-48, with plans to expand to 6,600 route-miles. As part of its strategy, GST has obtained exclusive rights to certain routes owned by major wholesale carrier Williams Communications.

The ATM service carries a number of additional options. After choosing their bandwidth level in 3M bit/sec increments, users have a choice of three levels of sustained cell rate (SCR) - a guaranteed throughput similar to frame relay's committed information rate. The choices are 25%, 50% and 100% SCR, with all traffic above the SCR subject to discard and resend in case of network congestion.

GST currently serves 15 local markets, including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Ore., Seattle, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Boise.

The company has been attempting to make a name for itself with Internet access prices below those of the top providers. Currently it sells a T-1 Internet access service, for example, for $990, says Dave Williams, GST's vice president for strategic marketing.

GST: www.gstcorp. com