AboveNet raises the stakes for Web performance levels

NEWS AboveNet UK, which specialises in co-location services, has thrown down the gauntlet to traditional Internet service providers (ISPs). It is offering one company free use of its Docklands Internet Service Exchange (ISX) facility for three months. A nomination process to decide who gets the trial is primarily aimed at companies that depend on having fast and reliable Web sites, for example businesses that use streaming media, or smaller ISPs. AboveNet, now owned by dark fibre company Metromedia Fiber Network (MMFN), believes it can improve Internet connectivity performance by up to 100 per cent. Ian Taylor, AboveNet UK chief operating officer, said: "The Internet Performance Challenge is about showing that the Internet doesn't have to be bad, but it's also a case of stimulating debate about the performance of the Internet in the UK - it's one of the inhibitors to [the growth of] ecommerce." Companies wishing to be considered for the three-month trial should email mbarwell@above.net.