MCI Introduces Managed Content Delivery Service

The offering includes up-front network design, hardware and software installation, as well as ongoing maintenance and management of streaming video and distance learning services over the carrier's IP network.

Large data transfers and on-demand multimedia applications can be delivered over an enterprise frame relay, IP, ATM, Private IP or private line network, the company said.

MCI is recruiting solution providers to sell the content delivery service. The carrier wants to make a significant push into the managed services arena and intends to tap VARs to sell a broad range of its managed services, said Jim DeMerlis, vice president of product management at MCI, Ashburn, Va. However, the services will be deployed and managed by MCI, he said.

"VARs are critical to both our SMB strategy and our managed services strategy, and managed services is a critical growth area for us," DeMerlis said.

As part of the offering, MCI is tapping Fantastic, Zug Switzerland, for its content distribution software, which opens an access portal, and IBM for its rack-mountable servers.