Worldcom deal expands GEIS networks

Worldcom is integrating its network organisation with business data interchange provider GEIS.

A GEIS representative said the deal will triple the company's points of presence around the world, enabling it to offer Web-based EDI services.

About 58 networking engineers will transfer to Worldcom. It will take about 18 months to integrate both operations.

Worldcom, along with 21 other telcos, already provides circuits to GEIS. Under the agreement, GEIS will drop the other deals and consolidate them into Worldcom. GEIS manages 750 access points in 42 countries.

The GEIS representative said: 'This positions us strongly for Web commerce.

Worldcom will also give us greater global reach.'

Worldcom will provide the transport elements to the customers from the firewall surrounding GEIS' four data centres in the Netherlands, Hong Kong and the US. GEIS will continue to manage the merged company's network and customer relationships.

The spokesperson said GEIS was not worried by the uncertainty of Worldcom's merger with MCI. He said the addition of MCI's network would be a 'bonus'.

A spokesperson for Worldcom said the prospect of a network expanded by GEIS backbone would not present problems to US and European authorities investigating its merger with MCI.

The deal gives GEIS dial-up points in 658 cities and 104 frame relay sites.