Cisco Systems and Verizon have announced details of a joint
initiative aimed at providing network access to home-based
employees of Fortune 1,000 companies.
The two companies have joined forces in order to market high-speed,
secure and reliable work-at-home services, which will be supported
by equipment from the Cisco 800 and SOHO Digital Subscriber Line
(DSL), and Integrated Services Digital Network. Delivery will be
via a Verizon Internet Protocol network.
"Teleworking brings a new dimension to life," said Eric Bruno, the
vice-president of Verizon's Enterprise Solutions Group. "The
powerful combination of Cisco equipment and the IP-enabled network
made available by Verizon will help companies to implement
remote-access programmes."
Bruno said such programmes were capable of increasing productivity
and decreasing costs, while helping employees to balance their work
and home lives at the same time.
Available now, the products and services will initially be marketed
to financial services and government customers in New York and
Washington.
Cisco added that the new initiative was part of its goal of
delivering broadband connectivity and services to the home as well
as the office.