HostPapers - article New Edge Networks, Chosen by Whitehall Jewelers

Vancouver, Washington - (The Hosting News) - May 13, 2008 - Subsidiary of EarthLink Inc., New Edge Networks, has inked a $1.6 million deal with Whitehall Jewelers, for 375 stores.

The agreement has expanded and renewed for managing and maintaining a private network linking the jewelry chain's regional and super-regional shopping malls and power centers in 39 states.

Building on a long-standing business relationship, New Edge will manage and maintain Whitehall's existing private IP network based on DSL technology. The agreement also expands Whitehall's network to 78 recently acquired jewelry stores. Installation work at the newly acquired locations is underway.

The specialty retailer of fine jewelry uses its private wide area network for processing store transactions, sales polling, selected Web access and corporate email. To ensure privacy and security, Whitehall's network traffic, such as payment transactions and email, does not traverse the public Internet.

Greg Griffiths, Vice President of Marketing for New Edge noted, ''Our business relationship with Whitehall Jewelers has led to our mutual growth and success.'' Both companies have benefited from trying new service approaches for optimizing the value of a private network after discussions in quarterly account review meetings.

Feedback from Whitehall was instrumental in New Edge's decision to reorganize its operations support center and assign dedicated teams of technicians for supporting large customers with complex network configurations. When these customers call New Edge's operations support system, they speak to someone they likely know by first name and who is familiar with their network design.

Mark Funasaki, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Chicago-based Whitehall Jewelers added, ''Our private network is an important component of our business growth plans and strategies. We want to use our network to favorably transform the shopping experience for our customers. Network flexibility, uptime and stability are paramount for smooth and efficient store operations.''

Whitehall Jewelers is a national specialty retailer of fine jewelry offering a selection of merchandise in the following categories: diamonds, gold, precious and semi-precious jewelry and watches. As of April 30, 2008, Whitehall Jewelers operated 375 stores in regional and super-regional malls as well as power centers in 39 states.

New Edge Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of EarthLink Inc. (NASDQ: ELNK). New Edge Networks builds and manages private networks for businesses and communications providers. Through its nationwide backbone network with almost 900 switches and Internet routers, New Edge Networks uses any blend of network and access technologies (MPLS, frame relay, ATM, xDSL, cable, wireless, and satellite) for providing high-speed connections at any business address in the United States. Network options include any combination of access, network management functions, and on-site installation services.

To learn more about Whitehall Jewelers, please visit: www.whitehalljewelers.com.

For more information about New Edge Networks, please visit: www.newedgenetworks.com.

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