GTE Internetworking was expected to present its virtual private network (VPN) yesterday. Up until this point, GTE Internetworking was lagging behind nearly all its major competitors.
The VPN service is expected to include security features such as 128-bit key encryption and digital certificates for user and network authentication. However, GTE Internetworking on Friday would not confirm any details.
AT&T WorldNet, Sprint, Cable & Wireless (formally internetMCI) and UUNET, an MCI WorldCom company, have all announced VPN offerings, some as early as last year. The ISPs (Internet service providers) haven't blown users away with their VPN offerings because of mediocre security, performance and lack of systems integration. But they have scored points for at least rolling out first-generation services.
GTE Internetworking is making its VPN service debut at next week's Giga Information Group's Emerging Technology Scene: Giga's Showcase for IT Innovation conference in Palm Springs, California.
The service is also expected to offer business users service-level agreements, but there are no specifics on these guarantees as of yet.