LONDON -- Storm Telecommunications Ltd today formally announced plans to run advanced IP managed services over its optical network and to expand its channel coverage to the enterprise and e-business communities. Storm's intelligent mesh network will shortly be delivering advanced IP services to twelve European countries and the US and further expansion is planned. With the new combination of intelligent IP services, Storm's optically switched network and fibre based infrastructure will deliver a world-leading portfolio that is redefines the competitive playing field.

Steve Sanderson, CEO, Storm, says: "Our move into the IP services market positions Storm at the forefront of pan-European network providers. Storm's product and services portfolio is designed specifically to meet the growing demand for scalable, resilient and flexible bandwidth on command. Storm continues to expand successfully both in terms of services and people."

To accelerate its expansion into IP services, Storm has appointed two senior directors with significant experience in building IP services. Having come from an innovative IP start up, Brian Levy becomes Senior Vice President, Product Development. Previously Head of Networks at GTS and formerly Head of Network Architecture at AT&T, Levy brings over thirty years experience of networks to his new role. Mark de Simone has been appointed Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing. In addition to working in the new venture environment integrating hosting services with IP networks, de Simone was previously Vice President of Global Marketing at Lucent Technologies where he lead strategic alliances with computing and storage system leaders. Formerly he was Vice President EMEA for both US Robotics and 3Com.

Storm has also recruited over thirty new employees with strong IP experience during the past month. All have backgrounds in blue chip telco and IT companies and are now bringing their expertise to all areas of Storm.

http://www.stormtel.com