SYDNEY, Australia, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VeriSign, Inc. , the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for the Internet and telecommunications networks, today announced that it has enhanced its global constellation of 18 geographically-dispersed Internet server clusters by installing and operating a new regional server cluster for .com and .net in Sydney. The site began live operations on December 3, 2005 and provides Australia's 13.9 million Internet users, with enhanced performance, enhanced connection speeds and greater stability.
VeriSign is the authoritative registry for .com and .net domain names globally, managing relationships with more than 480 ICANN-accredited registrars and processing more than 15 billion queries daily in its operation of .com and .net Internet infrastructure. VeriSign operates a constellation of 18 Internet server clusters around the world that monitor and mirror the world's Internet traffic for .com and .net. VeriSign announced plans earlier in 2005 to install 14 regional Internet server clusters around the world by the end of 2006. To date, VeriSign has installed additional sites in Korea and China. A site is also planned for installment in Brazil later this year. In 2006, additional sites will be added in 12 locations including Thailand and India.
Australia remains a strong growth market for Internet use, with a 108 percent increase in usage over the last five years. With an estimated 67 percent of the Australian population now using the Internet, VeriSign recognizes the need to expand its infrastructure investment in the region to better support this large base of users.
"As Internet use in Australia continues to grow rapidly for both commerce and communications, we will continue to invest in our infrastructure and services in the region to support this strong growth," said Gregg Rowley, vice president, Asia Pacific for VeriSign. "The close proximity of an Internet server cluster in Sydney for .com and .net will improve the Internet experience for the growing numbers of Australian Internet users and contribute to economic growth in Australia. We're pleased to have a dedicated presence in Australia and to be able to offer advanced Internet infrastructure to serve Australian business, government, Web sites and individuals."
VeriSign is locally represented with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, including a Regional Operations Centre in Melbourne. VeriSign's existing investment and operations in Australia provides a very strong platform that helps Internet users to experience an efficient and secure online experience.
VeriSign, Inc., through its subsidiary in Australia, first established its Australian operations in 1999 to provide Internet trust services to Australian government, business, Web sites and individuals. VeriSign's services in Australia include managed security services, domain name infrastructure services, authentication, as well as wireless and validation services.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the world's voice and data networks. Additional news and information about the company is available at http://www.verisign.com/ and at http://www.verisign.com.au/.
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Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results due to such factors as the inability of VeriSign to successfully develop and market new products and services and customer acceptance of any new products or services, including VeriSign's Regional Resolution Server; the possibility that VeriSign's announced new services may not result in additional customers, profits or revenues; and increased competition and pricing pressures. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release.
