Franklin Telecom Division Allies With DigitalXpress

Internet Passport, a division of Franklin Telecom in Westlake Village, and DigitalXpress of St. Paul, Minn., have formed a five-year alliance to develop technologies that provide high-speed, two-way communication via the Internet.

Through their joint efforts, Franklin Telecom and Digital-Xpress each will develop a new product line--Franklin Express and XpressNet. Both Franklin Express and XpressNet will provide Internet connectivity for DigitalXpress products through Franklin Telecom’s Internet Passport division. Clients of both companies will benefit from both products under the terms of a sales agreement between the companies.

Internet Passport provides a variety of Internet business products and services, including high-speed satellite Internet access products. XpressNet, a fast-access Internet service, will use DigitalXpress satellite technology to speed the transfer of large data files.

XpressNet will use the nationwide capability of Franklin to provide local dial-up access or direct 800 service to reach any location in the United States. The system is expected to increase a user’s online productivity by eliminating delays commonly associated with data request processing.