AGIS (Apex Global Internet Services) is a former Internet backbone based in Dearborn, Michigan, United States. It is most remembered as having openly hosted spam email services, which destroyed its reputation and led to its bankruptcy.
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Phillip J Lawlor |
| Headquarters | Dearborn, Michigan, United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Internet access, Colocation |
Corporate history
editAGIS was founded as Apex Global Information Services in 1994 by Phillip J Lawlor.[1] AGIS acquired Network99, Inc. in July 1995.[2]
Lawlor believed an ISP was not responsible for policing the content of its customers traffic. This hands-off policy resulted in a safe haven for the notorious spammer Sanford Wallace. By 1997, when Wallace's account was finally terminated, the ISP's reputation had been ruined. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, 2000.[3]
AGIS was acquired by Telia Internet, Inc. in 2000.[4] Telia Internet, Inc. was acquired by Aleron Broadband, Inc. in 2001.[5] Aleron Broadband was acquired by Cogent Communications in 2004.[6]
Products
editIn 1997, AGIS introduced its colocation product under the brand name "CoolLocation."[7]
References
edit- ^ "Merchant of bandwidth". Nelson Publishing. May 1997. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ "Apex Global Information Services, Inc. to purchase Network99, Inc". Business Wire. July 19, 1995. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ "AGIS Backbone Buckles". InternetNews.com. March 1, 2000. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ "Telia Internet Inc(Telia AB) acquires Apex Global Internet Svcs". Thomson Financial Mergers & Acquisitions. the alacra Store. May 22, 2000. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ "Telia divests US Internet operations - Telia Internet sold to Aleron". M2 Communications Ltd. October 3, 2001. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
- ^ "Cogent Acquires the Assets of Aleron Broadband". PR Newswire. October 25, 2004. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
- ^ "AGIS Discovers: "The Cure for the World Wide Wait"". AGIS. September 17, 1997. Archived from the original on 1997-12-11. Retrieved 2009-04-08.