Virtela Communications' Virtela VPN and MCI's MCI Private IP Service and MCI IP VPN Dedicated Service are among compared IP virtual private network (VPN) services that can not only allow traveling workers to stay connected, but also can result in a more economical, higher-bandwidth alternative to a frame relay network. Virtela is the editors' choice because it is the most complete and information- packed RFI response received. Virtela VPN is an IP VPN infrastructure that spans 190 countries. Hardware stays at the PoP, rather than customer premises, an architecture that eliminates the need for equipment changes. Software upgrades are also easier because only Virtela has to upgrade its own PoPs, not the customer premises, with new VPN technology. Virtela uses the huge amount of unused bandwidth on Tier 1 networks in the U.S. for the solution, which amounts to a global network that requires no new laying of fiber or paying for mammoth network operations, and an architecture that helps Virtela keep costs down. Virtela provided compelling sample reports, a secure Web-based customer network management system. Theability to generate and view trouble tickets. Qwest Communications International Private Routed Network also gets excellent marks, and is based on a private routed network. All site-to-site would be encrypted either by DES or 3DES, and installation would require about 45 days. MCI Private IP got high marks for ease of migration and traffic prioritization, and its IP VPN Dedicated Service got very good scores for security and SLA.