International Telecommunications Acquisitions & Agreements
In January 1999, the Company signed agreements with France Telecom, Deutsche
Telkom, Swisscom N.A. and Telefonica de Espana, four major telecommunications
companies based in Europe, to establish a direct fiber-optic connection
between the companies for international long distance service. The agreement
establishes direct channels between the companies' international switching
points and the Company's facilities in the United States and United Kingdom.
The Company has already established a presence in the United Kingdom with its
facilities-based switch, and has purchased more than 12,000 kilometers of
undersea cable connecting the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
In February 1999, the Company acquired Orion Telekom BV, a Netherlands based
provider of telecommunications services. Through this acquisition, the Company
procured a contractual relationship with Royal KPN NV ("KPN") the leading
phone company in the Netherlands, and associated physical interconnections, an
installed Alcatel S12 switch, an operating license in Holland and a facility
in Rotterdam. The Company's voice licensing in the Netherlands coupled with
the interconnection available through KPN has enabled the Company to offer
wholesale and retail carrier services in the Dutch market. |
