Qwest Chosen as IP Backbone Services Provider to California Universities'
CalREN2 Project
State-of-the-Art Native IP Network to Deliver Services for University Research and Learning
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 1998--Qwest (NASDAQ:QWST - news), a multimedia communications company
building the world's most advanced fiber optic network, today announced it will provide its native IP network for high-speed
data, voice, and multimedia communications for the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California's (CENIC)
CalREN-2 high performance, next generation Internet project.
The CalREN-2 network will enable new research and educational applications that currently do not work effectively over the
existing Internet.
''Being chosen as the IP backbone provider for CalREN-2 shows the enormous capabilities of the Qwest Macro
Capacity(SM) Fiber Network,'' said Lew Wilks, president of Business Markets at Qwest. ''The CalREN-2 project takes
existing Internet capabilities to an entirely new level, and Qwest is pleased to parlay its advanced technology network into
furthering educational opportunities.''
Some of the possible applications on CalREN-2 include interactive simulation and collaborative environments to allow students
at different campuses to participate in 3D virtual experiments; remote transmission of high-precision medical images for clinical
diagnosis, research and teaching; and high-speed access to digital library resources.
Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) CENIC is a not-for-profit corporation formed by the
University of California, Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology, the University of Southern California and the
California State University. CENIC's mission is to advance the use of communications technology in the enhancement of
teaching, learning and research at California's institutions of higher education.
CalREN-2
Planning for CalREN-2 began in September 1996. An award from the National Science Foundation (NSF), announced May
1997, provided the seed funding to initiate the network design. CalREN-2 will interconnect CENIC member institutions at
speeds ranging from 622 to 2,400 million bits per second. At the lower of these speeds, an entire edition of the Encyclopedia
Britannica's thirty volumes could be transmitted in less than 1 second.
The Qwest Macro Capacity Network
Qwest's planned domestic 16,285 mile network will serve more than 125 cities, which represent approximately 80% of the data
and voice traffic originating in the United States, upon its scheduled completion in the second quarter of 1999. Currently, more
than 3,600 miles are activated from Los Angeles to Columbus, Ohio. Qwest is also extending its network 1,400 miles into
Mexico with completion slated for late third quarter 1998.
The Qwest Macro Capacity Fiber network is designed with a highly reliable and secure bi-directional, line switching OC-192
SONET ring architecture. Upon completion, the network will offer a self-healing system that provides the ultimate security and
reliability by allowing instantaneous rerouting in the event of a fiber cut.
About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. (NASDAQ:QWST - news) is a multimedia communications company building a
high-capacity, fiber optic network for the 21st century. With its cutting-edge technology, Qwest will deliver high-quality data,
video and voice connectivity securely and reliably to businesses, consumers and other communications service providers.
Further information is available at www.qwest.net.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially
from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Qwest with the SEC, specifically the most
recent reports on Form 10-Q, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained
in the forward-looking statements, including potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on new product development,
rapid technological and market change, failure to complete the network on schedule, volatility of stock price, financial risk
management and future growth subject to risks.
This is GREAT NEWS!!! |
