[Williams Lights Dallas to Chicago Segment; Continues With Aggressive Network Expansion Plan]
TULSA, Okla., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its commitment to bring significant fiber into service this year, Williams (NYSE:WMB) has commissioned its Dallas to Chicago network route, marking the completion of the first of many new segments of the Williams network which will span 32,000 miles by the end of 2001.
"The lighting of the Dallas to Chicago segment is just the beginning of what will be a tremendous year of growth for our network," said Howard Janzen, Williams Communications president and chief executive officer, who presided over a fiber lighting ceremony on Friday. "We will add 7,000 route miles to our existing 11,000-mile multimedia network in 1998. This event represents the first of many steps Williams will take toward lighting up our entire network."
Williams already operates the fifth largest fiber-optic network in the country and will have 69 major cities connected to its network in 1998, growing to 100 cities as the network expansion proceeds.
Using fiber that was made available through Williams' 1996 fiber swap agreement with IXC, Williams completed the Dallas to Chicago route earlier this spring.
Williams is the first carrier to introduce a fully integrated architecture that supports all of Williams wholesale services. This new broadband multiservice network supports all services enabling Williams to rapidly introduce new products while ensuring end-to-end performance and service level management. Current services supported across Williams Broadband Multiservice Network include private line, IP, frame relay and ATM.
Williams' network employs transport systems with Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), delivering up to 80 gigabits per second on a single-fiber OC-192 system.
Williams has other routes under construction including its nearly completed 1,800-mile Houston to Washington, D.C., segment. Work is also under way on the Portland to Los Angeles portion of the network, which is being constructed by a consortium that includes Williams and two other companies. In addition, Williams is preparing to build additional fiber in Florida, and is establishing a new Midwest route from Chicago westward.
About Williams (NYSE:WMB)
Williams, through its subsidiaries, is the nation's largest-volume transporter of natural gas and provides a full range of traditional and leading-edge energy and communications services. In addition to Williams Communications Solutions, its communications enterprises include international video satellite and fiber-optic transmission; multipoint video-and audio-conferencing; satellite business applications; interactive technical training; on-demand distance learning; and Internet, wireless and telemarketing
services.
Company information is available on the World Wide Web at twc.com, wilcom.com and willtales.com.
SOURCE Williams
-0- 05/18/98
/CONTACT: Gil Broyles of Williams Communications, 918-573-4740 or gil.broyles@wilcom.com/
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