Hope this is news to all ..
Qwest Awarded Multi-million Dollar Contract for Broadband Capacity
DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 1999-- Turner Broadcasting System Inc., owner of Cable News Network
television news, has selected Qwest Communications International Inc. and Triumph Communications Inc. to provide a
dedicated network for the world's first all digital MPEG-2 fiber video service. The new service will have the highest level of
video quality, speed and security available for CNN and will be provided early next year to other Turner/Time Warner
networks.
Qwest and Triumph will be the first to provide a fiber video service using the Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) standard
- MPEG-2 - which is designed for the latest advances in video transmission, such as high quality digital TV broadcasts.
Qwest will provide high-speed network capacity between CNN's broadcast facilities in Atlanta, New York, San Francisco,
Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. In combination with Triumph's integrated compression services that provide all digital, 15
Mbit transmission channels throughout the United States, all TBS divisions will receive a superior, flexible service with a secure
architecture at a competitive price. TBS and the Turner Network will specifically use the Qwest/Triumph network for sports
and entertainment products. CNN will be able to collect text and images from its major news bureaus and send them back to
the master control center in Atlanta without any degradation in the signal.
''The time between getting the news and delivering it to our audience is growing shorter and shorter, and we simply can't afford
any breaks in programming. We chose the combination of Qwest and Triumph because they are industry leaders. They have the
most advanced network available for the delivery of crucial, time-sensitive video broadcasts,'' said Dick Tauber, vice president,
Satellites and Circuits for CNN.
''We're pleased to work with Triumph to deliver cutting-edge video broadcasting capabilities to TBS - the most watched cable
network in the world,'' said Gregory M. Casey, senior vice president of broadband markets for Qwest. ''Seconds in the
broadcast industry translate into thousands of advertising revenues, and with Qwest's unmatched service level agreements, TBS
can be confident that they will achieve maximum up-time on Qwest's network.''
''By combining the strengths of Triumph and Qwest, the broadcast industry is now provided an advanced communications
network to transmit time-sensitive content to their audiences,'' said Paul Dujardin, president of Triumph Communications. ''By
integrating a state of the art digital hierarchy on fiber optics facilities, Triumph is able to provide quality digital, 15 mbps
transmission service from customer premises to customer premises at competitive prices.''
About Triumph
Triumph Communications is a design engineering company and a provider of video transmission services, including both satellite
and fiber capabilities and is most noted for its migration from analog to digital transmission. Triumph provides transmission
services in varying bandwidths to accommodate all methods of video service at competitive rates. Services are available for full
time and occasional use. www.triumphco.com
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., is a major producer of news and entertainment product
around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry. TBS runs several national/international
cable channels, including CNN, CNN Headline News, TBS SuperStation, Turner Network Television (''TNT''), and The
Cartoon Network.
About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. (Nasdaq: QWST - news) is a leader in reliable and secure broadband Internet-based
data, voice and image communications for businesses and consumers. Headquartered in Denver, Qwest has more than 8,000
employees and 80 sales offices in North America, Europe and Mexico. The Qwest Macro Capacity (SM) Fiber Network,
designed with the newest optical networking, will span more than 18,500 route miles in the United States when it is completed
by mid-1999, and the additional 315-mile network route recently announced will be complete by the end of the year. In
addition, Qwest and KPN, the Dutch telecommunications company, are forming a venture to build and operate a high-capacity
European fiber optic, Internet Protocol-based network that has 2,100 miles and will span 9,100 miles when it is completed in
2001. Qwest also has nearly completed a 1,400-mile network in Mexico. For more information, please visit the Qwest web site
at www.qwest.com
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 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 and on budget, financial risk management and
future growth subject to risks, Qwest's ability to achieve Year 2000 compliance, adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative
environment, and satisfactory negotiation and execution of definitive documentation. Qwest undertakes no obligation to review
or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. |
