QWST is overseas and has agreements in place that ensure fiber access from not only the US to Europe but the US to Asia. A few of the more germane announcements are listed below.
1. Yes, QWST gets European Access via GBLX and has done so for the past eleven months.
2. In my opinion this merger does not hurt QWST. This is good for the new broadband boys. The faster QWST, GBLX and others ramp up they more they can break the choke hold exercised by the like of ATT, NTT, BT and other old Teleco's.
Qwest and Global Crossing to Swap Transatlantic High Capacity Fiber Between U.S. Cities and Europe
Denver -- April 7, 1998 (Nasdaq: QWST) Qwest Communications International Inc. and Global Crossing Ltd. today announced an agreement to exchange capacity between Europe and the United States utilizing both companies' state-of-the-art networks - Qwest's Macro CapacitySM Fiber Network and Global Crossing's Atlantic Crossing (“AC-1”) subsea fiber optics cable system. The agreement also provides for Qwest to obtain capacity through Global Crossing's planned Pacific Crossing subsea cable system (“PC-1”), linking the U.S. and Asia.
Atlantic Crossing connects the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands with a 14,000 km high-capacity four fiber self-healing Synchronous Digital Hierarchy ring network that is the most advanced undersea telecommunications system ever constructed, providing connectivity to major cities on both continents. Qwest's 16,285 mile nationwide fiber optic network will serve over 125 U.S. cities when completed in mid-1999.
Carriers will be able to purchase capacity between Europe and all major U.S. cities using these two networks. As a result of the swap, Qwest has received four STM1s (an STM1 is the European equivalent of an OC3 SONET circuit - 155 mbps) on the Atlantic Crossing system. The four STM1s connect U.S. cities and the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands, utilizing Global Crossing's transatlantic subsea cable system capacity.
Global Crossing will receive capacity between U.S. cities on the Qwest Macro Capacity Fiber Network.
“Qwest continues its expansion into the fast growing European data market. Combined with our acquisition of EUnet spanning thirteen European countries, this capacity swap will bring technologically superior network services to the two fastest growing Internet and data markets - North America and Europe,” said Joseph P. Nacchio, president and CEO at Qwest.
“This swap agreement will provide customers utilizing our Atlantic Crossing subsea cable system connectivity to major U.S. cities. It also marks an important expansion of Global Crossing's capabilities to meet our customers' growing needs,” said John M. Scanlon, Global Crossing's Chief Executive Officer.
qwest.com
KPN and Qwest Form Venture to Build European Communications Network
November 19, 1998 -- KPN, the $9 billion private Dutch telecommunications company, and Qwest Communications International Inc., a $3 billion company of Denver (USA) today announced a venture to build and operate a high capacity European fiber optic Internet Protocol (IP)-based network in Europe, linked to Qwest's North American network for data, video and voice services and ready for service in January.
The partners will invest a combined $700 million in existing assets to launch the venture. In 1999 revenues are expected to be about $400 million and grow on average over 40% percent annually.
qwest.com
Qwest Subsidiary, EUnet International, to Provide First Pan-European Broadcast Services over the Internet
Innovative technology speeds broadcast of internal communications, events and live entertainment over the Internet
DENVER – September 22, 1998 – Qwest Communications (NASDAQ:QWST) today announced its subsidiary, EUnet International B.V., has launched EUnet Multimedia Network Services (EMNS) – the first pan-European Internet broadcasting network. Through the new EMNS offerings, EUnetLive and EUnetOnDemand, corporate customers in Europe can now broadcast video, data and voice to a global audience with unprecedented quality of service. EMNS takes advantage of EUnet's European data network – the largest in Europe – to transcend traditional broadcasting limitations, distributing live or archived multimedia material to eight servers located across Europe.
qwest.com
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