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Non-Tech : Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: eeh who wrote (40)	5/22/1998 9:53:00 AM
From: MangoBoy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 271

[Williams Adds Key Western, Midwestern Fiber-Optic Routes in Rapidly Expanding $2.7 Billion National Network] TULSA, Okla., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Williams Network (NYSE:WBM) is acquiring fiber-optic routes connecting Los Angeles to San Diego, and Detroit to Cleveland, as it implements its market-leading strategy to deploy a $2.7 billion, 32,000-mile fiber-optic network by year-end 2001. The Williams system will approach 20,000 route miles at the beginning of 1999, including the company's existing 11,000-mile multimedia network. Significant new route segments connecting key markets to the Williams Network will be brought into service for wholesale customers throughout this year. The newest transaction involving the three-company FTV Communications consortium involved cash and an exchange of fiber capacity. The value of the transaction was not disclosed. The agreement announced Wednesday involves the exchange of capacity on FTV Communications' inland route from Portland through Salt Lake City and Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Members of the FTV Communications consortium will receive cash and fibers on routes from Minneapolis to Chicago, Los Angeles to San Diego, and Detroit to Cleveland. FTV Communications is a limited liability company formed in September 1997 as a construction venture involving three companies: Williams Network, Touch America and Enron Communications. Each company shares equally in the costs and proceeds of the 1,680-mile FTV Communications fiber network that is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter. Williams this month commenced the process of bringing into service its new 4,500-mile fiber route from New York City to Los Angeles. At the same time, Williams is finishing construction on its 1,800-mile Houston to Washington, D.C., segment in highly secure pipeline right-of-way. In addition, Williams has work under way on previously announced fiber expansion projects in the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast. "These projects create an especially robust network, which allows Williams to expand market penetration and deliver exceptional network reliability," said Frank Semple, president of Williams Network. "Our carrier customers require this type of network to serve their own customers. Williams is the only provider with long-standing experience, a functioning national fiber-optic network and a complete focus on the wholesale network market." Williams will have 69 major cities connected to its network in 1998, growing to more than 100 cities as its network expansion proceeds. Williams is the first carrier to introduce a fully integrated architecture that supports all of its wholesale services. This new broadband 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 NetworkTM 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.

To: eeh who wrote (40)	5/24/1998 10:34:00 AM
From: Dale Baker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 271

Aren't you glad you bought under 32? WMB has a new investor relations Web Site: We have launched a new site specifically to serve the needs of Williams investors and analysts interested in the communications component of the business. investor.wilcom.com The final bugs are still being worked out but I would appreciate the feedback from this group. Please have a look and kindly post your comments to this group so we can continue to tailor the content to your needs. David Cordeiro Manager, Investor Relations and Government Affairs Williams Communications ÿ