Here's another version of the US West announcement. Wireless in the last mile will play to one of NN's lesser known strengths.
>>>>
December 31, 1998 11:15
U S WEST Sees 1999 as 'Breakthrough Year' for Customers; New Services to Unleash Full Power of 'Webtone,' Freedom of Wireless
- Company to Invest $3 Billion for Improved Data, Wireless and Wireline
Services; More Fiber Upgrades Planned; High-Speed Internet Access for More
People; Wireless Phones to Surf the 'Net -
DENVER, Dec. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- "For U S WEST, 1999 promises to be a breakthrough year -- one that brings together the freedom of wireless and the power of the Internet for customers at home or at work," said Solomon D. Trujillo, president and CEO, U S WEST (NYSE: USW). Trujillo said the company plans to increase network investments and unveil services uniquely available from U S WEST that integrate wireless and high-speed Internet access as never before. In the coming year, the company will:
*Accelerate fiber and other technology upgrades across U S WEST's
14-state region to speed deployment of high-speed data services to
customers;
*Expand offerings for U S WEST's MegaBit Services -- the company's new
high-speed ADSL Internet access -- and make the technology more
available to greater numbers of customers;
*Ensure U S WEST's Advanced PCS wireless service reaches more customers
in more markets and integrates new Internet services so customers on
the-move can access data whenever/wherever via their wireless phone;
*Invest more than $3 billion in capital to improve wireless/wireline
communications and data services to customers as well as upgrade
U S WEST's network across its 14-state region;
*Step up efforts to win regulatory approvals to offer competitive long
distance service in U S WEST's home region, as well as freedoms to offer
enhanced data services to more customers.
"Fasten your seat belts and get ready for one heck of a ride," said Trujillo. "A year from now, customers will look back in disbelief at how fast things have developed. Customers will see the convenience of regular phone service, the power of the Internet and the freedom of wireless integrated as never before. We will work with policy makers and regulators to remove barriers to competition so that U S WEST can bring new services to even more people, throughout our region." said Trujillo.
"U S WEST continues to stand alone as the only local telecommunications provider making billion dollar investments right across our region. Other competitors could do the same but choose not to -- focusing instead on serving a handful of lucrative business customers and ignoring everybody else," added Trujillo.
New Investment and Services
*High-speed Internet & Data Access -- U S WEST continues to lead the
nation in deploying high-speed Internet access to customers. In 1999,
the company will bring to market an expanded array of high-speed MegaBit
Services, working to make the technology available to nearly 50 percent
of its customers in the more than 40 cities in which it is deployed --
up from the current 30 percent reach. The service uses ADSL technology
to turbo-charge customers' existing phone lines -- providing access
speeds from 10 to 250 times faster than traditional modems.
In 1998, the company deployed MegaBit Services in central offices
serving more than 5.5 million customer lines -- more than any local
telephone company in the country. By year-end, more than 20,000
customers are expected to be using the new service. The company's
U S WEST.net Internet service has attracted more than
100,000 subscribers, just a year after its introduction to market.
In the coming year, the company will be deploying high-speed VDSL
service in Phoenix, bringing cable TV programming as well as Internet
and telephone services to customers over their existing phone line. The
company also will be offering do-it-yourself web site design services
for customers.
*Wireless Services -- In 1999, the company will expand deployment to Salt
Lake City, Utah, along with other markets. Working with U S WEST
!NTERPRISE and with Qualcomm and Microsoft's new Wireless Knowledge
product, the company will integrate new data and Internet services so
customers on-the-move can access data via their wireless phones.
In 1998, the wireless service was available in Arizona, Colorado,
Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. To date, more than 175,000 customers
have signed up for the U S WEST's Advanced PCS wireless service. Only
U S WEST Advanced PCS lets customers use the same number for their
wireless phone as their home or business phone. Customers also can
receive text messages and pages via their wireless phone.
*Network Investment -- U S WEST will upgrade both existing and new
infrastructure to ensure more end-to-end fiber deployments linking
business and residential areas with U S WEST facilities. State-specific
investments have yet to be finalized. U S WEST will deploy these
services across its region and focus on aggressively meeting the
challenge of new competition where it is flourishing.
The investment is part of an overall effort where U S WEST will invest
more than $3 billion in capital, upgrading the company's network across
its 14-state region and improving wireless/wireline communications as
well as data services to customers.
*Local and long-distance service -- U S WEST will accelerate efforts to
remove barriers preventing the company from offering interstate long
distance where it offers local service. For three years, U S WEST has
been barred from offering long distance service to customers because of
federal regulatory restrictions. In addition, U S WEST will continue to
seek freedoms to offer enhanced data services to more customers both
inside and outside its region.
*U S WEST Dex -- The effort to offer customers on-line services in
addition to traditional Yellow Page listings will intensify in 1999.
Dex also will deploy targeted Internet advertising services to
customers. During 1998, customers searching the company's Internet
Yellow Page listings more than doubled. U S WEST Dex also began
offering web site development and hosting services.
Building on 1998's Record: Strong Growth and Sustaining Customer Service
More Voice Products and Services
*In 1998, more than 640,000 customers signed up for CustomChoice, a
package that combined a customer's local phone line with up to
16 additional features such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, Last Call Return
and Call Forwarding, for $29.95 per month.
*Subscribers to Caller ID jumped 41 percent to more than 3.8 million
customers in 1998.
*Voice messaging subscribers grew by more than 250,000 customers in 1998.
Use of voice messaging among U S WEST customers continues to rank first
among all local phone companies across the United States.
*U S WEST completed the 14-state rollout of National Directory
Assistance, the service that allows customers to call one number -- 411
-- to get listings from anywhere in the country -- all without having to
know the area code for the party you're trying to reach.
More Lines for More Customers
*U S WEST experienced strong growth in 1998, adding more than
half-a-million access lines. During 1998, U S WEST invested more than
$2.8 billion in capital to meet strong demand for new lines and enhanced
services.
Customer Service
While U S WEST endured a 15-day work stoppage in 1998, the company successfully negotiated a first-of-its-kind, pay-for-performance incentive program, giving network customer service operations technicians a more personal stake in improving service. In mid-1999, the program will be available to more than 7,000 network technicians and is expected to help drive strong service improvements.
Last year, despite strong growth in business and residential line requests, U S WEST continued to provide high quality services to its more than 25 million customers. In 1998, the company:
*Successfully completed more than 100 billion calls across its 14-state
service area.
*Processed nearly 19 million service orders, up more than 2 million from
1997. Of these, customers received service in two days or less
72 percent of the time. More than 99 percent of all service orders were
completed within 30 days on a month-to-month basis.
* Responded to more than 45 million customer requests, up by 8 percent
over 1997. The company also provided services as scheduled more than
91 percent of the time for repairs, 92 percent of the time for new
installations.
Competition
*109 companies are now competing head-to-head with U S WEST in providing
local phone service. 609 companies are authorized to compete.
*Competitors can access 8.5 million customers through connections with
U S WEST's network.
*1,900 U S WEST employees are dedicated to meeting the needs of competing
phone providers.
*U S WEST has spent more than $800 million on systems and operations to
facilitate competition.
"As we enter 1999, it's critical for state and federal regulators to recognize that the local phone network is indeed open to competition. Customers will be better served if U S WEST gets the freedom to enter new markets and provide more services as well. These freedoms are essential for enabling U S WEST to slow the growing divide between information 'haves' and 'have-nots,' which is keeping many Americans from getting access to important new data and information services. Without significant regulatory change, we will not be able to deliver to our customers the services they want and we plan to provide in 1999," said Trujillo.
Community Service
During 1998, the U S WEST Foundation contributed more than $27 million to charitable organizations improving education, human services, arts, and communities. Major grants were made to help teachers, youth, parents and other community members learn to use technology to improve their lives. The Foundation also set up computer labs for inner city and rural communities with few other resources.
U S WEST (NYSE: USW) provides a full range of telecommunications services -- including wireline, wireless PCS, data networking, directory and information services -- to more than 25 million customers nationally and in 14 western and midwestern states. More information about U S WEST can be found on the Internet at uswest.com.
SOURCE U S WEST
/CONTACT: David Beigie of U S WEST, 303-896-5528/
/Company News On-Call: prnewswire.com or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 103985/
/Web site: uswest.com
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