WilTel signs 10-Gbit/sec OC-192c transport deal with SBC Internet Services

WilTel Communications Group Inc. (formerly Williams Communications) today announced it has signed the largest commercial network capacity agreement in its history. Under the terms of the agreement, WilTel will provide SBC Internet Services, an SBC Communications Inc. company, with 10-Gbit/sec OC-192c transport necessary for SBC to cost-effectively build out its national Internet-Protocol (IP) network to support the growth and expansion of its consumer and business Internet business. WilTel expects to activate the network within 75 days.

SBC has been expanding its IP backbone network over the past several years as it obtained regulatory freedoms on a state-by-state basis and due to its out-of-region expansion efforts. SBC's backbone IP network will be utilized for growth of its IP-based services such as business Internet access, SBC-Yahoo! DSL, SBC-Yahoo! Dial, Virtual Private Networking, Internet Data Centers, and Web Hosting. The company's strategy of building out a national IP network, as regulations permit, enables SBC to compete more effectively with companies not having similar regulatory constraints, reduces SBC's pro rata operating costs, and establishes a foundation by which SBC can introduce new, differentiated services.

The announcement is significant, as it is not only the largest capacity agreement WilTel has undertaken as a company, but it is also one of the largest in the history of the industry --turning up double-digit OC-192c routes nationwide among many cities within a very aggressive timeframe, say representatives from both companies. WilTel is delivering 10-Gbit DWDM transport connectivity end-to-end between SBC's largest Points-of-Presence across WilTel's long haul optical transport network.

As part of a strategic alliance formed in February 1999, WilTel is SBC's preferred provider of underlying voice and data transport infrastructure that enables SBC's nationwide Internet, data, and long-distance voice services.

For more information about WilTel Communications (formerly Williams Communications), visit the company's Web site at www.wiltelcommunications.com.