ixc Communications, Austin, TX, is entering a joint venture with UniDial Communications Services, Louisville, KY, in an effort to sell ixc and UniDial products exclusively over ixc?s national network. The joint venture, known as UniDial Communications Services llc, will offer UniDial?s wireless, voicemail, and paging products over ixc?s fiber-optic network. ixc will provide its voice, video, Internet, and advanced data services to be privately labeled under the UniDial name.

A deal pending between Intermedia Communications Co., Tampa, FL, and Williams Communications, Tulsa, OK, will help Intermedia Communications? digex Inc. expand its Internet backbone this year. Intermedia and Williams recently signed a letter of intent stating that Intermedia will purchase long-term transmission capacity on Williams?s network at rates to OC-48 (2.5 Gbits/sec), with additional bandwidth available in the future as needed. In December 1997, digex announced an initial network expansion with Intermedia, which established digex premium Internet connectivity services into 82 markets. Under terms of the Intermedia and Williams letter, 10 self-healing sonet fiber-optic rings will be built throughout the United States to increase capacity and ensure reliability. digex is currently expanding metropolitan area rings in the northeastern United States to OC-3, OC-12, and OC-48 self-healing sonet rings. The rings will add capacity and enhance local service.