Amtrak grants GPU Telcom right-of-way to build Northeast fiber network

GPU Telcom Services, Inc., announced an agreement with Amtrak that gives GPU right-of-way to construct a 375-mile fiber optic installation along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor rail line between New York City and Washington D.C., and along Amtrak's Keystone line between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa. In addition to these sites, the GPU Telcom fiber optic system will include Newark, N.J., and Baltimore, for a total of six Tier-1 cities.

"As Amtrak expands its business through new high-speed rail service linking major Northeast cities, we are happy to lease rights-of-way, for 15 years, to GPU Telcom, whose planned fiber network will enable it to expand high-speed telecommunication service between these cities," said Sally J. Bellet, Amtrak's vice president of real estate development.

According to GPU Telcom President David C. Brauer, the GPU Telecom network will serve all the New Jersey markets between the Tier 1 markets, including Trenton, New Brunswick, Sayreville and Jersey City. "In fact," Brauer said, "this is the first aerial construction permitted by Amtrak. Completion of the 375-mile segment of the Northeast Corridor network is expected in the first quarter of 2001; the Harrisburg to Pittsburgh segment will be completed by year-end 2001." According to Brauer, the fiber cable will be strung using existing Amtrak poles and standards; no new poles will be erected.

"We also are nearing completion of a 500-mile fiber network in Western Pennsylvania between Erie, Oil City, Indiana, Johnstown, Altoona, State College, Clarion, Clearfield and Warren," Brauer said. "Our plan to connect the under-served Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier-4 communities to the most attractive Tier-1 markets is close to becoming a reality."

According to Brauer, GPU Telcom facilities will include a network operations center (NOC), co-location facilities and wireless sites in key markets and metro area networks (MANs).

About GPU Telecom:

GPU Telcom Services is a wholly owned non-regulated subsidiary of GPU, Inc. (NYSE:UGPU), Morristown, N.J. GPU Telcom is a telecommunications infrastructure development and management company providing connections between telecommunications providers and their customers.