Williams Communications launches on-net metro access services extending reach into metro

Oct. 11, 2001

Oct. 11, 2001--Williams Communications, a broadband provider for bandwidth-centric customers, has extended the edge of its fiber-optic network into top U.S. metro markets, linking its nationwide long-haul network to more than 80 metro access points in 17 cities.

Williams Communications (NYSE: WCG), a broadband provider for bandwidth-centric customers, has extended the edge of its fiber-optic network into top U.S. metro markets, linking its nationwide long-haul network to more than 80 metro access points in 17 cities. The company is now able to provide a complete end-to-end on-net solution from local to long-haul.

The extension of the Williams Communications network beyond its points of presence (POPs) will alleviate the bottleneck created by the limited availability of high-capacity local loops and provide its long-haul customers with access to high-demand metro capacity. To facilitate this expansion, Williams Communications has connected fiber from POPs along its nationwide network to strategic high-bandwidth aggregation facilities including carrier hotels, neutral colocation providers, central offices, network access points and Internet data centers. This expansion complements an already robust local access service offered by Williams Communications via agreements with other local access providers in each of its POPs, enabling local transport services at cost-competitive rates to thousands of buildings.

The new service offering includes DS-3 through OC-48 local private line and OC-48 optical waves. Williams Communications recently delivered its first metro OC-192 service, completing an end-to-end solution. The OC-192 service is slated for general availability early next year. In addition, Williams Communications will offer a metro Ethernet product early next year.

Williams Communications' Metro Access Services currently provides customers high-speed access in metropolitan markets, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Newark, New York, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Service will be available in a total of 20 cities by year-end.

About Williams Communications Group, Inc.:

Based in Tulsa, Okla., Williams Communications Group, Inc., is a broadband network services provider focused on the needs of bandwidth-centric customers. For more information, visit www.williamscommunications.com.