WilTel completes NNI connections with US west; also signs "Complementary Agreement"

TULSA, Okla. (February 27, 1995) -- WilTel, a wholly owned subsidiary of LDDS Communications, has successfully completed frame relay NNI (network to network interface) connections with U S West. These NNI connections extend the standard WilPak frame relay service between the two frame relay networks.

WilTel customers may interconnect with U S West through WilTel's WilPak NNI. "WilTel's agreement with U S West means our customers will be able to make one phone call and get instant access to U S West territory and vice versa," said Dawn Honeyman, product manager for WilTel. Customers with three or more connecting locations among LATAs (local access and transport areas) can lower their costs substantially compared to the cost of dedicated access lines.

The cost of the NNI PVC (permanent virtual circuit) will be consolidated based on a per PVC charge plus the allocated NNI port charge. Connections to U S West's frame relay network will use the Frame Relay Forum's network-to-network standard using a private line for interconnections as the LEC NNI switches are not collocated. WilTel also has signed an agreement with !INTERPRISE Networking Services of U S West to join their Complementary Services Plan (CSP) which allows U S West to provide WilTel's name to customers requesting frame relay carriers.

As part of the Modified Final Judgment (MFJ) in 1982, RBOCs are prohibited from recommending one interexchange carrier over another. Complementary agreements between the RBOCs and carriers provide a method by which RBOCs can maintain a list of carriers which provide specific services. Carriers listed then can be provided to customers on request. RBOCs already maintain complementary lists of companies providing 800 telephone service.

WilTel has a long history of working closely with all the RBOCs. WilTel introduced frame relay to the industry in March, 1991, and only a year later began demonstrations to establish frame relay interconnectivity between WilTel's digital network and several of the RBOCs' networks. "US West welcomes WilTel as a partner," said Joe Zell, executive director of !INTERPRISE Service Development. "And we believe this new relationship will continue to expand the market and improve the viability of frame relay service."

WilTel is a full-service telecommunications company that offers domestic and international data, voice and video products and services to carriers and large business customers. WilTel operates a nationwide digital fiber-optic network for its parent company, LDDS, which is one of the four largest U.S.-based long-distance carriers. The shares of LDDS Communications Inc. trade on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol LDDS.