Bell Atlantic Launches Major Network Construction Projects in Montgomery County
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Bell Atlantic Launches Major Network Construction Projects in Montgomery County
Company Invests Nearly $500,000 to Expand, Upgrade Local Phone Network
June 20, 2000
Media contact: | Paul Miller, |
RICHMOND, Va. - Bell Atlantic is spending nearly $500,000 this summer to upgrade the company's telecommunications network in the New River Valley.
"We have a state-of-the-art telecommunications network in Virginia, and we're committed to making it even better," said Robert Woltz, acting president and CEO of Bell Atlantic - Virginia. "The fiber optic cable we'll be deploying in the weeks ahead is yet another step toward a more robust, more flexible network. This will further strengthen our network's backbone, providing the high-speed pathways that data-intensive businesses want and need."
The first project, beginning this week, will be the installation of seven miles of fiber optics to serve the community of Pilot. Cost of the project is approximately $220,000.
The second Montgomery County project is slated to start July 1 with the installation of two miles of fiber optic cables to serve the Mount Tabor area.
The new technology deployed in these communities will increase Bell Atlantic's ability to offer high-speed data services and provides additional reliability and survivability in the Bell Atlantic network. Fiber-optic systems use hair-thin glass fibers and digital technology to deliver high-quality telephone service along with high-capacity, high-speed voice and data transmission services.
Woltz said Bell Atlantic has made major strides in deploying advanced technology in its Virginia network:
- At the end of 1999, Bell Atlantic had 652,000 miles of fiber-optic cable in its Virginia service area, which covers about one-third of the state's geography.
- Last year Bell Atlantic spent almost $600 million on construction in Virginia. The company expects to exceed that investment this year, with most of the funds earmarked for technology deployment.
- More than 98 percent of Bell Atlantic's call-switching offices in Virginia are digital, providing increased reliability and quality.
- Bell Atlantic Infospeedsm DSL (digital subscriber line) service is available in many parts of Hampton Roads, Richmond and Northern Virginia. Infospeed DSL is a high-speed Internet access service that enables users to connect to cyberspace at speeds as much as 100 times faster than today's fastest analog modems.
In addition to deploying the latest technology in Virginia, Bell Atlantic is spending tens of millions of dollars to open its local telephone market to competition.
"We have irreversibly opened our markets to competition," Woltz said. "Over 100 companies have been certified by the state to compete against us, and they're here because we helped pave the way for their entry."
Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 44 million telephone access lines and more than 20 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.