Bell Atlantic Deploys Fiber Optics, Electronics, Bringing Additional New Technology, Services To Methuen Retail Complex

Bell Atlantic Deploys Fiber Optics, Electronics, Bringing Additional New Technology, Services To Methuen Retail Complex

Company Invests $325,000 to Expand, Upgrade Local Telephone Network

May 15, 2000

METHUEN, Mass. - Bell Atlantic is nearing completion on a $325,000 fiber-optic cable installation from Lawrence to Methuen to provide additional broadband capacity to neighborhoods and a shopping mall.

In mid-March Bell Atlantic began placing 20,000 feet of underground fiber-optic cable cable from its Lawerence telephone office on Canal Street to "The Loop," a recently renovated retail complex on Pleasant Valley Street formerly known as the Methuen Mall. Construction of the first phase, expected to be completed by June 1, also includes installation at the mall of a controlled environmental vault housing electronic equipment. In the next phase the company will provide phone services to additional businesses locating in the mall.

"This project reflects Bell Atlantic's commitment to continue expanding and enhancing a state-of-the-art telecommunications network throughout Massachusetts," said Robert Mudge, president of Bell Atlantic - Massachusetts. "We are accelerating our construction schedules to provide rural and urban customers with high-speed access to the Internet, work-at-home capabilities, as well as a host of other innovative advanced services."

Mudge said Bell Atlantic has made major strides in deploying advanced technology in its network:

• Investment in the Massachusetts network totals $3.3 billion since 1995.

• Miles of fiber-optic cable in the commonwealth increased by 85 percent from 325,000 in 1995 to more than 600,000 in 1999.

• All 274 call-routing centers throughout the state use the latest digital technology systems.

• Bell Atlantic Infospeed^sm DSL was launched in Massachusetts in April 1999. Infospeed DSL is a high-speed connection to the Internet that enables users to connect to cyberspace at speeds up to 100 times faster than today's fastest analog modems.

"We are proud of our critical role in assuring that Massachusetts continues to have one of the nation's most advanced telecommunications networks," said Mudge. "This infrastructure will help our state, its businesses, schools, and consumers to succeed in the new Millennium."

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information industry. With more than 44 million telephone access lines and more than 12 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.