Partnership With Salt River Project Provides High-Speed Data and Internet
Access Services to Arizona Businesses
PHOENIX, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Electric Lightwave Inc. (Nasdaq: ELIX), an
integrated communications provider, today announced the completion of a
state-of-the-art switching facility for delivering competitive local and long
distance telephone service to Phoenix-area business customers.
In addition to the new switching facility, Electric Lightwave's strategic
alliance with Salt River Project (SRP) has resulted in one of the largest
fiber optic networks in the region. The system provides a host of
telecommunications services, including ISDN and Frame Relay for high-speed
Internet and data access, videoconferencing and prepaid services.
"Our all-digital, fiber optic network brings Phoenix area businesses a
one-stop solution for all their telecommunications needs, from local and long
distance telephone services, to Internet and data access capabilities," said
Adam Schrage, Electric Lightwave's Phoenix general manager. "By partnering
with SRP and leasing surplus capacity on their fiber optic network, we are
able to quickly deliver the benefits of competitive services as well as
provide the Valley access to one of the nation's best Internet values for
reliability and speed."
Alliance with SRP provides data and Internet capabilities for more Arizona
businesses
Electric Lightwave's comprehensive alliance with SRP, the largest supplier
of electricity and water in the Phoenix metropolitan area, combines SRP's
estimated 450-route mile fiber optic network with Electric Lightwave's
extensive downtown Phoenix-area network. This combined network, which was
first spliced together in June 1997, allows the delivery of full-service
telecommunications and provides faster speeds and greater throughput than
traditional hybrid systems of copper, fiber and coaxial cable, used by other
telecommunications providers.
Electric Lightwave's central switching facility and fiber optic network
construction represent a total investment of nearly $37 million in the Phoenix
area. Combined with the SRP network, Electric Lightwave's fiber optic cable
network is expected to expand to more than 550-route miles in Phoenix by the
end of the year. Since 1994, Electric Lightwave has operated a 365-mile, long
haul route that connects Phoenix to Las Vegas. In addition, this route will be
linked to Electric Lightwave's entire western network that interconnects
Portland, Boise, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
Electric Lightwave first received authority from the Arizona Corporation
Commission in January 1997 to provide intrastate telecommunications services
in areas where U S WEST is the incumbent local exchange carrier. Electric
Lightwave's expansion into Phoenix also means expanded employment for the
region. Currently, the company employs 25 people in the Phoenix area, with
plans to increase staffing to more than 60 by year-end.
In addition to Phoenix, Electric Lightwave also offers competitive
telecommunications services in five other markets: Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake
City, Utah; Sacramento, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; Seattle, Wash., and their
respective surrounding areas as well as data services in a number of cities
including San Francisco and Los Angeles.
About Electric Lightwave
Based in Vancouver, Wash., Electric Lightwave Inc. is a full-service
integrated communications provider offering local and long distance telephone
service, videoconferencing, prepaid services, data and Internet access
services to business customers throughout the western United States. The
company recently ranked third in the nation for "Best Internet Value" by
Boardwatch Magazine. Visit Electric Lightwave on the World Wide Web at
http://www.eli.net.
NOTE: All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their
respective owners, with no intent to infringe.
SOURCE Electric Lightwave, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.eli.net
CONTACT:
Jack Hardy of Electric Lightwave Inc.,
360-816-3602, or jack_hardy@eli.net; or Michele Ruegg,
425-450-9965, or micheler@kmrc.com, or Christina Velasquez,
425-450-9965, or christinav@kmrc.com, both of Kaufer Miller
Communications, for Electric Lightwave
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