Identity CrisisIdentity Crisis

Posted: 03/2000

Driven by regulation, emerging competition and
strong bandwidth demand, U.S. long-distance carriers have significantly expanded their
fiber optic networks over the past three years. As carriers complete national networks in
2001, building will shift to metro, local and last mile.

Miles To Go
Fiber Build Boooms – But for How Long?
By Neil G. Dunay

Changes in the regulatory climate, emerging competition and strong bandwidth demand,
drives U.S. long-distance carriers fiber optic networks over the past three years.

U.S. long-distance carriers deployed 50,000 route-kilometer (route-km) in 1998 and
80,000 route-km in 1999. They will add 95,000 route-km this year.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 has led to increased competition in the
long-distance market. The traditional long-distance carriers–AT&T Corp. (<ahref="http://www.att.com">www.att.com

), MCI World-Com Inc. (<ahref="http://www.wcom.com">www.wcom.com