FPL FiberNet and Progress Telecom announce broadband alliance
June 26, 2000
PHOENIX, Ariz. -- FPL FiberNet and Progress Telecom have announced an agreement to share broadband resources on their combined 2,700 route-miles of high-quality fiber-optic networks in Florida. The announcement was made today at UTC Telecom 2000, the annual United Telecom Council (UTC) conference and exhibition being held through Wednesday in Phoenix.
"Combining our network resources creates the most robust long haul and local access transport network in Florida, with points of presence in the major metropolitan areas of the state as well as connectivity to undersea cables to Latin America and the Caribbean," said Ron Mudry, Progress Telecom president and chief executive officer."Access to first, second and third tier markets throughout Florida and the southeast and speed to market are what differentiate Progress Telecom and FPL FiberNet from our competitors. Our broadband agreement further enhances our ability to exceed customer expectations."
As an example of the speed and flexibility offered by the combined resources of the two organizations, the first joint circuit order was an OC48 circuit installed to meet a customer's needs in about 45 days, almost twice as fast as the industry norm.
"For customers of both companies, this means more fiber... in more locations...right now," said Neil Flynn, FPL FiberNet president. "Rapid entry into the burgeoning Florida market can be a tremendous competitive advantage for our customers. Our combined network offers 2,700 miles of existing cable with more on the way. Through interconnection agreements with other carriers, we have access to over 8,000 route miles and can provide connectivity throughout the southeast."
Florida is the fourth largest telecommunications market in the US, and the gateway for trade and commerce with Latin America.
About FPL FiberNet
FPL FiberNet, headquartered in Miami, Fla., operates a 1,600-mile-long fiber-optic
network linking the major cities within Florida. FPL FiberNet has installed 120 miles of 432-count fiber cable in metropolitan Miami and by year-end 2002 will have completed similar intra-city networks in the 15 largest metropolitan areas -- encompassing more than 150 municipalities -- in the state. Upon completion, FPL FiberNet's network will extend more than 3,000 route-miles and encompass 600,000 fiber-miles. FPL FiberNet, LLC, is the telecommunications subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc. (NYSE: FPL), one of the nation's largest providers of electricity-related services with annual revenues of more than $6 billion. Florida Power & Light Company, with 3.8 million customer accounts in Florida, is FPL Group's principal subsidiary. FPL Energy, LLC, is FPL Group's U.S. and international energy-generating subsidiary and a leader in producing electricity from clean and renewable fuels. Additional information about FPL FiberNet is available on the Internet at
www.fplfibernet.com.
About Progress Telecom
Founded in 1998, Progress Telecom is a carrier's carrier providing wholesale telecommunications services throughout Eastern United States. Progress Telecom incorporates approximately 106,000 fiber miles in its network including approximately 80 Points-of-Presence (POPS). The fiber network serves as the backbone of OC-192 transport that allows customers enhanced data transport capabilities in the Southeastern United States first, second and third tier growth markets. The network's utility-based infrastructure also offers fast local loop access through the network to ensure true reliability through diversity.
Progress Telecom's parent company, Florida Progress Corporation, is a strong and growing electric utility holding company founded in 1982. For more information about Progress Telecom on the Internet go to
http://www.progresstelecom.com/.
FPL FiberNet contact: Corporate Communications
Progress Telecom contact: Tony R. Woods, 727-820-5611
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