Alaska Communications Systems Announces Williams Alaska Petroleum Contract; First Corporate Customer for ACS' Innovative IP Network.Business Editors, Technology Writers ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2002 Alaska Communications Systems This article is about the current telecommunications company. For the historical "Alaska Communications System", see AT&T Alascom. Alaska Communications Systems, (or ACS) is a telecommunications corporation, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. Group, Inc. ("ACS (Asynchronous Communications Server) See network access server. ") (Nasdaq:ALSK) today announced that it has secured a two-year contract from Williams Alaska Petroleum to provide them with advanced, managed virtual private network (VPN (Virtual Private Network) A private network that is configured within a public network (a carrier's network or the Internet) in order to take advantage of the economies of scale and management facilities of large networks. ) services over a high speed, highly secure telecommunications network. Under the terms of this contract, ACS will seamlessly link multiple Williams corporate and store locations throughout Alaska using its "PathNet" managed service offerings. ACS "PathNet" provides IP, videoconferencing and high speed data services over advanced systems utilizing a multi-protocol label switched (MPLS (1) (MultiProtocol Lambda Switching) The earlier name for GMPLS. See GMPLS. (2) (MultiProtocol Label Switching) A standard from the IETF for including routing information in the packets of an IP network. ) core network, digital subscriber line See DSL. (communications, protocol) Digital Subscriber Line - (DSL, or Digital Subscriber Loop, xDSL - see below) A family of digital telecommunications protocols designed to allow high speed data communication over the existing copper telephone lines between end-users and (DSL DSL in full Digital Subscriber Line Broadband digital communications connection that operates over standard copper telephone wires. It requires a DSL modem, which splits transmissions into two frequency bands: the lower frequencies for voice (ordinary ) capabilities and transparent LAN services (TLS). Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Williams (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : WMB). "Our agreement with ACS will allow us to link over 25 locations and improve our communications networks, while lowering our costs," commented Diane Prier pri·er also pry·er n. One who pries, especially a person who is unduly interested in the affairs of others. , President of Williams Alaska Petroleum. The agreement with Williams represents ACS' first corporate customer for its innovative VPNs and IP service, utilizing its MPLS based backbone. This Cisco-powered network is the first of its kind in Alaska and one of the most advanced available anywhere in the world. The powerful MPLS based network delivers a high speed, highly secure and extremely flexible VPN solution to improve communications while lowering costs. The agreement follows and builds on ACS' milestone $92 million telecommunications contract with the State of Alaska for advanced IP and other services, announced on December 10, 2001. "ACS is committed to offering businesses in Alaska the best technology and service," added President and Chief Operating Officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. , Wes Carson. "We have just begun to market these state-of-the art advanced telecommunications services, including VPN and IP, to businesses throughout the State and are excited by the strong interest to date." About Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc. Williams operates three main businesses in Alaska -- a petroleum refinery in North Pole, petroleum distribution terminals in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and Williams Express retail convenience stores in Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla, Eagle River, Kenai, and Soldotna. Williams and the Lynxs group have also developed the Alaska Cargo Port at the Anchorage International Airport to serve the needs of our air cargo customers for ramp and warehouse space. In addition, Williams has purchased an interest in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. About Alaska Communications Systems, Inc. ACS is the leading integrated communications provider in Alaska, offering local telephone service, wireless, long distance, data, and Internet services to business and residential customers throughout Alaska. ACS currently serves approximately 330,000 access lines, 80,000 cellular customers, 66,000 long distance customers and 47,000 Internet customers throughout the State. More information can be found on the Company's website at http://www.ACSalaska.com. Statements contained in this press release that are not historical fact are "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of known and unknown risks or uncertainties. Additional factors, which may affect actual results, are contained in the Company's filings with the SEC. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. |
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