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State of Montana, Qwest begin Phase II of major telecommunications contract

The State of Montana and Qwest today announced the next phase of their five-year, $10 million contract to deliver advanced broadband voice, data and video network capabilities to connect State agencies and universities in four more communities.

(Thanks to Mark Martin for passing this along-Russ)

The first phase, begun in 2000, established a digital network providing advanced services, improved video and faster data connections in six cities.

The second phase of the contract will deploy similar state-of-the-art technology in the cities of Butte, Dillon, Havre and Miles City.† The design and engineering work will commence this winter with the new equipment to be installed and operational by no later than the middle of 2003.

According to state and Qwest officials, these four communities as well as State offices and colleges in them will have access to advanced high-speed voice, video, data and Internet services
for a variety of applications – including distance learning, public safety, on-line client services, enhanced agency support systems and telework.

"This new technology will be a tremendous boost to these communities, and this phase moves us one step closer to the goal of making the latest technology available to all Montanans," said Governor Martz. "Rural communities need access to services like these just as much as our larger cities. We
appreciate the ability to partner with Qwest to achieve that goal. This is truly a great example of how public/private partnerships can work to the benefit of all Montanans."

"The deployment of the technology in the first phase has been helpful to those communities and we’re confident this expansion will do likewise for these next four communities and their
surrounding areas," said Rick Hays, Qwest’s Montana President.
"The exciting part of this agreement is that it continues to expand the state of the art network that provides customers, both business and residential, with more options for possible services as their needs for telecommunications services grow.† It is essentially extending the backbone network to allow for additional services as required by customers in these areas
in the future," explained Hays. "The technology being deployed in these communities is specifically designed to provide the
platform for other services in the future."

Brian Wolf, State Chief Information Officer, indicated this contract positioned state government to serve as a catalyst for new telecommunications capability as it meets its needs for high-speed telecommunications services in a number of communities. "Montana state government served as a primary anchor tenant to help encourage investments by the private sector, and thereby providing some of the new capabilities that citizens and businesses in the state also need."

All Montana University campuses are also connected to the new network. Dick Crofts, Commissioner of Higher Education, and university personnel at each unit have participated in the project from its inception.† "Telecommunications is vital to the mission of the University System. The expansion of this network has been critical to higher education’s ability to consolidate administrative systems, and provide academic courses, programs, and services to Montanans at the time and place where they need them. The partnership with Mr. Wolf’s
office has been great, and we are very pleased with the results that the new network has brought to our campuses."

The broadband network is the latest in call switching and transport technology. The broadband system combines faster data speeds, video services and voice transmission, on an integrated
communications network.† This leading edge technology transports digital signals at speeds of up to 155 Mbps (million bits per second) – providing broadcast-quality video and data transfers at about 100 times faster than high-speed T-1 connections.

Contact:Dawn Pizzini, Information Technology Services Division,
406-444-2974

Rick Hayes, Qwest, 406-441-7700

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