20 November 2000
- * Seamless fiber optic capacity and services now available from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to North America, Europe and Asia
- * First seamless fiber optic link from Brazil to North America, Europe and Asia
- * High-capacity link with Argentina complete and operational; network will connect virtually every major city in the Americas
RIO DE JANEIRO AND MIAMI -- Global Crossing Ltd. (NYSE:GX), which is building
and offering services over the world's most
extensive global IP-based fiber optic network, today announced that it has
commenced service of its network in Brazil, connecting the cities of Rio de
Janeiro and Sao Paolo. With this development Global Crossing becomes the
first company to connect Brazil to North America, Europe and Asia over one
seamless fiber optic network.
"We are extremely pleased to announce the completion of another vital link
in our global fiber optic network, which will provide Brazil with
unprecedented connectivity to more than 200 major cities worldwide," said
Tom Casey, chief executive officer of Global Crossing. "The connection of
Brazil, coupled with the addition of Argentina just last week, illustrates
how rapidly Global Crossing is linking the world's major telecommunications
markets, creating a one-of-a-kind, seamless network for the new millennium."
The high-capacity network Global Crossing has brought to Brazil will enable
a variety of new services and bandwidth-intensive applications such as
telemedicine, distance learning, and streaming audio and video. End users
will also benefit through faster Internet connections and downloads.
In addition to its fiber optic network resources in Brazil, Global Crossing
has sales and administrative offices, and technical facilities in Rio de
Janeiro, Sao Paolo and Fortaleza. Global Crossing was awarded a license to
operate in Brazil by the Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações
(ANATEL) in May 2000.
"We are very proud to be in a position to offer this next-generation
infrastructure to Brazil, where we expect to play a major role in the
positive economic developments taking place in the country," said Joseph A.
Guzman, Global Crossing's chief operating officer for Latin America and the
Caribbean. "We would like to extend our gratitude to Pimenta da Veiga,
Minister of Communication of Brazil, Renato Guerreiro, President of ANATEL,
and Luiz Perrone, council member of ANATEL, for their leadership and
assistance in making our network possible for Brazil and its people."
Global Crossing is providing service to a number of major
telecommunications companies that are using the global network for
transmission between Brazil and a number of major cities worldwide. Among
those customers presently activated on the network are Impsat Fiber
Networks, AT&T Latin America Corp., Sita Equant, Sola Communications,
PSINet and Techtel.
About Global Crossing
Global Crossing Ltd. (NYSE: GX) is building and offering services over the
world's most extensive global IP-based fiber optic network, which will
have more than 101,000 route miles, serving five continents, 27 countries
and more than 200 major cities. Global Crossing's operations are
headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda, with principal offices in Los Angeles,
California; London, England; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Madison, New
Jersey; Rochester, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and Miami, Florida. Visit
Global Crossing at www.globalcrossing.com on the Web.
Statements made in this press release that state the Company's
or management's intentions, beliefs, expectations, or predictions for the
future are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could
cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those
projected in such forward-looking statements. These risks, assumptions and
uncertainties include: the ability to complete systems within currently
estimated time frames and budgets; the ability to compete effectively in a
rapidly evolving and price competitive marketplace; changes in the nature
of telecommunications regulation in the United States and other countries;
changes in business strategy; the successful integration of newly-acquired
businesses; the impact of technological change; and other risks referenced
from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Contacts:
In the U.S.:
Teresa Mueller
Global Crossing
ph: +1.305.808.5947
tmmueller@globalcrossing.com
Alex Armas
Edelman Public Relations
ph: +1.305.358.7643
alex.armas@edelman.com
In Brazil
Fabiana Jacomini
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide - Brazil
ph: +011.5511.3017.5300, x. 256
marcio.gaspar@edelman.com
Analysts / Investors:
Ken Simril
Global Crossing
ph: +1.310.385.5200
investors@globalcrossing.com
Teresa M. Mueller
Public Relations Manager, South America
Global Crossing
tmmueller@globalcrossing.com
