Williams Expands In Key Markets
Announces agreements with PAIX.net, Switch & Data

April 16 2001 -- Williams Communications will expand its presence in 29 major metro markets around the country through agreements with neutral colocation providers PAIX.net and Switch and Data Facilities, the company said today.
The two deals will provide Williams with more than 200 network connection points. "Williams Communications' entry into neutral colocation facilities complements our metro and facilities strategies very well and positions us in the markets most in demand," said Joe Turcotte, senior vice president for Williams' network unit
The agreements allow Williams to offer a variety of services in Switch and Data and PAIX.net facilities, including metro private line and metro wave services, as well as a range of high bandwidth offerings such as local and global transport services.
Williams will gain access to customers in 20 Switch and Data Convergent Network Centers in markets including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Washington D.C; and nine PAIX.net facilities in Palo Alto and San Jose, Calif., Seattle, Dallas, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Vienna, Va.
"Switch and Data and PAIX.net are strong players in this industry and have demonstrated the high standards that Williams Communications looks for in a business relationship," said Turcotte. "They have the right locations in the right markets to help Williams Communications strengthen its position in the metro space.''
Williams Communications recently announced similar agreements with Colo.com and Equinix to support its metro access strategy. The company plans to offer data and video services in 20 metropolitan markets by year-end 2001 and 50 metropolitan markets by 2003.