Williams Extends Contract With Nortel

BOSTON, MA -- Nortel Networks* [NYSE/TSE: NT] has signed a contract extension to supply industry-leading Optical Internet equipment for use in the national fiber optic network being deployed by Williams Communications [NYSE:WCG].

This extension includes Nortel Networks OPTera* portfolio, supporting a broad range of high-bandwidth Internet and voice services for existing carriers and emerging service providers. It brings the potential value of the contract, originally signed in 1997, to an estimated US$1.5 billion and extends the contract period to the end of 2002. Williams Communications has already purchased approximately US$500 million worth of equipment under the contract.

http://www.nortelnetworks.com/corporate/news/
newsreleases/2000b/07_18_0000095_williams.html