Alcoa Fujikura, Corning to Supply NEESCom's New England Expansion

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Apr. 4 -- Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. and Corning Inc. have been chosen as the primary cable and optical fiber suppliers for NEESCom's expansion of its network in New England. The network, which is comprised of Alcoa Fujikura's all dielectric, self-supporting (ADSS) fiber optic cable, will also contain Corning's SMF-28 and LEAF optical fibers.
NEESCom -- the Westborough, Mass.-based telecommunications subsidiary of National Grid USA -- recently completed a 325-mile expansion of its Eastern Massachusetts fiber optic network beginning in Telecom City in the Malden/Medford/Everett area and ending in Quincy. The route connects such major cities and regions as Attleboro, Brockton, Lawrence, Lowell, Pawtucket, Providence, Quincy, and the Metro West region. NEESCom said the expansion complements its existing facilities connecting Springfield to the Metro West region through the company's underground fiber optic ring network in Worcester. NEESCom reported that additional projects scheduled for the Quincy, Providence and Malden areas will build out its network to more than 700 miles by the end of 2000.