NEW YORK, N.Y., April 2 -- Bell Atlantic reports that its fiber optic network of underground and aerial conduits has passed the five-million-mile mark. The company says that, according to the most recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports, it has more fiber optics in its network than any other local or long distance company in the United States.
The company continues to deploy fiber-optic systems to link its call-routing centers in cities and towns throughout its service area in 13 states and Washington, D.C., and also uses fiber optics in many residential neighborhoods to provide additional call-carrying capacity.