Arizona Names Nine for Broadband Services

By William Welsh, Staff Writer


NOV. 7 ? The state of Arizona has authorized nine companies to provide broadband communications services for up to 10 years to the state and its agencies, said Arizona's Government Information Technology Agency.


The statewide contract includes leading telecommunications companies such as AT&T Corp., Cox Communications Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc., Sprint Corp., Winstar Communications Inc. and WorldCom Inc.


Other companies on the contract with local offices in Arizona are Citizens Communications Co., Gtech Corp. and Global Crossing Ltd.


As individual contracts are awarded, Arizona will ask vendors to assist the state in providing telecommunications to remote and sparsely populated areas, said Arthur Ranney, Arizona's chief information officer.


In a separate announcement, Cox Business Services said it will offer local broadband services to the government in and between Phoenix and Tuscon metro service areas.


"We were selected based on our ability to deliver broadband solutions for the state's growing needs in such areas as distance learning and data transport," said Robert Carter, vice president of Cox Business Services.


The companies will provide administrative management services, technology management services, high-speed Internet access, voice value-added services, video value-added services, dedicated voice and data services, packet-based and cell-based services and broadband last-mile services.