Qwest to Equip Maryland High-Speed Network

Broadband communications company Qwest Communications International Inc., Denver, has been awarded a contract to supply Maryland with fiber-optic backbone-level Internet access for the "Network Maryland" project, the company announced Aug. 15.

Qwest will provide direct Internet access, Web hosting and voice communications services for state agencies and educational institutions.

According to the Maryland Educational Technology Policy Council, NetWork Maryland is a state effort to build a high-speed Internet infrastructure to reach some of the state's less populated areas, such as the Eastern Shore and the mountainous regions in the west.

Although terms of the deal were not disclosed, Qwest announced this deal was part of $120 million in contracts and expanded service agreements that it will carry out over the next year for government agencies and educational institutions.

Qwest has also signed agreements with the California State University, the University of Missouri, the state of Louisiana and the Cherry Creek Colorado School District, the company announced.

"The continued increase in public-sector contracts demonstrates the reliability and performance of Qwest's network and network-related services. More and more government entities are realizing that Qwest is a one-stop solution to their communications needs," said Joel Arnold, Qwest executive vice president of global business markets.