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Williams Communications Corp.

Williams Communications increases global presence with new European network offerings

Tulsa, Oklahoma (ots-PRNewswire) -

As part of its global expansion
strategy, Williams Communications (NYSE: WCG), a leading provider of
broadband services for bandwidth-centric customers, announced today
it will begin offering network services to Europe by the end of
second-quarter 2001.
Williams Communications will have its capacity on the TAT-14
trans-Atlantic cable system ready for service by mid year. The
undersea fibre-optic cable will allow Williams Communications to
transport traffic from Europe to its U.S. backbone network. Williams
Communications connects to this international gateway at landing
points in Manasquan and Tuckerton, N.J. Williams Communications' next
generation network has more than 33,000 miles in operation, making it
the largest in the United States.
In addition to its undersea cable capacity, Williams
Communications is evaluating plans to light dark fibre in Europe with
prospective telecommunications partners. In March of last year,
Williams Communications acquired dark fibre from Swedish network
operator Telia, which opened up telecom markets across Europe.
"Williams Communications will be able to provide bandwidth-centric
customers end-to-end connectivity in Europe," said Miller Williams,
senior vice president and general manager, Williams Communications'
international unit. "We are well positioned to provide low-cost
services and a faster time to market for our customers."
Reinforcing its European presence, Williams Communications also
announced two new executives who will be supporting the company's
international efforts.
Peter Gardener has joined Williams Communications as managing
director, Europe, a new position responsible for identifying and
developing long-range business development objectives and strategies
to expand the company's services to the region. Additional
responsibilities include creating alliances and service agreements to
terminate traffic throughout Europe from our U.S. customers and to
obtain reciprocal traffic back to the United States.
Prior to joining Williams Communications, Gardener was general
manager for Energis, Inc., where he was responsible for establishing
a U.S. operation for the European company, as part of its strategy to
become a major player in the global communications market.
Gardener's telecommunications experience encompasses international
business development, general management and information systems as
well as network operations, planning and sales.
Tony Elandary will assume the role of executive director of
network development, Europe. Elandary will be responsible for
developing the company's European facilities and joint ventures or
alliances with other carriers. Prior to assuming this position,
Elandary was responsible for international network planning for
Williams Communications.
"Williams Communications is pleased to welcome Peter Gardener and
Tony Elandary to our executive management team," said Williams.
"Together Peter and Tony have more than 50 years of technical and
business development experience. Their knowledge of the European
communications market is critical during our global expansion."
About Williams Communications Group, Inc. (NYSE: WCG)
Williams Communications Group, Inc., through its subsidiary
Williams Communications, LLC, is North America's only exclusively
carrier-focused fibre-optic network. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma,
Williams Communications is located primarily in North America, with
offices in Europe and Asia and investments in South America and
Australia. Approximately 86 percent of WCG stock is held by Williams
(NYSE: WMB) which, in 1985, became the first energy company to
harness its core competency as a builder of networks to enable
competition in the communications industry. Additional information is
available at http://www.williams.com and
http://www.williamscommunications.com .
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Portions of this document, including guidance about 2001 results, may
constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined by federal law.
Although the company believes any such statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes
will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in
reliance on the "safe harbour" protections provided under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Additional information
about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is
contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
ots Original Text Service: Williams Communications Group
Internet: www.newsaktuell.ch

Contact:

Wendy Lea Williams Communications (media) +1 (918) 573-7602
wendy.lea@williams.com

Patricia Kraft Williams Communications
(investors) +1 (918) 573-0649 patricia.kraft@williams.com
Web site: http://www.williamscommunications.com

Wendy Lea, media, +1 918-573-7602 or wendy.lea@williams.com, or
Patricia Kraft, investors,
+1 918-573-0649 or patricia.kraft@williams.com, both of Williams
Communications Company News On-Call:

http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/875550.html or fax, +1 800-758-5804,
ext. 875550