Patrick_A_Townson@cup.portal.COM (05/15/88)
On May 14, MCI International announced construction of a trans-Pacific fiber
optic cable. Actually 3 fiber optic cables known as HAW-4/TPC-3/GPT, this
arrangement is a consortium of 22 owners including MCI, which has the
majority interest. These cables will provide digital service to Hawaii,
Japan and Guam via the MCI switch in San Fransisco effective January, 1989.
The cable will be extended to the Phillipines and Taiwan by June, 1989. By
the fiuarter, 1990, the cable will be extended to Hong Kong, Korea,
Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
The trans-Atlantic fiber optic cable, known as TAT-8, is scheduled for
opening in the last quarter, 1988. This will connect the UK and several
European countries via the MCI switch in New York City.
MCI is taking reservations now for folks who want permanent leased lines to
Asia and Europe. I assume the cables will also be available for the casual
user. MCI says anyone signing up now for a one, two or three year lease
on the cable will receive a fifteen percent discount over the lifetime of
the lease versus standard rates.
Their press release listed several numbers to call for more information;
I am listing two of them here --
New York City 212-607-6687 Chicago 312-819-6414
Before you know it, international calls will probably be as inexpensive as
domestic long distance calls are now!
Patrick Townson