Europe's leading IP operator buys broadband capacity from Utfors

Europe's leading IP operator buys broadband capacity from Utfors Carrier 1, one of Europe's leading broadband operators, has bought into Utfors' Swedish broadband network. It is a deal worth SEK 180 million. "The deal proves that our strategy is working," says Jan Werne, President of Utfors. Utfors is currently constructing the Swedish and Norwegian fiber optic network, which will be in operation next July. Carrier 1 is building or buying into high-speed networks all over Europe. Today their network is approximately 10,000km. The agreement with Utfors gives the company access to an additional 2,000km of fiber optic cable for IP based high-speed services for its customers. The Utfors network connects Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Malmö and Helsinki with 50 other towns and cities in southern Sweden. The deal also provides Utfors' customers with access to an expanding network. Carrier 1 will also give its European customers the opportunity to access the major Scandinavian markets over its high-speed pan-European network. Jan Werne, President of Utfors: "The agreement with Carrier 1 confirms that Utfors' strategy of building a network for ourselves while at the same time selling it to other operators and thereby joint financing the broadband network in Scandinavia, is a successful one". Thomas Svalstedt, President of Carrier 1 Nordic AB: "By obtaining access to Utfors' network we are taking a further step towards our goal of having the strongest and best fiber optic network in Europe". About Utfors: Utfors is a leading Swedish Internet and telecoms operator that delivers Internet Protocol-based, high-speed services to companies and the consumer. In 2000 Utfors will complete its own 4,500 km long broadband fiber optic data and telephony network. The broadband network connects the 50 largest towns and cities of southern and central Sweden with Oslo, Copenhagen and Helsinki. Today, Utfors has more than 200,000 telephony and Internet customers. The company forecasts net sales of more than SEK 700 million in 2000. It employs 110 people located in Stockholm, Uppsala and Överkalix. The major shareholders are Norsk Vekst and Litorina Kapital. For more information please contact: Jan Werne, President, Utfors AB Tel: +46 8 527 02 540 or +46 708 48 2540 E-mail: jan.werne@utfors.se Thomas Svalstedt, President, Carrier 1 Nordic AB Tel: +46 8 564 10 282 or +46 709 266 904 E-mail: thomas.svalstedt@carrier1.com ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/21/19991221BIT00140/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/12/21/19991221BIT00140/bit0002.pdf