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EXHIBIT 99.1
PRESS RELEASE
Corvis Announces Successful Completion of Field Trial of All-Optical Networking
Products with Williams Communications
Williams Begins Commercial Deployment of Pioneering Optical Networking Products
to Deliver Flexible, High Capacity Services with Fast Provisioning Capabilities
COLUMBIA, MD (January 16, 2001) - Corvis Corporation (Nasdaq: CORV), a leader in
delivering intelligent all-optical networking solutions, today announced that
Williams Communications (NYSE: WCG) has successfully completed its field trial
of Corvis' all-optical networking products. Corvis will begin delivering these
high-capacity products during the first quarter of 2001 for commercial
deployment in Williams' nationwide network. Williams and Corvis have extended
their contract from the previous two-year, $200 million agreement to a multi-
year, $300 million agreement.
"This announcement further demonstrates Corvis' leadership position in
delivering all-optical networking solutions and exemplifies our commitment to
helping our customers reduce network costs and increase revenue velocity," said
Dr. David Huber, President and CEO of Corvis. "It also illustrates Williams'
role as an industry leader in innovative network design and services. Over the
past year, Williams took an active role in working with Corvis on the
development of leading-edge, optical networking solutions."
Williams Communications, a leading international provider of telecommunications
services and products for the carrier marketplace, will be using the Corvis
products in its high capacity optical network to support the explosive growth of
voice, data and video traffic driven by the Internet economy.
"Williams is committed to offering unprecedented service quality and value to
its customers, and the build-out of our high capacity optical network
exemplifies that commitment," said Jeff Storey, Senior Vice President and Chief
Operations Officer for Network at Williams Communications. "By using Corvis
technology, we'll be able to scale our network efficiently and cost effectively
to maintain our competitive edge and give our customers optimal service."
Williams Communications tested Corvis' all-optical networking products along a
portion of the Williams Multi-Service Broadband Network/TM/ from Dallas through
Atlanta to New York. Data was effectively transmitted on multiple wavelengths in
excess of 3,200 kilometers without electrical regeneration. These results mark
up to an eight-fold increase over distances achieved using current technologies
that require regeneration every 400-600 kilometers.
"Corvis worked closely with Williams to tailor their products for deployment in
the Williams Multi-Service Broadband Network," said Chris Hamilton, Chief
Technologist, Optical Networking, for Williams Communications. "Corvis' leading
ultra-long reach technology, combined with their integrated network management
software, will allow us to rapidly deliver cost-effective services to our
customers."
Corvis' all-optical networking solution enables network service providers to
offer advanced wavelength services to their customers at dramatically lower
costs. Service providers can leverage the benefits of optical networks to
rapidly provision new services and features such as optical bypass for terabit
Internet Protocol (IP) networks, wavelength on demand, optical protection and
restoration and dynamic service level agreements.
The amendment to the contract has been filed with the SEC.
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About Corvis
Corvis Corporation is a leading provider of all-optical networks founded by Dr.
David Huber, a pioneer in the field of optical communications. The company is
revolutionizing the way communications traffic is moved in the new Internet-
driven economy by deploying the industry's first all-optical network providing
integrated all-optical switching, ultra-long distance transport and network
management. Corvis products and services deliver all-optical network
intelligence and mesh network capability. This allows communication service
providers to realize a significant gain in network capacity using existing fiber
in the field and to improve their competitiveness by delivering new and existing
services and applications more rapidly, while saving up to 80% in the overall
capital and operational cost of building and maintaining their network. For more
information, call Corvis at 443-259-4000 or visit the Corvis web site at
www.corvis.com. Corvis, CorWave and the Corvis logo are trademarks and/or
service marks of the Corvis Corporation.
Note: This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements that are
subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from
those currently anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including, but
not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed under "Risk Factors" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Corvis contact: Ogilvy Public Relations contact:
Joanne Rasch Missy Shorey
(443) 259-4422 (202) 452-7818
Fax: (443) 259-4798 Fax: 202-331-3478
[email protected] [email protected]
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