El Paso is one of only eight U.S. International Communications Gateways, and offers one of the most sophisticated telecommunications networks in the country. The city's telecommunications infrastructure includes:

• An interlocking system of digital networks
• Fiber optics serving all major industrial, commercial and residential areas
• Strategic positioning on all major fiber optic networks
• Satellite communications
• Electronic switching on 100% of local access lines
• Strategic communications alliances with Mexico
• State-of-the-art data transmission infrastructure

The city is strategically located on all major digital networks with all major long distance carriers having at least one point of presence (POP), or direct access to the backbone of the Internet, in El Paso. AT&T has two points of presence in the city. A new nationwide conduit and fiber optic network by PF.Net for AT&T connects El Paso to over 50 major metropolitan areas. The fiber optic cable in this network provides a full range of service options, and allows for sales of dark fiber, unused fiber, to local telecommunications companies.

El Paso is part of the Level(3)T Network which is one of the world's newest and most advanced telecommunications platforms. It is the first network to be completely optimized for advanced IP (Internet Protocol) technology, and the first to be fully and continuously upgradeable - enabling Level(3)T to continue to deploy new, superior technology as it is developed. The network was designed to evolve as technology evolves, taking advantage of the fact that a new generation of fiber becomes available every 18-24 months. The network spans 23,000 intercity route miles and delivers services to customers in major markets across the United States and Europe.

Xspedius Communications delivers services over its own networks and supporting switching and routing equipment in El Paso and many other markets. The Company uses ILEC equipment in several regional markets such as Verizon and Bellsouth. To support advanced, high-speed data transport, the Company has a nationwide MPLS-based multi-service network. The Company has private, as well as public, peering interconnections to ensure customer traffic is routed quickly and reliably.

Williams Communications has fiber optic network infrastructure in El Paso. The network connects with Denver, Colorado and consists of approximately 750 route miles. Williams Communications currently has only two international cable landings along the southern United States border; one landing is in El Paso. Williams Communications also operates a point of presence out of downtown El Paso.

MCI has made El Paso its major telecommunications hub into Mexico. Avantel, a telecommunications joint venture formed by MCI WorldCom and Grupo Financiero Banamex-Accival (Banacci), has a border-crossing junction in El Paso/Ciudad Juárez, facilitating communications traffic between the United States and Mexico. The backbone of Sprint's 100% fiber optic network also runs through the area. Fiber optic networks serve the central business district and every industrial and business park in the city. Fiber optic access, however, is not contingent on a location within one of the existing networks.

A multitude of services are available to customers in the El Paso area. Among these services, besides basic dial tone, are Frame Relay, ATM, DSl, DS3, DSx, OCx, OC3, OC12, OC48, OC192, GigE, Frame Relay over DSL, Enhanced Frame Relay, IP VPN Services, IP Transit, VoIP Outbound, VoIPCoreConnect, VoIPInternational Services, Carrier Outbound, Access Direct Transport Resource Management, SONET, Self-healing Network Management, Select Video, Select Data, Network Reconfiguration, Cell Relay Services, Custom Services, ADSL, Wiring, Colocation, Analog Private Line, Wavelength, MultiConnect, MultiConnect Redirect, FrameConnect, Private IP Services, Public IP Services, (OCX)Switched and Dedicated, Enhanced Toll-Free, CPE & Managed Network Services, Local Access Options, Dedicated Internet, International Extension, Managed WAN, Video, Central Office Muxing, Native LAN (10 and 100 Mbps), Caller ID, Calling Card, and trunking services. Additional services tailored to meet specific client needs can be designed by area companies.

Time Warner Communications has offered Road Runner, Time Warner's high-speed online service, to El Pasoans since 1996. As part of its network expansion, Time Warner donated use of a fiber ring to non-profit and educational institutions, such as The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community College, Region XIX, area school districts, Thomason Hospital, Texas Tech Medical Center, and Providence Memorial Hospital, among others, linking these concerns in a state-of-the-art information collaborative.

Source: El Paso Profile and Economic Summary, 2002; Updated March 2006.