New fiber-optic network to link to LV

Thursday, May 4, 2000 | 11:19 a.m.

A subsidiary of Nevada Power Co.'s parent company will partner to build a high-speed fiber-optic communications network between Salt Lake City and Sacramento, Calif., that eventually will link to Las Vegas.

Sierra Pacific Communications, a division of Sierra Pacific Resources Inc., the parent company of Nevada Power, announced today it will build a $100 million 750-mile network that will enhance data, voice and image transmission in the West.

Sierra Pacific Communications is partnering with Butte, Mont.-based Touch America, a telecommunications subsidiary of Montana Power Co., and will form a limited liability company called Sierra Touch America LLC to build the network.

Touch America already has fiber-optic lines between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles through Las Vegas.

Under terms of the agreement, Sierra Touch America will assume part interest in the metropolitan fiber networks Sierra Pacific Communications has in Reno and Las Vegas. Sierra Pacific is building a communications ring around Las Vegas that is expected to be completed by fall.

The Salt Lake City-Sacramento network is expected to be completed by summer 2001.

Tim Berg, director of strategic planning for Sierra Pacific Resources, said the agreement eventually will enable direct communications over fiber-optic lines between Las Vegas and Reno through one company.