Sierra Pacific, Montana Power subsidiaries form partnership

Thursday, May 4, 2000 | 3:46 a.m.

The agreement is a joint venture involving Reno-based Sierra Pacific Communications and Montana Power's Touch America, headquarterd in Butte, Mont.

Called Sierra Touch America, the partnership will also assume partial interest in the fiber networks SPC has in Reno and Las Vegas.

"Our goal is to provide an alternative path for high-speed communications at a highly competitive cost in one of America's fastest growing markets," Steve Oldham, Sierra Pacific Resources vice president of corporate development and planning, said in a written statement.

"This partnership follows our strategy to join with strong, well-positioned regional companies to develop broadband telecommunications services in data, voice and image transmission for growing cities throughout the country," added Mike Meldahl, Touch America president.

"Las Vegas and Reno fit this description."

Construction of the $100 million project is expected to begin immediately and should be completed by summer of next year, officials said.

The fiber optic network will tie into Touch America's existing routes that connect Portland, Ore., to Los Angeles via Boise, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, and another route that passes through Sacramento and San Francisco.