We can put the Level 3 & Comcast rumors to bed. Comcast has indeed chosen Level 3.
Excerpt:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA - News, CMCSK - News) today announced a long-term agreement with Level 3 Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT - News) to provide inter-city and metro dark fiber as part of Comcast's extension of its fiber footprint.
This backbone is principally based on 20-year dark-fiber IRU's (indefeasible rights of use) from Level 3 and other sources. The agreements currently total over 19,000 route miles, and cover 95 percent of Comcast's national footprint. The initial cost of the network, including fiber capacity and routing and optical equipment, is expected to involve approximately $100 million of capital.
"This agreement with Level 3 will further enhance our ability to deliver new and innovative services such as video-on-demand, high definition television, digital video recorders, high-speed Internet access and advanced voice services," said Comcast Cable Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer David Fellows. "We expect to benefit from the inherent cost efficiencies and high reliability that the Level 3 network delivers."
"We're extremely pleased that Comcast has chosen Level 3 as an underlying provider of broadband infrastructure services," said Kevin O'Hara, President and Chief Operating Officer for Level 3. "We believe that Level 3's innovative and reliable services, network management tools and customer support will help Comcast continue to meet the strong demand the cable leader is seeing for new services."
Full release:
Comcast Extends National Fiber Infrastructure signs deal with Level3
