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Fujitsu Networking, Verizon Sign Equipment Deal

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 June 2003, 06:00 CDT

Jun. 24-- Fujitsu Networking Communications Inc. will announce Tuesday that it's one of three equipment makers to win a contract with Verizon Communications Inc. worth several hundred million dollars.

The firm, which is wholly owned by Japan's Fujitsu Ltd., said it's already shipping the optical networking gear to Verizon and expects the deal to significantly boost its Richardson factory, which has been hit hard by the telecommunications industry downturn. Fujitsu's contract with Verizon started April 30 and runs for three years.

The new Fujitsu equipment transmits and routes telephone and data traffic. Verizon, the nation's largest local-phone company, will use the machines to connect to big business customers and to transfer data among its central switching offices.

Fujitsu officials say the deal is one of several bright spots for it and the industry, which have suffered through 2 1/2 years worth of spending cutbacks by phone and data companies such as Verizon.

"Last year, we were still on a downward slippery slope," said spokesman John Stewart. "It was very difficult to forecast any light at the end of the tunnel. This year, we are optimistic, but we are not overly optimistic. We are optimistic that we are able to bump along at the bottom."

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(c) 2003, The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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