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Just as Level 3 Communications (LVLT) embarks on of its national telecommunications network, the Omaha, Neb.-based company is hearing doubts it will be able to meet an aggressive goal of connecting 25 U.S. cities within three years.
Level 3 (LVLT) is initiating service in three California cities as part of its national city rollout, but one industry analyst thinks Level 3's national plans are still a long way from fruition.
"Those (facilities) are kind of kick-start operations. They don't really have fiber or equipment in place. It's through leased facilities that they're able to offer services at this juncture," said Craig Johnson, principal analyst with the Portland, Ore.-based PITA Group, a consultancy. "They're a long way from having real fiber in the major cities they're talking about."
The company launched facilities in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sunnyvale last week and expects to connect the cities to Level 3's planned 15,000-mile national communications network by 2001. Level 3 ultimately plans to connect 50 cities nationally.
"Level 3 is positioned...