Our sister publication Network Briefing reports that Omaha, Nebraska-based MFS Communications Inc, is pressing ahead with its expansion in the run-up to full European liberalization, with the announcement that it has been awarded a national telecommunications license in France (CI No 3,049) and is starting up operations in three further cities. The license will enable the company to build and operate a national telecommunications network in the country, as well as a cross- border network. According to MFS, it is authorized to build cross-border networks in several major European markets, and it expects a UK international license before the end of the year. MFS currently operates a fiber optic network in Paris over which it provides services to a closed group of users. MFS also announced plans for services in Amsterdam, Milan and Tokyo. In Amsterdam, it has begun construction of a city network, scheduled to be in service early next year. In Milan, it is selling services, following its acquisition of ECSTEL in September. In Tokyo, the company has been awarded a Special Type II carrier license, enabling it to deliver value-added international private circuit and data communications services over a fully-meshed regional network, via international nodes in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Connection to customer premises will be over circuits leased from the local telephone firm.
