Exhibit 99.4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PENNSYLVANIA-BASED CONSORTIUM LED BY ADELPHIA BUSINESS
SOLUTIONS SELECTED AS NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER FOR
THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Unique plan to extend the reach of telecommunications technology and
competition throughout PA featured.
MECHANICSBURG, PA (March 15, 2000) -- In the most comprehensive
telecommunications services contract award in state history, a consortium named
"The PA-Team" led by Adelphia Business Solutions (NASDAQ: ABIZ) was selected
today by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the winning proposal to build
advanced information technology infrastructure and to provide for state
government state-of-the-art voice, video, Internet, and data telecommunications
services. Contract negotiations will begin immediately.
In the new partnership with the Commonwealth, Adelphia Business Solutions is
leading a consortium of 16 deep rooted Pennsylvania companies that will provide
state-of-the-art high bandwidth voice, data, Internet and video networking
services to state government facilities including state agencies and the State
System of Higher Education.
"We are extremely pleased with the selection of the Adelphia Business Solutions
led consortium as the provider of telecommunications services for the
Commonwealth," stated John Rigas, Chairman of Adelphia Business Solutions and
its parent company Adelphia Communications Corporation. "We thank Governor Ridge
and his team of professionals for their confidence in our ability to deliver
state-of-the-art telecommunications services throughout the Commonwealth, and we
will work diligently to meet and exceed their service expectations. We believe
this decision is further evidence of the Governor's deep commitment to local
Pennsylvania businesses and to creating the most advanced telecommunications
infrastructure possible to foster new business development here in
Pennsylvania." Mr. Rigas also commented, "I am also very proud of the efforts of
our employees. This contract is a testament to the accomplishments of all
Adelphia Business Solutions and Adelphia Communications employees in their
efforts to create a world-class communications leader. It is with a great deal
of humility and anticipation that we enter into this historic partnership with
the Commonwealth."
Key components of the Adelphia Business Solutions-led team's winning proposal
include:
- Investment in a new, cost-effective broadband fiber optic
infrastructure throughout Pennsylvania;
- Extending competition to areas of Pennsylvania currently served by only
one facilities-based provider;
- Implementation of a comprehensive Web-based platform to provide a
unified interface between electronic customers and suppliers to
accommodate all service ordering, service maintenance, trouble
reporting and billing activities;
- Providing an advanced, high capacity economical proposal for the State
System of Higher Education including connectivity to the national
research network, Internet 2;
- Simplified pricing structure;
In commenting on the Commonwealth's decision, James Rigas, CEO, Adelphia
Business Solutions stated, "The Adelphia-led team pledged to be the catalyst for
change that engineers the most comprehensive telecommunications and technology
advances in the Commonwealth's history. We thank the Commonwealth for allowing
us to participate in this opportunity and believe this represents a true turning
point for telecommunications services in Pennsylvania." Mr. Rigas further
commented, "This contract award also represents the most comprehensive
affirmation to date of Adelphia Business Solutions' ability to meet the complex
data and voice requirements of communications intensive customers. We are truly
honored to have been selected to work in partnership with the Commonwealth on
this critical initiative."
In selecting the Adelphia Business Solutions-led team, the Commonwealth
displayed the confidence to invest in a Pennsylvania business team and
Pennsylvania workforce, further strengthening the Pennsylvania business base.
The members of the Adelphia Business Solutions-led team, which draw on key
Pennsylvania business talent, are rooted in the Keystone State with a
significant presence or headquarters. Adelphia Business Solutions, headquartered
in Coudersport, Pennsylvania is the prime contractor for the consortium. An
estimated 25,000 employees are represented by the consortium.
Members of the consortium are: Electronic Data Systems (EDS), Marconi
Communications (formerly FORE Systems), Qwest Communications, Lucent
Technologies, Verio Inc., Telesoft, Diversified Data Systems, Allegheny Energy,
Exelon (A PECO Energy Company), Suburban Cable, Susquehanna Communications,
CitX, Development Dimensions International, Barbara Black Training, and
Innovative Business Concepts.
"This pioneering telecommunications contract with the consortium led by Adelphia
Business Solutions will bring tremendous benefits to the Commonwealth by
delivering advanced technology at a lower cost than we are currently paying,"
said Secretary of Administration Thomas G. Paese. "The Adelphia Business
Solutions-led team is the best partner for the Commonwealth in this significant
endeavor to expand high-tech telecommunications services throughout the state.
Adelphia Business Solutions offers an impressive technological design, the most
competitively priced service and the most comprehensive solution overall. We are
pleased to begin a long and productive relationship with our new
telecommunications partners of the Adelphia Business Solutions team."
In addition to successfully meeting the requirements to provide voice, video,
Internet, and data telecommunications services for the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, the Adelphia Business Solutions-led team proposed a unique and
progressive business plan. The plan extends the reach of state-based
telecommunications infrastructure to an extensive network of communities
throughout the state, with an emphasis on under-served rural and urban
communities. The plan leverages off of Adelphia Business Solutions' existing
significant fiber optic network presence in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
adds strategic value to the emerging partnership between the Adelphia Business
Solutions-led consortium and the Commonwealth.
The framework for additional infrastructure expansion beyond the state
requirements, as designed by the Adelphia Business Solutions team, includes the
development of a Keystone Network Partnership. Termed Key-Net, the plan calls
for coordination with the industrial, educational, community and government
sectors to extend state-of-the-art communications capabilities. In addition, the
Key-Net partnership will use the new system to achieve the following:
- Retain, expand and attract technology businesses in Pennsylvania;
- Support entrepreneurs in starting new technology businesses in
Pennsylvania;
- Facilitate more partnerships with the public and private sectors; -
Promote the transition of abandoned or downsized defense locations to
commercial use as Smart Parks;
- Promote local community efforts to create a vibrant, technology-driven
community; and,
- Promote transition to the new, state-of-the-art communication
capabilities.
John Rigas noted the innovative, technology-driven climate the Ridge
Administration has built as a key foundation for the telecommunications
initiatives outlined in the proposal. Ridge Administration initiatives such as
the PA PowerPort, the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse and the Lightening
Manufacturing Project demand the most advanced, reliable telecommunications
infrastructure available.
Adelphia Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: ADLAC), the parent company to
Adelphia Business Solutions, is the sixth largest cable television company in
the country with headquarters in Coudersport, Pennsylvania. Adelphia Business
Solutions is a majority owned subsidiary of Adelphia Communications Corporation
that provides integrated communications services to business customers through
its state-of-the-art fiber optic communications network. By the end of 2001, the
Company expects to serve 200 markets throughout the United States including
substantially all major Tier I and Tier II cities, through the interconnection
of these markets, creating a single nationwide fiber optic network, which,
combined with an estimated 15,000 local fiber route miles, will support the
Company's full line of communication service offerings, including local and long
distance voice services, messaging, high-speed data and internet services. For
more information on Adelphia Business Solutions, visit the Company's web site at
http://www.adelphia-abs.com. For more information on other members of the
consortium, please visit their web sites at:
EDS - http://www.eds.com
Marconi Communications (formerly FORE Systems) - http://www.marconi.com
Qwest Communications - http://www.qwest.com
Lucent Technologies - http://www.lucent.com
Verio Inc. - http://www.verio.com
Telesoft - http://www.telesoft.com
Diversified Data Systems - http://www.dds1978.com
Allegheny Energy - http://www.alleghenyenergy.com
Exelon (A PECO Energy Company) - http://www.peco.com
Suburban Cable - http://www.suburbancable.com
Susquehanna Communications - http:/www.suscom.net
Development Dimensions International - http://www.ddiworld.com
Adelphia Business Solutions Contact Information:
Media: Lynn Lawson, 717-236-5759 Investor Relations: Ed Babcock, 814-274-6434
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