Level 3 rules out New World talks
United States-based Level 3 Communications has denied being in talks to acquire a stake in a fixed-line operator in Hong Kong.
Level 3, which is building Internet protocol (IP) based networks in the US and Europe, was reportedly interested in taking a stake in New World Telephone's SAR network.
However, Level 3 Asia chief executive Steve Liddell said: 'We have no plans at this moment to do so.' Level 3 recently applied to the Government for an external facilities licence that would enable it to operate its own international call gateway.
The operator plans to partner with fixed-line operators to link local lines to its international network.
'With or without an external facilities licence, we certainly intend to work closely with the local providers,' Mr Liddell said.
Level 3 offers services to 19 cities in the US and Europe.
It is building networks in 56 cities in the US and Europe, which are expected to be completed by 2001.
Level 3 is also building underwater fibre-optic networks linking the United Kingdom to Belgium and France.
The Nasdaq-listed operator plans to launch services in Hong Kong, Japan, and one more as-yet-unnamed Asian country by the end of next year.
Level 3 had no plans to enter the mainland market, 'but we're looking very closely at the opportunity', Mr Liddell said.
Level 3's networks are built on IP technology, optimal for data-based traffic such as on the Internet.
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