News Release
Charter Taps Three Telephony Partners; Level 3, Sprint and Accenture to Enhance, Expedite Charter Telephone
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 30, 2004--Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR), through its subsidiaries, today announced agreements with Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) and Sprint Communications Company, L.P. (NYSE: FON) to provide long distance and local telephone service connectivity in selected Charter markets. In addition, Charter has selected Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to provide telephony provisioning services.
"These agreements enable Charter to significantly increase telephony deployments in each of our Divisions during 2005," said Tom Cullen, Charter Executive Vice President of Advanced Services and Business Development.
The agreements with Level 3 and Sprint followed a Request for Information issued by Charter earlier this year. "Our objective was to significantly improve our cost structure over our current position and decrease the time required to deploy telephony services," said Mr. Cullen. "Level 3 and Sprint have the networks, the technical expertise, and the experience we were looking for in an underlying provider."
Mr. Cullen said the agreements enable Charter to reduce the cost and time required to deploy telephony services across many markets. "By partnering with Level 3 and Sprint, we expect to gain speed to market with efficient and cost effective local connectivity and long distance services support. We chose to align with more than one carrier to maximize the benefits of each agreement on a market-by-market basis and achieve the maximum cost savings and flexibility. We'll continue to look at other potential partners in order to further gain critical competitive advantage," he said.
The agreement with Accenture will provide Charter with automated provisioning processes, which are designed to improve operational efficiency and accelerate customer acquisition. Mr. Cullen also stated that Accenture's provisioning solution offered significant cost reductions over other back-office systems reviewed by Charter.
"Provisioning of new customers is a critical process requiring high levels of organization and proven competence. Accenture will provide those qualities to Charter's voice services deployment."
Charter had over 31,000 telephony customers as of the end of the second quarter, with service offered in multiple markets and more markets being launched planned for later this year and in early 2005.
About Charter Communications
Charter Communications, Inc., a broadband communications company, provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video-programming platform via Charter Digital(TM) and Charter High-Speed(TM) Internet service. Charter also provides business-to-business video, data and Internet protocol (IP) solutions through Charter Business(TM). Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media(R) brand. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this release may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "will," "may," "intend," "estimated" and "potential," among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this release include market conditions and those set forth in reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC.
All forward-looking statements attributable to Charter Communications, Inc. or a person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary language. We are under no duty or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
CONTACT: Charter Communications, Inc. Dave Mack, 303-323-1392 SOURCE: Charter Communications, Inc.