[1]http://www.sjmercury.com/svtech/news/breaking/merc/docs/003184.htm

   France Telecom to build American fiber network

   NEW YORK (Reuters) - France Telecom said Tuesday
   it will invest $200 million to build a 15,000-mile
   fiber optics network connecting 28 major cities in
   North America by the end of 2001.

   The network will be connected to France Telecom's
   pan-European backbone network, opened in October
   1999, with international submarine cables.  ...

   --------

   Gee ... This wouldn't be used for commercial ...
   er ... I mean ... national security espionage ...
   er ... I mean ... surveillence, would it?

   Wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know what I mean ?

   Ern

References

   1. http://www.sjmercury.com/svtech/news/breaking/merc/docs/003184.htm