Spotlight: Fiber-Optic Network Planned to Link the West

Three companies said they plan to collaborate on building a $100-million long-haul fiber-optic network linking Los Angeles and Portland, Ore. The inland route will span 1,620 miles and will connect several growing metropolitan areas in the West. No financial terms were disclosed. Enron Corp.’s FirstPoint Communications unit, Montana Power Co.’s Touch America unit, and Tulsa, Okla.-based Williams Cos.’ Williams Communications Group Inc. will have equal stakes in FTV Communications.