WilTel Wins Wide-area Ethernet Deal with Muze

Business Wire, Dec 13, 2005

TULSA, Okla. -- WilTel Communications announced today that it has created a wide-area network (WAN) solution for Muze(R) Inc., the leading global source for entertainment information services. Muze was in need of a more cost-effective network solution for exchanging its entertainment media content between its headquarters in New York City and data center in Secaucus, N.J., and providing their customers with access to the content.

After consulting with Muze, WilTel engineered an Ethernet-based solution utilizing WilTel's Ethernet Wide-area Network (EWAN) service. Using a single Ethernet port at both ends, WilTel deployed multiple EWAN circuits between the two locations for data exchange, as well as separate connections to provide Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) to Muze's data center servers, giving its customers efficient access to the company's suite of entertainment information products.

"We were evaluating a number of other providers for our data center connectivity, but WilTel was the only one that proposed and delivered a creative, Ethernet-based solution that met all of our needs," said Stu Heath, Director of IT at Muze. "WilTel's EWAN solution helps us effectively and efficiently deliver our entertainment information services to some of the largest retailers in the world."

Tony Tomae, senior vice president of marketing for WilTel, said more customers like Muze are choosing WilTel because of the company's approach in delivering creative and customized solutions.

"Because WilTel took the time to understand and address all of their needs with a flexible Ethernet solution, rather than just 'off-the-shelf' services, Muze is seeing significant cost savings and can operate its business more efficiently," Tomae said.

WilTel is a wide-area networking specialist for enterprise, carriers, the federal government and media and entertainment companies. WilTel provides enterprise customers with an expanding portfolio of solutions designed to meet specific WAN needs, including the company's unique portfolio of storage extension solutions and its Managed EWAN service. Managed EWAN provides nationwide premise-to-premise Ethernet service, extending enterprise customers' LAN protocol across the WAN, eliminating the need for protocol conversion.

About Muze(R) Inc.

Muze(R) is the leading global source for entertainment information services relating to music, film, books and games releases. Since 1991, Muze has provided businesses with the most comprehensive and accurate entertainment content designed to help its customers make informed purchasing decisions. Muze content drives commerce by providing detailed information about entertainment products, turning browsers into buyers. More than 250 companies rely on Muze's rich entertainment content to sell their products. In fact, Muze is the backbone of online commerce for major players in the entertainment retail business including Best Buy(R), eBay(R), Tower Records(R), Real Networks(R), Tower Records(R) and Yahoo!(R). Muze product information also drives commerce by providing in-store solutions for companies such as Borders(R), Hastings(R), Transworld Entertainment, Virgin Megastores(R) and others. Muze(R) is based in New York City. To learn more about Muze(R), please visit www.muze.com.

About WilTel Communications

WilTel Communications, LLC, provides a diverse set of data, voice, IP, video, managed and professional services, creating advanced wide-area networking solutions for enterprise, global telecommunications companies, the federal government and media and entertainment companies. WilTel's next-generation network infrastructure reaches border-to-border and coast-to-coast with international connectivity to accommodate global traffic. WilTel Communications, LLC is the operating subsidiary of WilTel Communications Group, Inc., a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation. For more detailed information, visit www.wiltel.com.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements." Although WilTel believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. WilTel assumes no obligation to update those statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions and other factors. The forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Additional information that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by Leucadia.