Bermuda-domiciled Intelect Communications Systems Ltd.'s Texas subsidiary Intelect, Inc. has been awarded a contract worth nearly $2 million to help lay an 800-mile fibre optic "info-pipeline'' along the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.

The buyer is MFS Network Technologies, who is partnered with three Alaskan companies in the development and future operation of the pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.

The deal is for 83 SonetLYNX nodes of OC-3 digital fibre optic multiplexers.

Another 55 SonetLYNX nodes are to be installed in a second phase of pipeline building which should begin late next year.

The nodes will be used to monitor and control pipeline pump stations and gate valves. It will also support advanced digital voice, data and video for telecommunications services MFS will provide to cities and towns located near the pipeline route, including the state's two largest cities, Fairbanks and Anchorage.

The "info-pipeline'' will offer access to the network to various customers, including other corporations, communications service providers and cable TV companies.

The system is also capable of modern digital communications services that include video teleconferencing, high-speed data communication and high quality voice transmission.

It also has high transmission speeds and tremendous growth potential, characteristic of fibre optics.

MFS project director Frank Colucci said, "SonetLYNX has created an innovative solution that meets standards for this fibre-optic network. We are excited that Intelect will also be a part of this project that will enhance the daily lives of thousands of people who live and work in Alaska.'' Intelect's senior vice president sales and marketing, Willard F. Barnett said, "Winning the MFS contract further validates the versatility and robustness of SonetLYNX to operate in both telecom and intelligent transportation service for public and private networks.

"Intelect has 30 years of experience providing mission-critical communications systems worldwide. The MFS contract adds to our growing backlog of SonetLYNX applications that also include intelligent highways, municipal government information systems and police emergency networks.'' SonetLYNX is a standards-based multiplexer that supports both synchronous optical network (SONET), an international standard for broadband transmission through fibre optic cables, and its European equivalent SDH.

MFS president and CEO Kevin P. Moersch commented: "For nearly two decades, the trans-Alaska pipeline has been used to deliver oil to the world. Now, a network running alongside this 800-mile marvel of engineering will deliver another valuable commodity: information.'' President and CEO of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company David Pritchard said, "The communications systems we're using right now have serviced the pipeline well for the last 20 years. To set ourselves up for the next 20 years, we have to capitalise on technology to improve the way we do our business.'' Alyeska is the organisation responsible for operating and maintaining the trans-Alaska pipeline, one of the largest pipe-lines in the world.

More than 11 billion barrels of oil have been pumped down the line since it opened in June 1977, two years after construction began. It crosses three mountain ranges and more than 800 rivers and streams including a 2,295-foot span across the Yukon River. Over half of it is elevated above ground, supported by 78,000 vertical support members.