d/lloodd11_209

et Network (Communications Week)

     US Sprint Communications Corp's Telenet Communications Corp subsidiary
has signed a $35 million multiyear contract to build a private data network
for the US Secret Service.

     The contract marks Telenet's first major private network coup in the
highly competitive market of sensitive government communications. While
telenet would not reveal the extensiveness of the network or its applications,
the Secret Service acknowledges having 4,300 employees and about 100 locations
in the United States.

     Data transmission plays a significant role in the Secret Service's
mandate, which beyond guarding the president includes the investigation of
counterfeiting, securities and electronic funds transfer violations and credit
card fraud.

     Encryption or other security measures are expected to be employed in the
new system, but telenet does not provide those functions.

     In addition to its public network, Telenet has sold about 70 private
networks,