Specifically, Verizon says it will deploy 96.3 miles of ULH network between Tokyo and Maruyama Japan.

ULH is said to enhance the delivery of high-bandwidth applications like video, wireless, high-speed Internet, multimedia content distribution, real-time imaging, storage networking and web services, over long-distances more reliably and quickly because it requires fewer signal regenerators.

This expansion is part of Verizon's massive plans for 2008, announced this past March, where the company said it would invest in several network programs and enhancements across many areas including China, India, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Canada. Verizon says this latest expansion in Japan also complements its "pioneering" deployments of ULH networks in the US and Europe.

"Expansion of our ULH network reflects Verizon Business' commitment to meet the evolving needs of our business and government customers worldwide," says Joe Cook, VP of global network engineering and planning for Verizon Business. "We're constantly improving on our already exceptional network reliability and speed."

Verizon has already deployed and activated more than 32,000 miles of ULH in the US and plans to add 4,000 miles by the end of 2008. In Europe, Verizon completed 1,926 miles of ULH network in late 2007 on the core backbone network and turned up service in April of this year with main network hubs located in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Brussels. When completed, the ULH network will extend around 50,000 miles, says the company.

Initially announced in 2004, Verizon Business says it was the first major communications service provider to deploy an extensive ULH network in the US.

As part of its global expansion, last month, Verizon Business announced plans to open an office in Dubai Internet city to further strengthen its service and support capabilities across the Middle East.