Mpower Communications Streamlines Operations

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 9  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mpower Communications Corp. (AMEX:MPE), a leading provider of data and voice services to retail and wholesale business customers, today announced changes to its senior management team designed to streamline operations.

"We believe there are significant advantages to further tapping into the extensive talent we have within our management ranks to reduce costs, increase productivity and enhance shareholder value," stated Rolla P. Huff, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mpower Communications.

Roger Pachuta, Senior Vice President of Network Services, is retiring from Mpower effective January 20, 2006. Pachuta joined Mpower in February of 2000 with considerable tenure at AT&T Wireless, Ameritech Mobile Communications, AT&T, and Ohio Bell Telephone Company.

Responsibility for Mpower's Network Services will be transitioned to Russell Shipley, currently President of Wholesale Services for Mpower, who will assume the network services organization in addition to his current position and will report to Joe Wetzel, President and Chief Operating Officer. Shipley has extensive network services management experience from 17 years at Frontier Communications where he led the planning, engineering and construction of a 20,000-route mile nationwide fiber optics network shared by Frontier and Qwest. Shipley joined Mpower in June of 2003 as New Technology Officer gaining in-depth knowledge of the inter-workings and technological capabilities of the Mpower network. Shipley was also instrumental in initiating the company's efforts in the wireless broadband area.

"We are confident that we can leverage Russ' substantial IP network background as we begin an extensive rollout of our new facilities-based VoIP product across all our markets this quarter," said Huff. "We will be making more announcements about this rollout in the near term. Russ will continue to lead our efforts in the wireless broadband area."

Steve Reimer, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations, will also be leaving Mpower effective January 20, 2006. The leaders of the two Customer Operations functions, Tom Hesterman, Vice President of Provisioning and Carol Mittwede, Vice President of Customer Service, will assume Reimer's responsibilities and will also report directly to Wetzel.

"The depth and tenure of our management team allows us to achieve greater organizational and cost efficiencies," added Huff. "We are fortunate to have executives like Carol, who has been leading our customer service efforts since 1998 and Tom, who has been leading data provisioning since 2000. Both have played leadership roles in helping Mpower achieve our outstanding customer retention results."

About Mpower Communications

Founded in 1996, Mpower Communications (AMEX:MPE) is a leading facilities-based broadband communications provider offering a full range of data, telephony, Internet access and Web hosting services for retail business and wholesale customers. Further information about the company can be found at http://www.mpowercom.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, certain statements contained in this press release regarding our and/or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are only estimates or predictions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information, or otherwise. 

DATASOURCE: Mpower Communications Corp.



CONTACT:  Investor: Gregg Clevenger, Chief Financial Officer,

[phone], or , or Media: Michele Sadwick, Vice

President, [phone], or , both of Mpower

Communications 



Web site:  http://www.mpowercom.com/ 

Copyright