US LEC Continues Ethernet March With Baltimore Deployment

High bandwidth Internet, data service option delivered on common platform 


CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 10  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US LEC Corp. (NASDAQ:CLEC), a full-service provider of IP, data and voice solutions to businesses and enterprise organizations throughout the Eastern United States, today announced the availability of its Ethernet Local Loop transport service to the metro and surrounding areas of Baltimore.

The deployment of Ethernet Local Loop to Baltimore completes US LEC's coverage of the Beltway and now covers more than half of US LEC's switching facilities. The service is also available in the metro and surrounding areas of Atlanta; Charlotte, N.C.; Fort Myers, Fla.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Miami; Nashville; New York City; Orlando, Fla.; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Richmond, Va.; Tampa, Fla.; Washington, D.C.; and West Palm Beach, Fla. US LEC plans to fully deploy Ethernet Local Loop throughout its entire Eastern U.S. footprint by the end of 2006.

"Our planned deployment of Ethernet Local Loop across our footprint continues on schedule, providing our customers who require high-bandwidth services with a cost-effective option for Internet and data services," said Chuck Flaherty, regional vice president for US LEC. "US LEC's Ethernet Local Loop can help businesses requiring three megabytes or more of bandwidth with a solution that's scalable, in 1MB increments up to 500 Megabits per second (Mbs) without costly incremental customer equipment upgrades."

Since Ethernet Local Loop carries traffic based on Internet Protocol (IP), it acts as a platform or transport for a broad range of US LEC services for businesses in Baltimore. These IP services include US LEC's Dynamic T(SM) Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, MPLS VPN data networking and high-bandwidth Internet access.

Ethernet - A Familiar and Cost-Effective Technology

Ethernet is one of the most deployed data networking technologies. On most computers, servers or routers - almost any networked device - you will find an Ethernet port for networking. It provides individuals, organizations and businesses the connectivity to a wide variety of applications, such as sending and receiving e-mail and connecting to the Internet or networks for printing, file sharing and collaboration.

US LEC Ethernet Local Loop extends the use of this established and familiar technology to a business's high bandwidth data transport and Internet access between multiple locations. Because Ethernet is so widely deployed, it is an easy and cost-effective way for customers to connect to a high-bandwidth data network. An example of its use is an enterprise with an inventory management system needs connectivity to ensure all of its locations view real- time supply information or have access to its alternate supply chain via the Internet. Ethernet Local Loop can provide the transport to make applications like these possible.

Accommodating On-Demand and Increment Growth

Businesses with high-bandwidth needs are typically those most likely to need the flexibility to "burst" or quickly increase their bandwidth as their business requires it. With US LEC Ethernet Local Loop customers can easily add more bandwidth without the time delay and expense of ordering and installing new T-1s. For instance, Ethernet Local Loop can be purchased in 1MB increments starting from 3.0 Mbs to 100 Mbs, often without a change to their local loop.

Businesses with variable Internet access needs can add a "burstable" option that guarantees a specific speed 24 x 7, but also allows "bursts" to a full 100 or 500 Mbs to handle heavy, intermittent Internet traffic. For instance, when a business runs a TV advertisement expected to attract significant traffic to their Web site, "bursting" accommodates this infrequent demand. This lets businesses manage infrequent, heavy traffic without having to purchase large amounts of bandwidth full time. Backing up a company's computers onto a network data back-up solution, like US LEC's Data Back-up and Recovery, is another application that may result in burstable data.

For multi-location customers utilizing MPLS VPN for data transport through its Ethernet Local Loop connection, US LEC offers speeds ranging from 1Mbs to 500Mbs. MPLS VPN also offers quality of service (QoS) guarantees. Quality guarantees ensure a business's most sensitive and demanding traffic, such as Customer Relationship Management applications or inventory management systems, receive priority delivery versus other non-priority traffic like Internet web surfing or e-mail applications. As priority activity decreases, bandwidth opens for other applications, allowing businesses to buy and utilize only the bandwidth they need and reduce costs.

About US LEC

Based in Charlotte, N.C., US LEC is a full service provider of IP, data and voice solutions to medium and large businesses and enterprise organizations throughout 16 Eastern states and the District of Columbia. US LEC offers advanced, IP-based, data and voice services such as MPLS VPN and Ethernet, as well as comprehensive Dynamic T(SM) VoIP-enabled services and features. The company also offers local and long distance services and data services such as frame relay, Multi-Link Frame Relay and ATM. US LEC provides a broad array of complementary services, including conferencing, data backup and recovery, data center services and Web hosting, as well as managed firewall and router services for advanced data networking. US LEC also offers selected voice services in 27 additional states and provides enhanced data services, selected Internet services and MegaPOP(R) (local dial-up Internet access for ISPs) nationwide. For more information about US LEC, visit http://www.uslec.com/.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this report contains forward-looking statements, subject to uncertainties and risks, including the demand for US LEC's services, the ability of the Company to introduce additional products, the ability of the Company to successfully attract and retain personnel, competition in existing and potential additional markets, uncertainties regarding its dealings with ILECs and other telecommunications carriers and facilities providers, regulatory uncertainties, the possibility of adverse decisions related to reciprocal compensation and access charges owing to the Company, as well as the Company's ability to begin operations in additional markets. These and other applicable risks are summarized in the "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" sections and elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005, and in subsequent reports, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

US LEC is a registered service mark of US LEC Corp. US LEC and Design (R) is a registered service mark and trademark of US LEC Corp.   StarNet(TM) and MegaPOP(R) are service marks of US LEC Corp.

Media Contact: Marisa Puthoff, Edelman Public Relations, 404-262-3000, or ; or Corporate Contact: Brian Crenshaw, APR, US LEC, 704-319-1942, or , or Investor Contact: James Stawski, US LEC, 704-319-1189, or  

DATASOURCE: US LEC Corp.



CONTACT:  Media, Marisa Puthoff, Edelman Public Relations,

[phone], ; or Corporate, Brian Crenshaw,

APR, [phone], , or Investors, James Stawski,

[phone], , both of US LEC



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

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