Eschelon Opens Colorado Springs, Colorado Market

  
    
  
  
    
      (NASDAQ:ESCH): Eschelon Telecom, Inc., a provider of integrated 
      communications services to small and medium sized businesses in the 
      western United States, today announced the opening of the Colorado 
      Springs, Colorado market, the first of six planned new markets in 2007. 
      After completing the expansion of its network facilities earlier this 
      month, Eschelon is now able to offer a full suite of telecommunications 
      and Internet services to Colorado Springs business customers.
    
    
      “We are excited about expanding into the 
      Colorado Springs area” stated Jay Dirkmaat, 
      Eschelon’s Director of Sales for Colorado. “It’s 
      a vibrant business community and we are happy to be a part of it. 
      Additionally, we have many Denver metro-area customers that have 
      locations in Colorado Springs and they have been eager for us to serve 
      those locations.”
    
    
      The new office, located at 8610 Explorer Drive, Suite 310 in Colorado 
      Springs will immediately house six Eschelon associates, primarily in 
      sales and customer service functions. That number is expected to double 
      by the fall. Eschelon currently employs 93 associates in the state of 
      Colorado and approximately 1,400 nationwide.
    
    
      “Colorado Springs was a natural fit for 
      Eschelon,” commented Jon Secrest, Eschelon’s 
      Vice President of Marketing. “It’s 
      a high-growth market, particularly in terms of the small and medium 
      sized businesses we serve so well.”
    
    
      Colorado Springs businesses interested in learning more about Eschelon’s 
      products and services can call the new office at 719-265-4646. Eschelon’s 
      next planned new market is Ft. Collins, Colorado which is expected to 
      open in the second quarter of 2007.
    
    
      About Eschelon Telecom, Inc.
    
    
      Eschelon Telecom, Inc. is a facilities-based competitive communications 
      services provider of voice and data services and business telephone 
      systems in 45 markets in the western United States. Headquartered in 
      Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company currently employs approximately 
      1,400 telecommunications/Internet professionals, serves over 60,000 
      business customers and has in excess of 600,000 access lines in service 
      throughout its markets in Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, 
      Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. For more information, 
      please visit our web site at www.eschelon.com
    
    
      Forward Looking Statements
    
    
      This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning 
      of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 
      21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The 
      forward-looking statements are based on Eschelon Telecom’s 
      current intent, belief and expectations. These statements are not 
      guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and 
      uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ 
      materially from these forward-looking statements because of the company’s 
      history of losses, ability to maintain relationships with RBOCs, 
      substantial indebtedness, intense competition, dependence on key 
      management, changes in government regulations, and other risks that may 
      be described in the company’s filings with 
      the Securities and Exchange Commission. Existing and prospective 
      investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these 
      forward-looking statements, which speak only as of today’s 
      date. Eschelon Telecom undertakes no obligation to update or revise the 
      information contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new 
      information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.