Broadwing Expands Fiber Optic Network With Denver-Salt Lake City Link; Broadwing and Touch America Sign Deal - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, March 20, 2000

Broadwing Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadwing Inc. (NYSE:BRW), announced Thursday that it is expanding its next-generation fiber-optic network to provide a direct connection between Denver and Salt Lake City, bringing it's total network mileage to 16,888 route miles. This route, which provides Broadwing critical network connectivity across the center of the United States, is strategic to the company's nationwide fiber build. Broadwing also announced that Touch America, a subsidiary of The Montana Power Company, has purchased access on this new link.

The network expansion allows Broadwing to offer advanced products and services to new and existing customers throughout the region. The route will also complete an additional fiber ring on Broadwing's network, which further enhances the network's industry-leading reliability and ensures that customers have consistent access to the fastest service possible.

"The need for high-speed and reliable network services continues to grow - and Broadwing continues to provide solutions to meet evolving needs," said Rick Pontin, president and COO of Broadwing Communications. "We're pleased that a company such as Touch America - whose business demands superior network technology - has chosen Broadwing as a strategic partner."

The fiber optics being deployed in Broadwing's network utilize state-of-the-art, non-zero dispersion shifted fiber that enables the support of the most advanced technology, including dense wave division multiplexing, a process that allows significant increases in the speed and volume of information carried across the network.

Broadwing Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadwing Inc. Broadwing Inc. (NYSE:BRW) is an integrated communications powerhouse delivering voice, data and Internet solutions to a variety of customers nationwide. Broadwing combines unparalleled customer service with a premier next-generation fiber network and award-winning IP backbone, to create data and Internet solutions that are innovative, reliable, and provide businesses a competitive advantage. Broadwing sets the standard for customer accountability with its first-in-the-industry Installation Guarantee. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio with 5,500 employees in 38 cities, Broadwing can be found on the Web at broadwing.com.