Electric Lightwave Announces Launch of Ultra Ethernet - MAN Service

    Business Editors

    VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2005--Electric Lightwave, LLC, a facilities-based Integrated Communications Provider, today announced the launch of its Ultra Ethernet - MAN service. This metro Ethernet transport service offers customers the simplicity and flexibility of Ethernet, but with carrier class network resiliency. The service is available throughout Electric Lightwave's U.S. metro markets located across six western states.
    "Customers are looking to streamline their networks," said Melinda White, Vice President and General Manager of Electric Lightwave. "Ultra Ethernet gives our customers the ability to optimize their network connectivity. We have developed a product that supports their immediate needs and growth plans."
    Ultra Ethernet - MAN connects customer locations within a metro area with Ethernet Private Line service. Bandwidth is available between 10 Mbps and 1000 Mbps, over standard Ethernet interfaces. This bandwidth flexibility allows the customer to adjust the service to their needs. As the customer's requirements grow, their bandwidth can easily be increased.
    Several key features offer customers of Electric Lightwave's Ultra Ethernet - MAN superior performance. Ultra Ethernet's dedicated, committed bandwidth means customers avoid over-subscription or contention issues. The ability to provide protected Ethernet ports is a unique differentiator, which ensures service uptime. In addition, the Ethernet over SONET infrastructure avoids routing latency or jitter that may occur in Layer-2 switching and provides sub-50 ms switching protection.
    "We're delivering the best of Ethernet and SONET transport," said Stan Ueno, Product Manager of Ultra Ethernet services for Electric Lightwave. "We provide the ease and flexibility of Ethernet technology that customers expect. We extend that connectivity into the metropolitan area, but with the security and reliability they have become accustomed to with SONET transport.

    About Electric Lightwave

    Electric Lightwave, LLC is a facilities-based Integrated Communications Provider of Internet, Data, Voice and Dedicated Access Services to enterprise businesses and carriers. In operation since 1990, the company owns and operates eight Metropolitan Access Networks, a nationally acclaimed Tier One Internet and Data network, and a High-Speed Long-Haul fiber-optic network that interconnects major markets in the West. Headquartered in Vancouver, Wash., the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Communications Company (NYSE:CZN). More information about Electric Lightwave, LLC may be found at www.eli.net.

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CONTACT: Electric Lightwave, LLC Jim Kinnier, 360-816-3576 jim_kinnier@eli.net

KEYWORD: WASHINGTON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE NETWORKING INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT SOURCE: Electric Lightwave, LLC

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