6/12/06
Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative Selects XO Communications to Expand Network Reach
Regional Virginia Broadband Initiative Uses XO Dark Fiber to Connect to Global Internet
RESTON, VA - RESTON, VA – June 12, 2006 – XO Communications today announced a multi-year agreement worth up to $3 million to provide dark fiber to the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative (MBC), an organization that is helping to bring advanced open-access broadband services to rural communities in Southside Virginia. The XO fiber will be used to provide broader open-access connectivity for the regional broadband initiative to the global Internet at major points where Internet traffic is exchanged.
Under the terms of the agreement, XO is providing MBC with 800 miles of dark fiber between Atlanta, Richmond and Washington, DC. MBC will incorporate the dark fiber into its advanced, open-access fiber optic network that will provide high-capacity optical transport services on a wholesale basis to the region. The network will help encourage competition by allowing service providers of all kinds to offer new broadband services. The availability of broadband services is expected to help promote economic growth in the region by allowing communities to better compete for jobs, attract technology-based companies and retain skilled labor.
“As the largest facilities-based telecommunications company headquartered in Virginia, XO is very pleased to support this very important initiative that is helping to bridge the gap between rural and urban communities,” said Carl Grivner, CEO of XO Communications. “Expanding the availability of broadband services makes information and technology more widely available which helps economic growth in the region and for our nation’s economy as a whole.”
“MBC is excited about XO’s commitment to help our region connect to the global community. MBC will be deploying the latest optical transport equipment on this fiber, which will enable unprecedented access to over 200 regional, national and international networks,” said Tad Deriso, General Manager of MBC. “For companies and industries looking to expand their operations to low-cost areas with skilled workforce and access to next-generation infrastructure, this makes Southside Virginia the logical place to do business”.
MBC is a not-for-profit cooperative established with funding from the Virginia Tobacco Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce –Economic Development Authority (EDA). The $37 million initiative will connect 20 counties and over 60 business, industrial and technology parks to service providers who will use the advanced, open-access network to provide broadband services across Southside Virginia.
About XO Communications
XO Communications, a subsidiary of XO Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: XOHO.OB), is a leading provider of national and local telecommunications services to businesses, large enterprises and telecommunications companies. XO offers a complete portfolio of services, including local and long distance voice, dedicated Internet access, private networking, data transport, and Web hosting services as well as bundled voice and Internet solutions. XO provides these services over an advanced, national facilities-based IP network and serves more than 70 metropolitan markets across the United States. For more information, visit www.xo.com.
About Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative
Charged with implementing the Regional Backbone Initiative for Southside Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative was established in November 2003 to provide the leadership and technology infrastructure necessary to support the economic revitalization efforts of Southside Virginia. MBC works closely with local, regional and state economic development groups to bring new jobs and investment to the region and to highlight the competitive advantage of doing business in Southside Virginia. For more information, visit MBC on the Web at www.mbc-va.com, or contact them at (434) 483-4303.
For more information contact:
Chad Couser / XO Communications
703-547-2746
chad.couser@xo.com
