Advanced Radio Telecom Closes $251 Million Equity Investment From Qwest Communications and Investor Group.

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1999--

ART Adds Customers to 100Mbps Network in San Jose Today

Advanced Radio Telecom Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTT), a provider of 100Mbps Internet network service, today announced the completion of a $251 million equity investment from Qwest Communications International Inc. (Nasdaq:QWST) and a group of high-tech investment funds.

"We are delighted to have Qwest as our single largest investor and strategic partner and will be working very closely with them over the years ahead as we build out our broadband wireless/fiber network," said Henry C. (Harry) Hirsch, chairman and CEO. "The technological sophistication of Oak Investment Partners and the other high-tech investors will also be a great help as we deploy our new metropolitan area networks in 40 of the top communications markets over the next few years. With this substantial investment we can accelerate our efforts to provide non-fibered businesses the bandwidth they need to compete in this communications driven world."

On August 24, ART announced the launch of commercial 100Mbps Internet network services to businesses in San Jose, Calif., with the first customers being turned up on the network today. ART has been testing the network over the past several months using Triton Network Systems' Invisible Fiber(TM) wireless technology. A number of applications for the network were demonstrated recently in San Jose, including rapid file transfer, Cisco Systems' IP Voice and IP TV, and GE Americom's Bloomberg streaming video.

With the closing of the transaction, the ART board of directors elected Bandel Carano, general partner at Oak Investment Partners and Marc Weisberg, senior vice president of corporate development at Qwest to ART's board. To maintain a seven-member board, two current ART directors -- Mark C. Demetree, chairman, president and CEO of U.S. Salt Co., and James C. Cook, senior vice president and partner, First Union Capital Partners -- have resigned.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark and Jim for their outstanding service to the company over the years," said Hirsch. "The ART board has been very active in defining the direction of the company. Their participation will be missed. At the same time, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Bandel and Marc. Their expertise and advice will be invaluable as we capitalize on this very promising and exciting opportunity."

About ART

Advanced Radio Telecom Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTT), headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., is a provider of broadband wireless access to businesses at speeds up to 100Mbps. ART currently owns and operates metropolitan area networks in San Jose, Calif., Seattle, Portland, Ore., and Phoenix with plans to expand to 40 of the top 50 U.S. markets in the next few years. ART has a nationwide footprint of 38GHz spectrum licenses in the United States, and owns 26GHz and/or 38GHz spectrum licenses in the United Kingdom and several Scandinavian countries. For more information, please visit ART's web site at www.art-net.net.

The above information includes forward-looking statements regarding network deployment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including without limitation, capital requirements and other financial risks, customer demand, technological risks, management of growth, ability to achieve Year 2000 compliance, competition and government regulation may cause actual results to differ materially from the future results implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about the most significant of such factors is set forth in ART's most recent annual report on Form 10-K. The company does not undertake to update or revise its forward-looking statements publicly even if experience or future changes make clear that any projected results expressed or implied herein will not be realized.