Ardent Communications Opens Arms to Rhythms Business Customers Looking for Secure Reliable Internet Service Provider.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 14, 2001

Ardent Offers Free Installation, Three Months Free Shared Web Hosting and Free Use of Router to All Rhythms Business Customers Transferring

to Ardent's DSL Network

Ardent Communications(SM), Inc. (OTCBB:ARDT), a provider of broadband access and bundled data services to businesses, hotels and public spaces nationwide, today announced a special pricing plan for Rhythms NetConnections business customers who will be forced to change service providers due to Rhythm's recent announcement of upcoming termination of service, effective September 10, 2001.

Ardent is offering free installation and use of a router, as well as three free months of shared Web hosting, to all Rhythms business customers who transfer to Ardent Communications' DSL network and sign a two-year contract. The router, Web hosting and free installation offer, in effect until October 31, 2001, represents potential savings of up to $950.00.

Rhythms business customers are also eligible to receive free installation for any of Ardent's high speed broadband access products, ranging in speed from fractional T-1 up to DS-3 service, as well as dedicated and colocation Web hosting solutions.

For Rhythms customers choosing to transition to Ardent Communications, all aspects of the switch, from provisioning the DSL line and configuring the router to IP addresses and e-mail services will be handled directly by a dedicated Ardent technical support representative.

"Ardent's commitment is to provide broadband solutions exclusively to businesses around the country and we welcome any Rhythms business customer who is looking for a large, stable ISP whose sole focus is to deliver the best in broadband access and business communications solutions," said Michael Lee, president and CEO of Ardent Communications. "Ardent, a national tier-one ISP serving 38 major metro areas, is committed to offering Rhythms customers a path to reliable high speed access with a minimum of down time."

Rhythms customers can contact an Ardent Sales representative at 877.4.ARDENT or by e-mail at [e-mail].

Ardent Communications owns a coast-to-coast, fully redundant MPLS-enabled OC-12 and OC-3 optical backbone. MPLS is an emerging protocol that enables the creation of virtual tunnels through an IP network, resulting in improved network management, lower latency, a higher quality of service, and provides the Company with the ability to offer advanced, performance-sensitive applications to its broadband business customers.

In addition, the Company's Network Operations Center provides around-the-clock availability of highly trained network engineers who monitor the entire Ardent Communications system to ensure that all components, including dedicated lines and hosted Web pages, are operating at peak performance. The network is also equipped with automated monitoring systems that check and adjust key components every 90 seconds to detect and correct possible problems before they affect customer service.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information on Ardent Communications, please visit www.ardentcomm.com or call 800-270-0000.

Ardent Communications, Inc. (OTCBB:ARDT) is a nationwide supplier of broadband Internet access solutions and provides price competitive high speed Internet services to businesses in 29 Points of Presence (serving 38 metro areas) across the nation utilizing a tier-one, nationwide Internet network. The Company offers always-on, broadband Internet access to its customers through its digital subscriber line (DSL) service, and through T-1, DS-3 and other bandwidth connections in major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. Additionally, the Company provides bundled data services including Web hosting, colocation services and other value added managed data services. Finally, the Company also provides service to certain hotel properties utilizing installed high speed Internet service and business centers. The Company uses its unmanned business centers and Internet kiosks to deliver broadband Internet access and content to hotels and public venues, such as airports, retail centers, and cruise ships.

Ardent Communications, Inc. is headquartered in Arlington, VA. and operates a coast-to-coast OC-12 clear-channel network, and peers with public and private partners, and at national exchange points.

This release contains statements relating to Ardent's future expectations and business strategies or other "forward-looking" information. Those statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from projections include, among others: changes in business and market conditions; changes in the Internet services industry and the general economy; our limited operating history; our ability to manage rapid growth; our ability to enter into joint ventures and other strategic relationships with companies on terms acceptable to us; access to additional capital; and the impact of computer and related problems that may arise from our operations.