BroadWing Takes Flight as Nation's First Integrated Communications Powerhouse; Focus on Customer is Differentiation.

CINCINNATI and AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1999--

Punctuating the just completed merger between Cincinnati Bell Inc. and IXC Communications Inc., President and CEO Richard Ellenberger today unveiled BroadWing Inc., the new name and identity of the combined company. First announced July 21, this merger has closed faster than almost any other in the industry, a testament to the complimentary nature of these two companies. The new company will trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as BRW.

Bringing together the best of both worlds, the nation's most respected, innovative, reliable local communications provider combined with the most advanced next-generation high-speed network creates a premier integrated communications provider with voice, data, and internet solutions for customers from coast-to-coast.

In remarks delivered to employees across the country, Ellenberger called for a return to placing customers in charge of their communications solutions.

"With communications mergers seemingly a daily occurrence, one critical item that seems to be lost in the rush to create 'super carriers', cut jobs, and stifle innovation is the customer. Customers are telling us that the landscape is littered with broken promises and uninspired thinking when it comes to enabling them to think ahead of their own customers needs, and to gain and maintain an advantage in the markets they serve.

"BroadWing will be different. With the strong pedigree of Cincinnati Bell as one of the nation's best managed, most reliable, innovative, and customer focused communications company's, BroadWing has in its lineage a heritage of customer service excellence and relationship building. It brings the aggressive spirit of a start-up with 126 years of excellence and innovation.

"Businesses today are looking for a partner to fulfill the promise of high-speed networks and Internet applications to drive their overall business strategy," said Berge Ayvazian, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Yankee Group. "Combining IXC's Internet-driven services and Cincinnati Bell's solid management infrastructure, BroadWing will successfully meet this rising demand and fill a void for the unique communications needs of the small and medium business market."

Organized to leverage its expertise as both a local and national provider, BroadWing will consist of two main business units - local and national markets.

Local markets, continuing to operate as Cincinnati Bell, will serve customers with the same account representatives and commitment to service that has put the company among the top communications providers in the country. Local customers will benefit from the new range of voice, data, and Internet services that will enable communication with customers, suppliers, and employees around the country.

National markets will focus primarily on enabling businesses with data and Internet-centric applications, bringing together transport, application, and strategy into an integrated solution that puts the customer in the drivers' seat.

About BroadWing

BroadWing Inc. (NYSE: BRW) is an integrated communications powerhouse delivering voice, data, wireless, and Internet solutions to a variety of customers nationwide. Focused on customer service combined with a premier next-generation fiber network and award winning IP backbone, BroadWing's reliable high-bandwidth data and Internet capabilities give businesses a competitive advantage. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio with 5,500 employees in 37 cities, BroadWing can be found on the World Wide Web at broadwing.com.