Broadwing Takes Delivery of Industry's First All-Optical Switch.

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2000

Killer Platform Emerges from Next-Generation Carrier's Deployment of

First Intelligent All-Optical Network 

Broadwing Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadwing Inc. (NYSE:BRW), took delivery today of the industry's first all-optical switch for commercial deployment, developed and manufactured by Corvis Corporation (Nasdaq:CORV). This all-optical switch will form an integral part of the world's first intelligent, all-optical network, currently being deployed by Broadwing and scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

"Broadwing is the first provider to begin commercial deployment of intelligent, all-optical technology," said Rick Pontin, president and COO of Broadwing Communications. "This delivery, by Corvis, of the industry's first all-optical switch will make it possible for us to become the first provider to actually switch light and enables us to create the first generation of lightwave services for our customers."

With the industry's most advanced 18,000 mile, next-generation fiber network and a unique combination of assets, including the first-of-its-kind, award-winning pure IP backbone; nine web hosting centers, located on the network; the first all-optical interoperability lab; a high-bandwidth applications incubator; leading back-office systems; and an unparalleled focus on customer service, Broadwing is strongly positioned to develop, sell, and support the world's first suite of all-optical services.

In recent keynote addresses to leading financial and industry groups, Broadwing Inc. president and CEO, Rick Ellenberger, has described Broadwing's creation of this "killer platform" as the event that will finally unlock killer applications; making possible disruptive forms of commerce and revolutionizing business models.

"The beauty of the killer platform is not just that it can carry today's data, Internet, and voice traffic faster and more efficiently, but that it enables customers to use multimedia and content-rich applications as vital business drivers," explained Ellenberger. "Bandwidth intensive applications like streaming media, multi-point video conferencing, collaborative file sharing, and content aggregation will fuel customers' appetites for ever-increasing amounts of bandwidth in the same way that more sophisticated and powerful desktop computer software fueled demand for increased processing power."

Broadwing's all-optical, ultra-long haul backbone is powered by the Corvis suite of CorWave products. The all-optical switch will enable Broadwing to switch network traffic without having to convert it from optical to electrical and back to optical at every switch location. By keeping traffic at the optical level, Broadwing will substantially reduce costs and significantly increase network capacity and efficiency.

"By deploying the industry's first all-optical switch, developed by Corvis, Broadwing will realize increases in capacity, efficiency, and cost savings that are orders of magnitude beyond today's legacy networks," said Dr. David Huber, president and CEO of Corvis Corporation.

Broadwing's receipt of this all-optical switch comes on the heels of several milestones in the deployment of the world's first all-optical network, including: the first field trial of an optical signal travelling over 4000km without electrical regeneration; the creation of the only all-optical interoperability lab; and the first commercial traffic carried on an all-optical network segment between Fort Worth and Phoenix.

About Broadwing

Broadwing Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of Broadwing Inc. (NYSE:BRW). Broadwing combines unparalleled customer service with the industry's most advanced and flexible 18,000 mile next-generation fiber optic network and award-winning IP backbone, to create data and Internet solutions that are innovative, reliable, and provide businesses a competitive advantage. Broadwing will be the first provider with a fully deployed optical network and sets the standard for customer accountability with the industry's only Installation Guarantee. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio and Austin, Texas with 6,000 employees in 56 sales and service offices across the country, Broadwing can be found on the Web at www.broadwing.com.

Note: Information included in this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve potential risks and uncertainties. Broadwing's future results could differ materially from those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, Broadwing's ability to maintain its market position in communications services,

and its ability to develop and successfully launch new products and services. More information on potential risks and uncertainties is available in the company's recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Form 10-K reports for Broadwing Inc. and Broadwing Communications.