Cbeyond Communication's Geiger to Head ALTS; CEO of One of Nation's Fastest Growing CLECs Takes the Helm at a Pivotal Time.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2004

Jim Geiger, Founder and CEO of Cbeyond Communications, the leader in the emerging local voice and broadband services market and the world's first 100% Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) local phone network, has been named Chairman of the Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS).

"I'm honored by the opportunity to take the reins of this vibrant organization at a time that is critical in the evolution of competitive telephone services in the US market," said Geiger. "Since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, we've fought a battle of incremental progress against the extraordinary policy-making power of the mammoth Bell companies and their desperate fight to maintain their monopoly status. ALTS has been a voice of passion for the consumer and a voice of reason in what has been a fractious debate. I'm excited about the opportunities before us."

Geiger noted that ALTS is dedicated to keeping telecom markets open and breaking down barriers to competition. "ALTS' strategy is simple," said Geiger. "We want to preserve the pro-competitive landscape in place today to ensure all carriers can continue to compete in local markets in order that customers have a choice for local telephone service. We want to ensure non-discriminatory access to the last mile bottleneck facilities as required by the Act. Our customers deserve no less."

Cbeyond Communications is exactly the kind of competitive company envisioned by the 1996 Telecommunications Act. With 10,000 small business customers in Atlanta, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston and Denver, Cbeyond's mission is to provide small businesses with "big business" communications services at a price they can afford. The company uses next-generation Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to deliver integrated communications services down market to the large and underserved segment of small business customers.

"If it weren't for the combined power of the voices of America's CLECs as leveraged by ALTS, our success would have been uncertain," said Geiger. "We have the capital, the people and the technology to make a huge difference in the businesses of our customers, but it's a fierce uphill battle in terms of the regulatory and policy-making environment. ALTS is a serious participant in this complex and critical public policy debate."

About ALTS

ALTS is the leading national industry association whose mission is to promote facilities-based local telecommunications competition. Created in 1987, ALTS is headquartered in Washington, DC and represents companies that build, own and operate competitive networks -- CLECs that are 'facilities-based.' ALTS was founded to harness the shared energy and vitality of the new local competitors and to help ensure regulations for robust competition, spawned by the 1996 Act, are implemented and enforced. ALTS produces important industry events, products and services to help CLECs win in the marketplace.

About Cbeyond Communications

Cbeyond Communications, a privately held, Atlanta-based carrier, is the leader in the emerging local voice and broadband services market and the world's first 100% Internet Protocol (IP) local phone network. Using Internet Protocol (IP) architecture, Cbeyond delivers to small business customers an integrated package of high quality local and long distance telephony services, high-speed Internet access and Internet-based applications for about the same price that small businesses typically pay for local and long distance service alone. Cbeyond serves customers in Atlanta, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston and Denver. For more information on Cbeyond Communications, visit the website at www.cbeyond.net.