Conversent Communications Affiliate Acquires USDataCenters Inc.; Integrated Communications Provider Expands Service Offerings With Purchase of Data Center Company.

Business/Technology Editors

MARLBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2001

Conversent Communications, LLC, an Integrated Communications Provider (ICP), announced today the acquisition of USDataCenters, Inc., the Marlboro-based data center and web hosting company, by its newly formed affiliate Northeast Data Vault, Inc.

In a deal approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Friday, Northeast Data Vault acquired the state-of-the art data center and related facilities.

"This acquisition further expands Conversent's already rich collection of offerings by allowing us to provide high end co-location and hosting services to our customers," said Robert Shanahan, President and CEO of Conversent. "This was an excellent opportunity for us to purchase superior assets at a great value. Our voice and data customers now have the added advantage of obtaining high-end web hosting and co-location services as well."

As part of the agreement, Conversent's affiliate Northeast Data Vault acquired USDC's 25,000-square-foot data center that boasts dual fiber-optic entrances, redundant Internet connectivity, one 2 MW generator for back-up power, fire suppression, and a state-of-the-art video security system. The data center will also support Conversent's planned Disaster Recovery Service, which will provide back-up data storage to customers.

"Disaster recovery for data used to be a luxury for larger companies, "said Shanahan. "But as recent events have highlighted, every company that houses large amounts of mission-critical data needs this service, and now we are able to offer it to all of our customers."

Conversent is a facilities-based provider of voice and data communications for business customers from Maine to New Jersey. Conversent has experienced explosive growth throughout its 7-state service area. Conversent secured $186 million in financing this year, bringing its total raised to $210 million since 1998.

About Conversent:

Conversent Communications was co-founded in 1998 by cable entrepreneur Robert Fanch and Conversent's president and CEO, Robert Shanahan. A facilities-based communications provider with six Class 5 telephone switches and more than 2000 miles of fiber optic network, Conversent designs and delivers bundled telecommunications and broadband services that meet the specific needs of individual businesses from small neighborhood companies to enterprise customers. The company provides its customers with a broad portfolio of services - Internet access, data and network applications, and voice solutions. Conversent is committed to providing the highest level of customer service and the right communications solution to all its clients, with a focus on improving business productivity, performance, and managing cost. More information is available at www.conversent.com.