Covad Promotes Frank Thomas to Newly Created Post of Chief Information Officer.

Business Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 10, 2000

Covad Communications (Nasdaq:COVD), the leading national broadband services provider utilizing DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) technology, today announced the promotion of Frank C. Thomas, Jr. to executive vice president (EVP) and chief information officer (CIO), a new position. Prior to his appointment, Thomas was vice president, ILEC Relations at Covad.

"Frank's addition to the Covad executive staff is yet another example that we are building a management team that will take us to the next level," said Robert E. Knowling, Jr., Covad's chairman, president and CEO. "Frank's experience will help drive Covad's world-class Operational Support System (OSS) expertise to new levels both in the United States and abroad."

Thomas will be responsible for all aspects of Covad's Information Systems organization, including strategic planning, software engineering, information technology operations, and quality assurance.

Bringing more than 20 years of experience in the telecommunications and information systems industries, Thomas joined Covad from Olive, LLP where he was senior partner of the consulting division. At Olive, LLP he led a team of 120 consultants providing services in the areas of information technology, software implementation, e-business, re-engineering, management consulting and human resource consulting.

Before his work at Olive, LLP, Thomas served as vice president, Operations & Technology for the National Account Center at US West where he was responsible for the companies top 250 large-business customers. Thomas also held senior management positions in IT at Eli Lilly & Company and Ameritech.

"The creation of the CIO position is an acknowledgement that having a strategic information systems organization is an integral part of Covad," said Thomas. "We are now in a position to take the team to the next level and build the processes that will enable us to leverage our OSS even further and allow us to scale the business and install millions of lines."

About Covad

Covad is the leading national broadband services provider of high-speed Internet and network access utilizing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology. It offers DSL, IP and dial up services through Internet Service Providers, telecommunications carriers, enterprises, affinity groups, PC OEMs and ASPs to small and medium-sized businesses and home users. Covad services are currently available across the United States in 99 of the top Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). By the end of 2000, Covad services are expected to be available in 165 MSAs (which includes MSAs that will be added as a result of the acquisition of BlueStar Communications). At that time Covad's network is targeted to reach more than 45 percent of all U.S. homes and 50 percent of all U.S. businesses. Corporate headquarters is located at 4250 Burton Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Telephone: 888/GO-COVAD. Web Site: www.covad.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements regarding the intention to deploy our network in new and existing MSAs, the timing and breadth of coverage in each MSA, and our ability to provide high-quality, media-rich content. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the company's dependence on incumbent local exchange carriers for collocation, unbundled network elements, transport and other facilities, development of necessary technologies and operations, ability to manage growth of our operations, and the need to raise additional capital. For other risks and uncertainties applicable to our business refer to the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.