HickoryTech Achieves Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Specialization from Cisco.

MANKATO, Minn. -- HickoryTech (Nasdaq: HTCO) announced today that it has achieved the Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Specialization from Cisco([R]). This specialization recognizes HickoryTech and its subsidiary Enventis, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner, as having fulfilled the training requirements and program prerequisites to sell, deploy and support comprehensive Cisco data center storage networking solutions, including the Cisco MDS Family of directors and fabric switches.

"We're pleased to be recognized by Cisco again with the Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Specialization," said John Morton, president of HickoryTech's Business Solutions division. "This designation validates our knowledge and expertise in helping customers build highly available, scalable storage networking solutions that address data security initiatives and business continuity."

"As a Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Specialized Partner, HickoryTech's investment in the training and equipment required to provide integrated, collaborative and adaptive storage networking solutions ranks them among the industry's most-qualified," said John Growdon, director of marketing for worldwide channels at Cisco.

The Cisco Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Specialization is designed to help partners--whether small to medium-sized businesses or enterprise-scale organizations--meet a wide range of customer needs. The Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Specialization curriculum focuses on enabling Cisco partners to build cost-effective storage area networks in support of creating better resource management, improved business continuance and enhanced data security. These resale channel partners are specialists in building storage solutions based on industry-leading Cisco data center storage networking products. These include Cisco MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Directors and Fabric Switches, MDS 9000 IP Storage Services Modules, MDS 9000 Caching Services Modules, MDS 9000 Advanced Services Modules, MDS 9000 Fibre Channel Switching Modules, MDS 9000 Port Analyzer Adapters, MDS 9100 and 9200 Multilayer Fabric Switches, MDS 9500 Series Multilayer Directors and MDS 9500 Series Supervisor Modules.

The Cisco Resale Channel Program provides partners with the training required to build sales, technical and Cisco Lifecycle Services skills, and then validates their skills through a third-party audit. Cisco resale partner certifications--Select, Premier, Silver and Gold--represent an increasing breadth of skills across key technologies and a partner's ability to deliver integrated networking solutions. Cisco resale partner specializations--SMB, Express, Advanced and Master--reflect an increasing depth of sales, technical and service expertise in particular technologies. Achieving Cisco Advanced Data Center Storage Networking Specialization also provides Enventis access to comprehensive sales, technical, and lifecycle services training and support available from Cisco.

About HickoryTech Corporation HickoryTech Corporation (dba HickoryTech and Enventis) is a leading integrated communications provider in the markets it serves. With headquarters in Mankato, Minn., the corporation has approximately 450 employees and a regional fiber network with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa. Enventis serves businesses of all sizes across a five-state region with IP-based voice, data and network solutions. HickoryTech provides bundled residential and business services including high-speed Internet, Digital TV and voice services in its legacy telecom markets. The Company trades on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, symbol: HTCO, and is a member of the Russell 2000 index. For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com.