NAP of the Americas Announces Five New Partners and Requests for Site and Operator Proposals.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 7, 2000

CyberGate, Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc.,

GlobalXchange Communications, Inc., Net2Phone and Progress Telecom

Join Downtown Miami NAP Initiative

The team of telecommunications and Internet-industry leaders working to build the Network Access Point (NAP) of the Americas today announced five more members, bringing the total number of members to 15.

It was also announced that a timeline and process has been set to issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for a site and operator for the NAP of the Americas in downtown Miami.

The NAP of the Americas group includes companies such as 360networks, EPIK Communications, Global Crossing, Global NAPS, Metromedia Fiber Network and NetRail, Inc. New members announced today are CyberGate, GlobalXchange Communications, Inc., Net2Phone, Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc. and Progress Telecom.

"The timeline that has been agreed to by the participating members is aggressive; however, it is important that this initiative move forward as South Florida and the state will greatly benefit from the development of a Tier-1 NAP," said Benjamin Finzi, Executive Vice President of EPIK Communications, and a spokesman for the NAP of the Americas team.

The timeline to select an operator for the proposed NAP has been scheduled as follows:

--  July 11, 2000   RFP released to interested operators
--  July 20, 2000   RFP Responses Due
--  July 21, 2000   Presentation Meeting
                    Discussion of Proposal by NAP of the Americas Team
                    Decision by NAP of the Americas Team

All interested companies should contact Doug Peeples (407/736-8143) at EPIK Communications with any questions. RFPs should be requested from Allison Coats (407/482-8411) at EPIK Communications.

The timeline to select a site for the proposed NAP has been scheduled as follows:

--  July 10, 2000   RFP released to interested developers
--  July 26, 2000   RFP Responses Due
--  July 28, 2000   Presentation Meeting
                    Discussion of Proposal by NAP of the Americas Team
                    Decision by NAP of the Americas Team

All interested companies should contact Jerry Baggett (407/736-8129) at EPIK Communications with any questions. RFPs should be requested from Allison Coats (407/482-8411) at EPIK Communications.

CyberGate, a national Internet Service Provider, is a wholly owned subsidiary of e.spire Communications. CyberGate is focused on becoming the leader for affordable Internet access, hosting solutions and e-commerce tools to commercial clients. CyberGate is one of the Southeast's largest providers of high-speed Internet access and web hosting services.

Fusion Telecommunications International, Inc. is a strategic Network Communications Service Provider (NCSP) bridging traditional communications and the new age of the Internet for emerging global markets. Fusion is building a meshed interconnected international network environment and intends to become a world leader in the development and delivery of advanced communications, data and Internet services to under-served countries. As a leader in the international marketplace, Fusion and its joint venture partners create the equivalent of international Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) in targeted countries.

GlobalXchange Communications, Inc. (GXC) is an Integrated Communications Service Provider (ICSP) offering IP-based multimedia services in Latin America and the Caribbean. In conjunction with Telia, GXC is also a leading provider of Tier 1 Internet Access, Web-Hosting, and Co-location services with bilingual support from its Miami hub.

Net2Phone is a leading provider of voice-enhanced Internet communications services to individuals, businesses and telephone carriers worldwide. Net2Phone enables people to place low-cost, high quality telephone calls from their computer, telephone, or fax machine to any telephone or fax machine in the world. By routing calls via the Internet, Net2Phone enables users to save on international phone rates. Additionally, Net2Phone develops and markets technology and services for IP voice and e-commerce solutions for the web and other IP networks. Recognized as the company who first bridged the Internet with the public switched telephone network, Net2Phone routes millions of minutes monthly over the Internet.

Founded in 1998, Progress Telecom is a carrier's carrier providing wholesale telecommunications services throughout Eastern United States. Progress Telecom incorporates approximately 106,000 fiber miles in its network including approximately 80 Points-of-Presence (POPS). The fiber network serves as the backbone of OC-192 transport that allows customers enhanced data transport capabilities in the Southeastern United States first, second and third tier growth markets. The network's utility-based infrastructure also offers fast local loop access through the network to ensure true reliability through diversity. Progress Telecom's parent company, Florida Progress Corporation, is a strong and growing electric utility holding company founded in 1982. For more information about Progress Telecom on the Internet go to http://www.progresstelecom.com/.

"These five companies add strength to the NAP of the Americas initiative and it illustrates the tremendous response being received from the telecommunications industry," said Finzi. Finzi explained that the NAP of the Americas team expects other major telecommunications and Internet companies to join the NAP of the Americas effort in the next few weeks. The coalition of 15 companies will continue to meet regularly in the coming weeks to develop policy and operating procedures as well as to address other critical issues.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's present expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company cautions that such statements are necessarily based on certain assumptions, which are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in general economic condition, and changing competition and technology which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated herein. Further information on these risk factors is included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.