Optimum Lightpath Earns Global Recognition as First North American Cable MSO to Receive Metro Ethernet Forum's `Carrier Ethernet Certification'.

JERICHO, N.Y. -- Telecom Industry Organization Recognizes Optimum Lightpath as Sole Commercial Services Division of a Major U.S. Cable Provider to Receive Carrier Ethernet Certification

Optimum Lightpath(R), the business telecommunications services division of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC), today announced that it has been named as one of seven inaugural telecommunications service providers from around the globe to be certified as compliant with the Carrier Ethernet service definitions set forth by the Metro Ethernet Forum. In achieving this significant industry distinction for both its E-Line and E-LAN services, Optimum Lightpath is the first and only commercial services division of a major North American cable provider to have received this recognition.

"This is another first in the history of our organization," said Dave Pistacchio, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Optimum Lightpath. "Eighteen years ago, Optimum Lightpath represented the cable industry's first effort to deliver a competitive local option for businesses seeking commercial telecommunications services. Just over a year ago, the organization strategically shifted its entire focus to solely deliver superior, cutting-edge Metro Ethernet services that go far beyond traditional telephony-based offerings. Now, Optimum Lightpath is recognized by the global telecommunications industry for its visionary steps and success demonstrating to cable providers worldwide that a Metro Ethernet-only business model is an extremely viable for the future direction of their own commercial services operations."

The Metro Ethernet Forum, a global industry alliance whose mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services, officially announced the first group of service provider recipients for its Carrier Ethernet Certification earlier today at a special awards ceremony at Light Reading's Ethernet Expo: Europe 2006 conference and exhibition in London. Carrier Ethernet service definition compliance was determined through thorough testing conducted by Iometrix, an international testing lab dedicated to developing rigorous, standards-based methodologies for the meaningful evaluation of advanced enterprise and WAN technologies.

"Optimum Lightpath has made a strong effort to be a leader in promoting the interoperability, simplicity, savings and flexibility of Carrier Ethernet that business customers are looking for and we are pleased to recognize them as the first MSO in the United States to secure Carrier Ethernet certification for its services," said Nan Chen, President of the Metro Ethernet Forum.

The Carrier Ethernet Certification Program is a key step for the Metro Ethernet Forum in its mission to facilitate the provisioning of consistent Carrier Ethernet services worldwide. It is meant to have a significant impact on the global uptake of Carrier Ethernet - already one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry - as it enables service providers to quickly respond to new orders or upgrades, while enabling them to focus on delivering the full benefits of Carrier Ethernet services, including rapid service creation, smooth scalability to 10 Gbps, end-to-end protection, robust service level agreements and flexible support for voice, Internet and multicast traffic. This accreditation will also enable end users to make an informed choice about which service providers and offerings to use.

"The MEF's Certification Program independently confirms what the many businesses that have subscribed to Optimum Lightpath's Metro Ethernet services already know. By complying with the MEF's globally-recognized standard for Carrier Ethernet, our offerings consistently provide our customers with the highest standards of interoperability, flexibility and performance, along with significant and measurable cost benefits," said Brian Fabiano, Senior Vice President, Network Services, Optimum Lightpath. "This mark of excellence demonstrates to our customers the commitment that Optimum Lightpath has made to providing them with the advanced network infrastructure they require in order to scale and to transform the way their organization operates and efficiently solves business problems."

Businesses interested in learning more about Optimum Lightpath's new Metro Ethernet services promotion can visit http://www.metroethernetnow.com or call 1-877-LIGHTPATH.

About Optimum Lightpath

Optimum Lightpath, a business telecommunications services division of Cablevision Systems Corporation, uses the power of its own reliable and resilient fully fiber optic network to deliver converged, IP-based data, Internet, and voice solutions to businesses throughout the New York metropolitan area. Over the past 18 years, Optimum Lightpath built an advanced Fiber-to-the-business-Premises network that has over 2400 route miles of fiber optic cables throughout the tri-state area. As a result of owning and maintaining this state-of-the-art network, Optimum Lightpath can optimize the enterprise customer's quality of experience, while delivering reliable, high bandwidth business communications services at lower prices. Optimum Lightpath now provides its customers with scalable, high-capacity IP-based Metro Ethernet services (E-LAN and E-Line) to support high bandwidth data, Internet and voice applications, while also delivering highly personalized customer service superior to the competition.

About Cablevision

Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the nation's leading entertainment and telecommunications companies. Its cable television operations serve more than 3 million households in the New York metropolitan area. The company's advanced telecommunications offerings include its iO: Interactive Optimum digital television, Optimum Online high-speed Internet, Optimum Voice digital voice-over-cable, and its Optimum Lightpath integrated business communications services. Cablevision's Rainbow Media Holdings LLC operates several successful programming businesses, including AMC, IFC, WE and other national and regional networks. In addition to its telecommunications and programming businesses, Cablevision owns Madison Square Garden and its sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty. The company also operates New York's famed Radio City Music Hall, and owns and operates Clearview Cinemas.