Integra Telecom, Inc. And Eschelon Telecom, Inc. Sponsor Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon
Integra Telecom, Inc. and Eschelon Telecom, Inc., (NASDAQ:ESCH) will jointly donate telecommunications services to the 42nd annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Telethon. The Telethon will take place Labor Day weekend, September 2 – 3, 2007 and will be broadcast on 190 stations across the nation.
As the official telecommunications sponsor for the MDA Telethon, Integra and Eschelon will donate approximately $75,000 in hardware and services including, telephones, local and long distance calling, and on-site technical support throughout the event. The companies have sponsored the MDA Telethon in six cities: Portland, Oregon; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; and Seattle, Washington. Integra and Eschelon associates and family members have volunteered to staff the MDA Telethon phone banks for at least two hours in each of the six sponsored locations.
“It’s a pleasure to sponsor the 2007 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon,” said Dudley Slater, CEO of Integra Telecom, Inc. “Eschelon has a strong reputation of supporting the communities the company services. As Integra nears the close of the Eschelon acquisition, we look forward to continuing the company’s commitment to regional and national non-profits, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association.”
“We are proud to serve as the telecommunications sponsor for our fourth year,” stated Richard A. Smith, president and CEO of Eschelon Telecom, Inc. “It is very fitting that Integra and Eschelon associates have worked together to support the MDA. It is a great illustration of how these companies will come together to serve our customers after the acquisition.”
Integra announced on March 20, 2007, that it intends to acquire Eschelon Telecom, Inc. Upon finalizing the Eschelon acquisition, the combined companies will create the largest, most profitable competitive local exchange carrier in the Western United States. The Eschelon acquisition is expected to close on August 31, 2007.
About Integra Telecom, Inc.
Integra Telecom, Inc. provides voice, data and Internet communications to thousands of business and carrier customers in eight Western states, including: Arizona, California, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The company owns and operates a best-in-class fiber-optic network comprised of eight metropolitan access networks, a nationally acclaimed tier one Internet and data network and a 4,700-mile high-speed long haul network. The company enjoys some of the highest customer loyalty and customer satisfaction ratings in the telecommunications industry. Primary equity investors in the company include Banc of America Capital Investors, Boston Ventures and Nautic Equity Partners. Integra Telecom and Electric Lightwave are registered trademarks of Integra Telecom Inc. For more information, visit www.integratelecom.com.
About Eschelon Telecom, Inc.
Eschelon Telecom, Inc. is a facilities-based competitive communications services provider of voice and data services and business telephone systems in 53 markets in the western United States. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company currently employs approximately 1,470 telecommunications/Internet professionals, serves over 65,000 business customers and has approximately 655,000 access lines in service throughout its markets in Minnesota, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Montana and California. For more information, please visit our web site at www.eschelon.com
About the Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency — a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. With national headquarters in Tucson, MDA has more than 200 offices across the country, sponsors 250 hospital-affiliated clinics and supports nearly 400 research projects around the world.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements are based on Eschelon Telecom’s current intent, belief and expectations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements because of the company’s history of losses, ability to maintain relationships with RBOCs, substantial indebtedness, intense competition, dependence on key management, changes in government regulations, and other risks that may be described in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, statements regarding the consummation of the merger are subject to risks that the conditions to the transaction will not be satisfied. In addition, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows also may be adversely impacted by the recent announcement of the proposed transaction, which may impact our ability to attract and retain customers, management and employees. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant advisory fees and other expenses relating to the transaction. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of today’s date. Eschelon Telecom undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.