US LEC Enhances Web Hosting Packages; Carrier Gives Customers the Power of 'Website Management' [29th July 2003]

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jul 29, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Bringing more sophisticated options to customers, US LEC Corp. (CLEC) , a super- regional telecommunications carrier providing integrated voice, data and Internet services to businesses, has enhanced its Web hosting services, empowering customers to manage their services according to their own business needs.

The new features include on-line self-management tools as well as increased security modifications, in addition to several options that meet almost any need -- from a basic online business card to an e-commerce enabled online store or a virtual dedicated server. The Web hosting products are scalable, allowing US LEC customers to initiate the services with a basic package and upgrade as their needs change.

"We see more and more business customers looking for Web services that enable them to monitor, analyze and manage their own services. US LEC has responded with new direct access management tools, all based on what the customer wants in a hosting environment," said Jeff Blackey, senior vice president for US LEC. "As a leader in the competitive carrier industry, US LEC can be flexible when it comes to customizing services, while continuing to develop upgrades to services like Web hosting. Our 'customer comes first' philosophy means that we do it all with a focus on quality, cost-effectiveness and simplicity."

US LEC's upgraded Web hosting services do not require expensive new equipment, and key features include real time traffic measurements, real time changes and updates, detailed activity reports and success management tools. In addition, enhanced security features, such as multi-tiered firewalling to protect the clustered server environments, email antivirus protection and free spam filtering are available for all web hosting customers.

About US LEC

Based in Charlotte, NC, US LEC is an integrated telecommunications carrier providing voice, data and Internet services to over 12,000 mid-to-large-sized business customers throughout the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. The US LEC network of 26 digital switching centers consists of Lucent 5ESS(R) AnyMedia(TM) digital switches, Lucent CBX500 ATM data switches and Juniper M20(TM) Internet Gateway routers. The US LEC local service area includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and the District of Columbia. US LEC also offers selected voice services in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin, in addition to data services in these states and others. For more information about US LEC, visit www.uslec.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this report contains forward-looking statements, subject to uncertainties and risks, including the demand for US LEC's services, the ability of the Company to introduce additional products, the ability of the Company to successfully attract and retain personnel, competition in existing and potential additional markets, uncertainties regarding its dealings with ILECs and other telecommunications carriers and facilities providers, regulatory uncertainties, the possibility of adverse decisions related to reciprocal compensation and access charges owing to the Company, as well as the Company's ability to begin operations in additional markets. These and other applicable risks are summarized in the "Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors" section and elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002, and in subsequent reports, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional SH statement

US LEC is a registered service mark of US LEC Corp. US LEC and Design (R) is a registered service mark and trademark of US LEC Corp.

Media Contact: Investor Contact:
Jennifer Sharpe James Stawski
704-319-1135 704-319-1189
jsharpe@uslec.com jstawski@uslec.com

SOURCE US LEC Corp.

media, Jennifer Sharpe, +1-704-319-1135, or e-mail,
jsharpe@uslec.com, or investors, James Stawski, +1-704-319-1189, or e-mail,
jstawski@uslec.com, both of US LEC Corp.