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Covad Communications Business-Class Voice Services Now Available in 42 Markets Nationwide Covad Communications Group, Inc. (OTCBB: COVD), a leading national provider of integrated voice and data communications, today announced the availability of business-class Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) in 42 markets around the nation. Covad's VoIP services are managed end-to-end, offering small and medium businesses an unparalleled suite of services and voice quality that businesses can rely on.Covad Business-Class VoIP Now Available in the Following Markets Allentown, PA Atlanta, GA Baltimore, MD Boston, MA Boulder, CO Camden, NJ Chicago, IL Chico, CA Colorado Springs, CO Danbury, CT Denver, CO Dallas, TX Fort Worth, TX Fresno, CA Gary, IN Los Angeles, CA Manchester, NH Nashua, NH Newark and Northern NJ New York, NY Oakland, CA Olympia, WA Orange County, CA Philadelphia, PA Phoenix, AZ Providence, RI Riverside, CA Sacramento, CA Santa Barbara, CA San Diego, CA San Jose, CA San Luis Obispo, CA San Francisco, CA Seattle, WA Stamford, CT Stockton, CA Tacoma, WA Trenton, NJ Ventura, CA Washington, DC Wilmington, DE Worcester, MA Covad VoIP service will be available in all 113 major metropolitan statistical areas served by Covad's nationwide broadband network by the end of 2004. "We are pleased to offer high quality, reliable communications services and features on a nationwide basis that, until now, have not been available at affordable prices for small businesses," said Charles Hoffman, president and chief executive officer of Covad. "VoIP is the most significant alternative ever to traditional phone service, and Covad's ability to offer small businesses the opportunity to work with one provider for their voice and data needs on a national scale gives us a competitive edge." Patrick Hurley, Director of Research at telecommunications research firm, TeleChoice, Inc., said: "When businesses are considering voice over IP services they shouldn't expect today's consumer VoIP services to keep up with their needs. However, when a provider like Covad adds voice over IP services onto their nationwide broadband network, they can provide these business customers a truly integrated voice and data service that provides customers the quality and reliability they need." VoIP works by delivering voice information in digital electronic packets. This allows businesses to manage calls with a single broadband connection. Covad currently provides two services for VoIP - Covad vPBX and Covad PBXi. Covad PBXi is designed to work seamlessly with existing PBX equipment. Covad vPBX is designed as a full PBX alternative. Covad and Covad's dealer network install the service, train users and provide complete customer support. Covad's Dashboard brings an array of capabilities into one common user interface including local and long-distance services, visual fax and voice mail, Instant Messaging, audio and web conferencing, call logs, directory services, "Find me/Follow me" and other features, all managed from one place using one phone number. Covad currently offers several VoIP products custom-tailored small- to medium-sized businesses, and for enterprises needing a virtual Private Branch Exchange (PBX). Features of Covad's VoIP services will include: Local and Long Distance telephone service Voice Optimized Access (VOA) - the ability to prioritize voice traffic over the network to ensure impeccable quality of voice service through Covad's network Nationwide coverage Automated provisioning capabilities Service backed by comprehensive service level agreements (SLAs) Covad Dashboard an easy-to-use, award winning Web based user interface Call logs Find Me, Follow Me functionality that allows a user to receive calls on multiple devices from the user's VoIP phone number Unified visual voice and fax mail Voice and Web conferencing Automated Attendant Covad's VoIP services can be ordered directly by calling 1-866-462-3269. For more information on Covad's VoIP service visit Covad's website and schedule a free voice assessment with a Covad consultant at: http://www.covad.com/voip/howtoorder/index.shtml. About Covad Covad is a leading national broadband service provider of high-speed Internet and network access utilizing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology. It offers DSL, T1, hosting, managed security, IP and dial-up, and bundled voice and data services directly through Covad's network and through Internet Service Providers, value-added resellers, telecommunications carriers and affinity groups to small and medium-sized businesses and home users. Covad services are currently available across the nation in 44 states and 235 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and can be purchased by more than 57 million homes and businesses, which represent over 50 percent of all US homes and businesses. Corporate headquarters is located at 110 Rio Robles San Jose, CA 95134. Telephone: 1-888-GO-COVAD. Web Site: www.covad.com. |