NuVox Communications and FDN Communications Announce Merger Plans


Two leading communications companies sign definitive agreement

GREENVILLE, S.C. and MAITLAND, Fla., March 21 -- NuVox Communications and FDN Communications today jointly announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to merge the two privately held facilities-based communications providers. Following a transition period, the combined company will operate under the name NuVox Communications, and will provide IP-based communications solutions including voice, data connectivity and storage, private networking, web hosting, and security services to business customers across the Southeast and the Midwest. The combined enterprise will initially have more than 90,000 customers, 1 million voice and data lines in service, and annual revenues exceeding $500 million.

"Combining NuVox and FDN Communications makes excellent strategic sense given our similar philosophies about customers-that is, a keen focus on the business market evidenced by our suite of products and services aimed specifically at that market and our unwavering commitment to proficient, 'high-touch' customer service," stated Jim Akerhielm, Chief Executive Officer of NuVox Communications. "The two companies have complementary target customers, overlapping geographic markets in the fast growing Florida and metropolitan Atlanta areas, and efficient, customer-centric operations positioning the new company to be a leading provider of communications solutions for business customers."

"A larger total footprint and deeper customer penetration in key markets will position NuVox for further growth," added Mike Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of FDN Communications. "Both companies have a proven track record and have posted very compelling financial results. Together, the new combined company will build on the strengths and experience of each company."

The senior management team will be comprised of individuals from both FDN Communications and NuVox. Leading the combined company will be Akerhielm, who will serve as CEO, and Gallagher who will serve as President of Strategic Markets. The board of directors will consist of David Solomon as Chairman of the Board, Akerhielm and Gallagher, Jim Wade and Gillis Cashman of MC Venture Partners, James H. (Jamie) Greene, Jr. of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. (KKR), Scott Perper of Wachovia Capital Partners, and Jim Fleming of Columbia Capital Partners.

"Both NuVox and FDN Communications have made tremendous investments in technology and the build out of their networks," commented Jamie Greene of KKR. "As a result, they are now able to fully implement Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, which is enabling their customers to take advantage of a richer set of communication services and applications as well as significantly enhanced broadband connectivity. In addition to the ability to better leverage each company's investment in technology and the clear benefits to customers, the combination of the NuVox and FDN networks allows for a number of operational and financial efficiencies which will lead to improved profitability and accelerated growth."

"We are excited to bring together the superb teams of employees of both companies. I believe the people of both NuVox and FDN Communications are the reason each company has been so successful, and as a combined team, we can achieve even more," added Akerhielm.

The combined company's headquarters will be in Greenville, SC with extensive sales, customer, and technical operations in both Greenville, SC and Maitland, FL. The transaction is expected to close in June 2007. Until closing, FDN Communications and NuVox Communications will continue to operate separately. Customers of both companies will not experience changes to their existing service agreements as a result of the merger.

The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both NuVox and FDN Communications. Financial terms of the proposed merger were not disclosed. The combined company will refinance the existing senior credit facilities of both NuVox and FDN Communications. Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the stockholders of both companies, as well as regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

About NuVox Communications:

NuVox Communications provides voice, data, and security services to business customers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee. These services are provided through advanced Alcatel-Lucent, Nortel, Sonus, and Cisco technology. NuVox has been honored as a certified Cisco Powered Network. NuVox's VoIP services are delivered via technology from Cisco, Sonus, Sylantro, IP Unity, and Acme Packet. For more information, visit www.nuvox.com.

About FDN Communications:

Headquartered in Maitland, Florida, FDN Communications has been providing facilities-based, business-class communications services in the Southeastern United States for nearly a decade. Serving tens of thousands of satisfied customers with over a quarter million telephone and Internet lines, FDN presents tailored solutions for today's communication challenges. To learn more about FDN, visit www.fdn.com.

Source: NuVox Communications

CONTACT:

Susanne Hite

NuVox Communications

+1-864-672-5097

hite@nuvox.com

Tina Lange

FDN Communications

+1-407-835-0340

tlange@mail.fdn.com

Web site: www.nuvox.com/

http://www.fdn.com/

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