Covad Deploys Nationwide MPLS Backbone and Capacity Upgrades to Power Future High-Bandwidth Services

MPLS backbone puts Covad partners on level playing field with largest service providers

San Jose, Calif., - February 23, 2009 - Covad Communications Company, a leading national provider of voice and data communications, today announced it has completed a nationwide MPLS deployment and network capacity upgrades that will enable its partners to deliver advanced video, voice and data services.

The upgrades include metro optical rings with up to OC-192 (10 Gbps) capacity and will allow Covad and its wholesale partners to meet the demanding needs of small businesses and distributed enterprises.

"Businesses are increasingly using broadband to deploy IP-based services to reduce costs and to increase productivity," said William Ferriauolo, senior vice president and general manager of Covad Wholesale. "Covad's new MPLS infrastructure will allow our partners to deliver revenue-generating, value-added services on a national broadband network that is competitive with what the very largest carriers can offer."

MPLS provides a significant improvement over ATM in terms of both network efficiency and management. The MPLS backbone will allow Covad to provide Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities that can be customized for real-time applications such as voice and video. Covad will announce plans for specific new services when they are closer to availability.

"Covad continues to move forward on its commitment to building a Tier 1 carrier network our partners can leverage to deliver advanced revenue-generating services," said Young-Sae Song, vice president of marketing of Covad Wholesale. "Covad's continued investment in our network since our acquisition by Platinum Equity is something we really feel will be a competitive advantage going forward, both in our direct business and for our wholesale partners."

Covad is the "easy to do business with" choice for partners who benefit from the company's streamlined provisioning and ordering systems, scalable, cost-efficient support infrastructure, and nationwide, facilities-based network. Covad Wholesale customers include a broad spectrum that spans market leaders like Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and EarthLink to regional customers and smaller nationwide carriers.

About Covad

Covad is a leading national provider of integrated voice and data communications. The company offers DSL, T1, broadband wireless, and voice-optimized access directly through Covad's network and through Internet Service Providers, value- added resellers, telecommunications carriers and affinity groups in the small and medium-sized businesses market. Many of the nation's top carriers, Internet service providers, and resellers rely on Covad to power their high-speed broadband solutions. Partners benefit from Covad's streamlined provisioning and ordering systems, scalable, cost-efficient support infrastructure, and the only facilities-based, next-generation wireline and fixed wireless broadband network. Covad broadband services are currently available across the nation in 44 states and 235 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and can be purchased by more than 58 million homes and businesses. Covad is located at 2220 O'Toole Avenue, San Jose, CA 95131. Telephone: 1-888-GO-COVAD. Website: www.covad.com.