ESCH Eschelon Telecom (MM)

(NASDAQ:ESCH): Eschelon Telecom, Inc., a provider of integrated communications services to small and medium sized businesses in the western United States announced today that Inter-Tel, Incorporated has ranked Eschelon as its top business distributor in the world. This is the fifth consecutive year that Eschelon has achieved this ranking. The ranking is based on Eschelon�s 2006 purchase volume of Inter-Tel products and services. Eschelon�s purchases exceeded $5 million in 2006 � becoming the first Inter-Tel dealer to ever reach this benchmark. Eschelon has ranked in the top ten Inter-Tel business partners consistently over the past ten years. Eschelon specializes in the sale, installation and service of the Inter-Tel Axxess� and Inter-Tel 5000 communications platforms. The Axxess� and 5000 platforms represent flexible, scalable, integrated communications systems that provide tightly integrated voice processing technology, IP telephony functionality and transparent networking throughout a customer�s organization. �We view our customers� communication services as a key investment toward achieving their business goals,� stated Steve Wachter, Eschelon�s Executive Vice President of Sales. �Inter-Tel shares that philosophy and provides products that complement Eschelon�s range of voice services to provide our customers with a comprehensive, value-driven solution. We are one of the few competitive local exchange carriers that provide business telephone systems along with our suite of switch based network services products and our customers love our ability to provide all of their business needs � systems, local, long distance, internet access � we become the customer�s full service telecommunications manager. We fill all of the customer�s applications needs and we get a customer for a very long period of time.� �Our success with the Inter-Tel solutions is due to the easy integration between the communications platforms and the network products Eschelon offers,� stated John Phillips, Vice President of Sales Development and Operations. �With the Axxess� and the 5000 platforms we have been able to provide tightly integrated phone and network solutions for our customers as they adopt newer technologies like VoIP." Rick Dell, Inter-Tel Vice President of Sales said, �We are proud and pleased to present Eschelon with the Inter-Tel Number One Dealer award for the fifth consecutive year. Their continued dedication to Inter-Tel products and Managed Services, top-rated customer service and high-quality employee performance has helped them achieve this honor once again.� About Inter-Tel (Delaware), Incorporated Inter-Tel (Nasdaq:INTL - news) offers value-driven communications products; applications utilizing networks and server-based communications software; and a wide range of managed services that include voice and data network design and traffic provisioning, custom application development, and financial solutions packages. An industry-leading provider focused on the communication needs of business enterprises, Inter-Tel employs approximately 1,900 communications professionals, and services business customers through a network of 58 company-owned, direct sales offices and approximately 300 authorized providers in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and South Africa. More information is available at www.inter-tel.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 45 markets in the western United States. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company currently employs approximately 1,400 telecommunications/Internet professionals, serves over 60,000 business customers and has in excess of 570,000 access lines in service throughout its markets in Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. For more information, please visit our web site at www.eschelon.com 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. 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.