CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US LEC Corp. , a telecommunications carrier serving businesses and enterprise organizations throughout the Eastern United States, announced that it is now offering its full suite of voice, data and Internet services in Louisiana's state capital, Baton Rouge.

Operating in Louisiana since early 2001, US LEC's local customer base of mid-to-large sized business customers has been focused in the greater New Orleans area. This customer base grew by nearly 28 percent in 2004, prompting US LEC to expand deeper into the Gulf Coast region to further meet the needs of businesses in Louisiana. Baton Rouge is the second largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in Louisiana, and is ranked as America's 70th largest MSA. The major industries in Baton Rouge include agriculture, construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and utilities.

"Businesses in Baton Rouge deserve a reliable carrier, and we're confident they will embrace US LEC as a better choice for their communications services," said Craig Simpson, regional vice president for US LEC. "By focusing on the needs of businesses, US LEC understands how to provide the right combination of telecom services that meet their specific needs. We look forward to being the communications partner that delivers unmatched service to the business community in the Baton Rouge area."

US LEC currently provides voice, data and Internet services to more than 22,000 business customers throughout its 15-state footprint, successfully targeting customers in several industries which include the automotive, construction, education, entertainment, financial, government, hospitality, manufacturing, medical, professional/legal, real estate and transportation sectors.

About US LEC

Based in Charlotte, NC, US LEC is a leading telecommunications carrier providing integrated voice, data and Internet services to medium and large businesses and enterprise organizations throughout 15 Eastern states and the District of Columbia. US LEC services include local and long distance calling services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, advanced data services such as Frame Relay, Multi-Link Frame Relay and ATM, dedicated and dial-up Internet services, managed data solutions, data center services and Web hosting. US LEC also offers selected voice services in 27 additional states, and provides MegaPOP(R) (local dial-up Internet access for ISPs) and selected data services nationwide. For more information about US LEC, visit http://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 "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and Exhibit 99.1 "Risk Factors" sections and elsewhere in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2003, and in subsequent reports, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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. StarNet(TM) and MegaPOP(R) are service marks of US LEC Corp.

Media Contact, Jennifer Sharpe, +1-704-319-1135, or jsharpe@uslec.com, or Investor Contact, James Stawski, +1-704-319-1189, or jstawski@uslec.com

CONTACT: Media, Jennifer Sharpe, +1-704-319-1135, or jsharpe@uslec.com,
or Investors, James Stawski, +1-704-319-1189, or jstawski@uslec.com, both of
US LEC Corp.

Web site: http://www.uslec.com/