News Release

Electric Lightwave Veteran Tapped To Lead New Integra Telecom Subsidiary

Company Announces Strategy for Brands and Leadership Appointment

PORTLAND, Ore. - August 1, 2006 - Effective today Electric Lightwave is a subsidiary of Integra Telecom, a fast-growing, integrated communications carrier dedicated to providing a better choice for businesses. The final agreement and transfer of company ownership was completed July 31. Going forward, the Electric Lightwave name will refer only to Integra's carrier-to-carrier network services and sales operation. Electric Lightwave was formerly owned and operated by Citizens Communications.

Integra has named Craig Nelsen to be Vice President of Electric Lightwave. Nelsen will oversee sales, customer service and operations for this unit of the company. Nelson has been with Electric Lightwave for 11 years and most recently led the company's carrier division. During his tenure at Electric Lightwave, he has also led the company's Agent Channel and Marketing organization. With over 19 years of telecom industry experience, Mr. Nelsen worked previously for Western Telephone, MCI, AT&T, PAGENET.

"Craig was a natural choice to lead the Electric Lightwave unit," said Dudley Slater, CEO of Integra Telecom. "His skills and knowledge of the industry are invaluable and will continue to improve upon the company's success as a carrier to carrier network under Integra's unique service model."

About Electric Lightwave

Electric Lightwave is one of the most recognized carrier services brands in the country providing communications network services, including transport, Internet access and voice services, to telecom carriers in the west. Through Electric Lightwave, carriers gain access to Integra Telecom's twenty-three metropolitan access networks in eight western states, nationally acclaimed tier one internet and data network, and high speed long-haul fiber-optic network that interconnects major markets in the West. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Integra Telecom. For more information about Electric Lightwave, please visit www.electriclightwave.com.