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, today announced record setting sales results for the first quarter, marking the fifth record-setting quarter in a row. The company reported a total of 45,533 access lines sold for the three months ending March 30, 2007, versus 44,471 access lines for Q4 2006 and 30,785 for Q1 2006. �For Q1, we generated 2.4% sequential growth and 48% year to year quarterly growth�both outstanding levels of growth and ahead of where we expected to be,� says Bob Pickens, Eschelon�s Chief Operating Officer. �I am extremely pleased with the leadership and focus being demonstrated by our sales teams. The demand for our products and services is quite strong and our sales force continues to show they can consistently perform at a high level.� �The sales team we have assembled at Eschelon is very strong and getting stronger,� adds Steve Wachter, Executive Vice President of Sales,� We started the year with 265 Network Sales Associates and 40 Business Telephone Sales Specialists and are on plan to add an additional 60 Network Services Sales Associates by the end of 2007. This will result in the largest Communications Service Provider (CSP) sales team that services the medium and small business segment in our region � driving significant sales and market share gains.� 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 600,000 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.