World-Renowned Guitar Maker Simplifies and Reduces Telecommunications Costs by Consolidating Data and Voice Services with XO

HostReview.com
Monday, February 23, 2004; 12:00 AM

2/23/04 - RESTON, VA - XO Communications, Inc. (OTCBB: XOCM.OB), one of the nation’s leading providers of broadband telecommunications services, today announced that it has completed a consolidated data and voice telecommunications solution for Gibson Guitars, the world-renowned maker of acoustic and electric guitars.

As the primary provider of telecommunications services for Gibson, XO is providing dedicated and switched long distance voice, local voice, and Dedicated Internet Access services to fifteen Gibson corporate, divisional and retail locations across the United States. Gibson expects to be able to simplify its network operations and save on telecommunications costs by consolidating from eleven service providers to XO Communications. In addition, at each location XO was able to increase bandwidth for Internet access while still helping Gibson to save on its overall telecommunications costs.

“XO’s impressive network infrastructure, ability to provide services for all our locations, and focus on customer service made it the clear choice for us,” said Matthew Mullins, chief technology officer at Gibson guitar. “By consolidating from nearly a dozen providers to just XO is helping us to significantly reduce the costs and complexity of operating our telecommunications network.”

“Gibson is an excellent example of the value XO brings to businesses,” said John Jacquay, president of business market sales, XO Communications. “Businesses with operations across the country do not have to work with different providers for local and national services at each of their locations. With our extensive local networks, XO can cost-effectively deliver the full range of Internet and voice services on a scale that most service providers cannot match.”

About Gibson Guitar
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, MI, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Trace Elliot, Maestro, Baldwin, Ellington, Chickering and Wurlitzer. Visit Gibson's website at www.gibson.com.

About XO Communications
XO Communications is a leading broadband telecommunications services provider offering a complete set of telecommunications services, including: local and long distance voice, Internet access, Virtual Private Networking (VPN), Ethernet, Wavelength, Web Hosting and Integrated voice and data services.

XO has assembled an unrivaled set of facilities-based broadband networks and Tier One Internet peering relationships in the United States. XO currently offers facilities-based broadband telecommunications services within and between more than 70 markets throughout the United States.