New Edge Networks Wins Industry Award for Developing MPLS over DSL

Innovation is a ‘boon’ to enterprise IT planners, allows businesses to do more with less

VANCOUVER, Wash. – (Nov. 11, 2008) – New Edge Networks, the business communications unit of EarthLink Inc., (NASDAQ: ELNK), was named most innovative competitive communications carrier for its development of a breakthrough corporate wide area network service.

Chicago-based research and consulting firm, New Paradigm Resources Group, and Pipeline magazine selected New Edge as recipient of their 2008 Communications Innovator Award for Most Innovative Competitive Carrier. The award singles out New Edge Networks for developing a telecommunications industry-first network service that allows businesses to tag and prioritize data traffic over DSL access using up to five classes of service.

NPRG and Pipeline received and evaluated numerous nominations to select the “best-of-the-best” innovations.

“That innovation – melding MPLS (short for Multi Protocol Label Switching) and an extensive DSL (digital subscriber line) footprint – is a boon to enterprise IT planners because existing bandwidth is optimized and (wide area network) capacity upgrades can be deferred,” noted NPRG and Pipeline in the award summary.

“Such a breakthrough comes none too soon for those managing growing portfolios of IP-based applications, such as VoIP and real-time databases,” said NPRG and Pipeline.

A copy of the award summary and winners in two other categories is available at www.nprg.com.

New Edge introduced its new MPLS over DSL service last April in response to customer demand for a reliable network service that closes the large pricing gap between traditional business-class DSL and a full T-1 high-speed telephone line.

MPLS over DSL also is an attractive cost-saving option for businesses that previously were forced to use T-1 at all locations. Now businesses can mix and match access technologies based on the specific needs at each location without compromising the value of key MPLS benefits.

“This award affirms the uniqueness and value of this service to multi-site businesses,” said Greg Griffiths, vice president of marketing for New Edge Networks. “We are proud of the recognition from a respected research firm and an industry trade magazine.

“Since its launch, MPLS over DSL has been our biggest network attraction among IT decision makers,” Griffiths said. “The turbulent economic times make MPLS over DSL a more compelling network option for getting a faster return on investments in new computer applications that businesses use to improve productivity, efficiency and customer experience.”

New Edge offers its new service directly and through selling partners nationally in most areas where DSL is available. New Edge has one of the largest DSL networks, able to reach about 90 percent of U. S. business addresses.