MCLD - McLeod USA, Inc. (MCLD)

[jmhollen]

McLeodUSA Chairman & Co-CEO Clark McLeod Attends CLEC CEO Summit at FCC

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2001--McLeodUSA Incorporated (Nasdaq:MCLD), the nation's largest independent competitive local exchange carrier, today announced that Chairman and Co-CEO Clark McLeod attended the CEO Summit for Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) hosted by FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell on Tuesday, July 10, 2001 in Washington, D.C.

Describing the Summit, attended by CEOs of 12 competitive telecommunications providers, Mr. McLeod stated, "This beneficial exchange of information was devoted to the topic of ensuring that competitive local phone providers are able to compete on a level playing field with incumbent providers who have had monopoly control over the critical "last mile" connection for over a century. Chairman Powell is aware of the many roadblocks that have been artificially placed in the path of true competition and seems dedicated to ensuring that the promise of the 1996 Telecommunications Act becomes reality." McLeod stated, "I thank Chairman Powell for his initiative in hosting a Summit on this important topic. I appreciate the invitation to participate and applaud the Chairman's commitment to ensuring competitive choices for consumers."

About McLeodUSA McLeodUSA provides integrated communications services, including local services, in 25 Midwest, Southwest, Northwest and Rocky Mountain states. The Company also provides data and voice services in all 50 states. McLeodUSA is a facilities-based telecommunications provider with, as of March 31, 2001, 396 ATM switches, 50 voice switches, nearly 30,000 route miles of fiber optic network and 11,300 employees. The Company's fiber optic network is capable of transmitting integrated next-generation data, Internet, video and voice services, reaching 800 cities and approximately 90% of the U.S. population. In the next 12 months, McLeodUSA plans to distribute 34 million telephone directories in 26 states, serving a population of 56 million.

McLeodUSA is a Nasdaq-100 company traded under the symbol MCLD. Visit the Company's web site at www.mcleodusa.com. --30--dm/ms* CONTACT: McLeodUSA Incorporated, Cedar Rapids Investor Contact: Bryce E. Nemitz Press Contact: Bruce A. Tiemann mcleodusa:[e-mail] Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

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