CORETEL JOINS NATIONAL COALITION TO PROMOTE LOCAL PHONE COMPETITION

Annapolis, MD, July 23, 2001 -- CoreTel announced today that the company will join the Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel) as part of CoreTel's ongoing strategy to educate elected officials and policymakers about what must be done to promote local phone competition in both Maryland and across the nation.

"CoreTel is happy to join forces with CompTel to help bring about a truly competitive market for local telecommunications," said Bret Mingo, chief executive officer of CoreTel. "By joining forces with a national coalition such as CompTel, CoreTel hopes to be a strong voice in both the U.S. Congress and state legislatures to advocate for local phone competition and the benefits of that competition to consumers.

Mingo also praised CompTel President Russell Frisby, the former chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission, as "an individual who did so much to introduce and support local phone competition during his service in Maryland and continues to do so in his leadership role at CompTel."

CoreTel officials said that CompTel's role in advancing the interests of the competitive telecommunications industry coupled with the collective strength of CompTel's member companies would bolster CoreTel's ongoing efforts to ensure that local phone competition is allowed to develop.

Recently, CoreTel won an important victory when the Maryland PSC ruled that Verizon could not unilaterally cease adhering to agreements previously entered into with CoreTel and other Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) across the state. Additionally, in a ruling that could have tremendous consequences for local phone competition across the nation, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia is currently considering a case brought by CoreTel disputing the Federal Communications Commission's recently released guidelines on reciprocal compensation. The case is on expedited review and a ruling is expected Spring 2002.

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About Core Communications, Inc.

Core Communications, Inc. ("CoreTel") is a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. CoreTel competes directly with Verizon - Maryland, Inc. and other CLECs in the highly contested data communications marketplace. CoreTel relies on its expertise with integrating the Internet and telephone networks to provide targeted services to data-focused customers. As a CLEC, CoreTel is the product of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which deregulated local exchange telecommunications nationwide, as well as the pro-competition policies of the Maryland Public Service Commission. CoreTel's investors include Charles Ross Partners, LLC. For more information, please visit CoreTel's web site at www.coretel.net.

About CompTel

Based in Washington, D.C., CompTel (Competitive Telecommunications Association) is the leading trade association representing the interests of the competitive communication industry. The association services U.S. and international communications firms and their suppliers who offer a variety of local, domestic and international long-distance, Internet, voice, data and wireless services. Founded in 1981, CompTel members include global and national firms, regional carriers and emerging local competitive companies, including major competitive local exchange companies (CLECs).

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robin Buckley
Buckley & Kaldenbach, Inc.
703.533.9805

Bonnie Van Fleet
CompTel
202.296.6650