March 21, 2002 -- US LEC Corp. (Nasdaq: CLEC), a telecommunications carrier providing voice, data and Internet services, has completed a network- wide 5ESS switch upgrade utilizing Lucent Technologies' latest software release.

Some features of US LEC's network upgrade include additional long distance service capabilities, increased billing efficiency, additional compliance with CALEA (Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act), and access to additional rate centers allowing US LEC to serve wider geographic areas.

US LEC completed the three-month long, 26-switch upgrade in March 2002.

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