Press Release

New Offerings Mark CLEC's Entrance Into Small, Medium Business Markets; Also Targeting Enterprises

NEW YORK, Mar 17, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Con Edison Communications (CEC), a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison Inc., today introduced two new service offerings, PowerNet Internet and PowerCall Voice Services.

In addition to addressing the needs of its New York City-based enterprise customers, the new services also mark the company's entrance into the under-served small and medium business markets. These companies may range from 25 to 500 employees.

"The small and medium business markets have been underserved until now," said Peter Rust, president and CEO of CEC. These companies tell us they have been receiving second-rate capabilities and service from their carrier. With our new PowerNet Internet and PowerCall Voice Services, CEC has offerings that cater specifically to their product, service and pricing needs."

PowerNet Internet Service offers a high-speed dedicated access solution that gets businesses connected on-line efficiently and affordably. PowerNet Internet Service provides business-class Internet access, email and DNS, plus low latency and high reliability. CEC backs up the offering with advanced customer service and network support. PowerNet Internet Service is specifically designed for robust business use, offering Internet connection speeds of from 1.5 Mbps to 1 Gbps. DSL, by comparison, typically offers speeds of only 1 Mbps or less.

PowerCall Voice Service provides reliable, competitively priced T1 or PRI access, local calling, toll-free service. It also includes both domestic and international long distance services. CEC provides support from a world-class team of network professionals, with 24x7 coverage through its Advanced Network Operations Center. All of these voice services are summarized on a single, convenient invoice.

Q2 Plans

The two new services will become even more attractive to small businesses in the second quarter, when CEC will offer an integrated access device that will enable customers to obtain both voice and data services over a single, shared T1 line. This will enable companies with as few as five to10 business lines to take advantage of dedicated connections with high transmission speeds.

"In this economy, businesses of all size have become risk averse," said Rust. "They seek to partner with service providers that can improve upon the incumbent carrier's service and support. At the same time, they are reluctant to do business with less stable competitive local-exchange carriers (CLECs)."

Rust added, "Being part of Consolidated Edison is one of the reasons that CEC is the smart alternative. Beyond this, we offer additional advantages over incumbent carriers and CLECs, including experience, network diversity, customer services and technology."

In addition to the new services, CEC also offers PowerConnect Co-location Service, PowerOptic SONET Service, PowerOptic DS-1 Service, PowerWave Wavelength Service and PowerLan Ethernet Service. Additional detailed information on all of CEC's offerings is available at www.electricfiber.com.

About Con Edison Communications

Con Edison Communications (CEC) (www.electricfiber.com), a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison Inc., is the 'Smart Alternative' Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC). CEC offers a comprehensive range of data and voice transport products and services designed to enhance the performance of its customers' networks. CEC builds and operates its own fiber optic network providing managed data transport services, custom networks, local and long distance voice services and Internet services.

CEC serves local and long-distance carriers, Fortune 1000 corporations, small and medium businesses, and Internet, cable, wireless and video companies. Operations commenced in 1999. Since then, CEC's New York City metro area network continues to grow and currently interconnects over 80 commercial buildings, all major carrier Points-of-Presence (POPs) and many of the Verizon Central Offices in New York City.

Its parent company, Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED), is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with over $8 billion in annual revenues and $19 billion in assets.

All companies and products listed herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: George Cohen Communications, Inc. George Cohen, 617/325-0011 george@gccpr.com or Con Edison Communications Jordan Parker, 212/324-5036 parkerj@electricfiber.com