ITOWN COMMUNICATIONS LAUNCHES "WEST VIRGINIA FIRST".

iTown Communications, Inc., Charleston, W.Va., has initiated West Virginia First, an advanced broadband project for communities across West Virginia. The project will provide West Virginia with a competitive advantage in the broadband revolution by establishing the ultra-high capacity communications infrastructure needed in the new economy. It will serve as a foundation for job growth and the delivery of advanced applications transforming business, education, healthcare, government services and personal entertainment. The initial phase of West Virginia First focuses on the Beckley-Bluefield and Wood County areas of the state.

Through the West Virginia First Project, a fiber optic Local Community Public-Use Networksm (LCPNsm) will directly connect to homes, businesses, schools, government offices and other institutions in participating communities. The LCPN is purposely designed as an open network so many different retail service providers can connect to deliver video, Internet, telephone, security, and other services bringing competition and choice to consumers.

West Virginia First involves a public-private partnership among iTown, the West Virginia Development Office and participating local communities. iTown provides the technical expertise as the project's overall manager, planning, building and operating the LCPN. Local communities benefit by obtaining an advanced broadband infrastructure that encourages lower prices and a broader range of service offerings. The advanced capabilities of an LCPN allow communities to compete effectively for new economy jobs, and it keeps in the community a larger portion of dollars spent by residences and businesses on communications services further strengthening the local economy.

iTown's president and CEO, Keith Montgomery, who grew up in West Virginia, said iTown Communications is uniquely focused on America's small communities.

"Broadband is to a 21st century community what electricity, water and paved roads were to a community at the start of 20th century. It is an essential infrastructure," said Montgomery. "Communications and information are a great equalizer. With technologies available today, there is no reason for only urban America to receive the advantages of advanced broadband. The West Virginia First Project is a model that can be adapted beyond the borders of West Virginia."

About iTown Communications

iTown Communications Inc., is headquartered in Vienna, Virginia. iTown was established to specifically address the emerging communications infrastructure issues faced by communities with populations of 5,000 to 125,000. iTown's Enterprise Model and its patent pending network design for ultra-high capacity broadband networks provide an economic solution for advanced broadband infrastructure and communications services to America's smaller communities.

What is West Virginia First?

West Virginia is a state made up of small and medium sized communities. It is a state that still values family ties, lifelong friendships, and unhurried living. This is why many West Virginians remain in the state, or return after living elsewhere. West Virginians, too, are known for having independent spirits and "do it yourself" attitudes. They are hard-working and talented people, but do not always have access to the opportunities for economic and professional growth than can be found in larger cities. West Virginians want the opportunities and resources that are available in metropolitan areas without having to relocate to those areas. West Virginia Firstsm is an initiative to place the State at the forefront of the broadband revolution and make many of these opportunities possible.

It is evident in today's world of ever-expanding information and technology that having access to the most advanced communications is fundamental for economic and professional development. West Virginia First, an iTown Communications advanced broadband project, is opening new gateways in communications for the future of West Virginia. Through West Virginia First, iTown Communications works in partnership with the West Virginia Development Office and participating local communities to plan, install and operate a state-of-the-art, ultra-high capacity network called a Local Community Public-Use Networksm in communities around the State. With its open network architecture and near limitless capacity, one single network connects all users in the serving area, is capable of delivering all services (video, voice, Internet and data), and is available to all service providers to reach their customers. iTown's Local Community Public-Use Network allows West Virginians to obtain the benefits of advanced broadband services now being employed in large metropolitan areas; and it is "future-proof," capable of delivering services not yet available anywhere.

These benefits include greatly improved Internet services, High Definition Television with interactive capabilities and expanded channel selection, educational options such as distance learning and interactive classrooms, voice options for e-mail , video e-mail, medical records transmission, patient home monitoring, advanced home shopping, and many more capabilities.

Existing businesses will have capabilities that increase their operating efficiency and extend the markets they can reach, making them more competitive and helping to ensure they remain in the community, grow and add jobs. Communities also benefit because they will have a critical "new economy" capability that others will not have providing a competitive advantage in attracting new businesses. Bio-tech, e-health, e-commerce, data storage and software development firms (just to name a few) are "bandwidth hungry" enterprises that require the capabilities this network delivers.

Communities in the Wood County and the Beckley-Bluefield areas are early participants in West Virginia First.

For more information on West Virginia First, call 301/785-0906 or visit http://www.itowncom.net.