Focal President and CEO Robert C. Taylor Chosen as ALTS 1999 Vice Chair

LAS VEGAS, DECEMBER 2, 1998 - The Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS) today opened the ALTS '98 Annual Convention and Trade Exposition by announcing the elections of Royce J. Holland as the new 1999 Chairman and of Robert C. Taylor as Vice Chair of the Association.

Holland, who is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Allegiance Telecom, Inc., will deliver the keynote address at ALTS '98, the competitive local telecommunications industry's largest trade show focused exclusively on facilities-based competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) and affiliate companies. As the new Chairman of ALTS, Holland succeeds Steven G. Chrust, Vice Chairman of WinStar and ALTS' 1998 Chairman.

"I am very proud to be named ALTS Chairman as the competitive local telecommunications industry enters the most exciting period in our history, marked by outstanding growth, the delivery of new choices to Americans, and public recognition as the key driver of America's broadband future," said Holland. "ALTS has played a vital role in these accomplishments, helping to create a pro-competitive policy environment in which the industry can thrive."

"Entering its 12th year, ALTS will continue to spearhead initiatives to open the local telecom marketplace to competition and to build the broadband infrastructure that will carry America's communications in the 21st century," said Taylor, newly-elected Vice Chair of the Association.

Royce Holland, a 25-year veteran of the telecommunications, independent power and engineering/construction industries, is considered one of the pioneers of today's fast-growing competitive local telecom industry. In his current position, he is Chairman, CEO and a co-founder of Allegiance, the Dallas-based CLEC. Previously, Holland was President and one of several co-founders of MFS Communications Company, Inc. MFS was bought by WorldCom in December 1996 for $13 billion.

Robert C. Taylor, a 15-year telecommunications veteran, is President, CEO and a co-founder of Focal Communications Corporation, a nationwide CLEC headquartered in Chicago. Previously, Taylor was the Vice President of Global Accounts for MFS Communications, where he was responsible for the company's 50 largest customers and for market development activities in Mexico and Canada. Prior to joining MFS, Taylor was one of the original senior executives at McLeod Telecommunications Group, a CLEC based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Taylor has also held management positions with MCI and Ameritech.

ALTS is the national industry association whose mission is to promote facilities-based local telecommunications competition. Located in Washington, D.C., the organization was created in 1987 and represents companies that build, own, and operate competitive local networks. For information on ALTS, contact Jim Crawford at 703-715-0844 or visit the ALTS Web site at www.alts.org