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Press Release -- April 26th, 2010
Source: Enventis
Tags: DWDM, Exchange, Expansion

HickoryTech Expands its Fiber Network to Sioux Falls, S.D. and Fargo, N.D.

MANKATO, Minn., April 26, 2010— HickoryTech Corporation (NASDAQ:HTCO, news, filings) today announced the expansion of its fiber-optic network to Sioux Falls, S.D. and Fargo, N.D. The network expansion to Sioux Falls and Fargo will add 350 fiber route miles to HickoryTech’s existing 2,400 fiber route miles. These initiatives are evidence of the company’s commitment to grow its Enventis business services and provide cost-effective, high-capacity fiber-based solutions.

HickoryTech has made significant investments in its fiber and broadband network over the past several years and already provides high-capacity fiber and business services in many of the major business markets in Minnesota. Most recently, the company increased the capacity of its network between Minnesota and Des Moines, Iowa and is investing in local fiber infrastructure in Des Moines to grow its Enventis business services.
“We are very pleased to announce the expansions of our fiber network, which is a key aspect of our growth plans,” said John Finke, president and chief executive officer of HickoryTech.  “This extension of our network will allow us to further grow our Enventis fiber and data services revenue, which increased 30 percent in 2009. We expect continued growth in this line of business in the foreseeable future.”
Leveraging DWDM technology and 10 Gbps optical technology with the network expansion to Sioux Falls and Fargo, as well as the increased capacity to Des Moines positions Enventis as a competitive multi-state network provider and supports the ongoing growth of telecommunications across the upper Midwest.
“These routes will offer our customers an alternative solution for connections to these growing markets and leverage other regional hubs on the HickoryTech network,” said Walt Prahl, president of HickoryTech’s Wholesale Solutions and Business Development division.  “Our multi-state fiber network gives us an important advantage in delivering more value in both services and pricing to our customers.”
HickoryTech’s outlook for its 2010 capital spending is targeted in the range of $22 million to $26 million.
Enventis specializes in providing integrated communication solutions for businesses of all sizes and regional and national service providers.  Enventis provides high-capacity fiber and data services, managed and hosted services, and professional support services addressing a business’s ever-growing dependence on integrated IT systems that demand highly-available networks.  To learn more about Enventis, visit www.enventis.com.
About HickoryTech
HickoryTech Corporation (dba HickoryTech and Enventis) is a leading integrated communications provider in the markets it serves. With headquarters in Mankato, Minn., the corporation has approximately 450 employees and a regional fiber network with facilities-based operations in Minnesota and Iowa. Enventis serves businesses of all sizes across a five-state region with IP-based voice, data and network solutions. HickoryTech provides bundled residential and business services including high-speed Internet, Digital TV and voice services in its legacy telecom markets. The Company trades on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, symbol: HTCO, and is included in the Russell 2000 index. For more information, visit www.hickorytech.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
The press release may contain forward-looking statements that are not based on historical facts. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from future results, events or developments described in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include those risks described in HickoryTech’s Form 10-K on file with the SEC. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. HickoryTech undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements, except as required by federal securities laws.

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