Tech Valley Communications Rebrands to FirstLight Fiber

Name change reflects its expanded capabilities and markets served

Albany, NY – September 23, 2013 – FirstLight Fiber (formerly known as Tech Valley Communications), a facilities-based telecommunications service provider operating fiber optic networks in Upstate New York and Northern New England with connectivity to Canada, announced today the formal rebranding of Tech Valley Communications to FirstLight Fiber. Adopting the name it used for its fiber optic network, this announcement reflects the ongoing geographic expansion of FirstLight and its enhanced set of capabilities, which include Data, Internet Access, Data Center Colocation and Voice services to carriers and enterprise customers.

Operating one of the largest and most dense fiber-based networks throughout Upstate New York, Northern New England and up to Canada, FirstLight has consistently grown both organically and strategically. In 2011, FirstLight acquired segTEL and most recently, it acquired the assets of TelJet. The latest acquisition was made possible by a recent debt financing led by GE Capital with Webster Bank as a co-lender.  These transactions have expanded FirstLight’s geographic reach and strengthened its core capabilities by adding new customer segments, new services, and additional talent to its team.

“Our new brand is an integral step in the continued advancement of our Company, and adopting the name of our fiber network is a significant way to highlight all of FirstLight’s capabilities,” stated Kevin O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of FirstLight Fiber. “The name FirstLight has strong positive brand recognition and reflects one of our key strengths – our fiber optic network. The name also better reflects our Company’s rapidly expanding fiber network as well as the customers we serve throughout the northeastern U.S. and Canada – in addition to the Tech Valley region. While we remain committed to serving and investing in the Tech Valley region, our new name reflects the entirety of our network and our plans for future growth.“

The FirstLight network has been built and operated by the Company for nearly 15 years, and boasts more than 190,000 fiber miles, serving 1,300 lit buildings in five states (NY, NH, ME, VT & MA) with connectivity to Montreal. Because FirstLight owns and operates its own fiber optic network, it is better able to provide a higher quality of service translating to a positive customer experience for its clients.

“We were among the first providers to offer competitively priced, fiber-based data, Internet and voice services in the markets we serve, and our high capacity, low latency network is exactly what our clients need to maintain their competitive edge. With this rebrand, our strong local presence within the Tech Valley region, along with the other positive attributes that set FirstLight apart from our competitors will remain unchanged,” said Patrick Coughlin, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for FirstLight Fiber. “Our customers can expect to continue to work with the same dedicated account teams and to have access to the full complement of high quality, cost-effective, scalable telecommunications services they have enjoyed.”

To learn more about the rebranding and request a media briefing directly with FirstLight, contact pr@jaymiescotto.com. The company will be onsite at COMPTEL PLUS Fall 2013 Sept. 23^rd to 26^th in Orlando, Florida and at the Tri-City Expo, on Sept 26^th in Manchester, New Hampshire. Phone briefings can be requested as well.

To learn more about FirstLight, visit www.firstlight.net or follow the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.