Jay Fletcher (202) 690-0498

Joan Messina (217) 403-6248

**USDA ANNOUNCES \$267 MILLION RURAL BROADBAND LOAN**

***45 Illinois communities to benefit***

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2008 --- USDA Rural Development Under Secretary
Thomas C. Dorr today announced that Open Range Communications,
headquartered in Denver, Colo., has been approved to receive a \$267
million loan from USDA Rural Development to provide broadband service to
518 rural communities in 17 states.

This partnership will address the significant need to deploy wireless,
portable broadband connectivity to improve service in considerable
portions of rural America. The commitment by USDA and Open Range
represents one of the largest public-private investments for broadband
service by the federal government.

This unique set of services will provide cutting-edge Wi-Max technology
that transmits wireless data in areas not serviced by cable or DSL
technologies. Open Range plans to offer affordable, wireless, high-speed
broadband service to underserved and unserved areas.

The loan presents dual benefits to the residents of the communities to
be served. Those without service will have access to broadband and other
technologies for the first time. Residents in areas served by an
existing provider will benefit from mobile and portable broadband, lower
prices, enhanced service options and improved quality as a result of
marketplace competition.

"Portable, high-speed connectivity provides new options to help create
business expansion in rural communities," Rural Development Under
Secretary Thomas C. Dorr noted. "Communities that lack broadband are
often bypassed for new economic development investments. Broadband is as
important today as providing rural telephone service was 75 years ago,
and we're proud of our role in fostering public-private partnerships to
bring broadband services to rural America."

In addition to broadband, Open Range will offer satellite services to
provide rural residents with portable connectivity virtually nationwide.
Improved service with portability features will improve communications
and responses for emergency first responders such as law enforcement and
rescue providers, as well as health care providers.

-more-

The project is intended to cover more than 6 million people and serve
more than 447,000 households within five years. In addition, it will
create jobs and business opportunities in the project's 17-state area.
Open Range is leveraging the \$267 million government loan with an
investment of more than \$100 million from the private sector. The loan
is contingent upon Open Range meeting the conditions of the loan
agreement.

The loan was approved under the Rural Development Broadband Loan and
Loan Guarantee Program, which since its inception has awarded \$1.6
billion in loans for projects to provide rural broadband services. The
Rural Development Broadband program has financed a variety of
technologies, including wireless, fiber, hybrid fiber/coax, DSL and
broadband over power lines. The Open Range project is the program's
first investment to support Wi-Max technology.

USDA Rural Development's investments in broadband are helping rural
communities develop sustainable economic opportunities to improve the
quality of life in communities across the nation. The loan to Open Range
is expected to foster business development and create new jobs in
Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia,
Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin.

"Over the next several years, Open Range will be able to offer fast,
affordable broadband access to 280,000 people and businesses in 45
communities throughout Illinois," said the Rural Development Director
for Illinois Doug Wilson. "The \$20 million investment in Illinois has
the potential to markedly improve the economic viability of these
communities and the quality of life of their residents."

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and
improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development has
invested nearly \$91 billion since 2001 for equity and technical
assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business
development, and critical community and technology infrastructure. More
than 1.7 million jobs have been created or saved through these
investments. Further information on rural programs is available at a
local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at
[http://www.rurdev.usda.gov](http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/).

\#