MILWAUKEE -- Norlight Telecommunications, a full-service telecommunications provider of high-quality, wholesale network transport solutions, announced today that it is expanding its 3,800-mile network by activating optical fibers along the Central Illinois corridor, to improve telecommunications access and reliability for its wholesale customers. Norlight is a Journal Communications’ company (NYSE: JRN).

“This particular network expansion is being undertaken in response to existing customer demand, and demonstrates Norlight’s customer-focused approach toward movement into other regions to better serve our wholesale customers,” said Jim Ditter, president of Norlight. “This is a natural progression for Norlight, following the network upgrade recently completed between Davenport, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois. We believe our ability to provide redundant, regional distribution is especially appealing to wholesale carriers. This regional penetration into Central Illinois will emphasize local distribution in order to take our wholesale customers closer to their customers.”

Norlight will begin implementation of the 347-mile network expansion, which will establish Points-of-Presence in Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, and Danville, Illinois. Completion of the Central Illinois expansion is scheduled for fourth quarter 2005.

“Currently, Norlight operates an extensive network utilizing a combination of DWDM and SONET technologies to deliver bandwidth solutions up to OC-192 or 10 GigE services at more than 55 Points-of-Presence. By extending our reach to yet another important region, second and third tier cities in Central Illinois will soon have access to cost-effective, protected traffic distribution,” said Bob Rogers, senior vice president for Norlight.

Norlight Telecommunications Inc.