MPE Bank of America Corp. Market Index Target Term Securities (Mitts) Linked TO The S&P 500 Index

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mpower Holding Corporation (AMEX:MPE), the parent company of Mpower Communications Corp., a leading provider of data and voice services to retail and wholesale business customers, today announced that one of its Board members, Richard L. Shorten, Jr. has resigned from the Board after forming a new business relationship with a Connecticut-based hedge fund. Shorten commented, "I have the highest regard for my colleagues at Mpower, and I will miss working with them. I leave the Board with supreme confidence that Mpower will continue its record of operating excellence, and I know that Rolla and the remainder of the Board will continue to drive value for Mpower shareholders." "We thank Rich for the guidance and insight he has provided to the Mpower management team over the past four years, and wish him well in the future," stated Mpower Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rolla P. Huff. Shorten, who joined the Mpower Board in 2002, has no conflicts with Mpower management or other Mpower board members. Mpower is conducting a search to fill the vacant spot on its eight-member Board of Directors. About Mpower Holding Corporation Founded in 1996, Mpower Holding Corporation (AMEX:MPE) is the parent company of Mpower Communications, a leading facilities-based broadband communications provider offering a full range of data, telephony, Internet access and network services for retail business and wholesale customers in California, Nevada and Illinois. Further information about the company can be found at http://www.mpowercom.com/. Forward-Looking Statements Under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Mpower cautions investors that certain statements contained in this press release that state our and/or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements. Management wishes to caution the reader that these forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are only estimates or predictions. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, future sales growth, changes in federal or state telecommunications regulations, market acceptance of our product and service offerings, the liquidity of our common stock, our ability to secure adequate financing or equity capital to fund our operations and network expansion, our ability to manage growth and maintain a high level of customer service, the performance of our network and equipment, our ability to enter into strategic alliances or transactions, the cooperation of incumbent local exchange carriers in provisioning lines and interconnecting our equipment, regulatory approval processes, the effect of regulatory decisions on our access charges and operating costs, changes in technology, price competition, and other market conditions and risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information, or otherwise. First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: sMcCaffrey@mpowercom.com DATASOURCE: Mpower Communications Corporation CONTACT: Investors - Gregg Clevenger, Chief Financial Officer, +1-585- 218-6547, , Media - Michele Sadwick, Vice President, +1-585-218-6542, , both of Mpower Communications Corporation Web site: http://www.mpowercom.com/

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