ATX RENEWS AGREEMENT WITH SP INDUSTRIES, A LEADING SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTS SUPPLIER, FOR MULTI-LOCATION INTEGRATED SOLUTION

ATX, a leading integrated communications provider with approximately 40,000 business customers and 400,000 consumer subscribers, has resigned a two-year agreement with SP Industries, a leader in supplying scientific products to the laboratory, scientific, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and industrial industries, continuing the two-year relationship between the two companies.

Bala Cynwyd, PA - December 12, 2001 - ATX, a leading integrated communications provider with approximately 40,000 business customers and 400,000 consumer subscribers, has resigned a two-year agreement with SP Industries, a leader in supplying scientific products to the laboratory, scientific, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and industrial industries, continuing the two-year relationship between the two companies. ATX will be providing the company's six locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic states with Internet services and all of their voice services including local and long distance, and they will be connecting the offices through a frame relay network. Additionally, four of the locations will be receiving the flagship ATX CoreConnect product, an innovative solution that integrates local, long distance, toll, data, and Internet bundled over a multi-purpose broadband connection, where co-location is available.

As SP acquires additional companies, ATX has acted as a resource and developed a data network that brought connectivity to all of their locations. "We have been with ATX for a long time, and this strong partnership is still proving to be beneficial for our company," states SP Industries' Mike Castiglioni, Vice President and Chief Information Officer. "Our confidence with ATX is confirmed by the signing of another two-year term, along with our close contact with Anthony Carlozo, who initiated the relationship two years ago, and the development of our relationship with Ann McKee as well."

"As we have expanded our product portfolio, they have expanded their business through acquisitions," explains Ann McKee, Manager of Major Markets for ATX. "SP Industries looks to ATX when they are enlarging their resources, and we are enthusiastic about helping them through every step of their business growth."

SP Industries is the holding company for Hotpack, The Hull Company, VirTis, and Wilmad Glass/LabGlass. Headquartered in Buena, New Jersey, the company was created in 1996 by a management-led buyout of three well-established companies that are recognized leaders in their markets.

ATX is currently proposing a Citrix application to SP Industries to help manage their network while they are still in the expansion process.

About ATX - A CoreComm Company
ATX is a leading facilities-based integrated communications provider delivering tailored voice, Internet, data, e-business, and wireless solutions. Founded in 1985, ATX leverages its proven model of consultative services, consolidated broadband offerings, and personalized account management to provide a competitive advantage for its customers. Approximately 40,000 businesses and 400,000 consumers throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions have entrusted ATX as their communications partner. For more information on ATX, please visit www.atx.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
In addition to the historical information presented, this release also includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the future development of the business. Such statements represent the Company's reasonable judgment on the future and are based on assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in factors affecting such statements.

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