Chicago Board Options Exchange Selects RCN Metro Optical Networks as a Preferred Extranet Service Provider

RCN Metro Optical Networks, a division of RCN Corporation (NASDAQ: RCNI) and a premier provider of fiber optic-based network solutions, announced today that it has successfully met the rigorous specifications of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) and has been chosen as a provider of Extranet Connectivity Services to the CBOE and its member firms and traders. With this agreement, RCN Metro now connects more than 20 financial exchanges in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including Chicago and New York City.

The CBOE is the largest options exchange in the United States and the creator of listed options. The CBOE offers equity, index and ETF options, including proprietary products, such as S&P 500 options (SPX), the most active index option in the country, and options on the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), the world's barometer for market volatility.

"When we evaluated providers for extranet connectivity, RCN Metro was a clear choice," said CBOE Vice President of Systems Operations, Curt Schumacher. "RCN Metro's network met all of our stringent business continuity criteria and proved to be a scalable solution able to sustain significant influxes in demand."

In addition, CBOE selected RCN Metro because it was able to provide the redundancy needed, both at the CBOE and at the customer premises. Today, all of CBOE's member firms and traders are able to connect to the CBOE and its applications on the RCN Metro network.

"When we expanded Chicago's footprint last year, our goal was to provide the most attractive, low latency network for businesses looking for redundancy, diversity, reliability and scalability," said Felipe Alvarez, President of RCN Metro Optical Networks. "This has successfully resonated with Chicago area businesses, specifically in the financial services industry. With the announcement of connectivity to the CBOE, we have become even more attractive to financial services businesses, delivering connectivity to more than 20 exchanges over a network that is truly diverse from other carriers."

About RCN Metro Optical Networks

RCN Metro, http://www.rcnmetro.com, is a premier provider of high-capacity transport services for carriers as well as large and medium-sized businesses. RCN Metro offers a comprehensive suite of services including: Ethernet, SONET, Wavelength, Video Transport, Internet and more. With a network leveraging unique rights-of-way, spanning from Maine to Virginia and out to Chicago, RCN Metro deploys custom solutions to service providers as well as companies in the finance, hospitality, media, government, health care and education industries. RCN Metro is a wholly owned division of RCN Corporation.

About RCN Corporation

RCN Corporation (NASDAQ: RCNI), www.rcn.com, is a competitive broadband services provider delivering all-digital and high definition video, high-speed internet and premium voice services to residential and small-medium business customers under the brand names of RCN and RCN Business Services, respectively. In addition, through its RCN Metro Optical Networks business unit, RCN delivers fiber-based high-capacity data transport services to large commercial customers, primarily large enterprises and carriers, targeting the metropolitan central business districts in the company's geographic markets. RCN's primary service areas include Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley (PA), New York City, Boston and Chicago. (RCNI-G)

Contact:
RCN Metro Optical Networks
Maura Mahoney
Vice President
Sales & Marketing
(508) 621-1869
Maura.Mahoney@rcnmetro.com

SOURCE: RCN Metro

mailto:Maura.Mahoney@rcnmetro.com

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