Santa Barbara City College Selects AvTel As Primary Applications Service Provider.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 1999--

Program Includes Server Solutions, High-Speed Internet Access and

First Level Technical Support For Online Course Offerings

AvTel Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:AVCO), a single-source provider of integrated voice, data and Internet services, today announced it has been selected as the primary applications service provider for Santa Barbara City College's extensive online educational course offerings. In addition to senior level engineering and technical consultation, AvTel will provide SBCC with a comprehensive custom program bundling dedicated server solutions, high speed Internet bandwidth, and technical support for staff and students.

"AvTel Communications gives us a cost-effective solution for providing support for the college's online courses 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Dr. Jack Friedlander, vice president of Academic Affairs for SBCC.

Designed to support nearly 2,000 simultaneous users, AvTel's application solution for SBCC will allow the college to focus more on curriculum and student communication, while AvTel takes responsibility for the technical, security and support elements of their enterprise. Based on the Microsoft Windows NT(R) platform, AvTel's custom engineering will facilitate course delivery, information dissemination and administrative functionality. In addition to comprehensive customer support, AvTel will provide SBCC with 24 hour, seven-day-a-week technical support and maintenance, as well as a highly secure off-site hosting platform.

"Our partnership with Santa Barbara City College to provide the application support and technical management for their innovative online educational course offering is an exciting opportunity," said Dave Clark, Regional General Manager of AvTel Communications. "The field of distance learning is growing rapidly. This is a primary example of the growing trend for outsourced, application management with broadband service providers who can provide a complete solution."

AvTel Communications is a provider of broadband network services integrating voice, data and Internet connectivity for business customers. The Company markets and sells a broad range of advanced network services including network design, installation, carrier transport, remote monitoring and maintenance through direct sales professionals. The Company provides a host of connectivity services including dedicated private line, frame relay, ATM, ADSL, and dial-up Internet access through more than 700 points-of-presence (POPs). For further information, visit the Company's Web site at www.avtel.com.

All statements in this news release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Reference is made to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended Dec. 31, 1998, and to the Company's other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of such risks and uncertainties and other factors that may have material effect on the Company's business.