Excel Telecommunications Acquisition Closed by Platinum Equity Portfolio Company Matrix Telecom

DALLAS – August 3, 2010 – Matrix Telecom Inc. (“Matrix”), a Platinum Equity company and provider of voice and data services to small and medium enterprise and residential customers across the United States, today announced it has completed the acquisition of substantially all the customer relationships and assets of Irving-based Comtel Telcom Assets LP, operating as Excel Telecommunications (“Excel”) from Denham Capital.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“We are committed to making Matrix the highest-quality, most affordable choice for wholesale voice services in the telecommunications industry,” said Charles G. “Chuck” Taylor, Jr., President and CEO of Matrix. “Excel provides Matrix with complementary network coverage, state-of-the art switching, loyal and valued customers and an experienced, customer-centric work force. Matrix and Excel are a perfect fit.”

Excel Telecommunications provides a suite of high-quality, integrated voice and data communications products and services to residential, commercial and carrier customers. Based on its Veraz softswitching platform, it has developed and deployed next generation, IP-based voice and data services.

A team of Platinum in-house operations specialists is working with Matrix and Excel management to integrate the two businesses. Excel’s services will continue to be marketed under their existing brand names.

“We have a lot of experience seamlessly integrating complex telecom acquisitions and the transition process is already well under way,” said Rob Joubran, partner and treasurer for Platinum Equity. “Matrix and Excel are complementary businesses with a shared commitment to delivering the highest levels of customer service.  We expect both will grow even stronger as a result of this combination.”

The acquisition is Matrix’s third in the last four years, having successfully integrated the small business group of Global Crossing in 2006 and certain assets of the former Trinsic Communications in 2007.

About Matrix Telecom, Inc.
Matrix Telecom, Inc., (www.matrixbt.com), a Platinum Equity company, operating as Matrix Business Technologies and Trinsic, Powered by Matrix, is an integrated telecommunications provider serving consumers and small and medium size businesses nationwide.  Matrix is licensed as a facilities-based CLEC and Long Distance Provider in 49 states plus the District of Columbia.  It has 200 employees with headquarters in Dallas, TX and operations in Rochester, NY and Atmore, AL.

About Platinum Equity
Platinum Equity (www.platinumequity.com), a global M&A&O® firm specializes in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies that provide services and solutions to customers in a broad range of business markets, including information technology, telecommunications, industrials, logistics, manufacturing, and distribution. Since its founding in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity has completed more than 100 acquisitions with more than $27.5 billion in aggregate annual revenue at the time of acquisition.

About Excel Telecommunications
Excel Telecommunications (www.excel.com) is a leading, facilities-based provider of a rich suite of high quality, integrated voice and data communications products and services to residential, commercial and carrier customers.

Excel offers a wide range of switched and dedicated voice and data services, including domestic and international direct-dial and dial-around long distance, toll-free, wholesale pre-paid long distance and local services, as well as carrier transport, conferencing, hosting and other value-added services, to commercial, carrier and residential customers. Based on its Veraz softswitching platform, Excel has developed and deployed its next generation, IP-based voice and data services, including SIP trunking, hosted IP PBX, IP VPNs and dedicated data services.

The Company owns and operates a robust, nationwide Class IV/V VoIP-FGD enabled network that forms a mesh of connectivity across 9 major U.S. metropolitan markets. Consisting of long haul fiber paths, numerous routers, servers and switching equipment, the network provides on-net coverage of virtually every U.S. LATA. Excel also maintains interconnect agreements with more than 300 carriers.

Contact:

Dan Whelan
Platinum Equity
(310) 282-9202
dwhelan@platinumequity.com

Anna Porteus
Matrix Telecom, Inc.
(301) 610-4354
aporteus@matrixvalue.com