February 6, 2002 -- New Paradigm Resources Group, Inc. (NPRG) announced the availability of two market reports that study the independent incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) industry. According to the company, ILEC Report and the ILEC Capital Spending Report offer practical research and intelligence on independent local telcos, and provide a valuable resource for informed marketing and investment decisions.

"ILECs, which operated quietly and under the radar screen of most analysts for nearly a century, have emerged as a new power in the marketplace over the last 12-18 months," said Terry Barnich, President of New Paradigm Resources Group. "The rapid evolution of this historically stable sector, marked by rising investment in advanced technologies, makes the ILECs an extremely attractive and worthy market opportunity."

NPRG's ILEC Report profiles the entire universe of U.S. ILECs, providing the most current data on nearly 1,000 local phone companies, including 2001 market reach, access lines, revenue, and a list of all telecommunications equipment owned by each company.

NPRG's analysis highlights the uniquely favorable status of this market, sustained by federal subsidization programs guaranteeing profits, a friendly regulatory climate ensuring continuing monopoly, and the increased share of rural customers as the Regional Bells consolidate and focus on urban areas.

The report also overturns a common misconception that ILECs are behind in broadband, showing that, in fact, some 75% of independent telcos already offer broadband - and that industry involvement is expected to increase to 84% by mid-year 2002.

The ILEC Capital Spending Report identifies 100 ILECs that received $1.4 billion in federal loans during 2001 to underwrite improvement and expansion of their networks, and pinpoints the capital expenditures earmarked by the loans. The report is essential for vendors seeking to identify and pursue new revenue streams, and for analysts evaluating trends and technologies in the ILEC sector.

"With the collapse of the CLEC industry, and rampant belt-tightening among the RBOCs, the new rallying cry of the nation's telecom vendors is `Show me the money,'" said Craig Clausen, Senior Vice President of New Paradigm Resources Group. "NPRG's new series on the ILEC industry is unique in providing a clear, detailed and current road map to revenue opportunities in this sector."

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