GrafTech Selects Virtela for Global Network Performance and Superior Customer Service

GrafTech Selects Virtela for Global Network Performance and Superior Customer
Service
Virtela's Flexible Network Powers Worldwide Leader in Graphite Manufacturing

DENVER, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtela, the global network solutions company,
today announced that GrafTech International has selected Virtela to deliver a
high-performance enterprise network to its sites in North America and Europe.
Virtela's global footprint, flexible network architecture and commitment to
high-touch customer service provide GrafTech with a fast and reliable network
that maps directly to its business needs and budget.

For GrafTech, finding a global provider with strong network resiliency, deep
technical expertise and a proactive approach to service was a priority. "We
had several key issues we wanted to address with our change of network
provider," explains David Hilmer, GrafTech's Global Director of IT. "GrafTech
being a LeanSigma company focused on continuous improvement, we needed a
partner who would listen to our needs, not provide a one size fits all
approach, and adjust quickly as our needs changed. Virtela put together an
account team which crafted a proposal that addressed all our needs, drove
business value, and reduced our overall cost. This customer focus has
continued even now that our network is live."

Virtela empowers IT to drive business results, delivering superior network
services when, where and how customers demand it. Virtela leverages hundreds
of network infrastructures worldwide while owning critical network assets that
ensure optimal performance and resiliency. This model differentiates Virtela
from competitors and makes the company uniquely positioned to support
strategic, business-focused IT with the right network in the right place at
the right price.

"Virtela is extremely proactive and service-oriented, and their flexible
network architecture allows us to adapt our network easily to changing
business needs," said Dennis Jones, global infrastructure manager at GrafTech.
"Virtela was able to integrate with our existing environment in whatever way
we needed."

Virtela provides GrafTech with a redundant 24-site MPLS network with DSL back
up. This ensures business-critical applications and communications remain
available even if a primary circuit fails. In addition, Virtela complements
GrafTech's network with comprehensive security services, including managed
firewall, URL filtering and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) services, which
support the company's security-focused business objectives.

"GrafTech exemplifies many leading mid-market multinational companies that
face the same networking challenges as the Global 500, and this is one of the
markets that we serve best," said Virtela CEO Steve King. "Virtela is
experiencing incredible growth as companies like GrafTech realize the proven
benefits of partnering with a managed service provider for technical
expertise, global partnerships and hassle-free operations."

About Virtela
Virtela Communications Inc. delivers award-winning network and security
solutions to many of the world's largest and fastest-growing multinational
companies. Currently serving customers across six continents, Virtela's
network reach spans more than 190 countries. Virtela's unique Global Service
Fabric(SM) offers the foundation for delivering critical applications via the
company's acclaimed service methodology, with a services suite that includes
MPLS- and IP-based virtual private networks (VPNs), security services, remote
monitoring and management of WAN/LAN infrastructure, and converged services
(data, video, voice).

Virtela is headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with a second Network Operations
Center in Mumbai, India. Virtela is a member of Juniper Networks (Nasdaq:
JNPR) Managed Network Solutions Preferred Alliance Program. For more
information, please call +1 (720) 475-4000 or visit www.virtela.com.

About GrafTech International Ltd.
GrafTech International Ltd. is one of the world's largest manufacturers and
providers of high quality synthetic and natural graphite and carbon based
products and technical and research and development services, with customers
in 70 countries engaged in the manufacture of steel, automotive products and
electronics. The Company manufactures graphite electrodes, products essential
to the production of electric arc furnace steel. GrafTech also manufactures
thermal management, fuel cell and other specialty graphite and carbon products
for, and provide services to, the electronics, power generation, solar, oil
and gas, transportation, petrochemical and other metals markets. The Company
operates 11 manufacturing facilities strategically located on four continents.
For additional information on GrafTech International Ltd., visit the Company's
website at www.graftech.com.

SOURCE Virtela Communications Inc.

Jane Morrissey of Virtela Communications, +1-720-475-4012,
jmorrissey@virtela.net; or Susan Wise of Greenough Communications,
+1-650-646-3268, ext. 11, swise@greenoughcom.com, for Virtela Communications
Inc.