EXHIBIT 99.1


Friday, March 30, 4:04 pm Eastern Time

Press Release

Lexent Names Kevin O'Kane as President and Chief Executive Officer

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2001--Lexent Inc. (NASDAQ:LXNT - news),
today announced the appointment of Kevin O'Kane as President and Chief Executive
Officer, expanding his current role as Vice Chairman and Chief Operating
Officer.

Alf Hansen, currently President and Chief Executive Officer, is leaving the
Company to pursue other business interests. Mr. Hansen will continue to act as
an advisor to Lexent and remains a significant investor in the Company.

Kevin O'Kane brings over 15 years experience in the telecommunications industry.
He has been leading Lexent and its predecessor companies together with Hugh
O'Kane, Chairman of the Board, for over 25 years. Under Kevin O'Kane's
leadership, the Company has successfully expanded into new markets, strengthened
existing operations, and broadened its service offerings.

"We want to thank Al for all of his contributions to Lexent and we wish him
well," said Hugh O'Kane, Chairman of the Board of Lexent. "Al has been a
valuable member of our management team and we look forward to his continued
support as advisor and consultant."

About Lexent Inc.

Lexent is a leading provider of outsourced local telecommunications network
solutions for established and emerging communications companies, including
competitive local exchange carriers, integrated communication providers and
carriers' carriers. Lexent offers a complete turnkey service solution, which
includes the design, deployment, maintenance, and upgrade of telecommunications
networks for its clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The company's principal
focus is to provide the expertise and resources its customers need to build and
connect their networks to other local and long distance carriers and to
individual end users. Lexent has over 1,300 employees. For additional
information, see Lexent's web site at www.lexent.net
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Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified
by the use of words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends", and
other similar expressions. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated. These risks are more fully outlined in the Company's registration
statement on Form S-1 and other SEC filings.


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Contact:

     Lexent Inc., New York
     Susan DeWitt, 212/981-0725
     sdewitt@lexent.net