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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1


                     Teligent announces plans to reorganize
            voluntarily under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code

                 Company to continue serving business customers

VIENNA, VA., May 21, 2001 - Teligent, a provider of broadband communications
services, today announced that the Company and its domestic subsidiaries plan to
reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The filing, made
voluntarily today in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New
York, will enable Teligent to continue to offer and provide high quality
broadband voice and data solutions while reorganizing its capital structure.

Teligent expects to continue its day-to-day operations while it uses the
reorganization process to regain the financial strength it requires to compete
effectively and bring the benefits of competition to businesses. The company has
entered into an interim arrangement with its lenders to provide funds, subject
to certain conditions, for near-term operations.

"The demand for last-mile broadband access remains insatiable," said Teligent
Chief Executive Officer Yoav Krill. "Teligent is one of a few telecommunications
providers who has built an extensive last-mile broadband network throughout the
country. Our goal is to emerge from this reorganization with the appropriate
cost framework to allow us to maximize the value of our nationwide network,
positioning the company for significant future growth."


                                 ABOUT TELIGENT

Based in Vienna, Virginia, Teligent, Inc. (NASDAQ: TGNT) is a provider of
broadband communication services offering business customers local, long
distance, high-speed data and dedicated Internet services over its digital
SmartWave(TM) local networks in major markets throughout the United States. The
company is working with international partners to extend its reach into Europe,
Asia and Latin America. Teligent's offerings of regulated services are subject
to all applicable regulatory and tariff approvals.


For more information, visit the Teligent website at: www.teligent.com

Teligent is a registered trademark of Teligent, Inc. SmartWave is an exclusive
trademark of Teligent, Inc.

Except for any historical information, the matters discussed in this press
release contain forward-looking statements that reflect the company's current
views regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties that could affect the company's growth, operations, markets,
products and services. The company cannot be sure that any of its expectations
will be realized. Factors

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that may cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially
from those contemplated by its forward looking statements include, without
limitation: 1) The success of the company in obtaining additional financing; 2)
The ability of the company to maintain the listing of its shares on the Nasdaq
National Market or another principal trading exchange or market; 3) The
volatility of the market, including changes in the valuations of other
telecommunications and fixed wireless telecommunications companies; 4) The
company's ability to successfully implement its new on-net strategy; 5) The
timely supply of telecommunications equipment critical for the services the
company provides; 6) The company's pace of entry into new domestic and
international market areas and the ability to secure building access; 7) The
company's success in obtaining spectrum licenses in international markets and
its ability to negotiate definitive agreements with its international joint
venture partners; 8) The ability of the company to hire or retain qualified
personnel to operate its business; 9) The impact of changes in telecommunication
laws and regulations; 10) The success the company has in gaining regulatory
approval for its products and services, when required; 11) The ability of the
company to adjust to rapid changes in technology and to prevent misappropriation
of its technology; 12) The intensity of competition in the markets in which the
company provides service and its ability to attract and retain a sufficient
number of revenue-generating customers in such markets; 13) General economic
conditions and the condition of the financial markets, particularly within the
communications and technology sectors which have historically been more volatile
than the markets; and 14) Other factors discussed in the company's filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.


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