Advantage IQ Acquisition of TelAssess Bolsters Product Offering

Company strengthens commitment to telecom expense management

SPOKANE, Wash. – Nov. 8, 2005: Advantage IQ, a subsidiary of Avista Corp. (NYSE: AVA), has acquired telecom consulting firm TelAssess, Inc. as a part of its ongoing expansion into the telecom expense management (TEM) service market.

Enhancing service and product offerings is primary among Advantage IQ’s corporate initiatives, leading to the acquisition of a successful telecom expense management company with expertise in telecom network design, inventory control, contract negotiation and RFP’s, as well as TEM solutions and audits. The acquisition enhances the company’s telecom service offering through advanced automation and tracking of audit functions, deeper analysis of long distance and data services, and the addition of wireless management. Much like its core utility service, the company's telecom expense management services enable clients to proactively plan and better manage telecom costs, more easily identify areas for cost savings, and benefit from our reporting tools.

"It was a logical step to expand the company’s success in utility expense management to the telecom arena," said Stu Stiles, Advantage IQ president and chief executive officer. "Advantage IQ, with the acquisition of TelAssess, now delivers a more expanded product set, enabling clients to operate their telecom departments with a higher level of information and increase their savings opportunities."

Advantage IQ has a client base of more than 350 of the largest organizations in America, representing over 160,000 locations nationally. Advantage continues to add to its customer base with an overall growth rate of 38 percent over the past year, including significant additions in the food service, entertainment and retail service sectors.