8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2003

US LEC CORP.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

0-24061	56-2065535
(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Indentification No.)

Morrocroft III, 6801 Morrison Boulevard Charlotte, North Carolina	28211
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (704) 319-1000

Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure and Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On October 22, 2003, we issued a press release announcing the conference call for our fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003 results and announcing metrics associated with our third quarter.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this current report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

US LEC CORP.
By:	/s/    Michael K. Robinson
	Michael K. Robinson Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: October 22, 2003

2

EX-99.1

[LOGO OF US LEC CORP.]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:	Investor Contact:
Jennifer Sharpe	James Stawski
704-319-1135	704-319-1189
jsharpe@uslec.com	jstawski@uslec.com

US LEC CORP. TO BROADCAST THIRD QUARTER 2003

CONFERENCE CALL LIVE ON THE INTERNET

October 22, 2003 – Charlotte, N.C.—US LEC Corp. (Nasdaq: CLEC), a super-regional telecommunications carrier providing integrated voice, data and Internet services to businesses, today announced it will provide an online Web simulcast and rebroadcast of its third quarter 2003 conference call.

The live broadcast of US LEC’s quarterly conference call will be available online at www.uslec.com and www.companyboardroom.com. To listen to the live call, please go to the web site at least fifteen minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. The call is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm. Eastern time on Thursday, October 30, 2003. The online replay will follow shortly after the call and continue through November 4, 2003 and replay via webcast will be available through November 30, 2003.

Aaron D. Cowell, president and chief executive officer commented, “During the third quarter US LEC increased its cash position for the third consecutive quarter reaching over $41 million in cash, added a record number of customers and continued to improve numerous operating metrics. We look forward to providing the investment community a complete update on our progress and achievements during our conference call next week.”

About US LEC

Based in Charlotte, NC, US LEC is an integrated telecommunications carrier providing voice, data and Internet services to more than 14,000 mid-to-large-sized business customers throughout the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States.

The US LEC network is supported with 26 digital switching centers operating on Lucent 5ESS^® AnyMedia^™ digital switches, Lucent CBX500 ATM data switches and Juniper M20^™ Internet Gateway routers. The US LEC product line includes local calling services, long distance plans featuring toll free and conferencing services, dedicated and dial-up Internet services (US LECnet), web hosting, and advanced data services such as Frame Relay, ATM and DPL (Digital Private Line) service.

The US LEC local service areas include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and the District of Columbia. US LEC also offers selected voice services in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas,

Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin, in addition to data services in these states and others. For more information about US LEC, visit www.uslec.com.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this report contains forward-looking statements, subject to uncertainties and risks, including the demand for US LEC’s services, the ability of the Company to introduce additional products, the ability of the Company to successfully attract and retain personnel, competition in existing and potential additional markets, uncertainties regarding its dealings with ILECs and other telecommunications carriers and facilities providers, regulatory uncertainties, the possibility of adverse decisions related to reciprocal compensation and access charges owing to the Company, as well as the Company’s ability to begin operations in additional markets. These and other applicable risks are summarized in the “Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002, and in subsequent reports, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

US LEC is a registered service mark of US LEC Corp. US LEC and Design (R) is a registered service mark and trademark of US LEC Corp.