World's Leading Host of Web Sites Acquires Key Internet Service Providers; Best Internet Communications Purchases Major Northern California Internet Service Providers The Little Garden and North Bay Networks; Acquisitions Signal Major Internet Service Provider Consolidation Trend

Business Wire, July 23, 1996

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 23, 1996--Best Internet Communications, a leading business Internet services supplier, today announced the acquisition of The Little Garden (TLG), the single largest Internet wholesaler/reseller in the San Francisco Bay area, and North Bay Networks, the leading Internet Service Provider in Marin County. Today's acquisitions increase Best's corporate customer base by more than forty percent and confirm the growing consolidation trend taking place in the ISP market.

"Acquiring TLG and North Bay Networks significantly extends our position as the largest ISP in Northern California," said Alan Mutter, Chairman and CEO of Best Internet. "With over 40% of all domestic Internet traffic originating in California, Best is expanding to assure our customers receive the best, most reliable service at the fairest prices.

"TLG is known as the `providers provider' by targeting the wholesalers market, while North Bay Networks expands our presence in the premium dial-up services market. We've achieved a new level of critical mass that allows us to deliver first rate service more efficiently and more reliably than ever before."

As the world's leading host of web sites and largest ISP in northern California, Best Internet has significantly expanded its presence in the ISP market with the acquisition of TLG and North Bay Networks. TLG founder and Internet pioneer Tom Jennings, inventor of FidoNet, and North Bay Networks' president John Harkin will join Best Internet's executive management team as a result of today's acquisitions.

Current TLG customers will benefit from immediate access to Best's network operations in Mountain View, California via a high-speed T-3 link. Best will provide a T-3 link to North Bay Networks customers by the end of August. No immediate changes to TLG or North Bay Networks' operations are planned at this time.

TLG provides low-cost Internet services to wholesalers and small businesses. The company services 35 providers or approximately one-third of the entire provider market in Northern California. TLG's strong growth and high demand for its economical, yet technically superior services encouraged Jennings to seek out new ownership in order to keep the company on its current growth path.

North Bay Networks is the leading ISP in Marin and Sonoma Counties and maintains a significant customer base serving both corporate and individual customers in North Bay Counties.

Mutter noted the addition of both Jennings and Harkin to the Best executive staff will fortify the company's business and technology leadership. "In addition to acquiring a significant portfolio of corporate clients and solid technical staffs, we're adding genuine Internet authorities in Tom Jennings and John Harkin. Jennings Internet prowess, contacts, and relentlessly fresh ideas will be of great value as we continue to expand operations. And John Harkin's track record as a business leader and long-standing Internet practitioner are valuable attributes to our impressive management team."

In addition to being the world's leading host of web sites, Best Internet is number one in the world for Internet domain name registrations and supports approximately 5 millions hits a day.

About Best Internet

Privately-held Best Internet Communications, Inc. is a rapidly growing Internet Service Provider located in the heart of Silicon Valley. The company provides a comprehensive range of innovative Internet Services, and is the world leader in West site hosting, new Internet domain name registration, and Internet service co-location.

Other value-added services include merchant ready Commerce Server hosting, FTP hosting, Web site development and Internet security consulting. The company also provides dial-up and dedicated Internet connectivity for consumers, small businesses and large corporations. Best Internet has established strategic alliances with a number of leading companies, including Microsoft, Netscape, CyberCash, Digital Equipment Corporation, and Wells Fargo.

CONTACT: Dave & Bairey Communications

Peter Dave, 415/882-9905

peter@dbcomm.com

or

Best Internet

Bruce Lichorowic, 415/944-8214

bwl@best.com