NaviNet to Provide Connectivity for 1stUp.com's Free Access Offerings; Agreement Improves 1stUp.com's ISP Network in Anticipation of Explosive User Growth

Business Wire, Nov 8, 1999

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 1999--

1stUp.com, a leading provider of ad-supported Internet access solutions, today announced it has signed an agreement with NaviNet, a provider of high performance, private label Internet access services. Both 1stUp.com and NaviNet are majority-owned operating companies of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI).

On October 22nd, NaviNet's state-of-the-art nationwide Internet access network became available to 1stUp.com's free access partners. AltaVista Company, whose FreeAccess offering is powered by 1stUp.com's technology, is the first 1stUp.com partner to benefit from NaviNet's network.

"NaviNet's innovative switch-bypass and private-transit Internet connectivity technologies expand the premium network available to our affiliated free access users and help improve network performance," said Charles Katz, president and CEO of 1stUp.com. "NaviNet and our other access providers are helping 1stUp.com put together one of the largest, most reliable and cost-effective ISP networks ever assembled."

"NaviNet is pleased to have been selected by 1stUp.com to provide Internet access services in support of their innovative free ISP platform," said T.C. Browne, CEO of NaviNet, Inc. "1stUp can take advantage of our significant network efficiencies to lower their cost per subscriber."

GeoDial SP, NaviNet's flagship service, combines price, performance and coverage advantages that allow ISPs to selectively expand their local dial-up coverage while significantly lowering their cost per subscriber. GeoDial SP runs on the NaviNet Technology Platform, a unique network architecture that provides the best price/performance ratio available for Internet access. The NaviNet Technology platform employs switch bypass technology and private transit Internet connectivity to avoid congestion for modem calls on the Internet, resulting in an efficient and robust network with very high call completion rates.

1stUp.com and AltaVista launched AltaVista FreeAccess in August. Since its successful launch, the service has garnered more than over 600,000 subscribers. 1stUp.com's technology and business model enable partners like AltaVista to maximize advertising dollars to offer free access in a manner similar to the television broadcast model. Users keep a small, sponsor-oriented navigation bar on their screen for the duration of their online sessions, in exchange for free full-featured Internet access.

The NaviNet partnership represents 1stUp.com's second major agreement with a CMGI-affiliated company in as many weeks. On November 1st, 1stUp.com announced a preferred advertising agreement with online ad network, Adsmart.

About 1stUp.com

1stUp.com, a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (NASDAQ: CMGI), is the market leader in providing consumer-oriented businesses with ad-supported Internet access solutions. Working through the marketing and distribution channels of innovative, consumer-oriented companies, 1stUp.com provides patent-pending technology that enables its partners to offer branded, cost-effective Internet services to their customers. Aggregating the end-user bases of AltaVista and future partners, 1stup.com has the buying power of multiple brands and is able to pass along the benefits of optimal connectivity costs and advertising revenues to its partners. For more information, visit http://www.1stup.com.

About NaviNet

Focused on organizations that want to extend customer reach through the Internet, NaviNet provides a portfolio of private-label Internet access services supported by a leading-edge, high-availability national network. Through a combination of superior technology and strategic partnerships, NaviNet delivers flexible Internet solutions enabling organizations to expand without investing in infrastructure and technology.

NaviNet's current network coverage reaches over 50% of the U.S. online population and will reach more than 80% by year's end.

NaviNet is a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI). For more information, visit NaviNet's website at http://www.navinet.net or call 877-NAVINET (877-628-4638).

About CMGI

With more than 50 companies, CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI) represents the largest, most diverse network of Internet companies in the world. This network includes both CMGI operating companies and a growing number of synergistic investments through its venture capital affiliate, @Ventures. CMGI leverages the technologies, content, and market reach of its extended family of companies to foster rapid growth and industry leadership across its network, and the larger Internet Economy. Microsoft, Intel, Sumitomo and Compaq hold minority positions in CMGI.

CMGI's majority-owned operating companies include Engage Technologies (Nasdaq: ENGA),OS), Critical Path (Nasdaq: CPTH), Silknet (Nasdaq: SILK), Chemdex (Nasdaq: CMDX), Ancestry.com, Asimba.com, AuctionWatch.com, Aureate Media, blaxxun, BizBuyer.com, Boatscape.com, buyingedge.com, CarParts.com, CraftShop.com, eCircles.com available on the company's Web site at http://www.cmgi.com.