Network Solutions, Department of Commerce and ICANN Working Together to Reach Agreement on Domain Name Registration Services

Business Wire, Sept 10, 1999

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 1999--

Today 10 Global Competitors in

.com, .net and .org domain name business

Network Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSOL) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DoC) today announced that the testbed phase of the Shared Registration System has been extended until September 30, 1999.

This latest extension was agreed upon in order to allow additional time for Network Solutions, DoC and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to conclude their ongoing discussions.

Ten companies, including Network Solutions (NSI), are registrars accessing NSI's Shared Registration System (SRS) to offer competitive .com, .net and .org registration services. In addition to the original 5 testbed registrars, 19 companies are in various stages of software development to offer registrar services. The 19 registrars are among the total of 64 companies that have met the accreditation criteria established by ICANN. All of these companies are eligible to participate in the testbed.

"Our ongoing negotiations with the DoC and ICANN are progressing in a positive manner as we get closer to reaching the solutions to outstanding issues," said Jim Rutt, Network Solutions' CEO. "There are significant issues yet to be resolved, but we are optimistic that working together, Network Solutions, DoC and ICANN can reach an acceptable agreement."

The Internet's domain name system and specifically the fast, easy and efficient services Network Solutions developed for .com, .net and .org have been an integral part of the explosive growth of American business in cyberspace. "We are proud of our technical achievement in building the Shared Registration System and its role in furthering the global growth of the Internet. Network Solutions is also pleased with the role of the Department of Commerce in facilitating the transition of the Internet's Domain Name System into a competitive environment," added Rutt.

Network Solutions' Shared Registration System software library consists of the Registry Registrar Protocol and Application Program Interface. Each of the new registrars that signed a standard non-disclosure agreement with Network Solutions has received the software library.

About Network Solutions

Founded in 1979, Network Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSOL) pioneered the development of registering Web addresses ending in .com, .net, .org and .edu. Network Solutions also provides Internet Technology Services that assist large commercial organizations in the evolution and management of their Internet technologies. For more information, see the http://www.networksolutions.com Web site.

Network Solutions is the world's leading registrar, with more than 5 million registrations. Network Solutions registers the majority of Web addresses worldwide through various reseller channels including nearly 200 companies in its Premier program. Network Solutions has created value-added small business solutions through agreements with leading companies such as American Express (NYSE: AXP). Through its Alliance Program, Network Solutions works closely with EarthLink (NASDAQ: ELNK), MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSPG), Interliant, Inc. (NASDAQ: INIT), ValueWeb (NASDAQ: ESPI), and Interland, Inc. Network Solutions also has entered into marketing agreements with companies including Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO).

For Network Solutions, Media: Christopher Clough, chrisc@netsol.com (703) 742-4706, or Brian O'Shaughnessy, brianos@netsol.com (703) 326-6076 Investor Relations: Sean McClorey, smcclorey@netsol.com, (703) 326-6090.

Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, uncertainty of Internet governance and regulation, increased competition in the domain name registration and directory services businesses, customer acceptance of new products and services offered by the company in addition to or as enhancements of its registration services, risks associated with the company's international business, uncertainty of future revenue and profitability and fluctuations in its quarterly operating results. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially in the company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on January 4, 1999, as amended, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31 and June 30, 1999.