Palm Names France Telecom Executive to Board of Directors; Damlamian Brings International Wireless and Communications Technology Expertise; Succeeds Barksdale

Business Wire, Sept 15, 2000

Business Editors

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 2000

Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) today announced the election of Jean-Jacques Damlamian, a group executive vice president for France Telecom, to the Palm Board of Directors. France Telecom is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators and has operations in more than 75 countries. Jean-Jacques Damlamian replaces James L. Barksdale, managing partner at the Barksdale Group.

Damlamian's election highlights Palm's efforts to drive handheld industry developments in the areas of wireless and communication technologies internationally. He has more than 30 years experience in the global telecommunications business and has been a driving force establishing the earliest GSM networks and personal communications services in Europe and the development of Internet services in France Telecom. In his current role as group executive vice president for Development, Damlamian, 58, is responsible for France Telecom's technology innovation as well as its corporate strategy, research and development, and information systems.

"Jean-Jacques brings a European perspective on mobile communications, and a depth of business and technical expertise in the telecom industry that are vital to Palm's immediate and long-term growth," said Eric Benhamou, Palm chairman of the board. "We look forward to his leadership and influence as we drive Palm strategy into new and growing markets around the world."

Barksdale joined the Palm board in September 1999 when the company began its separation from parent company 3Com Corporation. He had been on the 3Com board since 1987. He is leaving the board to devote more time to his venture capital partnership.

"Palm is a winning company with significant momentum and innovative solutions for wireless connectivity while also being the hub of the fast-growing Palm Economy of licensees, developers and other solution providers," Barksdale said. "I'm proud of the company's accomplishments, and confident that the success the company already has achieved is only the beginning."

About France Telecom

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is one of the world's leading telecommunications carriers, with 1999 consolidated operating revenues of 27.2 billion euros and operations in more than 75 countries. France Telecom provides businesses, consumers and other carriers with a complete portfolio of solutions that spans local, long-distance and international telephony, data, wireless, multimedia, Internet, cable TV, broadcast and value-added services. With the acquisition of the UK mobile operator Orange, France Telecom is the second largest European mobile operator, totalling more than 21 million subscribers. To cater to the needs of multinational customers, the Group invested in Global One, which is wholly owned by France Telecom since January 2000. With 1,400 points of presence worldwide , Global One offers seamless international voice and data services to over 30,000 businesses. France Telecom is listed on the New York Stock Exchanges (NYSE: FTE) and Paris Bourse. Wanadoo, France Telecom's consumer Internet subsidiary, is listed on the Paris Bourse since July 2000. http://www.francetelecom.com

About Palm, Inc.

Palm, Inc. is the leading provider of handheld computers (IDC, Dec 1999), including the Palm(TM) m100 and Palm III, Palm V and Palm VII series of handheld computers. The Palm OS(R) platform is the foundation for the industry-leading handheld computers from the company as well as products from its strategic partners such as IBM, QUALCOMM, Franklin Covey, Handspring, TRG and Symbol Technologies. Platform licensees also include Sony and Nokia. Designed to support the increasingly mobile and geographically dispersed nature of information management, the company's handheld solutions allow people to carry their most critical information in their pockets.

Note to Editors: Palm OS is a registered trademark and Palm is a trademark of Palm, Inc. or its subsidiaries.