DSL.net Ranked 17th Fastest Growing Technology Company in North America on Deloitte & Touche's 2002 Rising Star List; DSL.net Revenue Increased 3,098% Over Three-Year Ranking Period

Business Wire, Oct 21, 2002

Business Editors

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002

DSL.net, Inc. (NASDAQ: DSLN), a leading nationwide provider of broadband communications services to businesses, today announced that it ranked 17th among Rising Star companies in the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500, an annual ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in North America.

A special category of 25 Rising Star winners, companies in business less than five years, but with at least three years of financial results, are ranked based on percentage of growth in revenues over a three-year period (1999-2001). During that time, DSL.net revenue increased by 3,098 percent. DSL.net was founded in 1998.

"This lofty Rising Star ranking among successful technology companies throughout North America is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our entire organization as well as the loyalty and support of our customers," said David F. Struwas, chairman and chief executive officer of DSL.net. "We are committed to continued growth and looking forward to participating in the Technology Fast 500 program in the years to come."

"To rank on the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 Rising Star, companies must have phenomenal revenue growth in a three-year period," said Mark A. Evans, managing director, Deloitte & Touche Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group. "DSL.net has proven to be one of the fast-growth success stories, and we applaud its vision."

About Deloitte & Touche

Deloitte & Touche, one of the nation's leading professional services firms, provides assurance and advisory, tax and management consulting services through nearly 30,000 people in more than 100 U.S. cities. The firm is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programs, Deloitte & Touche has been recognized as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" by Fortune Magazine for five consecutive years. Deloitte & Touche refers to Deloitte & Touche LLP and its related entities. Deloitte & Touche is the U.S. national practice of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity. For more information, visit Deloitte & Touche's Web site at www.deloitte.com.

About DSL.net

Based in New Haven, Conn., DSL.net, Inc. combines its own DSL facilities, nationwide network infrastructure, and Tier I Internet Service Provider (ISP) capabilities to provide high-speed Internet access and value-added services directly to small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the United States. A certified CLEC in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, DSL.net sells to businesses, primarily through its own direct sales channel. DSL.net augments its direct sales strategy through select system integrators, application service providers and marketing partners. In addition to a number of high-performance, high-speed Internet connectivity solutions specifically designed for business, DSL.net product offerings include Web hosting, DNS management, enhanced e-mail, online data backup and recovery services, firewalls, virtual private networks and nationwide dial-up services. For more information on DSL.net, visit www.dsl.net, e-mail info@dsl.net, or call 1-877-DSL-NET1 (1-877- 375-6381).

DSL.net is a trademark of DSL.net, Inc. Other company names may be trademarks of their respective owners.