New Edge Networks Inks Deal With LodgeNet to Provide Broadband Access to Hotels

Business Wire, April 8, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 2003

New Edge Networks has reached an agreement to provide high-speed Internet access to hotel properties served by LodgeNet Entertainment Corp. (Nasdaq:LNET), the world's largest provider of broadband interactive television services to the hospitality industry.

Under terms of the agreement, New Edge Networks will install and maintain high-speed broadband connections at LodgeNet affiliate hotels within small and midsize cities nationally. This will allow hotel guests to use high-speed Internet access or TV Internet services in their guest rooms. The new broadband connections will provide an additional cost effective means of high-speed Internet access, offering hotel guests optional enhanced broadband services they can use during their stays.

"Hotel guests continually ask our hotel clients for broadband access in their rooms so they can work online or check e-mail while traveling," said Steven R. Pofahl, senior vice president of technical operations for LodgeNet, based in Sioux Falls, SD. "New Edge Networks provides a large national footprint that allows us to improve our operating efficiency, facilitate installation and maintenance, and deliver high-quality service levels."

LodgeNet currently serves more than 5,700 lodging properties representing more than 950,000 hotel rooms under flags including Best Western, Embassy Suites, Fairmont, Hampton Inn, Harrah's, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Inter-Continental, La Quinta Inns, Omni, Radisson, Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, W Hotels, Westin Hotels, Wingate Inns, and others.

"Broadband access is fast becoming a standard for doing business especially among business travelers," said Dan Moffat, president and CEO of New Edge Networks. "With tight schedules and limited time, it's no wonder business travelers are abandoning slow dial-up connections in favor of the speed, ease, and convenience that LodgeNet provides."

With multi-service platform switches in more than 600 central office locations around the country, New Edge Networks offers customers a single source alternative for a wide range of better business broadband access options and managed services using various technologies, including DSL, Frame Relay, and ATM.

About LodgeNet

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (www.lodgenet.com) is the leading provider in the delivery of broadband, interactive services to the lodging industry, serving more hotels and guest rooms than any other provider in the world. These services include on-demand digital movies, digital music and music videos, Nintendo(R) video games, high-speed Internet access and other interactive television services designed to serve the needs of the lodging industry and the traveling public. As the largest company in the industry, LodgeNet provides service to 950,000 rooms (including more than 900,000 interactive guest pay rooms) in more than 5,700 hotel properties worldwide. More than 260 million travelers have access to LodgeNet systems on an annual basis. LodgeNet is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET.

About New Edge Networks

New Edge Networks is a national business class broadband services provider that owns and operates one of the largest multi-service data communications networks in the United States. In addition to providing frame relay, ATM, IP and other advanced data services nationally, New Edge has one of the largest DSL coverage footprints for small and midsize cities across the country. The company also provides dedicated high-speed Internet access in about 30 major cites around the country. New Edge Networks offers frame relay access and gateway products through channel partner programs or wholesale relationships. It provides a wide variety of business-class DSL and T-1 solutions through Internet Service Providers and its own TransEdge brand. Top-tier private venture firms, global financial institutions and worldwide technology firms provide financial backing to New Edge Networks. The company's Web site is www.newedgenetworks.com. Telephone: 360/693-9009.