America Online and Compaq Announce Agreement to Deliver AOL E-mail Via Compaq Aero Palm-size Personal Computers - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Jan 10, 2000

America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL) the world's leading interactive services company, and Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems, Wednesday announced an agreement that will enable AOL members to access their AOL e-mail via Compaq Aero palm-size PCs.

Under the agreement, AOL is developing software that will allow AOL members to use Compaq Aero devices to access, send and receive their AOL e-mail, and AOL will make this software available for download from the AOL service, at no additional cost. This agreement builds on existing agreements between the two companies that are designed to make the Internet experience as easy and convenient as possible for online consumers and business users.

"We are delighted to work with AOL to bring AOL members the ability to access their e-mail from Compaq Aero palm-size PCs," said Ted Clark, Vice President, iAppliances Division, Compaq. "Through this agreement, AOL members can use the Compaq Aero to quickly and easily communicate wherever they are. Together, Compaq and AOL are providing affordable nonstop Internet access."

"We know that AOL members are increasingly interested in new devices that will enable them to have access to elements of the AOL experience anywhere, any time," said Barry Schuler, AOL's President of Interactive Services. "This agreement with Compaq is a great example of AOL's 'AOL Anywhere' strategy to expand the benefits of popular AOL applications to devices beyond the traditional PC."

Founded in 1985, America Online, Inc., based in Dulles, Virginia, is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services. America Online, Inc. operates: two worldwide Internet services, America Online, with more than 20 million members, and CompuServe, with over 2.2 million members; several leading Internet brands including ICQ and Digital City, Inc.; the Netscape Netcenter and AOL.COM portals; and the Netscape Navigator and Communicator browsers. Through its strategic alliance with Sun Microsystems, the Company develops and offers easy-to-deploy, end-to-end e-commerce and enterprise solutions for companies operating in the Net Economy.

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at (http://www.compaq.com).