News Release

Tuesday February 8, 7:47 am Eastern Time

Company Press Release

Darwin Networks Acquires iCom Network

Darwin Networks Expands Access Solutions Portfolio by Acquiring Premier Public Internet Access Software and Kiosk Developer, iCom Network, Inc.

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2000--Darwin Networks, a leading provider of high speed Internet access and data communications solutions to commercial, residential and hotel markets, today announced the acquisition of iCom Network, a premier developer of public Internet kiosks and software that brings the Internet within reach of anyone, anywhere. This agreement expands Darwin's user base and potential markets by adding services that complement its current offerings. The deal also positions Darwin on the forefront of the burgeoning public Internet access market.

Through the iCom deal, Darwin expands its portfolio of high speed Internet products and services to include public, pay-per-use Internet kiosks, kiosk network operations and management systems, public e-commerce solutions, and custom kiosk application software. Currently, iCom has over 425 public Internet terminals in use throughout the United States. iCom customers include Marriott International, The Walt Disney Company, Amtrak, and Kampgrounds of America (KOA). The iCom deal also extends Darwin's geographic reach into yet another new market: San Diego, CA. The company plans to co-locate its new San Diego office with iCom's existing headquarters.

``Darwin Networks is committed to providing its customers with the most reliable, end-to-end, high speed Internet access solutions possible,'' said Jon Spector, CEO of Darwin Networks. ``iCom's established leadership position in the public Internet access market helps us enhance that commitment, as well broaden our solution offerings to include public Internet terminals.''

``We believe that Darwin Networks represents the best possible complement to our product and service offerings,'' said Eric Wagner, CEO of iCom Network. ``They have a superior reputation as a provider of tremendously reliable, high speed Internet access. The entire team at iCom Network looks forward to increasing its lead over the competition and continuing to expand its geographic reach through this powerful new alliance.''

About Darwin Networks

Darwin Networks provides high speed data communications solutions and Internet access to small and medium-sized businesses, office buildings, apartment complexes, hotels, and telephone companies, using wireless and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technologies. Darwin offers a full complement of marketing and support services, including training, to assist business owners, property managers and their staffs in marketing and implementing the new services.

Darwin Networks has corporate offices in Louisville, KY; Walnut Creek, CA; and Seattle, WA. The company has agreements in place and in progress to launch services in more than 400 locations in over 20 states. Darwin's investors include Broadband Solutions, LLC (led by Chrysalis Ventures, LLC), Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures, Richland Ventures, River Cities Capital and associates of Moore Capital. For more information about Darwin Networks, please visit www.darwin.net.

About iCom Network

San Diego-based iCom Network, Inc. is the nation's premier provider of public Internet access kiosks. To date, the company has installed hundreds of units throughout the country, in hotels, restaurants, tourist/travel centers, cafes, airports, and more, which have in turn, served millions of customers for hundreds of millions of paid user minutes. The company also produces, installs and operates multimedia kiosks designed for retail/eCommerce, interactive information distribution, communications, entertainment, advertising and other uses. For more information about iCom Network, please visit www.icomnetwork.com.

     Darwin Networks
     Russ Maney
     502/213-3600
     [email protected]
          or
     iCom Network
     Patrick Crilly
     858/450-0759
     [email protected]
          or
     Mindstorm Communications
     Jennie Svitavsky or Stacey Castiglia
     212/320-2100
     [email protected]
     [email protected]