From Marylin.Chambers@corp.netcom.com Thu Nov 18 10:55:47 1999 Date: Tue, 12 May 1998 23:10:35 -0700 (PDT) From: Marylin.Chambers@corp.netcom.com To: tech-services@noc.netcom.net Below is the ICG Netcom Potato press announcement scheduled for distribution over the wire Tuesday, May 13th, 8AM PDT. Marylin Chambers PR Specialist ======================================================================== ICG NETCOM TO OFFER "FRIES WITH THAT" SAN FRANCISCO, CA., Telecommunications Reseller Association conference, May 13, 1998 ICG Netcom, today announced plans to fortify its already diverse product offering with french fried potatoes. The fries will bundled with ICG Netcom's current products: DirectConnect dedicated connectivity service plans, including Frame Relay, Flex- Full- and Dual T-1, as well as ICG Netcom's Business Web site offerings: small office/home office, business and commerce sites. An announcement of a related "V.90 happy meal" offering, targeting their end-user dialup accounts is expected later this year. By partnering with local fast-food franchises, ICG Netcom hopes to be able to offer bundled services with optional fries in over 166 cities by the end of the year. "Our target market," explains Craig Clemens (VP Potato Operations), "is comprised of the real movers and shakers of this fast-paced industry: people who don't necessarily have time to deal with their Internet connection *and* eat lunch. By including fries as part of our value-added offerings, we give our customers the opportunity to enjoy excellent Internet service and a quality snack." VP of Marketing Gene Shimshock further expounds: "I know very few people who aren't interested in Internet access, and fewer still who don't like fries, so it's a natural match. We have an opportunity to grab a market segment on which our competitors have yet to capitalize, proving once again that Netcom is the Internet Leaders." John Hoffman, Director of Fried Technology says: "I like fries." Senior VP of Just About Everything, Mike Kallet, says "I'm a bit hyper-active, and getting a bunch of fried food in my gut slows me down to a comfortable pace so I can really be productive. I expect our customers to have a similar experience." When asked if this new offering had too selective a niche-market appeal, CEO Dave Garrison noted "if you don't like fries, we don't want your business. It's as simple as that. We've got plenty of room to play in this niche-market, and we'll leave it to the behemoth access providers like AOL to lose money on end-users who don't eat fries. Of course, none of us will be surprised when AOL starts shipping fries with their direct-mailed disks -- it wouldn't be the first time they've followed our lead." ICG Netcom currently offers a complete array of Internet connectivity from dial-up 33.6Kbps, 56K, and Integrated Services Digital Network, dedicated access ranging from 33.6K to T-1, and a broad array of fries including curly fries, cajun fries, and steak fries (marketed as "chips" via netcom.uk). Due to its value-added services, third party software, flexible incremental features, and use of only pure expeller pressed canola oil, Netcom has been rated the "Number One Web Hosting Provider" out of 6,000 companies by Ultimate Web Munchie List. The company also announced plans for a $30 million investment in its nationwide network to provide companies performing mission-critical Internet applications the bandwidth, speed and reliability needed to conduct business on-line, as well as a fries-on-demand web based ordering system. Netcom currently provides Internet connectivity, Web hosting and global access to more than half a million individual and business customers nationwide. About ICG Netcom ICG Netcom is the brand name for products and services from ICG Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPUD) and ICG's subsidiary, NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc. The combined entity is a leading Integrated Communications Provider (ICP) offering high-quality telecommunications services. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., ICG has extensive switched fiber-optic networks and offers local, long distance and enhanced telephony and data services in California, Colorado, the Ohio Valley and parts of the southeastern United States. The company provides Internet communication solutions, connectivity and Web site hosting to individuals and to small- and medium-sized businesses through its subsidiary, NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc. ICG also is a leading designer and installer of copper, fiber and wireless infrastructure for buildings, campuses and cafeterias. Further information is available on ICG's Web site located at http://www.icgcomm.com/fries.html # # #