Online Charity Auction of New Netscape.com E-Mail Addresses Kicks-Off Today on eBay(r) to Benefit City Year

DULLES, VA, January 8, 2004 - Netscape, one of the original pioneers of the Internet, today announced the introduction of a new, affordably priced dial-up Internet service for consumers who want a reliable and low-cost way to get online. The Netscape(r) service costs $9.95 per month for unlimited use and is available now at www.getnetscape.com or the Netscape(r) portal (www.netscape.com). With a simple approach of "Just the Net You Need," the Netscape Internet service offers e-mail with built-in spam filters, a convenient start page with news headlines, Internet search enhanced by Google(tm) technology and unlimited dial-up Internet access through an extensive nationwide network with thousands of access numbers, allowing subscribers across the country to get online easily and stay reliably connected. And, with the new service, Netscape.com e-mail addresses are available publicly for the first time, giving subscribers a unique opportunity to create a personalized online address at a renowned Internet brand.

To kick off the launch, a special online charity auction of new "@Netscape.com" e-mail addresses begins today on eBay, The World's Online Marketplace(r) (found at www.getnetscape.com/ebay). Two hundred personalized e-mail addresses of the most popular female and male first names will be up for bid on eBay from January 8 through January 14. In addition to the personalized e-mail address, winning bidders will receive a free year of the Netscape service membership. Minimum bids start at $9.95 and proceeds will go to City Year, which unites a diverse corps of young adults for a demanding year of full-time community service, leadership development and civic engagement. Joel Davidson, Executive Vice President for AOL(r) Access Businesses said: "The new Netscape Internet service focuses on three elements - simplicity, reliability and affordability - to give people just the Net they need.

Extensive consumer research has told us that many people are looking for just the basics from an Internet service: reliable connections, safe e-mail, and a great search product. We'll also soon be adding features that will enable users to enhance these basic Web needs with increased surfing speed and online safety and security. The Netscape brand has always been synonymous with innovation on the Web, and the new Netscape service is set to become the new value leader among low-cost Internet services." In addition to the eBay auction, Netscape is ramping up a multi-faceted marketing campaign to build momentum around its new Internet service. Starting today in Las Vegas, specially designed Mini Cooper(r) cars will be hitting the road during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to celebrate the Netscape brand and theme, "Just the Net You Need." In addition, Netscape will be communicating to consumers through a full marketing campaign that includes online and affiliate campaigns, direct response advertising, consumer promotions, and more.

Leading brands power the Netscape service. To ensure reliable connections, Netscape draws upon America Online, Inc.'s infrastructure with thousands of access numbers. Google technology enhances Netscape search results to help subscribers find what they are looking for online every time. On the service's homepage, The Associated Press and other sources provide up-to-the-minute news content throughout the day, giving members the latest business, sports and entertainment news. Additional highlights of the Netscape Internet service include:

** Fast and Simple Installation - Thin, Streamlined Client Software. The Netscape(r) software is deliberately thin and streamlined, making it possible to download in just minutes over a basic dial-up connection. Netscape installs and loads up quickly, and provides simple registration. The software maximizes resources and efficiency by requiring minimal disk space, and works seamlessly with the Web browser on the subscriber's computer.

** Anywhere, Anytime Netscape(r) Web E-Mail with Built-In Spam Filters. Netscape e-mail is Web-based, so subscribers can enjoy "anywhere, anytime" access to their e-mail messages from any computer connected to the Internet, not just when they are dialed into the Netscape service. In addition, Netscape's server-side anti-spam filters on all e-mail addresses help protect members against the growing epidemic of junk e-mail from the Internet. Each subscriber also gets 10 megabytes of free storage.

** Convenient Netscape(r) Start Page - News and Information At-A-Glance. A customized start page, optimized for dial-up connections, launches automatically and quickly presents key features of the service at a glance: Netscape e-mail and Internet search; up-to-the-minute business, sports and entertainment news provided throughout the day, as well as weather forecasts and updates. Subscribers can visit the Web-based start page from any Internet-connected computer to check their e-mail, as well as access their Netscape "My Account" information and online help.

** Integrated Toolbar Navigation - One-Click to E-Mail and Search. The Netscape(r) integrated toolbar is key to the service's convenient navigation. The toolbar remains docked on top of the subscriber's Web browser while signed on to the Netscape service.

As part of the basic package, subscribers will have access to free online and e-mail support. Customer service via telephone is also available. For further information on the new Netscape service, please visit www.getnetscape.com or go to the Netscape portal at www.netscape.com. Details on the Netscape E-Mail Auction on eBay, which runs from January 8 through January 14, are at www.getnetscape.com/ebay.

Media contacts: a press kit is available online at www.getnetscape.com/presskit.