U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS USES NETSCAPE SOFTWARE FOR CORPORATE INTRANET

INTERNET TECHNOLOGY HELPS U S WEST INCREASE EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY, REDUCE INTERNAL OPERATING COSTS, AND BETTER SERVE CUSTOMERS

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (October 15, 1996) -- Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced that U S WEST Communications, a provider of telecommunications services to more than 25 million customers in 14 western and midwestern states, is improving its business through a leading-edge corporate Intranet enabled by Netscape client and server software. !NTERPRISE Networking Services, a division of U S West Communications, licensed the full line of Netscape client and server software to U S WEST through !NTERACT, its Internet Product and Services division. U S WEST has licensed 50,000 copies of Netscape Navigator client software to serve as a common user interface on the desktops of its employees and Netscape SuiteSpot server software as a high-performance platform for creating, managing and intelligently distributing Web-based information and applications for its Intranet.

"In developing our Intranet strategy we knew we needed a solution based on open, non-proprietary standards in order to connect our heterogeneous environment," said Barbara Bauer, executive director of corporate systems development. "We have worked closely with Netscape by providing customer feedback which has been incorporated in Netscape's software development efforts."

U S WEST's Intranet, referred to internally as the "Global Village," originated as a grassroots effort within the company two and a half years ago, but has grown substantially and is now an integral part of its business strategy. U S WEST utilizes Netscape technology for its corporate Intranet in three different ways:

1. Business Computing: To date, the most important use of Web technology at U S WEST has been in the business computing arena. One successfully deployed application allows U S WEST customer service representatives to check if telephone facilities are physically available before making installation commitments to customers. This has enabled U S WEST to reduce missed commitments and has also reduced customer complaints.
2. Employee Collaboration & Transactions: U S WEST Communications is currently deploying Netscape email to employees in several departments. By integrating email with the Intranet, employees are able to access quickly the detailed information or transactions referenced in email messages. While in the process of creating several employee transaction applications, U S WEST is already using the Intranet to enable employees to perform online transactions such as:
   • Employee Directory, a Web site which allows employees to access coworker's name, email, fax, pager and physical address.
   • The "Rumor Mill," a Web site which provides a forum for employees to ask questions or raise concerns. The employee's question and the leader's response are posted on an Intranet bulletin board for all to view.
   • Online Registration for Netscape email, which allows users to establish their own email account.
   • Life Situations Database, which allows employees to do more than just view the benefits handbook online. It enables them to access specific benefits information based on a particular life situation (e.g. adding to their family, retiring, taking care of an elderly dependent, getting married or divorced).
3. Sharing News and Information: Corporate newspapers and daily news advisories are available via The Global Village. U S WEST also has an online resource, called "E*Media," which is an electronic library of corporate documents. Using the Intranet as an information sharing tool is encouraged throughout the company. Most organizations within the company have established their own internal Web sites.

"Through the use of open Internet technology for its corporate Intranet, U S WEST Communications has already realized benefits in the areas of better customer service, increased employee productivity and a reduction in operating costs," said Mike Homer, senior vice president of marketing for Netscape. "U S WEST has demonstrated its leadership through rapid adoption of Netscape Web-based technology to meet mission-critical needs within the company. Netscape's commitment to open standards and high-performance enterprise software is an ideal match for U S WEST's goals for its use of its Intranet."

!NTERPRISE Networking Services from U S WEST was created in 1992 to address the burgeoning advanced data networking needs of its customers. Since its creation !NTERPRISE has deployed advanced data network services in 75 metropolitan areas both within and outside of U S WEST's 14-state region. !NTERACT, the Internet-based portfolio of networking services, is designed to facilitate business Intranets via services such as: Internet access; Web Hosting; Collaborative Computing; and Electronic Commerce.

U S WEST Communications Group (NYSE: USW) provides telecommunications services to more than 25 million customers in 14 western and midwestern states. The company is one of two major groups that make up U S WEST, a company in the connections business, helping customers share information, entertainment and communications services in local markets worldwide. U S WEST's other major group, U S WEST Media Group, is involved in domestic and international cable and telephony, wireless communications, and directory and information services.

Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of clients, servers, development tools and commercial applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "NSCP," Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.

Additional information on Netscape Communications Corporation is available on the Internet at http://home.netscape.com, by sending email to info@netscape.com, or by calling 415/937-2555 (corporate customers) or 415/937-3777 (individuals).

Netscape, the Netscape Communications Corporation logo, Netscape Navigator and Netscape SuiteSpot are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation.