Netscape Netcenter Boosts Small Business Channel

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (September 22, 1998) - Netscape Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced agreements with Virtran, a leading developer of industry-specific search and transaction engines, and Women.com, a leading provider of resources for women on the web, to provide new content and services on its popular Netscape Netcenter Small Business channel at home.netscape.com. These two agreements demonstrate the momentum of the Netcenter Small Business channel and reinforce Netscapeís position as the leading provider of Internet software and services.

The addition of Netscape SmartShip by Virtran to Netcenter will help businesses reduce shipping costs and save time with a new rate comparison and tracking tool called SmartShip. Netcenter is also adding "Her Business," a new content area from Women.com delivering a range of information and feature stories for women business owners. Both services are designed to appeal to the growing number of small businesses on the Internet. A recent report from International Data Corporation shows the number of small business using the Internet has grown from 19.7 percent in 1996 to 41.2 percent today.

"Netcenterís Small Business channel is about providing people with the tools and services they need to work more efficiently," said Ken Rutsky, director of business and news channels for Netscape Netcenter. "Our partnerships with Virtran and Women.com contribute to the rapid momentum of Netscape Netcenter, while enabling us to better serve our customers. By combining the specialized expertise of Virtran and Women.com with the tools and services offered on the Small Business channel, Netcenter strengthens its position as the richest online resource for businesses."

"We are pleased to work with Netscape and to provide SmartShip as a new service on Netcenter. SmartShip on Netcenter will serve as a helpful time-saving tool for consumers and will result in greater service distribution for Virtran," said Prakash Upadhyaya, CEO of Virtran. "The availability of SmartShip on Netcenter makes it convenient for consumers and businesses alike to select the most competitive shipping rates and track their packages quickly and easily from the Netcenter Business Channels."

SmartShip will be offered free to users on the Netcenter Small Business channel as well as the Business channel and is designed to empower the shipper to choose between couriers and to expedite an ordinarily time-consuming chore into less than a minute's work. Additionally, users can learn about drop-off locations, billing information, guaranteed delivery times, special services and handling guidelines for lost or damaged parcels. Package tracking is also available from a single, unified location.

"Women.com is pleased to join Netscape in its exciting initiative to provide valuable resources to women small business owners on Netscape Netcenter," said Marleen McDaniel, Women.comís president and CEO. "From the beginning, we have recognized the potential of women on the web, and this agreement demonstrates that the web is an outstanding medium to reach women business owners."

Her Business offers a variety of services including up-to-the-minute legal, management and finance trends, first person success stories from women business leaders, and a weekly Q&A session with leading management experts.

Netscapeís Small Business channel is a key service on the Netscape Netcenter Internet portal site. The Small Business channel is designed to provide small businesses with the latest tools, information and services to manage and grow their business on the Internet. Whether simply using the Internet to conduct research or leveraging it to run a business online, these unique, one-stop Internet destinations provide timely web-based content and services to help businesses succeed in the Net Economy. This announcement marks the continued momentum of an aggressive campaign to differentiate Netcenterís Small Business channel by offering the webís most comprehensive online resource for entrepreneurs to manage every aspect of their business - from shipping to taxes, marketing and technology.

Netscape Communications Corporation is a leading provider of software and services for businesses that want to transform the way they create and keep customers in the emerging Net Economy. The company offers a full line of enterprise software solutions, professional services, and a leading Internet portal to help companies build, buy or outsource Internet applications that drive revenue growth, build customer loyalty, and create new levels of business efficiency. 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 650/ 937-2555 for corporations or 650/ 937-3777 for individuals.

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