Netscape to Acquire AtWeb Linking More Than 600,000 Web Sites Into Netscape Netcenter

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (November 11, 1998) - Netscape Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: NSCP) today announced its plans to acquire AtWeb Inc., a leading online web site services company. The acquisition will enable Netscape to provide small-business web sites and independent web publishers with an integrated suite of online product and services for automated web site promotion, maintenance and communication through the Netscape Netcenter portal site. Today's announcement represents the first in a series of strategic initiatives by Netscape to expand Netcenter into a full-fledged portal network by linking Netscape's install base of more than 70 million users to a variety of Netcenter services and millions of independent web sites. The acquisition will integrate more than 600,000 web sites into Netscape Netcenter.

"Netscape's acquisition of AtWeb further expands Netcenter into a network that links individuals and businesses around the world," said Mike Homer, executive vice president and general manager of Netscape's Netcenter division. "With the integration of AtWeb technology and services, Netcenter will be able to further empower small businesses and independent web publishers with the tools they need to create the most effective web presence possible."

Netcenter's existing Small Business Channel has been successful in addressing the needs of the growing small business audience -- which comprises approximately 35 percent of Netcenter members. The new web site services that AtWeb adds will complement and expand the set of services offered today on the Small Business Channel.

Web sites that sign up with AtWeb's !Register-It! service will now be enrolled automatically into Netscape Netcenter, linking them with leading Netcenter services such as Smart Browsing, Netscape Search, and Netscape Directory. !Register-It! is AtWeb's fast and easy web site registration service that registers web sites with up to 400 additional search engines and directories.

In addition to !Register-It! which attracts new web sites and users, Netscape will also incorporate AtWeb's entire suite of online services. These services let small business web sites and independent web publishers communicate with their visitors through direct marketing tools such as the Web Site Post Office; optimize their web sites through the Web Site Garage, which runs critical diagnostics and provides 'tune-ups' to improve web sites; and track the success of their web sites through the 'Hitometer' measurement tool. In addition, users can take advantage of Web Site Journal, one of the largest weekly publications for web site owners, which delivers insight from web experts. Each of these products will be enhanced and optimized for Netcenter to offer users the best services for web site management. AtWeb products have been used by millions of web site owners and have received numerous awards, including Yahoo! Internet Life's 50 Most Useful Sites, and CNET's Editor's Choice Award.

Over time, Netscape plans to expand the AtWeb family of products to offer such services as an e-commerce affiliate program and an ad banner exchange. Netcenter's new web site services are scheduled for availability by the end of the year. Users will be able to access the services on Netcenter, located at http://home.netscape.com, through the Small Business Channel and DevEdge Online, the site for web developers.

"Joining Netscape provides AtWeb with an opportunity to further our commitment to provide leading web site tools and services and to broaden our services through integration with Netcenter," said Gautam Godhwani, chief executive officer at AtWeb. "The power of our combined companies and technologies will make for exciting opportunities to advance our current and future product offerings."

Founded in 1996, Sunnyvale, California-based AtWeb is a privately held company. With the acquisition, Netscape intends to issue approximately 3.36 million shares of Netscape stock to purchase 100 percent of AtWeb's outstanding stock and options and anticipates that the acquisition will be accounted for as a pooling of interests. Netscape expects the transaction will close in the first fiscal quarter of 1999, subject to customary approvals. Netscape plans to maintain AtWeb as its wholly owned subsidiary, with AtWeb reporting into the Netscape Netcenter division.

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.

Netscape, Netscape Navigator, Netscape Certificate Server, Netscape ONE, SuiteSpot and the Netscape N and Ship's Wheel logos are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation in the United States and other countries. Other Netscape logos, product names, and service names including Smart Browsing and Netcenter are also trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation, which may be registered in other countries. Other product and brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.