California Residents to Benefit from Deregulation; Essential.com to Deliver Convenience and Savings Through New Online Energy and Communications Superstore.

Business/Energy Editors

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2000

Essential.com, the Web's first Energy and Communications Superstore, today announced that it will be the first to offer California residents one-stop shopping for all "Essential Services," including Energy, Internet Access, and Telecommunications Services from trusted brand names. The company will offer Electricity and Natural Gas, pending licensing from the California Public Utility Commission, and debuted its Telecommunications and Internet access offerings today.

Essential.com initially premiered in Massachusetts, offering a convenient way to save on Essential Services. The company's move into California is part of a nationwide expansion, including telecommunications services and Internet access in 47 of the contiguous United States, and energy offerings in key markets throughout the country as deregulation and licensing permits. With this expansion, Essential.com is increasing its market reach to tens of millions of additional customers throughout the U.S.

Akhil Garland, Essential.com's Founder and CEO, commented, "Now that we have proven our business model, the company is ready to expand into California and other states." Mr. Garland added, "While there are vertical players emerging with limited service offerings, such as electricity only, Essential.com leads the market by providing a full complement of Essential Services. I believe that these companies will soon be forced to follow our business model and broaden their service offerings. Small businesses and consumers want convenience and savings. They don't want to shop at six different sites for each of their energy and telecom needs."

Acting as an agent for small businesses and consumers, Essential.com's innovative business uses the Internet to aggregate customers and negotiate better rates on their behalf. Essential.com's unique offering delivers savings and simplifies the selection and management of Essential Services for modern, Web-enabled consumers. Customers can compare providers, services, and pricing plans, and make informed decisions. A single convenient, consolidated bill, which can be reviewed and paid on-line, offers usage analysis in a variety of meaningful formats.

About Essential.com

Essential.com, Inc. is the Web's first Energy and Communications Superstore. The company offers one-stop shopping for all the Essential Services needed to run a home or business. Essential.com's on-line Superstore offers a wide selection of branded Essential Services including Electricity, Internet Access, Local, Long Distance, and Wireless. Essential.com is a privately held, venture-backed e-commerce company based in Burlington, Massachusetts and is on the Internet at http://www.essential.com.