Convenience Store Chain Transforming Business with Network from New Edge.

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- WSCO Petroleum Inc., an independent convenience store and petroleum operator in Oregon and Washington intends to use technology for transforming how it does business to boost profits and improve speed and quality of service for its customers.

WSCO Petroleum is abandoning dial-up telephone lines in almost 50 convenience stores and gasoline stations in favor of a high-speed private network powered by New Edge Networks, an EarthLink company (NASDAQ: ELNK). Installation is underway and the network should be operational by July 1.

With a high-speed private network, WSCO Petroleum will be able to automate many daily time-consuming manual tasks and business functions. Employees at each store will be freed to focus on activities that will improve store appearance, sales, and service.

"We expect our high-speed managed network to give us an hour or two a day in labor savings," said Phil Boitz, director of management information systems for WSCO Petroleum. "Our network will allow our managers and employees to focus on important areas of our business and transform the in-store experience for customers while boosting our own productivity."

WSCO Petroleum plans to use the private network for providing stores real-time access to its price book, checking inventory, and quickly implementing discounts or price changes. This speeds up daily reporting, eliminates paper faxes, and improves accuracy.

The private network also allows WSCO Petroleum to reduce its credit card processing fees and process payment transactions within two to three seconds versus 15 to 20 seconds for dial-up at its unbranded locations. Payment transactions will move from the individual stores to a secure, dedicated direct connection that New Edge Networks maintains with WSCO Petroleum's electronic payment processor, RBS Lynk.

Future uses of the network include VoIP, short for Voice over Internet Protocol, for reducing long-distance calling charges as well as remote video surveillance.

New Edge Networks will install, maintain, and monitor network performance for WSCO Petroleum.

"WSCO Petroleum is deploying a flexible managed network that will allow the company to scale and grow without necessarily adding IT network specialists," said Greg Griffiths, vice president of marketing for New Edge Networks. "The fundamental business changes that the network will enable for WSCO Petroleum should drive improvements to their bottom line and a favorable customer experience through more convenient and speedy service."

In addition to 12 unbranded locations, WSCO Petroleum operates 36 other convenience stores and gasoline stations under various brands including: Shell, Chevron, Texaco, Exxon, Mobil and ConocoPhillips. WSCO Petroleum is based in Portland, Ore.

About New Edge Networks

New Edge Networks, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a wholly owned subsidiary of EarthLink Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNK). New Edge Networks builds and manages private networks for businesses and communications providers. Through its nationwide backbone network with almost 900 switches and Internet routers, New Edge Networks uses any blend of network and access technologies (MPLS, frame relay, ATM, xDSL, cable, wireless, and satellite) for providing high-speed connections at any business address in the United States. Network options include any combination of access, network management functions, and on-site installation services. For more information visit www.newedgenetworks.com or call 1-360-693-9009.