DSL.net Expands Wholesale Program through Agreement with New Edge Networks; DSL.net's Mid-Atlantic, Northeast Network Assets Attract New Edge.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 2003

DSL.net, Inc. (NASDAQ: DSLN), a leading nationwide provider of broadband communications services to businesses, and New Edge Networks have reached a wholesale agreement that allows New Edge to improve its reach and offer business broadband connections in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions over the DSL.net broadband network.

"This agreement further expands our wholesale program and validates our belief that DSL.net's broadband network is attractive for other providers looking to sell services in business-intensive markets," said Keith Markley, president and chief operating officer of DSL.net. "This is a large wholesale opportunity for us because New Edge Networks has a strong sales channel. We believe this agreement will lead to further utilization of our extensive broadband network assets and will provide DSL.net with another revenue stream and additional margin."

By tapping into the DSL.net network, New Edge Networks strengthens its position as a single-source nationwide provider of broadband access services for its business and carrier customers, while DSL.net will benefit from greater use of its network capacity with each sale from New Edge Networks and its selling partners.

"New Edge Networks is focused on providing our business and carrier customers the widest network reach, choice of technologies and a range of competitively priced products," said Dan Moffat, president and chief executive officer of New Edge Networks, which is based in Vancouver, Wash. "The only way to ubiquitous service is through carrier agreements such as this one with DSL.net. Business customers don't want to learn to speak telephonese; they want ubiquity."

DSL.net's footprint is especially important to New Edge Networks for expanding its nationwide offering of its new frame relay over DSL services. New Edge Networks gains access to business districts served by approximately 500 DSL.net telephone switching-center locations - with a strong concentration of these central offices throughout the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. This reach, coupled with New Edge Networks' own coverage and relationships with other carriers, creates one of the largest broadband footprints in the country. DSL.net has a similar agreement in place for selling its DSL and T-1 services through facilities of New Edge Networks in certain areas where DSL.net does not have a network footprint. Both companies offer a frame relay service among their product portfolios.

About DSL.net

DSL.net, Inc. is a leading nationwide provider of broadband communications services to businesses. The Company combines its own facilities, nationwide network infrastructure and Internet Service Provider (ISP) capabilities to provide high-speed Internet access, private network solutions and value-added services directly to small- and medium-sized businesses or larger enterprises looking to connect multiple locations. DSL.net product offerings include T-1 and business-class DSL services, virtual private networks (VPNs), frame relay, Web hosting, DNS management, enhanced e-mail, online data backup and recovery services, firewalls and nationwide dial-up services; as well as integrated voice and data offerings in select markets. For more information, visit www.dsl.net, e-mail [e-mail] or call 1-877-DSL-NET1 (1-877-375-6381).

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond DSL.net's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. In particular, the risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (i) DSL.net's unproven business model, which may not be successful; (ii) DSL.net's ability to execute its business plan in a timely manner to generate the forecasted financial and operating results and liquidity; (iii) risks associated with the possible removal of DSL.net's common stock from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, which removal could adversely impact the pricing and trading of DSL.net's common stock; (iv) regulatory, legislative and judicial developments, which could adversely affect the way DSL.net operates its business; and (v) the risk that DSL.net's stockholders do not approve the matters required for the issuance of the remaining warrants to purchase shares of DSL.net's common stock in the Deutsche Bank-led financing, or that other conditions to the issuance of such warrants are not satisfied or waived by January 14, 2004, in which case DSL.net may be obligated to then repay the $30 million raised in such financing. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. DSL.net undertakes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update or revise the information contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional information regarding these and other risks faced by DSL.net, see the disclosure contained under "Risk Factors" in DSL.net's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

DSL.net is a trademark of DSL.net, Inc. Other company names may be trademarks of their respective owners.