Darwin Networks to Equip Over 100 Kampgrounds Of America Sites With High-Speed Internet Access Public Kiosks.

Business & Technology Editors

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2000

Darwin Networks, a leading high-speed Internet access and network solutions company, was recently selected by Kampgrounds of America to equip over 100 of the company's campground sites, throughout the U.S., with public Internet access kiosks.

Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is the campground industry leader with nearly 75,000 RV, tent and "Kamping Kabin(R)" sites at hundreds of campground locations in North America and abroad.

The agreement allows Darwin Networks to demonstrate its ability to bring the Internet to anyone, anywhere by immediately deploying Internet kiosks to premier Kampgrounds of America sites in the Smokey Mountains, Mt. Rushmore, the Florida Everglades, Monterey Bay, Graceland and Niagara Falls, among others.

"KOA's association with Darwin Networks has, thus far, proven to be a giant step towards our goal of providing our camping customers with Internet connectivity while they're away from home and office on a camping trip," said Dave Nusbaum, vice president of Kampgrounds of America.

Deploying Internet access kiosks to remote campground sites lends credit to a growing list of research studies that concludes the public has an ever-growing demand for Internet access no matter where they are. Catering to that demand, Darwin Networks has placed over 500 public Internet kiosks throughout the United States. The Kampgrounds of America Internet users will soon add to the thousands of consumers who have logged more than 25 million user minutes on Darwin Networks' kiosks.

"We're excited about our agreement with Kampgrounds of America, because it gives us the opportunity to partner with a respected, nationally recognized company, to physically take the Internet to places it's never been before," said Eric T. Wagner, president of Darwin Networks' Public Access Division.

The formalized agreement with Kampgrounds of America was preceded by Darwin Networks' recent arrangement to provide Internet kiosks at Churchill Down's Marquee Village, an exclusive entertainment tent area for corporate guests at this year's Kentucky Derby. The kiosks allowed high-profile racing fans access to the Internet with the capability to e-mail messages and digital photos while they celebrated Thoroughbred racing's legendary annual event.

Darwin entered the Internet public access business with its recent acquisition of iCom Network, Inc. The acquisition expanded the company's portfolio of high-speed Internet products and services to include public, pay-per-use Internet kiosks, kiosk network operations and management systems, public e-commerce solutions, and custom kiosk application software. Since then, Darwin Networks has expanded its user base by adding clients such as Marriott International, the Walt Disney Company, and Amtrak.

About Darwin Networks

Darwin Networks provides high-speed Internet access and network solutions to small and medium-sized businesses; office, flex, industrial and retail properties; apartment, condominium and student housing complexes; hotels and telephone companies; using wireless, wireline, and DSL technologies. The company has agreements in place and in progress to launch services in approximately 800 locations in almost 40 states and Canada.

The Louisville, Kentucky-based company offers a full complement of marketing and support services, including training, to assist business owners, property managers and their staffs in marketing and implementing new services.

Additionally, Darwin is the nation's premier provider of public Internet access kiosks. To date, the company has installed hundreds of units throughout the country, in hotels, restaurants, tourist/travel centers, cafes, airports, and more. The company also produces, installs and operates multimedia kiosks designed for retail/e-commerce, interactive information distribution, communications, entertainment, advertising and other uses.

Darwin Networks has corporate offices in Louisville, KY, Seattle, WA and Walnut Creek and San Diego, CA. The company's investors include Broadband Solutions, LLC (led by Chrysalis Ventures, LLC), Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures, Richland Ventures, River Cities Capital and associates of Moore Capital. For more information about Darwin Networks, please visit www.darwin.net.

About Kampgrounds of America

KOA is North America's largest system of open-to-the-public, privately-owned, full-service, overnight and destination campgrounds with nearly 75,000 sites at hundreds of campground locations. Initially developed in the United States, the franchise expanded into Canada in the 1970s and now has more than 40 campgrounds in seven southern-tier provinces. A master licensing agreement was signed in 1992 to create KOA Japan, and the first KOA site in Japan opened in 1994. KOA's most recent expansions occurred in 1998 with the opening of Puerto Vallarta, Creel/Copper Canyon and Tecate KOA's in Mexico. Acapulco West and Monterrey were added in 1999.

KOA innovated the franchised campground concept. Approximately 70 percent of KOA sites are owner-operated; the others are owned by investors who employ managers to operate their campgrounds. Ten are company-owned and operated facilities. Almost half of all KOA Kampgrounds are open year-round to accommodate "snowbirds" and other sun-chasers in southern climates, as well as sports enthusiasts in snowbelt states. KOA offers a complete directory of its campgrounds online at www.koa.com. The KOA website also features basic camping information and a travel planning function with door-to-door directions to any spot in the United States.