Diamond Multimedia Launches Shotgun Through Netcom's Dual-Line Service; Netcom To Introduce Dual-Line Internet Access Service In Major Cities Throughout The U.S.

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 1998--Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:DIMD), a leader in interactive multimedia acceleration, announced today that Netcom, a leading global Internet service provider (ISP) and wholly-owned subsidiary of ICG Communications, Inc., (Nasdaq:ICGX), will begin offering Shotgun(tm) through Netcom's dual-line Internet access service.

Shotgun is Diamond Multimedia's advanced modem bonding software capable of delivering Internet connections of up to 112Kbps over two ordinary phone lines. A Shotgun demo can be seen at the NetWorld + Interop trade show in Las Vegas, May 5-8, at Tech Data's booth #4525, South Hall.

Shotgun Launch Plans

Through an exclusive agreement with Netcom, Diamond is rolling out Shotgun with Netcom Internet access availability in approximately 100 cities by mid-May of this year through a choice of one of Netcom's individual Internet access service plans: Netcomplete(tm), Netcomplete Advantage(tm), Netcomplete Advantage Pro(tm) and Identity Pack. Netcom's monthly rate for dual-line Internet access service includes an additional $10 a month add-on over its current single line individual Internet access monthly service fee. New customers who sign up for Netcom's dual-line service and own a Supra brand 56Kbps modem with Shotgun will have the first monthly service fee waived and only be charged the $10 add-on fee for the first month of service. In addition, Netcom will provide a prepaid 100-minute phone card.

"Netcom continually looks for cost-effective, powerful and practical new technology for our individual and small-to-medium size business customers," said Gene Shimshock, vice president of marketing for Netcom. "With Shotgun, Netcom can inexpensively deliver an ideal choice for customers seeking greater bandwidth, but for whom ISDN is either not available in their area or not economical for their needs."

"Netcom's leadership role in the ISP community coupled with their strong national coverage makes for a solid partner to launch Shotgun," said Jim Cady, vice president and general manager of Diamond Multimedia's Communications Division. "Internet customers around the country can now experience faster downloads and a host of new features with Shotgun technology and Netcom Internet service."

Additional launch efforts for Shotgun include a Netcom Internet Access Kit to be bundled with Diamond's SupraExpress(tm) 56 V.90 series of modems, as well as its new dual-line modem, the SupraSonic II. The Netcom Internet Access Kit is built in to the Supra CD that ships with Supra 56Kbps branded products. Customers who purchased a SupraExpress 56 modem prior to this announcement can sign-up for Netcom dual-line service by consulting Diamond's Web site at www.diamondmm.com/shotgun.

Shotgun is bundled free with Diamond Multimedia's SupraExpress(tm) 56 modems as well as its new dual-line modem, the SupraSonic(R) II. Customers who purchased a SupraExpress 56 series modem prior to the release of Shotgun can download a free copy of Shotgun from Diamond's Web site at www.diamondmm.com.

Shotgun Features

Diamond Multimedia's Shotgun technology bonds two analog modems to work intelligently over ordinary phone lines and achieve speeds of up to 112Kbps. Shotgun offers the added benefit of releasing one phone line for voice calls while maintaining an Internet connection on the other line. Features include:

-- Bandwidth-on-Demand: Shotgun "senses" when greater bandwidth is needed for an Internet connection and automatically adds the second phone line. When less bandwidth is required, the second phone line is automatically released for other uses.

-- Manual Control: Shotgun allows a user to add or release their second phone line by clicking on a software control button.

-- Voice Priority: During an Internet session, Shotgun detects incoming and outgoing phone calls and releases the appropriate phone line to allow the incoming or outgoing call to be completed while maintaining the data connection on the other line (works with Diamond Multimedia's SupraSonic II dual-line modem only and requires call waiting service from the phone company).

About Netcom

Netcom On-Line Communication Services, Inc., an ICG Communications, Inc. company headquartered in San Jose, California, is a leading global Internet service provider with over a decade of Internet connectivity, applications and Web hosting expertise. Netcom delivers a full range of innovative, value-added services for today's individual professional and small to medium-size business customers who increasingly use the Internet as a mission-critical tool. Netcom maintains long-term relationships with its clientele by providing flexible and scalable Internet solutions to meet their evolving needs. All services are backed by the company's expansive high-speed nationwide network and world class customer service. Netcom is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICG Communications. Additional service and pricing information can be found by calling 1-800-Netcom1 (800/638-2661) or by visiting Netcom's Web site at http://www.netcom.com/.

About ICG

ICG Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICGX), headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, is a leading Integrated Communications Provider (ICP) offering high-quality telecommunications services. ICG has extensive switched fiber-optic networks and offers local, long distance and enhanced telephony and data services in California, Colorado, the Ohio Valley and parts of the Southeastern United States. The company provides Internet communication solutions, connectivity and Website hosting to individuals and to small and medium-sized businesses through its subsidiary, Netcom On-Line Communication Services, Inc. Further information is available on ICG's Website located at http://www.icgcomm.com.

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.

Diamond Multimedia is driving the interactive multimedia market by providing advanced solutions for home, business and professional desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience compelling new media content from their desktops and through the Internet. Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the hard drive with products that include the Stealth and Viper series of media accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI accelerators, and the Supra series of modems. Diamond also markets DVD and video phone kits. Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol DIMD, and its web site address is www.diamondmm.com.

How to Contact Diamond Multimedia

There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical assistance, driver updates and general information:

Internet Web Site: http://www.diamondmm.com

Diamond Multimedia's Headquarters and Multimedia Division: 408/325-7000; Fax: [phone]

Communications Division (Supra brand modems) Main Phone Number: 360/604-1400; Fax: [phone]

European Division (Germany): [phone]; (UK): [phone]; (France) [phone];

Korean Office (Seoul): [phone]; Fax: [phone]

Japanese Office (Tokyo): [phone]; Fax: [phone]

ASEAN Office (Singapore): [phone]; Fax: [phone]

Hong Kong Office: [phone]; Fax: [phone]

Australian Office (Sydney): [phone]; Fax [phone]

Swedish Office: [phone]; Fax [phone]

Product Support (Voice), United States: 541/967-2450; Europe (Germany) [phone]; Europe (UK) [phone];

TDD/TTY Support 541/967-2451

Product Support (Fax), United States: 541/967-2401; Europe (Germany) [phone]; Europe (UK): [phone]; (France) [phone]

Pre-sales Information: 800/468-5846

Investor Relations: 408/325-7476; 888/474-3463 (U.S. and Canada)

24-Hour Fax-On-Demand Service: 800/380-0030

FTP site: ftp.diamondmm.com

BBS: 541/967-2444 (to 33.6 Kbps); Europe (Germany) BBS at [phone] (to 28.8 Kbps) or [phone] (ISDN); Europe (UK) at [phone] (to 33.6 Kbps)

Though 56Kbps modems are capable of 56Kbps download performance, line impairments, public telephone infrastructure and other external technological factors currently prevent maximum 56Kbps connections. Monster 3D, Supra, SupraSonic and Shotgun are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. Monster(R) is a registered trademark of Monster Cable. Viper(R) is a registered trademark of Directed Electronics, Inc., Used under License. All other trademarks referenced are the service mark, trademark or registered trademark of their respective manufacturers. This announcement relates to products whose introductions are in North America. The product name, contents, prices and availability may differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements.

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, such as statements relating to the Company's ability to successfully exploit technological and market developments, the timing and success of new product introductions by the Company and its competitors, and the Company's ability to invest in new technologies and to enhance its existing systems are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the impact of competitive products and pricing and alternative technological advances, the timely and successful development and market acceptance of new products and upgrades to existing products, and other risks as detailed from time to time in Diamond Multimedia's SEC filings, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

CONTACT: Netcom

Emily Chambers, 408/881-3574

[e-mail]

or

Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc.

Douglas Little, 360/604-1469

[e-mail]