EC Closes Investigation of Network Solutions.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

BRUSSELS, Belgium and HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2000

Network Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSOL) today announced that the European Commission has informed the company that its investigation into Network Solutions' arrangements with European domain name registration service providers has been officially closed, without further inquiry or action.

&uot;We are very pleased that the EC has concluded its investigation without further action,&uot; said Michael A. Daniels, Network Solutions' chairman. &uot;The European market is very important to Network Solutions and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers there.&uot;

In August 1998, Network Solutions received notice from the EC of an investigation concerning Network Solutions' &uot;Premier Program&uot; in Europe. The International Premier Program is a channel distribution program for Network Solutions' domain name registration services in Europe and around the world. The EC sought documents and information about the program and Network Solutions complied with those requests. Again, in June 1999, Network Solutions received a second inquiry from the EC concerning Network Solutions agreements with newly-accredited registrars in the .com, .net, and .org domains and Network Solutions responded accordingly. Both inquiries have been closed, without any enforcement action.

About Network Solutions

Founded in 1979, Network Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: NSOL) pioneered the development of registering Web addresses ending in .com, .net, .org and .edu and is the world's leading Registrar with more than 8.1 million net registrations. Separately, Network Solutions plays a critical role in the infrastructure of the Internet through its Registry business. Network Solutions' Registry customers include all the Registrars of domain names ending in .com, .net and .org. Network Solutions also provides Internet Technology Services that assist large commercial organizations in the evolution and management of their Internet technologies. For more information, see the http://www.networksolutions.com Web site.

Network Solutions registers the majority of Web addresses worldwide through various channels, including more than 240 companies in over 30 countries in its Premier program and over 35,000 companies in the Affiliate Program. Network Solutions has created value-added small business solutions through agreements with leading companies such as American Express (NYSE: AXP), IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). Through its Alliance Program, Network Solutions works closely with EarthLink (NASDAQ: ELNK), MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSPG), Interliant, Inc. (NASDAQ: INIT), and Interland, Inc. Network Solutions also has entered into marketing agreements with companies like Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO).

For Network Solutions: Media, Brian O'Shaughnessy, [e-mail], +1-703/326-6076. Investor Relations: Sean McClorey, [e-mail], +1-703/326-6090.