GTE launches Internet access service for residential and business customers; announces agreement to license Netscape Communications' Internet client software.

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 1995--GTE Intelligent Network Services (GTEINS), a subsidiary of GTE Corp., today announced that it has signed an agreement with Netscape Communications Corp. to license its Netscape NavigatorTM software for navigating the Internet. In connection with the agreement, residential and business customers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex will become the first to be offered GTE.net(SM), GTE's new Internet access service.

GTE.net will be introduced in other markets throughout the United States in 1996, according to Bill Wall, general manager of the GTE Internet service-provider subsidiary.

"Entering the Internet access business is the first step GTE is taking to build a nationwide data-network infrastructure that will allow us to enter new markets and develop new products and services," said Wall. "These new services will include virtual private business-networks, specific business Internet applications focused on education, law enforcement and government plus other market segments under development. Long term, we believe these services will become part of a broader integrated service offering that includes voice, data and video services."

"Netscape Navigator will make it easy for GTEINS' customers to explore and take advantage of the Internet's vast resources," said Bob Lisbonne, director of client product marketing at Netscape. "Internet access provided by GTE.net combined with Netscape Navigator's user-friendly interface will enable customers to quickly get up and running on the Internet."

"This agreement symbolizes GTE's pledge of being the easiest company to do business with in the industry," said Wall. "With Netscape Navigator, GTE.net customers will be using the most widely used Internet client software to instantly communicate with people around the globe."

Customers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex can buy GTE.net in several pricing packages:

o $24.95 per month for unlimited Internet access, or

o $8.95 for five hours of Internet access, and $1.95 for each

additional hour per month.

Business customers can also subscribe to a full suite of services including dedicated Internet access, web site services, firewall services, E-mail, encryption, transaction processing and other Internet-related services applicable to various industries.

With GTE.net, customers will be able to access the Internet using a dial-up modem (14.4Kbps through 28.8Kbps), dedicated lines operating at speeds of 56Kbps through 45Mbps (T3) or an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) line at 128Kbps.

To order GTE.net, customers can call 214/751-3800 or 1-800-927-3000 Monday through Saturday.

GTEINS was formed in 1992 to provide Signaling System 7 (SS7) transport services for the validation of telephone credit cards. The business has since expanded to include SS7 transport and database services to the cellular industry. In April, GTEINS acquired the assets of GTE Educational Network Services, an Irving, Texas-based company which provided electronic mail, database and Internet access services.

One of the largest publicly held telecommunications companies in the world, GTE is also the largest U.S.-based local telephone company and a leading cellular-service provider in the United States -- with wireline and wireless operations that form a market covering more than one third of the U.S. population. With net income of $2.5 billion and revenues of $20 billion in 1994, GTE is also a leader in government and defense communications systems and equipment, aircraft-passenger telecommunications, directories and telecommunications-based information services and systems.

Netscape Communications Corporation is a premier provider of open software for linking people and information over enterprise networks and the Internet. The company offers a full line of Netscape Navigator clients, Netscape servers, development tools and Netscape Internet Applications to create a complete platform for next-generation, live online applications. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol "NSCP", Netscape Communications Corporation is based in Mountain View, California.

CONTACT: Tony Hamilton, GTE,

203/965-2853 (After 6 p.m., 203/327-2162)

or

Kristina Lessing, Netscape Communications Corporation,

415/528-2661