Pathnet and NaviPath Implement Industry's First 'Packet-PRI' Dial Access Solution.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

SUPERCOMM 2000

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 2000

Pathnet and NaviPath Enter Agreement To Reach Underserved Markets

Pathnet, a privately held "next generation" carrier's carrier, and NaviPath(TM), Inc., a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc., today announced the first implementation of Pathnet VPOP (Virtual Point of Presence) Plus Service at the SuperComm 2000 trade show at the Georgia World Congress Center.

It is the industry's first live deployment of packet-based local access service that combines high-capacity transport with dial Internet access. This agreement will extend the reach of NaviPath's private label Internet access services to underserved markets in the second and third tier across the country.

"Pathnet's VPOP Plus Service - PRI Delivery is a perfect complement to the other service alternatives we have today," said T.C. Browne, NaviPath's CEO. "Pathnet will rapidly increase our service footprint and reduce our costs in reaching underserved markets. NaviPath's GeoDial(R) private label Internet access will also expand Pathnet's addressable market, as ISPs who outsource their network can now gain the full benefit of Pathnet's VPOP Plus PRI service network by coming to NaviPath."

"Providing service to customers like NaviPath greatly enhances our business plan," said Bob Rouse, Pathnet's chief operating officer. "NaviPath's position as a leading provider of private label Internet access to ISPs like Prodigy and NetZero gives them the ability to rapidly bring traffic to our network. The collective marketing and sales capabilities of NaviPath's customers is a tremendous asset in quickly achieving our network utilization objectives."

Pathnet provides VPOP Plus - PRI Delivery via Cisco's SS7/PRI Gateway Solution. This innovative convergent solution is comprised of the Cisco VSC 3000 softswitch controller, on-line to the SS-7 network, and the Cisco MGX 8260 Media Gateway. A single softswitch controller can remotely control multiple MGX 8260 gateways providing a highly scalable solution for dial access in smaller markets.

While many ISPs buy PRIs from various CLECs and backhaul transport from IXCs, Pathnet owns OC-192 fiber-based transport, which is bundled with local access services, covering not only PRI delivery, but also xDSL or TDM "special access" circuits through Pathnet's VPOP Plus offering. Modelled on data service pricing, Pathnet VPOP Plus Service offers flat rated national transport priced at the aggregate volume across all services a carrier purchases from Pathnet. This rich set of New World services is offered at substantial savings expected to range from 15 to 50%.

"Pathnet's unique architecture and pricing is very compelling to a business like ours," said Scott Burnett, GM of Network Services and VP of Operations for NaviPath. "NaviPath firmly believes in being on the leading edge of both technology and service quality, and we believe that Pathnet offers us not only what we need for today in underserved markets, but a migration path to the services of the future. The potential of the Pathnet platform to support PRI, DSL, VoIP, VoIP over DSL, and other services will enable NaviPath to simultaneously roll out new services across all market tiers."

"NaviPath not only understands the technology, but they move at Internet speed," said Gerry Sharp, Pathnet's chief technology officer. "Our unique architecture and product set is designed to deliver more value to our customers than traditional service offerings, but it is hard for some companies to let go of the old models they are used to. NaviPath instantly saw the potential and moved fast so that we were able to bring up their first circuit in a couple of weeks. Their validation of our technology is extremely important to us."

Andover, Mass.-based NaviPath, Inc., is a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. that offers high performance branded Internet access solutions for corporations, affinity groups and ISPs. These solutions enable organizations to enhance marketing relationships, extend customer reach, enter new markets, and/or build brand equity online. NaviPath's solutions are based on The NaviPath Technology Platform, which supports a variety of access methods, value added services, and performance optimizations that are designed to provide a high quality Internet experience. For more information, visit NaviPath on the Web at www.navipath.com.

Pathnet is a "Next Generation" carriers' carrier providing competitive local access services and high capacity, digital transport to underserved, second- and third-tier U.S. cities. Pathnet and its parent company, Pathnet Telecommunications, Inc., provides service to inter-exchange carriers, local exchange carriers, Internet service providers, Regional Bell Operating Companies, cellular operators and resellers. Pathnet currently has 7000 route miles of completed network and 1200 route miles of network under construction. Additional information about Pathnet can be found on the company's web site at: www.pathnet.net.

The statements made by Pathnet and Pathnet Telecommunications in this press release may be forward-looking in nature. No assurance can be given that future results will be achieved; actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Pathnet and Pathnet Telecom believe that their primary risk factors include, but are not limited to: signing additional agreements with private network operators and others; offering services to telecommunication service providers; entering into partnering arrangements; building a digital network; meeting market demand and customer service expectations; and obtaining additional financing. Additional information concerning these and other potentially important factors can be found within Pathnet Telecom's Registration Statement and Pathnet's periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws. Statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these important factors.