Apple and EarthLink Form Partnership to Deliver Best ISP Service to Macintosh Users

MACWORLD EXPO, SAN FRANCISCO—January 5, 2000—Apple® and EarthLink (NASDAQ: ELNK) today announced a multi-year partnership to deliver the best ISP (Internet Service Provider) service to Mac® customers in the U.S. Under the terms of the partnership, EarthLink will become the exclusive ISP in Apple’s Internet Setup Software included with all Apple Macintosh® computers sold in the U.S. Apple will profit from each new Mac customer that subscribes to EarthLink’s ISP service. In addition, Apple will invest $200 million in EarthLink and receive a seat on EarthLink’s board of directors.


“EarthLink and Apple share a passion for providing the highest-quality Internet access to Macintosh users, and together we’re going to do it better than anyone else,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s iCEO.


“The alliance allows both companies to capitalize on each other’s strengths while combining the power of the Mac with the power of the Internet,” said Garry Betty, president and CEO of EarthLink. “This partnership will bring our industry-leading Internet services to an increasing number of Macintosh users, right out of the box.”


EarthLink’s commitment to the Macintosh platform has won it numerous awards and a reputation for being one of the premier ISPs. EarthLink’s Internet service will be offered to new and existing Mac customers, and new customers will get a free month of service and their setup fee will be waived.


About Apple
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II, and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is now recommitted to its original mission—to bring the best personal computing products and support to students, educators, designers, scientists, engineers, businesspersons and consumers in over 140 countries around the world.


About EarthLink
EarthLink is one of the world’s leading Internet service providers, bringing the magic of the Internet to more than 1.5 million individuals and businesses every day. Headquartered in Pasadena, EarthLink provides a full range of innovative access, hosting and e-commerce solutions to thousands of communities internationally from more than 2,300 points of presence.


In September of 1999, EarthLink and MindSpring announced plans to merge in a transaction that will create the world’s second largest Internet service provider. The new company will be called EarthLink (NASDAQ: ELNK) and the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2000. Information about EarthLink and EarthLink Sprint services is available by calling 800-395-8425 and through EarthLink’s Web site at www.earthlink.net.


Press Contacts:
Rhona Hamilton
Apple
(408) 974-6439
hamilton@apple.com


Kurt Rahn
EarthLink
(626) 296-5737
kurtrahn@corp.EarthLink.net


Kelly Fitzsimmons
Manning Selvage & Lee
(781) 863-5771
kcfitz@EarthLink.net


Apple, the Apple logo, Mac and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.