NETCOM NETWORK OPERATIONS CENTER ANNOUNCES BuhComplete Leading Internet Service Provider Announces Bold New Strategy to Provide its Exployees With Heretofore Unheard of Levels of Personal Expression San Jose, California, October 18, 1996 -- NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc. (NASDAQ:NETC) today announced the introduction of its new "BuhComplete" product line of employee self-expression tools. The new BuhComplete product is currently in limited internal testing by NETCOM's Network Operations Center. This new product builds on the strengths of its predecessor, the NOC Mood Meter, and is fully backwards-compatible with Buh modules designed for the Mood Meter. Among the ground-breaking new features of BuhComplete are: * support for hot-swappable Buh modules * greater reliability and improved ergonomics * compliance with all industry standards for Buh * manufactured entirely from recycled office supplies * an open API to permit outside vendors to create Buh expansion modules "It's mind-boggling. I'm absolutely amazed by the potential represented by BuhComplete", commented NOC Supervisor Michael Glenny. "NETCOM has long been a pioneer in the Internet services market, and this bold new product will help us to improve the company's image while inproving return for our shareholders", exclaimed David Garrison, NETCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The base model of BuhComplete ships with three preconfigured Buh modules in a vertical arrangement, including two Buh Modules based on the previous version of NETCOM's Mood Meter product, all housed in an attractive, environmentally friendly, sturdy base. The three standard Buh modules can be operated together to display up to 27 distinct combinations of Buh status. Further Buh expansion modules will be announced in the near future, and will be interchangeable with the current Buh modules to provide an infinite variety of personally customizable Buh states. The program has already begun aggressively, with the Company this morning announcing the deployment of the first BuhComplete prototype for use within the Network Operations Center. Volume production of BuhComplete is expected to begin in Q1 1997. NETCOM San Jose, California-based NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc. is a leading international Internet service provider with years of network experience. Leveraging its own high-speed nationwide TCP/IP-based network, NETCOM provides a range of value-priced Internet services for individuals and businesses. NETCOM's complete Internet service offering includes Personal Services, value pricing, software options, local access, 24 hour person-to-person customer support, and a Vice Presidency in the Company for each new subscriber. Internet users can learn more about the company on-line at: http://www.netcom.com/. NETCOM Network Operations Center NETCOM's 24 hour Network Operations Center consists of a number of highly trained people who sometimes behave as though they have altogether too much time on their hands. While some have charged that the NOC is comprised primarily of geeks and freaks, this is untrue; in fact the majority of people employed in the NOC are really pretty cool, and some of them even ride motorcycles. Certain of the above statements are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, including competitive developments, and risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. ###