Web Hosting ISP, Earthlink's New Edge Networks, Recognized for Value Enhancement

Vancouver, Washington - (The Hosting News) - October 22, 2007 - Wholly owned subsidiary of EarthLink Inc., New Edge Networks, has been honored by Frost and Sullivan growth consulting company, with the presentation of its 2007 North American Customer Value Enhancement Award.

Frost and Sullivan singled out New Edge for its work in forming and developing the Retail Broadband Alliance, an industry consortium that makes it easy for businesses to switch to or optimize value from high-speed wide area networks. New Edge formed the Retail Broadband Alliance in November 2004.

Max Engel, telecommunications analyst for Frost and Sullivan noted, ''As digital convergence overtakes the communications world, what were previously stand alone devices have increasingly been linked to form larger and larger networks. At a basic level connectivity is unavoidable yet many of the devices were not designed for such connectivity and many communications systems are not designed to support such networks. New Edge Networks has created a unique solution to these problems.''

Through the Retail Broadband Alliance, New Edge Networks helps its customers find solutions to their network communications problems. Merchants have access to almost 250 independent suppliers whose products and services run over private wide area networks. Merchants identify and select the suppliers they prefer.

Mr. Engel continued, ''It is rarely the case that a single vendor can supply the best solution to a wide range of customers with widely differing needs. Diversity, not monopoly, is the strength of the RBA.''

Member companies work together ensuring their products and services integrate well and enable a smooth migration to a broadband network.

Greg Griffiths, Vice President of Marketing for New Edge Networks added, ''The RBA saves businesses time from investigating sources for new technology solutions, comparing features, testing, and coordinating installations.''

As many as five member companies have teamed up on helping a merchant switch to a broadband network, powered by New Edge Networks. Often, member companies can bolster their relationships with their existing customers by introducing them to new products and services that they can integrate over a single broadband network.

Suppliers and other service providers benefit from the Retail Broadband Alliance because they get access to a large sales distribution channel for referring prospective business to each other. More information about the Retail Broadband Alliance is available at www.newedgenetworks.com/partners/rba/.

Frost and Sullivan presents its Customer Value Enhancement Award each year to the company that has best demonstrated the ability to expand the customer base, while maintaining its existing install base, with more innovative value creation and enhancement strategies than competing vendors.

The key differentiators of the Customer Value Enhancement Award recipient from a traditional customer service award is that it is a proactive rather than reactive function; it focuses on value creation and enhancement rather than simply ensuring client satisfaction, and; it focuses on maximizing customer value rather simply providing after sales support and service. For more information on Frost and Sullivan's Best Practices Awards, visit www.awards.frost.com.

New Edge Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of EarthLink Inc. (NASDQ: ELNK). New Edge Networks builds and manages private networks for businesses and communications providers. Through its nationwide backbone network with almost 900 switches and Internet routers, New Edge Networks uses any blend of network and access technologies (MPLS, frame relay, ATM, xDSL, cable, wireless, and satellite) for providing high-speed connections at any business address in the United States. Network options include any combination of access, network management functions, and on-site installation services.

For more information, please visit: www.newedgenetworks.com.

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