HiWAAY: Information/Internet Services

HiWAAY Withdraws from Proposed Merger

Huntsville, Ala. (July 28, 2000) - HiWAAY Information Services, Inc., today made the following announcement regarding the status of the proposed merger with Duro Communications, Inc. of Orlando, Fla.

According to M.D. Smith IV, president and Chief Executive Officer of HiWAAY, "A few months ago we announced our intentions to pursue a merger with Duro Communications. We have recently completed our due diligence of the proposed transaction and determined that Duro is not a suitable merger partner for HiWAAY. We believe it is in the best interest of HiWAAY customers, our employees and the future growth of the company, that we proceed without this merger. As Alabama's Internet, our directions and plans for the future remain unchanged; to be the best Internet company available to Alabamians."

Recent decisions to establish market leadership in pricing and to hire additional staff reflect a growth pattern for both commercial and residential services. According to Redge Swing, HiWAAY's Chief Administrative Officer, "HiWAAY's mission of providing Alabama with the best Internet solutions is very much alive. We're an Alabama company serving Alabama and that will continue to be our focus."

HiWAAY officials state that they plan to continue aggressive implementation of their growth strategy throughout Alabama including their recent expansion of broadband access through DSL service. "In the last 90 days we have expanded and upgraded our network capacity across the state. We will maintain this trend as HiWAAY continues to stay on the edge of technology," Mark Derrick, Chief Technical Officer at HiWAAY, said.

HiWAAY Information Services is a full-service Internet Service Provider (ISP) providing individual and business dial-up and dedicated Internet access, web site hosting and web design services. HiWAAY was established in 1994 to serve the North Alabama region. HiWAAY has grown to become Alabama's largest ISP and now offers Internet access covering most of the state. For more information about HiWAAY, you may visit the HiWAAY web site at www.hiwaay.net or call 256/650-4900.