REDMOND, Wash. - March 29, 1999 -Microsoft Corp. today began trials of its new high-speed digital subscriber line (DSL) in four U.S. cities. MSN™ Internet Access DSL provides consumers with Web access at speeds of up to 8 MB per second - up to 275 times faster than today's 28.8 modem standard and up to thirty times faster than competitors' DSL offerings. MSN Internet Access DSL works across existing telephone lines, eliminating the need for a second voice line so consumers can navigate the Web while they talk on the telephone. In addition, the service is always turned on so there is no wasted time in dialing up for access to the Internet.

MSN Internet Access DSL trials began today in Atlanta and Seattle and are slated to begin soon in Chicago and San Diego. The service is scheduled to be offered in at least 20 major U.S. cities by fall. The service is aimed at delivering the benefits of high-speed Internet access - fast searches, smooth graphics downloads, and broadcast-quality video and audio streaming - to PC users at home. The new consumer-grade service complements Microsoft's recent alliance with Rhythms NetConnections Inc. to provide Rhythms' customers - mainly enterprise and small-business users - with access to a wide range of compelling services via a co-branded portal in MSN.

"At Microsoft, we're focused on providing consumers with convenient, reliable and affordable high-speed Internet access that stands the test of time," said Will Diefenbach, group product manager for MSN Internet Access. "Hardware and installation costs of DSL represent a significant investment for the average consumer, and we're ensuring that customers will gain the full benefit of that investment by providing the fastest, easiest high-speed offering available."

MSN is dedicated to offering its customers the highest-quality services at a price competitive with cable modems. By testing MSN Internet Access DSL, trial customers will be able to take advantage of a faster connection to the Internet and the entire network of Internet services offered by MSN. In addition, trial customers will have access to broadband offerings available on the Internet, such as streaming video, that are only accessible when using DSL technology.

About MSN Internet Access

DSL is the most recent offering from MSN Internet Access as it steadily improves its features and performance for customers. In the last year, MSN Internet Access has increased its modem capacity by more than 40 percent and has added nationwide support of V.90, the accepted standard for 56Kbps modems. MSN Internet Access is ranked No. 1 in customer satisfaction, among the largest national ISPs, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 1998 Internet Customer Satisfaction Study. Customers can order a free* one-month trial of MSN Internet Access by visiting http://free.msn.com/ or by calling (800) FREE-MSN (373-3676).

MSN Internet Access is part of the MSN network of Internet services that helps people better organize the Web around what's important to them. The network of MSN services, located on the Web at MSN.COM (http://msn.com/), helps people easily stay in touch with friends and colleagues, make smart and secure purchasing decisions, and get more done. MSN offers award-winning e-mail functionality; personal communications services; customizable access to news; popular sites for travel, investing, automotive services, shopping and more; an online community; a Web search engine and directories; and top-rated Internet access.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

* For users of the Windows^® 95 or higher operating system only. One-month free unlimited trial is available to new members of MSN Internet Access in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia only. A credit card is required. Local phone and/or long distance toll charges may apply. It is the customer's responsibility to check with a local phone company to determine if access numbers are local. Local market network activity and capacity may affect access availability. Offer expires June 1999.