ICGICG. Netcom, a leading integrated communications provider (ICP), today announced that its wholly-owned Internet subsidiary, Netcom On-Line Communication Services Inc., was chosen over all other nationwide ISPs to include their award-winning Netcomplete(TM) suite of Internet access software in the latest version of Norton AntiVirus 5.0. by Symantec, the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing.

"This relationship continues to develop because of our mutual commitment to help customers reap the full potential of communications technology", said Doug Falk, Netcom's senior vice president of sales. "By partnering with industry leaders like Symantec, we remove the burden of continually monitoring and learning ever-changing technology and simply provide our customers with software tools that maximize their productivity and help them remain competitive in the marketplace."

ICG Netcom's award-winning Netcomplete(TM) Internet access software was chosen by Symantec to be the only Internet software bundled with their latest Norton AntiVirus 5.0, currently available in stores and from Symantec's web site. In conjunction with the product launch, ICG Netcom is promoting a special sign-up offer of 30 days free service with any of our Netcomplete dial-up solutions with no set-up fee. ICG Netcom will bundle Norton AntiVirus 5.0 trialware in its Netcomplete software suite providing customers an opportunity to evaluate key software.

"Symantec and ICG Netcom both strive to empower today's computer users by granting them the same advantages that businesses with dedicated IT departments have to allow them to focus their time and energy elsewhere," said Enrique Salem, vice president of Symantec's Security and Assistance Business Unit.

ICG Netcom also provides the Internet access in Symantec's latest product, pcTelecommute(TM), released in August, designed specifically for telecommuters who need to work from home. Netcom began its relationship with Symantec with the introduction of Netcomplete Advantage Pro in October 1997. In this advanced dial-up product, ICG Netcom bundles Symantec's Norton Web Services in the Netcom Computer Care Center.