The Times Leader - July 2, 2000

StratusWave Communications, a Wheeling-based independent telephone company, and HGO Technology, Inc., an information technology company also based in Wheeling, revealed plans for a strategic alliance. The new alliance is the first in the region to bring all telecommunications and information technology services under one umbrella.

StratusWave will acquire, manage, support and market HGO.Net's Internet access accounts along with e-mail and UseNet News services. This will enable StratusWave to offer competitive local, long distance and Internet services on one monthly low-cost bill. StratusWave also offers broadband and other high-speed data communications options to business and residential customers.

The alliance calls for HGO.Net, a division of HGO Technology, Inc., to acquire WebTics, StratusWave's web development and hosting business. HGO.Net will manage and support both companies current web development and web hosting along with HGO's network engineering services.

"This alliance is a win-win strategy for both companies and their customers. We will work closely together to provide unsurpassed advanced communications, web
development and network engineering services to the Upper Ohio Valley," stated James O'Malley, president of HGO.

StratusWave President H. Russell Irvin said, "Gone are the days of paying three separate bills for three services. Under our plan, you are able to pay one bill for local, long distance and Internet services and for less than customers are paying now."
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with HGO Technology, Inc., who have demonstrated its commitment to the alliance by making a substantial
investment in StratusWave Communications. This alignment of services will position both companies to work together to offer affordable telephone and information services to business and residential customers in the Eastern Ohio and Northern West Virginia. Our customers will receive the best technology, service and price, all from a West Virginia company," Irvin said.

HGO.Net President James P O'Malley echoed Irvin's comments, adding that this is an exciting opportunity to grow with the alliance while still focusing on each company's core strength.

"By joining an alliance with StratusWave, a facility-based telephone company, HGO.Net has positioned our customers to take advantage of future advanced telecommunications technologies at competitive rates," said O'Malley.

Under an agreement, StratusWave will provide local and long distance phone service, dial-up Internet access, 24-hour constant connect, high-speed Internet connections, UseNet News service and 3-in-1 billing service. HGO will provide web hosting, domain hosting, e-commerce, web page development, web maintenance and complete LAN/WAN networking services, in addition to its software development and computerization consulting services.