Media Relations

PEOPLEPC ONLINE INTERNET SERVICE NOW AVAILABLE IN STAPLES STORES

Value ISP Expands Retail Footprint by Nearly 1,100 Outlets Nationwide

SAN FRANCISCO and FRAMINGHAM, Mass., December 18, 2003 - PeoplePC, a leading provider of high-quality, value-priced Internet services today announced an agreement to offer its dial-up Internet service - featuring Smart Dialer technology for fast and reliable connections - in nearly 1,100 Staples superstores across the country. Through this agreement, the first of its kind between Staples and a value ISP, new customers will receive PeoplePC's unlimited Internet service for $10.95 per month, with the first month free.

"The Staples agreement is an exciting opportunity to generate greater awareness for PeoplePC Online and help satisfy the growing number of consumers who are looking for high quality, value Internet service," said Janet West, vice president of channel sales at PeoplePC. "This partnership was a great fit because both organizations place a high value on providing customers easy and simple solutions to their every day needs."

"At Staples, buying office supplies - from technology products to furniture - is easy," said John Burke, Senior Vice President, Business Services for Staples. "By offering PeoplePC's easily affordable product, we're expanding the array of internet services available to our customers."

PeoplePC Online subscribers enjoy unlimited nationwide access with more than 9,000 local dial-up numbers and proprietary Smart Dialer technology that automatically connects them to the highest quality, most available number so they always have the best connection.

About Staples, Inc.
Staples, Inc. is headquartered outside of Boston and sells a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture, and business services. With 2002 sales of $11.6 billion, Staples is committed to make buying office products easy. Nearly 58,000 associates serve consumers and businesses of all sizes -- from home-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies in the US, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Staples invented the office superstore concept and today, with approximately 1,500 office superstores, is the largest operator of office superstores in the world. Staples also serves its customers through its mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract businesses. More information is available at http://www.staples.com.

About PeoplePC
PeoplePC, an EarthLink company (NASDAQ: ELNK), is a leading provider of high-quality, value-priced Internet service through its PeoplePC Online brand. We are committed to making it easy and affordable for consumers to get online. The PeoplePC platform ensures quality connections and fewer busy signals though the use of proprietary Smart Dialer technology. Visit us at www.peoplepc.com.