EarthLink Increase Full Year Expectations

During the first quarter of 2006, EarthLink added 125,000 net PeoplePC Online subscribers and strengthened its position as a leading non-facilities based broadband provider by adding 85,000 net broadband and voice subscribers in the quarter. EarthLink said its was continuing to manage the decline of its premium narrowband subscriber base, which decreased by 179,000 net customers during the quarter.



EarthLink ended the first quarter with 1.4 million PeoplePC Online subscribers, 2.1 million premium narrowband subscribers, 1.7 million broadband subscribers and 123,000 web hosting accounts.



Overall, the average monthly churn rate was 4.6 percent during the first quarter, compared to 4.7 percent in the first quarter of 2005 and 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005.



"Our traditional Internet access business is as robust as ever and continues to generate the cash needed to make the transition from ISP to total communications provider," said Garry Betty, EarthLink's chief executive officer. "Beyond our financial performance, we made great strides with our voice and municipal Wi-Fi initiatives during the quarter."http://www.earthlink.net