<PAGE>   1
 
   
      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 7, 1998
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-47497
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
 
   
                                Amendment No. 3
    
                                       to
                                    FORM S-4
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
 
                                   VERIO INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                             ---------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                             <C>
           DELAWARE                          7375                         84-1339720
(State or other jurisdiction of  (Primary Standard Industrial   (I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)    Classification Code Number)               Number)
</TABLE>
 
                             ---------------------
 
                                   VERIO INC.
                      8005 SOUTH CHESTER STREET, SUITE 200
                           ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
                                 (303) 645-1900
    (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code
                  of Registrant's principal executive offices)
                             ---------------------
 
                               JUSTIN L. JASCHKE
                            CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                   VERIO INC.
                      8005 SOUTH CHESTER STREET, SUITE 200
                           ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
                                 (303) 645-1900
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                             ---------------------
 
                                   Copies to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
               GAVIN B. GROVER, ESQ.                                CARLA HAMRE DONELSON
              MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP                                  GENERAL COUNSEL
                 425 MARKET STREET                                       VERIO INC.
          SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94105                   8005 SOUTH CHESTER STREET, SUITE 200
                  (415) 268-7000                                  ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO 80112
                                                                       (303) 645-1900
</TABLE>
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
    If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
general Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
 
   
    If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"),
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement 
number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.[ ]
    
 
   
    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
    
                             ---------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING
PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 7, 1998
    
PROSPECTUS
 
                                   VERIO INC.
                       OFFER TO EXCHANGE ALL OUTSTANDING
                         13 1/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2004
                       FOR 13 1/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2004
                                      AND
                       OFFER TO EXCHANGE ALL OUTSTANDING
                          10 3/8 SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
                       FOR 10 3/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
 
  THE EXCHANGE OFFERS AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
                                     TIME,
                    ON             , 1998, UNLESS EXTENDED.
 
     Verio Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Issuer"), hereby offers, upon the
terms and conditions set forth in this Prospectus and the accompanying letter of
transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal," which, together with this Prospectus,
constitutes the "Exchange Offers") to exchange up to (i) $100,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of its 13 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2004 (the "New 1997 Notes") for
a like aggregate principal amount of the issued and outstanding 13 1/2% Senior
Notes Due 2004 (the "Old 1997 Notes," and collectively with the New 1997 Notes,
the "1997 Notes"), of which $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount remains
outstanding following the Refinancing (as defined), and (ii) $175,000,000
aggregate principal amount of its 10 3/8% Senior Notes Due 2005 (the "New 1998
Notes") for a like aggregate principal amount of the issued and outstanding
10 3/8% Senior Notes Due 2005 (the "Old 1998 Notes," and collectively with the
New 1998 Notes, the "1998 Notes"), of which $175,000,000 aggregate principal
amount is outstanding. For purposes hereof, the New 1997 Notes and the New 1998
Notes are collectively referred to as the "New Notes," the Old 1997 Notes and
the Old 1998 Notes are collectively referred to as the "Old Notes," and the 1997
Notes and the 1998 Notes are collectively referred to as the "Notes." See "The
Exchange Offers."
 
   
     The Issuer has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the initial public offering
of its Common Stock (the "IPO"). See "Summary" and "Additional Information."
    
 
     The Issuer will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes which are
properly tendered in the Exchange Offers and not withdrawn on or prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on             , 1998, unless the Exchange Offers are
extended by the Issuer (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old Notes may be
withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. The Exchange Offers are not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount
of Old Notes being tendered for exchange. However, the Exchange Offers are
subject to certain customary conditions which may be waived by the Issuer. The
Issuer has agreed to pay the expenses of the Exchange Offers. See "The Exchange
Offers." There will be no cash proceeds to the Issuer from the Exchange Offers.
See "Use of Proceeds."
 
     Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offers must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "The Exchange
Offers -- Resales of the New Notes" and "Plan of Distribution." The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange
for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Issuer has
agreed that, starting on the Expiration Date and ending on the close of business
on the 180th day following the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See
"Plan of Distribution."
 
     The Old 1997 Notes were originally issued and sold (the "Initial 1997 Notes
Offering") to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Lazard
Freres & Co. LLC. (the "Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers") pursuant to a Purchase
Agreement, dated June 17, 1997 (the "1997 Notes Purchase Agreement"), among the
Issuer and the Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers, pursuant to which the Issuer sold
                                                        (Continued on next page)
 
     This Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal are first being mailed to
holders of the Old Notes on               , 1998.
 
   
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 12 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS IN EVALUATING THE EXCHANGE OFFERS.
    
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
               The date of this Prospectus is             , 1998.
<PAGE>   3
 
150,000 Units consisting of the Old 1997 Notes and Warrants to purchase
2,112,480 shares of Common Stock. The Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers subsequently
resold the Old 1997 Notes in reliance on Rule 144A of the Securities Act. The
Issuer and the Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers also entered into a 1997 Notes
Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 17, 1997 (the "1997 Notes Registration
Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which the Issuer granted certain registration
rights for the benefit of the holders of the Old 1997 Notes. The New 1997 Notes
are being offered for exchange in order to satisfy certain obligations of the
Issuer under such 1997 Registration Rights Agreement. The New 1997 Notes will be
obligations of the Issuer evidencing the same indebtedness as the Old 1997 Notes
and will be issued under and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, dated as
of June 24, 1997 (the "1997 Indenture"), between the Issuer and U.S. Trust
National Association (formerly known as First Trust National Association), as
trustee (in such capacity, the "Trustee"). The form and terms of the New 1997
Notes are identical in all material respects to the Old 1997 Notes, except that
the offer and exchange of the New 1997 Notes will be registered under the
Securities Act, and therefore such New 1997 Notes will not be subject to certain
transfer restrictions and registration rights provisions applicable to the Old
1997 Notes. See "The Exchange Offers -- Purpose and Effect."
 
     The Old 1998 Notes were originally issued and sold (the "Initial 1998 Notes
Offering") to Salomon Brothers Inc, Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, Chase Securities
Inc. and BancBoston Securities Inc. (the "Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers" and,
together with the Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers, the "Initial Purchasers")
pursuant to a Purchase Agreement, dated March 19, 1998 (the "1998 Notes Purchase
Agreement"), among the Issuer and the Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers, pursuant to
which the Issuer sold the Old 1998 Notes. The Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers
subsequently resold the Old 1998 Notes in reliance on Rule 144A of the
Securities Act. The Issuer and the Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers also entered
into a 1998 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 19, 1998 (the "1998
Notes Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which the Issuer granted
certain registration rights for the benefit of the holders of the Old 1998
Notes. The New 1998 Notes are being offered for exchange in order to satisfy
certain obligations of the Issuer under such 1998 Registration Rights Agreement.
The New 1998 Notes will be obligations of the Issuer evidencing the same
indebtedness as the Old 1998 Notes and will be issued under and entitled to the
benefits of the Indenture, dated as of March 25, 1998 (the "1998 Indenture"),
between the Issuer and the Trustee. The form and terms of the New 1998 Notes are
identical in all material respects to the Old 1998 Notes, except that the offer
and exchange of the New 1998 Notes will be registered under the Securities Act,
and therefore such New 1998 Notes will not be subject to certain transfer
restrictions and registration rights provisions applicable to the Old 1998
Notes. See "The Exchange Offers -- Purpose and Effect."
 
   
     In connection with the sale of the Old 1998 Notes, the Company repurchased
the $50.0 million principal amount of the Company's Old 1997 Notes held by
Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc. ("Brooks") (the "Refinancing") for an aggregate
net purchase price of approximately $54.5 million, plus accrued interest. See
"Certain Transactions."
    
 
     The New 1997 Notes will mature on June 15, 2004. Interest on the New 1997
Notes will be payable semi-annually on June 15 and December 15 of each year
commencing June 15, 1998. Holders whose Old 1997 Notes are accepted for exchange
will have the right to receive interest accrued thereon from the date of
original issuance to the date of issuance of the New 1997 Notes, such interest
to be payable with the first interest payment on the New 1997 Notes. Interest on
the Old 1997 Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue on the day prior
to the issuance of the New 1997 Notes. See "Description of the 1997 Notes." The
New 1997 Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Issuer, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after June 15, 2002, at the redemption prices set forth
herein, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. See
"Description of the 1997 Notes -- Redemption."
 
     The New 1998 Notes will mature on April 1, 2005. Interest on the New 1998
Notes will be payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year
commencing October 1, 1998. Holders whose Old 1998 Notes are accepted for
exchange will have the right to receive interest accrued thereon from the date
of original issuance to the date of issuance of the New 1998 Notes, such
interest to be payable with the first interest payment on the New 1998 Notes.
Interest on the Old 1998 Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue on the
day prior to the issuance of the New 1998 Notes. See "Description of the 1998
Notes." The New 1998 Notes will be redeemable at the option of the Issuer, in
whole or in part, at any time on or after April 1, 2002,
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
 
at the redemption prices set forth herein, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the date of redemption. See "Description of the 1998
Notes -- Redemption."
 
   
     The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer, ranking pari
passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuer and senior in right of payment to all
existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Issuer. The Notes are
effectively subordinated to all secured indebtedness of the Issuer to the extent
of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and to all indebtedness
of subsidiaries of the Issuer. As of March 31, 1998, on a pro forma basis, there
would have been approximately $9.9 million of secured long-term indebtedness
outstanding to which holders of Notes would have been effectively subordinated
in right of payment and approximately $7.6 million of subsidiary indebtedness to
which holders of Notes would have been structurally subordinated. On April 6,
1998, Verio signed a credit agreement providing for a $57.5 million revolving
credit facility (the "Bank Facility"). The Bank Facility is secured and
therefore the Notes are effectively subordinated to the Bank Facility.
    
 
     The Issuer is making the Exchange Offers in reliance on the position of the
Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as set forth
in certain interpretive letters issued to third parties in other transactions.
However, the Issuer has not sought its own interpretive letter, and there can be
no assurance that the Commission would make a similar determination with respect
to the Exchange Offers. Based on the Commission's interpretations, the Issuer
believes that New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offers to any holder of
Old Notes in exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and
otherwise transferred by such holder (other than a broker-dealer who purchased
Old Notes directly from the Issuer for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act or any other available exemption under the Securities Act)
without further compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such holder is not an
"affiliate" of the Issuer (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act), is acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of business and is not
participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate, in the distribution of the New Notes. Holders wishing to accept the
Exchange Offers must represent to the Issuer that such conditions have been met.
In addition, if such holder is not a broker-dealer, it must represent that it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the New
Notes. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in
exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. See "The Exchange Offers -- Resales of the New Notes" and "Plan
of Distribution." This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New
Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired by
such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities.
 
     There has previously been only a limited secondary market, and no public
market, for the Old Notes. The Old Notes are eligible for trading in the Private
Offering, Resales and Trading through Automatic Linkages ("PORTAL") market. In
addition, the Initial Purchasers have advised the Issuer that they currently
intend to make a market in the New Notes; however, the Initial Purchasers are
not obligated to do so and any market making activities may be discontinued by
the Initial Purchasers at any time. Therefore, there can be no assurance that an
active market for the New Notes will develop. If such a trading market develops
for the New Notes, future trading prices will depend on many factors, including,
among other things, prevailing interest rates, the Issuer's results of
operations and the market for similar securities. Depending on such factors, the
New Notes may trade at a discount from their face value. See "Risk
Factors -- Lack of Public Market."
 
     Any Old Notes not tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offers will remain
outstanding and will be entitled to all the same rights and will be subject to
the same limitations applicable thereto under the 1997 Indenture or 1998
Indenture, as applicable (except for those rights which terminate upon
consummation of the Exchange Offers). Following consummation of the Exchange
Offers, the holders of the Old Notes will continue to be subject to the existing
restrictions upon transfer thereof and the Issuer will have no further
obligation to such holders (other than to the Initial Purchasers under certain
limited circumstances) to provide for registration under the Securities Act of
the Old Notes held by them. To the extent that Old Notes
 
                                       iii
<PAGE>   5
 
are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offers, a holder's ability to sell
untendered Old Notes could be adversely affected. See "Risk
Factors -- Consequences of Failure to Exchange."
 
     THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES ARE URGED TO READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE
RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER THEIR
OLD NOTES PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFERS.
 
     THE EXCHANGE OFFERS ARE NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL THE ISSUER ACCEPT
SURRENDERS FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
THE EXCHANGE OFFERS OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
     The Old 1997 Notes and the Old 1998 Notes were each issued originally in
global form (the "Global Old Notes"). The Global Old Notes were deposited with,
or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as the initial depository
with respect to the Old Notes (in such capacity, the "Depository"). The Global
Old Notes are registered in the name of Cede & Co. ("Cede"), as nominee of DTC,
and beneficial interests in the Global Old Notes are shown on, and transfers
thereof are effected only through, records maintained by the Depository and its
participants. The use of the Global Old Notes to represent certain of the Old
Notes permits the Depository's participants, and anyone holding a beneficial
interest in an Old Note registered in the name of such a participant, to
transfer interests in the Old Notes electronically in accordance with the
Depository's established procedures without the need to transfer a physical
certificate. New Notes issued in exchange for the Global Old Notes will also be
issued initially as a note in global form (the "Global New Notes," and, together
with the Global Old Notes, the "Global Notes") and deposited with, or on behalf
of, the Depository. After the initial issuance of the Global New Notes, New
Notes in certificated form will be issued in exchange for a holder's
proportionate interest in the appropriate Global New Note only as set forth in
the 1997 Indenture or 1998 Indenture, as applicable.
 
                                       iv
<PAGE>   6
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PAGE
                                                                ----
  <S>                                                           <C>
  Additional Information......................................    vi
  Prospectus Summary..........................................     1
  Risk Factors................................................    12
  The Exchange Offers.........................................    22
  Use of Proceeds.............................................    29
  Dividend Policy.............................................    30
  Capitalization..............................................    31
  Selected Consolidated Financial Data........................    32
  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
    Information and Results of Operations.....................    34
  Business....................................................    44
  Management..................................................    60
  Certain Transactions........................................    76
  Principal Stockholders......................................    77
  Description of the 1997 Notes...............................    81
  Description of the 1998 Notes...............................   107
  Book-Entry; Delivery and Form...............................   131
  Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations...................   133
  Plan of Distribution........................................   135
  Legal Matters...............................................   136
  Experts.....................................................   136
  Glossary....................................................   137
  Index to Financial Statements...............................   F-1
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        v
<PAGE>   7
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
   
     The Company is currently subject to the information requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The Company
filed substantially concurrently with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of
which this Prospectus forms a part, a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with
respect to the IPO. When the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") declared effective the Registration Statement on Form S-1, the
Company became subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act.
Such reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the Public
Reference Section of the Commission and at the Commission's regional offices at
the addresses given below.
    
 
     As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this
Prospectus omits certain information, exhibits, schedules and undertakings set
forth elsewhere in this Registration Statement. For further information
pertaining to the Company and the securities offered hereby, reference is made
to such Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents or provisions of any
documents referred to herein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance,
reference is made to the copy of the document filed as an exhibit to this
Registration Statement. The Company will issue annual and quarterly reports.
Annual reports will include audited financial statements prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and a report
of its independent auditors with respect to the examination of such financial
statements. In addition, the Company will issue to its securityholders such
other unaudited quarterly or other interim reports as it deems appropriate.
 
     This Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the office
of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies may
be obtained from the Commission at prescribed rates from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at such address, and at the Commission's regional
offices located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048,
and at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. In addition, registration statements and certain other filings
made with the Commission through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and
Retrieval ("EDGAR") system are publicly available through the Commission's site
on the Internet's World Wide Web, located at http://www.sec.gov.
 
                                       vi
<PAGE>   8
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
   
     The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in
this Prospectus. Reference is made to, and this Summary is qualified in its
entirety by, the more detailed information, including the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements and notes thereto and the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Combined Financial Statements and notes thereto, each as contained herein.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to (i) "Verio" or the
"Company" are to Verio Inc., a Delaware corporation (formerly known as World-Net
Access, Inc.), and its subsidiaries, (ii) the "Issuer" are solely to Verio Inc.,
and (iii) the "Verio ISPs" are to those Internet service providers in which
Verio has a direct or indirect equity investment, including subsidiaries and
minority investments. Information concerning those entities in which the Company
does not have a majority interest has been provided by those entities and is
believed by the Company to be accurate. Verio and the Verio logo are trademarks
of the Company. This Prospectus may contain trademarks, trade names and service
marks of other parties. Capitalized terms used in this Prospectus, which are not
otherwise defined herein, have the respective meanings ascribed to them in
"Glossary of Terms." See "Risk Factors -- Forward-Looking Statements" for
certain information relating to statements contained in this Prospectus that are
not historical facts.
    
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Verio is a leading national provider of Internet connectivity and enhanced
Internet services to small and medium sized businesses. Since its inception in
March 1996, the Company has rapidly established a national presence through the
acquisition, integration, and growth of local Internet service providers
("ISPs") with a business customer focus. Verio believes that small and medium
sized businesses represent an attractive target market for the provision of
Internet services due to this market's low current penetration levels and
customer churn rates, and the expanding Internet needs of these businesses.
Because of their limited internal technical resources, small and medium sized
businesses also typically require hands-on local support and highly reliable
turnkey solutions for mission critical applications. Verio further believes that
these needs currently are underserved by both the national and local ISPs. While
national ISPs lack the local presence to provide customized, hands-on service,
local ISPs typically lack the scale and resources required to provide dedicated,
high-capacity Internet access, around-the-clock support and tailored product
offerings at competitive prices.
 
   
     The Company believes it has a unique competitive advantage in serving small
and medium sized business customers through the combination of the technical
competency, hands-on support and entrepreneurial culture of locally based ISPs
with the quality and economic efficiency of Verio's national network,
operational infrastructure and financial strength. Verio has quickly built
critical mass by acquiring the stock or assets of, or making significant
investments in, over 35 ISPs that provide a comprehensive range of Internet
connectivity and enhanced products and services to over 175,000 customer
accounts in 37 of the top 50 Metropolitan Statistical Areas ("MSAs") in the
country, which had combined revenues of approximately $29.8 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1998. The Company integrates and optimizes the
operations of its ISPs by consolidating their operations into regional operating
units with centralized regional management, connecting their local networks to
Verio's high-speed, highly reliable national backbone, and providing them with
Verio's integrated national support services.
    
 
     Total ISP revenues in the United States are projected to grow from $3.3
billion in 1996 to $18.3 billion in 2000, according to International Data
Corporation ("IDC"). Industry analysts have reported that small and medium sized
businesses represent a potential market of over seven million customers in the
United States, and use of the Internet by this market segment is expected to
grow substantially from its current low level of market penetration. IDC
predicts that dedicated connections to the Internet for small and medium sized
businesses will grow from approximately 90,000 in 1996 to just under 800,000 in
2000, representing a 73% compounded annual growth rate. Small and medium sized
businesses generally seek an ISP with locally based personnel who are readily
available to respond in-person to technical issues, who can assist in developing
and implementing the customer's effective use of the Internet, and with whom
they can establish a stable and long-term relationship. In addition, they are
increasingly reliant on enhanced product offerings that address their specific
business needs on a cost-effective basis, allowing them to compete with larger
companies. For
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   9
 
example, IDC estimates Web hosting revenues from small and medium sized
businesses will grow from $84 million in 1996 to over $3.4 billion in 2000,
representing 95% of the total Web hosting market.
 
     The rapid development and growth of the Internet has resulted in a highly
fragmented industry of over 4,000 national and local ISPs in the United States,
with no dominant ISP serving the needs of small and medium sized businesses.
Independent regional and local ISPs have successfully captured approximately
one-half of this market, despite the substantially greater resources of the
national providers. However, rising costs and increasing demands from business
customers have made it more difficult for the small ISP to meet its customer's
demands on a cost-effective basis. Facing these competitive pressures, Verio
believes that independent regional and local ISPs will continue to be attracted
to and benefit from the consolidation opportunity provided by Verio.
 
     The goal of the Company is to be the premier, full-service national
provider of Internet connectivity and enhanced Internet services to small and
medium sized businesses. Key elements of the Company's strategy in accomplishing
this goal are to: (a) continue its role as the leading consolidator of
independent ISPs by acquiring additional local and regional ISPs focused on the
Company's target market; (b) integrate the operations of its ISPs and capture
operational economies of scale by leveraging its national infrastructure and
support services; (c) develop and offer additional high-margin enhanced services
to increase revenues from existing and future customers; and (d) build customer
loyalty and gain market share by expanding the Company's local technical,
distribution and service capabilities and establishing national Verio brand name
recognition.
 
   
     Verio owns and operates a national network, providing a high bandwidth,
highly reliable data transmission path connecting Verio's customers to the
Internet. The Company's national network architecture is based on a combination
of Asynchronous Transfer Mode ("ATM") and clear channel circuits operating at
DS-3 and OC-3 speeds. The network interconnects more than 15 national nodes and
over 180 local points of presence ("POPs") across the United States. The Company
believes that aggregating the bandwidth and capacity requirements of each Verio
ISP onto one national network provides operational control and efficiency,
reduces costs, provides redundancy, and results in a higher quality service,
thereby addressing some of the most significant challenges that an ISP faces in
supporting its customers. The reliability of the national network is the result
of many factors, including redundant routers and other critical hardware,
carrier class facilities at POP locations (such as back up power, fire
suppression and climate control), and redundant telecommunications lines.
Verio's national infrastructure incorporates several other elements critical to
maintaining the highest quality Internet service, such as peering relationships
with other national ISPs, sophisticated network management tools, and a
comprehensive range of national services to support its regional operations.
These services include 7-day X 24-hour customer technical support, financial
information management through a central, standardized accounting system, a
sophisticated billing and collections system, and national marketing and product
development programs. The Company continues to rollout its national
infrastructure and support services to its ISPs. Of the over 35 ISPs acquired as
of June 1998, 19 invoiced their customers through Verio's national billing
service, 26 took advantage of Verio's customer technical support, 30 were linked
to Verio's national backbone, 24 utilized Verio's national accounting system,
and the network operations of 21 of these ISPs were monitored by Verio's
national Network Operations Center ("NOC").
    
 
     Verio believes that a critical factor in the successful implementation of
its business strategy is the quality of its management team and Board of
Directors. The Company's senior management team and Board of Directors have
previously successfully executed similar consolidation strategies and have
considerable experience in the management and growth of recurring revenue-based
telecommunications businesses. Management believes that its experience in the
deployment of similar systems and services in other emerging telecommunications
industries can be leveraged to significantly improve the quality of services
currently available in the Internet service industry.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   10
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
   
     On May 15, 1998, the Company consummated its IPO, in which the Company sold
5,500,000 shares of its Common Stock to the public at a price of $23 per share,
resulting in net proceeds of approximately $117.0 million after deducting
discounts, commissions and estimated expenses. On that same date, the Company
consummated an agreement with Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
("NTT"), providing for an investment by one of NTT's affiliates in the Company
(the "NTT Investment"), concurrent with and conditioned upon the consummation of
the IPO, in which the Company sold 4,493,877 shares of its Common Stock to NTT
for proceeds of approximately $100.0 million. See "Business -- NTT Strategic
Relationship" and "Principal Stockholders -- NTT Investment."
    
 
   
     On June 26, 1998, the Company announced that Herbert R. Hribar had been
hired as President and Chief Operating Officer. On June 29, 1998, the Company
announced that James B. Cunningham, previously the President of the Company's
Northeast regional operation, had been appointed as Verio's Vice President of
Sales and Marketing. See "Management."
    
 
   
     On June 30, 1998, the Company completed the Buyout of the remaining equity
of Internet Online, Inc., leaving only one remaining ISP (Verio Rocky Mountain,
Inc.) in which Verio holds a less than 100% equity interest.
    
 
   
     On July 7, 1998, the Company announced its acquisition of Napa,
California-based NTX, Inc. d/b/a TABNet ("TABNet"), one of the world's largest
domain name registration and Web site hosting companies. With the acquisition of
TABNet, the Company now hosts more than 125,000 domain names, including over
60,000 web sites. Under the TABNet acquisition agreement, the Company initially
will pay $45.5 million in cash to TABNet shareholders, with additional
contingent payments of up to a total of $43.2 million if TABNet's recurring
revenue and EBITDA grow at agreed-to amounts through December 1998. TABNet
recorded recurring revenues of approximately $433,000, out of total revenues of
approximately $925,000, for the month of May 1998. In order to receive the
maximum contingent purchase price amount of $43.2 million, TABNet must achieve
during the remainder of 1998 average month-over-month growth in recurring
revenue of approximately 37 percent and an average month-over-month increase in
EBITDA of approximately 42 percent. Absent an increase in recurring revenue of
at least 15 percent per month, and in EBITDA of at least 20 percent per month,
on average through the end of the year, none of the contingent purchase price
amounts will be payable. At those minimum growth levels, the contingent purchase
price would total $10.8 million, with the contingent purchase price amount
increasing to the extent that TABNet's recurring revenue or EBITDA performance
exceeds those levels. While TABNet is currently profitable, Verio expects costs
for system upgrades and integration of TABNet's operations onto Verio's network,
customer care, billing and financial systems to offset TABNet's cash flow
contribution through the end of 1998.
    
 
   
     The Company's headquarters is located at 8005 South Chester Street, Suite
200, Englewood, Colorado 80112. The Company's phone number is (303) 645-1900.
    
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   11
 
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFERS
 
Securities Offered.........  Up to (i) $100.0 million principal amount of
                             13 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2004, which will be
                             registered under the Securities Act and (ii) $175.0
                             million principal amount of 10 3/8% Senior Notes
                             Due 2005, which will be registered under the
                             Securities Act. The form and terms of the New 1997
                             Notes are substantially identical to the Old 1997
                             Notes in all material respects, except that the New
                             1997 Notes will be registered under the Securities
                             Act, and therefore will not be subject to certain
                             transfer restrictions and registration rights
                             provisions applicable to the Old 1997 Notes. The
                             form and terms of the New 1998 Notes are
                             substantially identical to the Old 1998 Notes in
                             all material respects, except that the New 1998
                             Notes will be registered under the Securities Act,
                             and therefore will not be subject to certain
                             transfer restrictions and registration rights
                             provisions applicable to the Old 1998 Notes.
 
The 1997 Notes Exchange
 Offer.....................  $1,000 principal amount of New 1997 Notes in
                             exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of Old
                             1997 Notes. The New 1997 Notes are being offered in
                             exchange for up to $100.0 million principal amount
                             of Old 1997 Notes. The issuance of the New 1997
                             Notes is intended to satisfy certain obligations of
                             the Issuer contained in the 1997 Notes Registration
                             Rights Agreement. See "The Exchange Offers -- Terms
                             of the Exchange Offers."
 
The 1998 Notes Exchange
 Offer.....................  $1,000 principal amount of New 1998 Notes in
                             exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of Old
                             1998 Notes. The New 1998 Notes are being offered in
                             exchange for up to $175.0 million principal amount
                             of Old 1998 Notes. The issuance of the New 1998
                             Notes is intended to satisfy certain obligations of
                             the Issuer contained in the 1998 Notes Registration
                             Rights Agreement. See "The Exchange Offers -- Terms
                             of the Exchange Offers."
 
Expiration Date............  The Exchange Offers will expire at 5:00 p.m., New
                             York City time, on             , 1998, or such
                             later date and time to which it is extended. See
                             "The Exchange Offers -- Terms of the Exchange
                             Offers."
 
Withdrawal.................  Tenders of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
                             Offers may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00
                             p.m. New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
                             See "The Exchange Offers -- Expiration Date;
                             Extensions; Amendments."
 
Conditions of the Exchange
 Offers....................  The Exchange Offers are not conditioned upon any
                             minimum principal amount of Old Notes being
                             tendered for exchange. The only condition to the
                             Exchange Offers is the declaration by the
                             Commission of the effectiveness of the Registration
                             Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a
                             part. See "The Exchange Offers -- Conditions of the
                             Exchange Offers."
 
Procedures for Tendering
 Old Notes.................  Each holder of Old Notes desiring to accept the
                             terms of the applicable Exchange Offer must
                             complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal
                             according to the instructions contained herein and
                             therein, and mail or otherwise deliver the Letter
                             of Transmittal, together with the Old Notes and any
                             other required documents, to the Exchange Agent (as
                             defined herein) at the address set forth herein
                             prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   12
 
                             time, on the Expiration Date. Any beneficial owner
                             whose Old Notes are registered in the name of a
                             broker, dealer, commercial bank trust company or
                             other nominee and who wishes to tender such Old
                             Notes in the Exchange Offers should instruct such
                             entity or person to promptly tender on such
                             beneficial owner's behalf.
 
Guaranteed Delivery
 Procedures................  Holders of Old Notes who wish to tender their Old
                             Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not immediately
                             available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old
                             Notes together with the Letter of Transmittal to
                             the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date may
                             tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed
                             delivery procedures set forth in the Letter of
                             Transmittal. See "The Exchange Offers -- Guaranteed
                             Delivery Procedures."
 
Acceptance of Old Notes and
 Delivery of New Notes.....  Upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement of
                             which this Prospectus constitutes a part and
                             consummation of the Exchange Offers, the Issuer
                             will accept any and all Old Notes that are properly
                             tendered in the Exchange Offers prior to 5:00 p.m.,
                             New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The New
                             Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offers will
                             be delivered promptly after acceptance of the Old
                             Notes. See "The Exchange Offers -- Acceptance of
                             Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New Notes."
 
The Exchange Agent.........  U.S. Bank Trust National Association has agreed to
                             serve as the exchange agent (in such capacity, the
                             "Exchange Agent") in connection with the Exchange
                             Offers. See "The Exchange Offers -- Acceptance of
                             Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New Notes."
 
Certain Federal Income Tax
 Considerations............  See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."
 
Use of Proceeds............  There will be no proceeds to the Issuer from the
                             exchanges pursuant to the Exchange Offers. See "Use
                             of Proceeds."
 
Fees and Expenses..........  All expenses incident to the Issuer's consummation
                             of the Exchange Offers and compliance with the 1997
                             Notes Registration Rights Agreement and 1998 Notes
                             Registration Rights Agreement will be borne by the
                             Issuer. The Issuer will also pay certain transfer
                             taxes applicable to the Exchange Offers. See "The
                             Exchange Offers -- Fees and Expenses."
 
Accrued Interest...........  The New 1997 Notes will bear interest at a rate
                             equal to 13 1/2% per annum from their date of
                             issuance. The New 1998 Notes will bear interest at
                             a rate equal to 10 3/8% per annum from their date
                             of issuance. Holders whose Old Notes are accepted
                             for exchange will have the right to receive
                             interest accrued on their respective Old Notes from
                             the date of original issuance or date of the last
                             interest payment, as applicable, to, but not
                             including, the date of issuance of their respective
                             New Notes, such interest to be payable with the
                             first interest payment date on such New Notes.
                             Interest on the Old Notes accepted for exchange
                             will cease to accrue on the day prior to the
                             issuance of the New Notes. See "Description of the
                             1997 Notes -- Maturity, Interest and Principal" and
                             "Description of the 1998 Notes -- Maturity,
                             Interest and Principal."
 
Resales of New Notes.......  Based on the position of the Staff of the
                             Commission as set forth in certain interpretive
                             letters issued to third parties in other
                             transactions, the Issuer believes that the New
                             Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offers to any
                             holder of Old Notes in exchange for Old Notes may
                             be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
                             transferred by a holder (other
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   13
 
                             than (i) a broker-dealer who purchased the Old
                             Notes directly from the Issuer for resale pursuant
                             to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or (ii) a
                             person that is an affiliate of the Issuer within
                             the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act),
                             without further compliance with the registration
                             and prospectus delivery provisions of the
                             Securities Act, provided that such holder is
                             acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of
                             business and is not participating, and has no
                             arrangement or understanding with any person to
                             participate, in a distribution of the New Notes.
                             Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its
                             own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such
                             Old Notes were acquired by such broker as a result
                             of market-making or other trading activities, must
                             acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
                             connection with any resale of such New Notes. See
                             "The Exchange Offers -- Resales of the New Notes"
                             and "Plan of Distribution."
 
Effect of Not Tendering Old
  Notes for Exchange.......  Old Notes that are not tendered or that are not
                             properly tendered will, following the expiration of
                             the Exchange Offers, continue to be subject to the
                             existing restrictions upon transfer thereof. The
                             Issuer will have no further obligations to provide
                             for the registration under the Securities Act of
                             such Old Notes and such Old Notes will, following
                             the expiration of the Exchange Offers, bear
                             interest at the same rate as the New Notes.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF NEW 1997 NOTES
 
     The form and terms of the New 1997 Notes will be identical in all material
respects to the form and terms of the Old 1997 Notes, except that the New 1997
Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and therefore will not be
subject to certain transfer restrictions, and registration rights provisions
applicable to the Old 1997 Notes. The Exchange Offer with respect to the 1997
Notes shall be deemed consummated upon the occurrence of the delivery by the
Issuer to the Exchange Agent of New 1997 Notes in the same aggregate principal
amount as the aggregate principal amount of Old 1997 Notes that are validly
tended by holders thereof pursuant to such Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange
Offers -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" and "Description of the 1997
Notes."
 
Notes Offered..............  $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of
                             13 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2004.
 
Maturity...................  June 15, 2004.
 
Interest Payment Dates.....  June 15 and December 15, commencing December 15,
                             1997.
 
   
Escrow Proceeds............  Concurrently with the closing of the Initial 1997
                             Notes Offering, the Issuer deposited with the
                             Escrow Agent an amount of cash or U.S. Government
                             Securities (approximately $46.6 million), that,
                             together with the proceeds from the investment
                             thereof, will be sufficient to pay when due each of
                             the interest payments on the 1997 Notes through
                             December 15, 1999, with any balance to be retained
                             by the Issuer. As a result of the Refinancing, the
                             Company was refunded approximately $13.3 million
                             from the escrow account for the 1997 Notes, of
                             which approximately $1.9 million was used to pay
                             accrued and unpaid interest on the $50.0 million
                             principal amount of Old 1997 Notes repurchased from
                             Brooks. As of July 1, 1998 approximately $18.9
                             million remained in the Escrow Account. The 1997
                             Notes are collateralized by a first priority
                             security interest in the Escrow Account (as
                             defined). See "Description of the 1997
                             Notes -- Disbursement of Funds; Escrow Account."
    
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   14
 
   
Ranking....................  The Old 1997 Notes and the New 1997 Notes will be
                             senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer, ranking
                             pari passu in right of payment with all existing
                             and future unsecured and unsubordinated
                             indebtedness of the Issuer and senior in right of
                             payment to all existing and future subordinated
                             indebtedness of the Issuer. The Old 1997 Notes and
                             the New 1997 Notes will be effectively subordinated
                             to all secured indebtedness of the Issuer to the
                             extent of the value of the assets securing such
                             indebtedness and to indebtedness of subsidiaries of
                             the Issuer. As of March 31, 1998, on a pro forma
                             basis, there would have been approximately $9.9
                             million of secured long-term indebtedness
                             outstanding to which holders of 1997 Notes were
                             effectively subordinated in right of payment and
                             approximately $7.6 million of subsidiary
                             indebtedness to which holders of 1997 Notes were
                             structurally subordinated. See "Description of the
                             1997 Notes -- General."
    
 
Sinking Fund...............  None.
 
Optional Redemption........  The 1997 Notes will be redeemable at the option of
                             the Issuer, in whole or in part, at any time on or
                             after June 15, 2002, at the redemption prices set
                             forth herein, plus accrued interest thereon, if
                             any, to the date of redemption. In addition, in the
                             event that after the issue date and prior to June
                             15, 1999 the Issuer issues, in one or more
                             transactions, Capital Stock (other than
                             Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to Brooks, which
                             was recently acquired by WorldCom, Inc.
                             ("WorldCom"), or one or more Strategic Equity
                             Investors for aggregate gross cash proceeds of
                             $50.0 million or more, the Issuer may redeem up to
                             33 1/3% of the originally issued aggregate
                             principal amount of 1997 Notes with the net
                             proceeds thereof at a redemption price of 113.5% of
                             the principal amount, together with accrued and
                             unpaid interest to the date of redemption, provided
                             that at least $100.0 million aggregate principal
                             amount of 1997 Notes are outstanding following such
                             redemption. Following the Refinancing, which
                             resulted in a reduction in the aggregate
                             outstanding principal amount of the 1997 Notes to
                             $100.0 million, this optional redemption provision
                             following such an issuance of Capital Stock is no
                             longer applicable. See "Description of the 1997
                             Notes -- Redemption -- Optional Redemption."
 
Change of Control..........  Following the occurrence of a Change of Control (as
                             defined in the 1997 Indenture), the Issuer will be
                             required to make an offer to purchase the 1997
                             Notes then outstanding at a purchase price equal to
                             101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
                             and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
                             purchase. Furthermore, such a Change of Control
                             would constitute a default under the Bank Facility
                             requiring the Company to repay any funds drawn
                             thereunder. The Issuer may not have available
                             sufficient funds or the financial resources
                             necessary to satisfy its obligations to repurchase
                             the 1997 Notes, to repay any funds drawn under the
                             Bank Facility, or to repay any other debt the
                             Company may have outstanding that is repayable upon
                             a Change of Control, including the 1998 Notes. See
                             "Description of the 1997 Notes -- Certain
                             Covenants -- Change of Control" and "-- Certain
                             Definitions."
 
Certain Covenants..........  The 1997 Indenture contains certain covenants,
                             including, among others, covenants with respect to
                             the following matters: (i) limitation on additional
                             indebtedness; (ii) limitation on restricted
                             payments; (iii) limitation on liens securing
                             certain indebtedness; (iv) limitation on business;
                             (v) limitation on certain guarantees and
                             indebtedness of
                                        7
<PAGE>   15
 
                             restricted subsidiaries; (vi) change of control;
                             (vii) limitation on dividends and other payment
                             restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries;
                             (viii) disposition of proceeds of asset sales; (ix)
                             limitation on issuances and sales of preferred
                             stock by restricted subsidiaries; (x) limitation on
                             transactions with affiliates; (xi) financial
                             reports; (xii) limitation on designations of
                             unrestricted subsidiaries; (xiii) limitation on
                             status as investment company; (xiv) ratings of the
                             1997 Notes; and (xv) limitation on consolidation,
                             merger or sale of assets. These covenants are
                             subject to important exceptions and qualifications.
 
Exchange Rights............  Holders of the New 1997 Notes will not be entitled
                             to any exchange or registration rights with respect
                             to the New 1997 Notes. Holders of the Old 1997
                             Notes are entitled to certain exchange rights
                             pursuant to the 1997 Notes Registration Rights
                             Agreement entered into concurrently with the
                             Initial 1997 Notes Offering by and among the Issuer
                             and the Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers. This
                             Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy the Issuer's
                             obligation under the 1997 Notes Registration Rights
                             Agreement. Once such Exchange Offer is consummated,
                             the Issuer will have no further obligations to
                             register any of the Old 1997 Notes not tendered by
                             the holders for exchange. See "Risk
                             Factors -- Consequences of Failure to Exchange."
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF NEW 1998 NOTES
 
     The form and terms of the New 1998 Notes will be identical in all material
respects to the form and terms of the Old 1998 Notes, except that the New 1998
Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and therefore will not be
subject to certain transfer restrictions, and registration rights provisions
applicable to the Old 1998 Notes. The Exchange Offer with respect to the 1998
Notes shall be deemed consummated upon the occurrence of the delivery by the
Issuer to the Exchange Agent of New 1998 Notes in the same aggregate principal
amount as the aggregate principal amount of Old 1998 Notes that are validly
tended by holders thereof pursuant to such Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange
Offers -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" and "Description of the 1998
Notes."
 
Notes......................  $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of
                             10 3/8% Senior Notes Due 2005 of Verio Inc.
 
Maturity...................  April 1, 2005.
 
Interest Payment Dates.....  April 1 and October 1, commencing October 1, 1998.
 
   
Ranking....................  The Old 1998 Notes and the New 1998 Notes will be
                             general senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer,
                             ranking pari passu in right of payment with all
                             existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated
                             indebtedness of the Issuer, including the 1997
                             Notes, and senior in right of payment to all
                             existing and future subordinated indebtedness of
                             the Issuer. The Old 1998 Notes and the New 1998
                             Notes will be effectively subordinated to all
                             secured indebtedness of the Issuer to the extent of
                             the value of the assets securing such indebtedness
                             and structurally subordinated to indebtedness of
                             subsidiaries of the Issuer. As of March 31, 1998,
                             on a pro forma basis, there would have been
                             approximately $9.9 million of secured long-term
                             indebtedness outstanding to which holders of 1998
                             Notes would have been effectively subordinated in
                             right of payment and approximately $7.6 million of
                             subsidiary indebtedness to which holders of 1998
                             Notes would have been structurally subordinated.
                             See "Description of the 1998 Notes -- General."
    
 
Sinking Fund...............  None.
 
Optional Redemption........  The 1998 Notes will be redeemable, at the option of
                             the Issuer, in whole or in part, at any time on or
                             after April 1, 2002, at the redemption prices set
                             forth herein, plus accrued interest thereon, if
                             any, to the date of
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   16
 
                             redemption. In addition, in the event that after
                             the issue date and prior to April 1, 2001 the
                             Issuer issues, in one or more transactions, Capital
                             Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer
                             to WorldCom or one or more Strategic Equity
                             Investors or in any Public Equity Offering for
                             aggregate gross cash proceeds of $50.0 million or
                             more, the Issuer may redeem, at its option, up to
                             35% of the initially outstanding aggregate
                             principal amount of 1998 Notes with the net
                             proceeds thereof at a redemption price equal to
                             110.375% of the principal amount of the 1998 Notes,
                             together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon,
                             if any, to the date of redemption; provided that
                             not less than $113.75 million aggregate principal
                             amount of 1998 Notes is outstanding following such
                             redemption. See "Description of the 1998
                             Notes -- Redemption -- Optional Redemption."
 
Change of Control..........  Following the occurrence of a Change of Control (as
                             defined in the 1998 Indenture), the Issuer will be
                             required to make an offer to purchase all 1998
                             Notes then outstanding at a purchase price equal to
                             101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
                             and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of
                             purchase. Furthermore, such a Change of Control
                             would constitute a default tender the Bank Facility
                             requiring the Company to repay any funds drawn
                             thereunder. The Issuer may not have available
                             sufficient funds or the financial resources
                             necessary to satisfy its obligations to repurchase
                             the 1998 Notes, to repay any funds drawn under the
                             Bank Facility, or to repay any other debt the
                             Company may have outstanding that is repayable upon
                             a Change of Control, including the 1997 Notes. See
                             "Description of the 1998 Notes -- Certain
                             Covenants -- Change of Control" and "-- Certain
                             Definitions."
 
Certain Covenants..........  The 1998 Indenture contains certain covenants,
                             including, among others, covenants with respect to
                             the following matters: (i) limitation on additional
                             indebtedness; (ii) limitation on restricted
                             payments; (iii) limitation on liens securing
                             certain indebtedness; (iv) limitation on business;
                             (v) limitation on certain guarantees and
                             indebtedness of restricted subsidiaries; (vi)
                             limitation on dividends and other payment
                             restrictions affecting restricted subsidiaries;
                             (vii) disposition of proceeds of asset sales;
                             (viii) limitation on issuances and sales of
                             preferred stock by restricted subsidiaries; (ix)
                             limitation on transactions with affiliates; (x)
                             reports; (xi) limitation on designations of
                             unrestricted subsidiaries; and (xii) limitation on
                             consolidation, merger or sale of assets. These
                             covenants are subject to important exceptions and
                             qualifications. See "Description of the 1998
                             Notes -- Certain Covenants" and "-- Consolidation,
                             Merger, Sale of Assets, Etc."
 
Exchange Rights............  Holders of the New 1998 Notes will not be entitled
                             to any exchange or registration rights with respect
                             to the New 1998 Notes. Holders of the Old 1998
                             Notes are entitled to certain exchange rights
                             pursuant to the 1998 Notes Registration Rights
                             Agreement entered into concurrently with the
                             Initial 1998 Notes Offering by and among the Issuer
                             and the Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers. This
                             Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy the Issuer's
                             obligation under the 1998 Notes Registration Rights
                             Agreement. Once such Exchange Offer is consummated,
                             the Issuer will have no further obligations to
                             register any of the Old 1998 Notes not tendered by
                             the holders for exchange. See "Risk
                             Factors -- Consequences of Failure to Exchange."
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   17
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
   
                   (Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)
    
 
   
     The summary historical consolidated financial data as of December 31, 1996,
December 31, 1997, and March 31, 1998; for the period from inception (March 1,
1996) to December 31, 1996; the year ended December 31, 1997 and for the
three-month periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 have been derived from the
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
    
 
   
     The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements and the historical
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. Results of operations for the year ended December
31, 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily
indicative of results of operations for future periods. The Company's
development and expansion activities, including acquisitions, during the periods
shown below may significantly affect the comparability of this data from one
period to another. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              
                                                                                       THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                              PERIOD FROM         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,        -----------------------------------------
                               INCEPTION                    1997                       HISTORICAL          PRO FORMA(1)(2)
                           (MARCH 1, 1996) TO   ----------------------------     -----------------------   ---------------
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996    HISTORICAL   PRO FORMA(1)(2)        1997         1998           1998
                           ------------------   ----------   ---------------     ----------   ----------   ---------------
<S>                        <C>                  <C>          <C>                 <C>          <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
  DATA:
Total revenue............       $  2,365        $   35,692     $    88,265       $    4,414   $   21,198     $    26,866
Total costs and
  expenses...............          8,645            75,981         146,126           10,006       35,916          43,030
                                --------        ----------     -----------       ----------   ----------     -----------
Loss from operations.....       $ (6,280)       $  (40,289)    $   (57,861)      $   (5,592)  $  (14,718)    $   (16,164)
                                ========        ==========     ===========       ==========   ==========     ===========
Loss before extraordinary
  item...................       $ (5,122)       $  (46,069)    $   (64,131)      $   (4,611)  $  (18,217)    $   (20,004)
                                ========        ==========     ===========       ==========   ==========     ===========
Net loss attributable to
  common stockholders....       $ (5,145)       $  (46,329)                      $   (4,677)  $  (28,383)
                                ========        ==========                       ==========   ==========
Loss per common share --
  basic and diluted:
    Loss per common share
      before
      extraordinary
      item...............       $  (5.29)       $   (40.47)    $     (2.00)      $    (4.29)  $   (14.45)    $      (.62)
                                ========        ==========     ===========       ==========   ==========     ===========
    Loss per common
      share..............       $  (5.29)       $   (40.47)                      $    (4.29)  $   (22.44)
                                ========        ==========                       ==========   ==========
Weighted average common
  shares outstanding --
  basic and diluted......        971,748         1,144,685      32,084,229        1,090,000    1,264,852      32,204,396
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(3)................       $ (5,611)       $  (29,665)    $   (31,950)      $   (4,346)  $   (8,337)    $    (8,172)
Capital
  expenditures(4)........          3,430            14,547                           (2,987)      (3,820)
Ratio of earnings to
  fixed charges(5).......             --                --              --               --           --              --
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           ---------------------------------------------------
                                                           MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                             1997        1997         1997            1997
                                                           ---------   --------   -------------   ------------
<S>                                                        <C>         <C>        <C>             <C>
QUARTERLY STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total revenue...........................................    $ 4,414    $ 8,249      $  9,624        $   13,405
Total costs and expenses................................     10,006     17,103        20,365            28,507
                                                            -------    -------      --------        ----------
Loss from operations....................................    $(5,592)   $(8,854)     $(10,741)       $  (15,102)
                                                            =======    =======      ========        ==========
Net loss attributable to common stockholders............    $(4,677)   $(8,120)     $(12,762)       $  (20,770)
                                                            =======    =======      ========        ==========
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(3)...............................................    $(4,346)   $(6,306)     $ (7,798)       $  (11,215)
                                                            =======    =======      ========        ==========
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   18
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           AS OF MARCH 31, 1998
                                                           DECEMBER 31,   -----------------------
                                                               1997        ACTUAL    PRO FORMA(1)
                                                           ------------   --------   ------------
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents................................    $ 72,586     $160,396     $349,171
Restricted cash and securities...........................      40,554       27,213       27,213
Goodwill, net............................................      83,216      113,567      149,094
Total assets.............................................     246,471      359,785      587,928
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of
  current portions.......................................     142,321      271,952      273,303
Redeemable preferred stock...............................      97,249       97,315           --
Stockholders' equity (deficit)...........................     (27,001)     (38,245)     284,112
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
   
(1) Pro forma for the Completed Acquisitions (as defined in the Company's
    Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements) as if they had
    occurred on March 31, 1998 for balance sheet purposes and on January 1, 1997
    for statement of operations data purposes, for the conversion of the
    Preferred Stock into Common Stock upon completion of the IPO and for the
    sale of Common Stock in the IPO and the NTT Investment. See "Unaudited Pro
    Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements."
    
 
   
(2) Pro forma interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs,
    assuming that the Old 1998 Notes had been issued on January 1, 1997 and
    after giving effect to the Refinancing, totaled $27.5 million for the year
    ended December 31, 1997.
    
 
(3) EBITDA represents earnings (loss) from operations before interest, taxes,
    depreciation, amortization and provision for loss on write-offs of
    investments in ISPs and fixed assets. The primary measure of operating
    performance is net earnings (loss). Although EBITDA is a measure commonly
    used in the Company's industry, it should not be construed as an alternative
    to net earnings (loss), determined in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles ("GAAP"), as an indicator of operating performance or
    as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, determined in
    accordance with GAAP. In addition, the measure of EBITDA presented herein by
    the Company may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of
    other companies.
 
(4) Excludes equipment and leasehold improvements acquired in business
    acquisitions.
 
   
(5) For the period ended December 31, 1996, the year ended December 31, 1997 and
    the three-month periods ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998, earnings
    were insufficient to cover combined fixed charges by $5.8 million, $48.0
    million, $5.0 million and $18.6 million, respectively. On a pro forma basis,
    giving effect to the completed and proposed acquisitions and Buyouts,
    earnings would have been insufficient to cover combined fixed charges by
    $64.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 and $20.1 million for the
    three months ended March 31, 1998. Combined fixed charges consist of
    interest expense and that portion of rent expense the Company believes to be
    representative of interest (i.e., one third of rent expense), adjusted for
    minority interests.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   19
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Holders of the Old Notes should carefully consider the following risk
factors, as well as the other information contained in this Prospectus in
evaluating the Exchange Offers. This Prospectus contains statements which
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). These statements
appear in a number of places in this Prospectus and include statements regarding
the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its
officers primarily with respect to the future operating performance of the
Company. Holders of the Old Notes are cautioned that any such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and
uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. The accompanying
information contained in this Prospectus, including the information set forth
below, identifies important factors that could cause such differences. See
"-- Forward-Looking Statements" below.
 
HISTORY OF LOSSES; NO ASSURANCE OF PROFITABILITY
 
   
     The Company was formed in March 1996. The Company has incurred net losses
since its inception, and management expects to incur significant additional
losses as the Company continues its investment and acquisition program as well
as the building of its national network operations. Prospective investors have
limited operating and financial data about the Company upon which to base an
evaluation of the Company's performance and an investment in the Notes offered
hereby. For the period from inception to December 31, 1996 (the "1996 Period"),
the year ended December 31, 1997, and the three-month period ended March 31,
1998, the Company reported net losses of $5.1 million, $46.3 million, and $28.4
million, respectively. From inception through March 31, 1998, the Company
reported cumulative cash used by operating activities of $52.4 million. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations." The Company expects to generate negative operating cash flow for at
least the next several years while it continues to acquire, invest in and
integrate the operations of ISPs. The extent to which the Company experiences
negative cash flow will depend upon a number of factors including the number and
size of its acquisitions and investments, the expenses and time required to
effectively integrate acquired operations and capture operating efficiency, the
ability to generate increasing revenues and cash flow, the amount of
expenditures incurred at the corporate and national level, and any potential
adverse regulatory developments. The Company will be dependent on various
financing sources to fund its growth as well as continued losses from
operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will achieve or sustain
positive operating cash flow or generate net income in the future. To achieve
profitability, the Company must, among other things, develop and market products
and services which are accepted on a broad commercial basis. Given the Company's
limited operating history, there can be no assurance that the Company will ever
achieve broad commercial acceptance or profitability. See "-- Competition;
Pricing Fluctuation," "-- Dependence on the Internet; Uncertain Adoption of
Internet as a Medium of Commerce and Communications" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources." The Company's profitability also
will be affected as a result of the Company's recording of compensation expense
in an aggregate amount of approximately $10.6 million in connection with the
granting of options subsequent to February 28, 1998, which compensation expense
will be recorded over the forty-eight month vesting period of those options. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Results of Operations -- Stock-Based Compensation."
    
 
SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS; EFFECT OF FINANCIAL LEVERAGE
 
   
     The Company has indebtedness that is substantial in relation to its
stockholders' equity and cash flow. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had an
aggregate of approximately $272.0 million of long-term indebtedness outstanding,
representing 82% of total capitalization. After giving effect to the IPO and the
NTT Investment, long-term indebtedness was reduced to approximately 49% of total
capitalization. In addition, the Company recently signed the Bank Facility
providing for $57.5 million of revolving credit. See "-- Requirements for
Additional Capital." As a result of the substantial indebtedness of the Company,
fixed charges of the Company are expected to exceed its earnings for the
foreseeable future. Substantial leverage poses the risk that the Company may not
be able to generate sufficient cash flow to service its indebtedness, or to
adequately fund its operations. The Company has experienced a substantial
decrease in EBITDA, from negative
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   20
 
   
$5.6 million in the 1996 Period to negative $29.7 million in 1997. EBITDA as a
percentage of revenue improved from negative 237% to negative 83% from the 1996
Period to the year ended December 31, 1997. However, there can be no assurance
that this trend will continue, or that the Company will be able to increase its
revenue and leverage the investments it has made in national services and
systems, the national network, and the operating overhead of the Verio ISPs, to
achieve sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service obligations. In
particular, there can be no assurance that the Company's operating cash flow
will be sufficient to pay the $13.5 million in annual interest (beginning in
June 2000 following the termination of the interest escrow arrangement for the
1997 Notes) on the $100.0 million principal amount of 1997 Notes outstanding
after the Refinancing, to pay the $18.2 million in annual interest on the 1998
Notes, or to meet its debt service obligations under the Bank Facility, if drawn
upon. The leveraged nature of the Company also could limit the ability of the
Company to effect future financings or may otherwise restrict the Company's
operations and growth.
    
 
   
EFFECTIVE SUBORDINATION; HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE AND NEED TO ACCESS SUBSIDIARY
CASH FLOWS
    
 
   
     The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer, ranking pari
passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuer and senior in right of payment to all
existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Issuer. The Notes are
effectively subordinated to all secured indebtedness of the Issuer to the extent
of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and to all indebtedness
of subsidiaries of the Issuer. As of March 31, 1998, on a pro forma basis, there
would have been approximately $9.9 million of secured long-term indebtedness
outstanding to which holders of Notes would have been effectively subordinated
in right of payment and approximately $7.6 million of subsidiary indebtedness to
which holders of Notes would have been structurally subordinated. The Bank
Facility is secured and therefore the Notes are effectively subordinated to the
Bank Facility.
    
 
   
     The Issuer is a holding company with limited assets that conducts
substantially all of its revenue producing operations through its ISPs. The
Verio ISPs include wholly owned subsidiaries, less than wholly owned
subsidiaries and entities in which the Issuer has a minority interest. Claims of
holders of the Notes will be effectively subordinated to the indebtedness and
other liabilities and commitments of the Company's subsidiaries, and claims by
the Issuer as an equity holder in its non-wholly owned subsidiaries and minority
interests will be limited to the extent of the Issuer's direct or indirect
investment in such entities. The ability of the Issuer's creditors, including
the holders of the Notes, to participate in the assets of any of the Verio ISPs
upon any liquidation or bankruptcy of any such entity will be subject to the
prior claims of that entity's creditors, including trade creditors, and any
prior or equal claim of any other equity holder. In addition, the ability of the
Issuer's creditors, including the holders of Notes, to participate in
distributions of assets of the Verio ISPs will be limited to the extent that the
outstanding shares of any of its ISPs are either pledged to secure other
creditors (which is the case under the Bank Facility) or are not owned by the
Issuer. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
    
 
     The Notes will be obligations solely of the Issuer. The ability of the
Issuer to pay interest on the Notes or to repay the Notes at maturity or
otherwise will be dependent upon the cash flows of its ISPs and the payment of
funds by the Verio ISPs to the Issuer in the form of repayment of loans,
dividends, management fees or otherwise. The Verio ISPs have no obligation,
contingent or other, to pay amounts pursuant to the Notes or to make funds
available therefor, whether in the form of loans, dividends or other
distributions. Accordingly, the Issuer's ability to repay the Notes at maturity
or otherwise may be dependent upon the Issuer's ability to refinance the Notes
which will depend, in large part, upon factors beyond the control of the Issuer.
The agreements governing future indebtedness of the Verio ISPs may contain
covenants prohibiting them from distributing or advancing funds to the Issuer
under certain circumstances, including to fund interest payments in respect of
the Notes. In addition, the practical effect of the Issuer's status as a
minority shareholder of certain ISPs may limit the ability of those ISPs to make
funds available to the Issuer.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   21
 
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL CAPITAL
 
     The Company's operations have required and will continue to require
substantial capital for investments in ISP operations, including the acquisition
of or investments in additional ISPs, the deployment of the Company's national
network and infrastructure and the funding of capital expenditures for expansion
of services and operating losses. The Company may need additional amounts to
fund its operating losses and those of the Verio ISPs, which amounts cannot be
determined. Over the longer term, it is likely that the Company will require
substantial additional funds to continue to fund the Company's investment and
acquisition program as well as product development, marketing, sales and
customer support capabilities. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
 
   
     The Company expects to meet its additional capital needs with the proceeds
from sales or issuance of equity securities, credit facilities and other
borrowings, lease financings, and sales of additional debt securities. The
failure to raise and generate sufficient funds may require the Company to delay
or abandon some of its planned future expansion or expenditures, which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's growth and its ability to
compete in the Internet industry. No assurance can be given that the Company
will have sufficient cash flow available to maintain its current or future
growth plans or operations.
    
 
COMPETITION; PRICING FLUCTUATION
 
   
     The market for Internet connectivity and related services is extremely
competitive. The Company anticipates that competition will continue to intensify
as the use of the Internet grows. The tremendous growth and potential market
size of the Internet access market has attracted many new start-ups as well as
existing businesses from different industries. Current and prospective
competitors include, in addition to other national, regional and local ISPs,
long distance and local exchange telecommunications companies, cable television
companies, direct broadcast satellite and wireless communications providers, and
on-line service providers. The Company believes that a reliable national
network, knowledgeable salespeople and the quality of technical support
currently are the primary competitive factors in the Company's targeted market,
and that price is usually secondary to these factors.
    
 
     The Company's current primary competitors include other ISPs with a
significant national presence which focus on business customers, such as UUNet,
GTE Internetworking (formerly BBN), PSINet, Concentric Network and DIGEX. While
the Company believes that its level of local service and support and target
market focus distinguish it from these competitors, some of these competitors
have a significantly greater market presence, brand recognition, and financial,
technical and personnel resources than the Company, and have extensive
coast-to-coast Internet backbones. The Company also competes with unaffiliated
regional and local ISPs in its targeted geographic regions.
 
     All of the major long distance companies (also known as interexchange
carriers or IXCs), including AT&T, MCI, and Sprint, offer Internet access
services and compete with the Company. The recent sweeping reforms in the
federal regulation of the telecommunications industry have created greater
opportunities for local exchange carriers ("LECs"), including the Regional Bell
Operating Companies ("RBOCs"), to enter the Internet connectivity market. In
order to address the Internet connectivity requirements of the current business
customers of long distance and local carriers, the Company believes that there
is a move toward horizontal integration through acquisitions of, joint ventures
with, and the wholesale purchase of connectivity from, ISPs. The
WorldCom/MFS/UUNet consolidation, the NETCOM/ICG merger, the Intermedia/DIGEX
merger and GTE's acquisition of BBN are indicative of this trend. Accordingly,
Verio expects that it will experience increased competition from the traditional
telecommunications carriers. Many of these telecommunications carriers, in
addition to their substantially greater network coverage, market presence, and
financial, technical and personnel resources, also have large existing
commercial customer bases. Furthermore, telecommunications providers may have
the ability to bundle Internet access with basic local and long distance
telecommunications services. Such bundling of services may have an adverse
effect on the Company's ability to compete effectively with the
telecommunications providers and may result in pricing
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   22
 
pressure on the Company that would have an adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
     Many of the major cable companies have announced that they are exploring
the possibility of offering Internet connectivity, relying on the viability of
cable modems and economical upgrades to their networks. MediaOne Group and TCI
have recently announced trials to provide Internet cable service to their
residential customers in select areas. Several announcements also have recently
been made by other alternative service companies approaching the Internet
connectivity market with various wireless terrestrial and satellite-based
service technologies. These include Hughes Network System's DirecPC that
provides high-speed data through direct broadcast satellite technology; CAI
Wireless System's announcement of an MMDS wireless cable operator launching data
services via 2.5 to 2.7 GHz and high-speed wireless modem technology;
Cellularvision's announcement that it is offering Internet access via high-speed
wireless LMDS technology; and Winstar, which currently offers high-speed
Internet access to business customers over the 38 GHz spectrum.
 
     The predominant on-line service providers, including America Online,
CompuServe, Microsoft Network, and Prodigy, have all entered the Internet access
business by engineering their current proprietary networks to include Internet
access capabilities. The Company competes to a lesser extent with these on-line
service providers.
 
     Recently, there have been several announcements regarding the planned
deployment of broadband services for high speed Internet access by cable and
telephone companies through new technologies such as cable modems and xDSL.
While these providers have initially targeted the residential consumer, it is
likely that their target markets will expand to encompass the Company's target
markets, which may significantly affect the pricing of the Company's service
offerings.
 
     As a result of an increase in the number of competitors, and vertical and
horizontal integration in the industry, the Company currently encounters and
expects to encounter significant pricing pressure and other competition in the
future. Advances in technology as well as changes in the marketplace and the
regulatory environment are constantly occurring, and the Company cannot predict
the effect that ongoing or future developments may have on the Company or the
pricing of its products and services. See "-- Fluctuations in Operating
Results," "-- Dependence on the Internet; Uncertain Adoption of Internet as a
Medium of Commerce and Communications" and "-- Potential Liability for
Information Disseminated Over Network; Regulatory Matters."
 
   
     In connection with the OSP Agreement (as defined) between the Company and
NTT, NTT is entitled to "most favored customer" status and pricing concessions.
NTT and the Company are continuing to negotiate the specific terms of these
arrangements. See "Business -- NTT Strategic Relationship," "Certain
Transactions -- Other Transactions" and "Principal Stockholders -- NTT
Investment."
    
 
MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH; INTEGRATION OF ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS
 
   
     The Company is currently experiencing a period of rapid expansion with the
acquisition and integration of its ISPs. The rapid growth of the Company's
business and its product and service offerings has placed, and is likely to
continue to place, a significant strain on the Company's managerial, operating,
financial and other resources. The Company's future performance will depend, in
part, upon its ability to manage its growth effectively, which will require that
the Company implement additional management information systems capabilities,
further develop its operating, administrative and financial and accounting
systems and controls, improve coordination between engineering, accounting,
finance, marketing and operations, and hire and train additional personnel.
Failure by the Company to develop adequate operational and control systems or to
attract and retain highly qualified management, financial, technical, sales and
marketing and customer care personnel could materially adversely affect the
Company's ability to generate internal growth from previously acquired ISPs or
integrate the ISPs it has acquired and continues to acquire. In conjunction with
its efforts to integrate the operations of its acquired ISPs, the Company has
recently effected the Buyout of all but one of the ISPs in which it did not
initially acquire a 100% ownership interest. While the Company anticipates that
it will recognize various economies and efficiencies of scale as a result of the
integration of the operations of the
    
                                       15
<PAGE>   23
 
   
ISPs it has acquired, the process of consolidating the businesses and
implementing the strategic integration of the Company and its ISPs may take a
significant period of time, will place a significant strain on the Company's
resources, and could subject the Company to additional expenses during the
integration process. The timing and amount of expenditures related to the
Company's cost-savings initiatives and integration of the operations of the
Company's ISPs may be difficult to predict. The Company may increase near-term
expenditures in order to accelerate the integration and consolidation of
acquired operations with the goal of achieving longer-term cost savings and
improved profitability. There can be no assurance that these projected long-term
cost savings and improvements in profitability can or will be realized. As a
result, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to integrate the
ISPs it has acquired successfully or in a timely manner in accordance with its
strategic objectives. Failure to integrate its ISPs or to manage effectively the
growth of the Company would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
    
 
   
     Furthermore, the Company's performance will depend on the internal growth
generated through ISP operations. The timing and sustainability of any such
internal growth from the Company's ISP operations is difficult to predict and
may depend upon a variety of factors including the Company's development of
necessary operating, administrative, financial and accounting systems and
controls and the Company's ability to attract and retain highly qualified
management, financial, technical, sales and marketing, and customer care
personnel. Failure by the Company to manage effectively these and other factors
affecting internally generated growth in its ISP operations could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operation.
    
 
DEPENDENCE UPON IMPLEMENTATION OF NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE; ESTABLISHMENT AND
MAINTENANCE OF PEERING RELATIONSHIPS
 
     The Company's success will depend upon its ability to complete the
implementation of and to continue to expand its national network infrastructure
and support services in order to supply sufficient geographic reach, capacity,
reliability and security at an acceptable cost. The continued development and
expansion of the Company's national network will require that it enter into
additional agreements, on acceptable terms and conditions, with the various
providers of infrastructure capacity and equipment and support services. No
assurance can be given that any or all of the requisite agreements can be
obtained on satisfactory terms and conditions. See "Business -- Verio National
Network -- Peering Relationships."
 
     In addition, the establishment and maintenance of peering relationships
with other ISPs is necessary in order to exchange traffic with other ISPs
without having to pay transit costs. The basis on which the large national ISPs
make peering available or impose settlement charges is evolving as the provision
of Internet access and related services has expanded and the dominance of a
small group of national ISPs has driven corporate peering policies. Recently,
companies that have previously offered peering have cut back or eliminated
peering relationships and are establishing new, more restrictive criteria for
peering. Furthermore, if increasing requirements associated with maintaining
peering with the major national ISPs develop, the Company may have to comply
with those additional requirements in order to continue to maintain its peering
relationships. The Company also anticipates that future expansions and
adaptations of its network infrastructure may be necessary in order to respond
to growth in the number of customers served, increased demands to transmit
larger amounts of data and changes to its customers' product and service
requirements. The expansion and adaptation of the Company's network
infrastructure will require substantial financial, operational and managerial
resources. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to expand or
adapt its network infrastructure to meet the industry's evolving standards or
its customers' growing demands and changing requirements on a timely basis, at a
commercially reasonable cost, or at all, or that the Company will be able to
deploy successfully any expanded and adapted network infrastructure. Failure to
maintain peering relationships or establish new ones, if necessary, would cause
the Company to incur additional operating expenditures which would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   24
 
CHALLENGES OF GROWTH BY ACQUISITIONS
 
   
     The Company's business strategy is dependent, in part, upon its ability to
continue to successfully identify and acquire ISPs that meet the Company's
investment criteria. The Company is continuing to seek and evaluate qualified
ISP candidates in order to optimize its market presence in the regions it
currently serves, and to expand its focus to encompass the remaining top 50 MSAs
not currently served by Verio. Although the Company's acquisitions to date have
been primarily smaller local and regional independent ISPs, the Company may in
the future target the acquisition of larger businesses such as its recent
acquisition of TABNet. The Company expects that competition for appropriate
acquisition candidates may be significant. The Company may compete with other
communications companies with similar acquisition strategies, many of which may
be larger and have greater financial and other resources than the Company.
Competition for independent ISPs is based on a number of factors, including
price, terms and conditions, size and access to capital, ability to offer cash,
stock, or other forms of consideration and other matters. No assurance can be
given that the Company will be able to successfully identify suitable ISPs or,
once identified, will be able to consummate an acquisition of or an investment
in those targeted ISPs on terms and conditions acceptable to the Company. See
"Business -- The Verio Strategy" and "-- Competition; Pricing Fluctuation."
Further, the Company's ability to consummate transactions with ISPs that it
identifies will require significant financial resources. Failure to raise and
generate sufficient funds may require the Company to delay or abandon some of
its planned future expansion or expenditures, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's growth. See "-- Requirements for Additional
Capital."
    
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS
 
     The Company's operating results have fluctuated in the past and may in the
future fluctuate significantly depending upon a variety of factors, including
the incurrence of capital costs and the introduction of value-added enhanced
services and new services by the Company. Additional factors that may contribute
to variability of operating results include: the pricing and mix of services
offered by the Company; the Company's customer retention rate; changes in
pricing policies and product offerings by the Company's competitors; growth in
demand for network and Internet access services; the incurrence of one-time
costs associated with regional consolidation; and general telecommunications
services' performance and availability. The Company has also experienced
seasonal variation in Internet use and, therefore, revenue streams may fluctuate
accordingly. In response to competitive pressures, the Company may take certain
pricing or marketing actions that could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See
"-- Competition; Pricing Fluctuation." As a result, variations in the timing and
amounts of revenues could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
quarterly operating results. Due to the foregoing factors, the Company believes
that period-to-period comparisons of its operating results are not necessarily
meaningful and that such comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of
future performance. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The Company is highly dependent upon the efforts of its senior management
team, the loss of any of whom could impede the achievement of product
development and marketing objectives and could have a material adverse effect on
the Company. The Company currently is conducting an executive search to fill the
President and Chief Operating Officer roles previously held by Mr. Johnson. The
Company believes that its future success will depend in large part on its
ability to attract and retain qualified technical and marketing personnel for
whom there is intense competition in the areas of the Company's activities.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract and retain
the personnel necessary for the development and integration of its business.
Delays in hiring such personnel could delay the achievement of development and
marketing objectives. The loss of the services of key personnel or the failure
to attract additional personnel as required could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   25
 
RISK OF SYSTEM FAILURE
 
     The Company's operations are dependent upon its ability to protect its
network infrastructure against damage from fire, earthquakes, floods, power
loss, telecommunications failures and similar events or to construct networks
that are not vulnerable to the effects of such events. Significant portions of
the Company's computer equipment, including components critical to the operation
of its Internet backbone, are located at the Company's facility in Englewood,
Colorado and the Company's NOC located in Dallas, Texas. Despite precautions
taken by and planned by the Company, the occurrence of a natural disaster or
other unanticipated problem at the Company's NOC or at a number of the Company's
national nodes could cause interruptions in the services provided by the
Company. The failure of a local POP would result in interruption of service to
the customers served by such POP until necessary repairs were effected or
replacement equipment were installed. Additionally, failure of the Company's
telecommunications providers to provide the data communications capacity
required by the Company as a result of natural disaster, operational disruption
or for any other reason could cause interruptions in the services provided by
the Company. Any damage or failure that causes interruptions in the Company's
operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.
 
SECURITY RISKS
 
     Despite the implementation of security measures by the Company, networks
are vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses and other disruptive
problems. ISPs have in the past experienced, and may in the future experience,
interruptions in service as a result of the accidental or intentional actions of
Internet users, current and former employees or others. Unauthorized access
could also potentially jeopardize the security of confidential information
stored in the computer systems of the Company and its customers, which may
result in liability of the Company to its customers and also may deter potential
subscribers. Although the Company intends generally to continue to implement
industry-standard security measures, such measures have been circumvented in the
past, and there can be no assurance that measures implemented by the Company
will not be circumvented in the future. Eliminating computer viruses and
alleviating other security problems may require interruptions, delays or
cessation of service to the Company's customers which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
 
DEPENDENCE ON THE INTERNET; UNCERTAIN ADOPTION OF INTERNET AS A MEDIUM OF
COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
 
     The Company's products and services are targeted toward users of the
Internet, which has experienced rapid growth. As is typical in the case of a new
and rapidly evolving industry characterized by rapidly changing technology,
evolving industry standards and frequent new product and service introductions,
demand and market acceptance for recently introduced products and services are
subject to a high level of uncertainty. In addition, critical issues concerning
the commercial use of the Internet remain unresolved and may impact the growth
of Internet use, especially in the business market targeted by the Company.
Despite growing interest in the many commercial uses of the Internet, many
businesses have been deterred from purchasing Internet access services for a
number of reasons, including, among others, inconsistent quality of service,
lack of availability of cost-effective, high-speed options, a limited number of
local access points for corporate users, inability to integrate business
applications on the Internet, the need to deal with multiple and frequently
incompatible vendors, inadequate protection of the confidentiality of stored
data and information moving across the Internet, and a lack of tools to simplify
Internet access and use. In particular, numerous published reports have
indicated that a perceived lack of security of commercial data, such as credit
card numbers, has significantly impeded commercial exploitation of the Internet
to date, and there can be no assurance that encryption or other technologies
will be developed that satisfactorily address these security concerns. Published
reports have also indicated that capacity constraints caused by growth in the
use of the Internet may, unless resolved, impede further development of the
Internet to the extent that users experience delays, transmission errors and
other difficulties. Further, the adoption of the Internet for commerce and
communications, particularly by those individuals and enterprises which have
historically relied upon alternative means of commerce and communication,
generally requires the understanding and acceptance of a new way of conducting
business and exchanging information. In particular, enterprises that have
already invested
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   26
 
substantial resources in other means of conducting commerce and exchanging
information may be particularly reluctant or slow to adopt a new strategy that
may make their existing personnel and infrastructure obsolete.
 
     The Company is also at risk as a result of fundamental technological
changes in the way Internet solutions may be marketed and delivered. Integrating
technological advances may require substantial time and expense, and there can
be no assurance that the Company will succeed in adapting its network
infrastructure. While the Company believes that its plan of combining the scale
and scope of a national operation with the local presence of its ISP operations
offers significant advantages for commerce and communication over the Internet,
there can be no assurance that commerce and communication over the Internet will
become widespread, or that the Company's offered Internet access and
communications services will become widely adopted for these purposes. The
failure of the market for business-related Internet solutions to continue to
develop would adversely impact the Company's business, financial condition and
results of operations.
 
     In addition, new technologies or industry standards have the potential to
replace or provide lower cost alternatives to the Company's existing products
and services. The adoption of such new technologies or industry standards could
render the Company's existing products and services obsolete and unmarketable.
For example, the Company's services rely on the continued widespread commercial
use of Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP"). Alternative
open and proprietary protocol standards that compete with TCP/IP, including
proprietary protocols developed by IBM and Novell, Inc., have been or are being
developed. If the market for Internet access services fails to develop, develops
more slowly than expected, or becomes saturated with competitors, or if the
Internet access and services offered by the Company and its ISPs are not broadly
accepted, the Company's business, operating results and financial condition will
be materially adversely affected.
 
POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR INFORMATION DISSEMINATED OVER NETWORK; REGULATORY
MATTERS
 
   
     The law relating to liability of on-line service providers and ISPs for
information carried on or disseminated through their networks is currently
unsettled. A number of lawsuits have sought to impose such liability for
defamatory speech and infringement of copyrighted materials. Although some
courts have ruled that the 1996 Telecommunications Act immunizes ISPs from
liability for defamatory material carried on their facilities, there can be no
assurance that other courts will take a similar approach. In one case, a state
court held that an on-line service provider could be found liable for defamatory
materials provided through its service, on the ground that the service provider
exercised active editorial control over postings to its service. Other courts
have held that on-line service providers and ISPs may, under certain
circumstances, be subject to damages for copying or distributing copyrighted
materials. Although the Supreme Court has declared the Communications Decency
Act to be unconstitutional as it applies to the transmission of indecent on-line
communications to minors, state and federal statutes continue to prohibit the
on-line distribution of obscene materials. The imposition upon ISPs or Web
server hosts of potential liability for materials carried on or disseminated
through their systems could require the Company to implement measures to reduce
its exposure to such liability. Such measures may require the expenditure of
substantial resources or the discontinuation of certain product or service
offerings, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition.
    
 
     Although the Company is not currently subject to direct regulation by the
Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") or any other federal or state
agency, changes in the regulatory environment relating to the Internet
connectivity market, including regulatory changes which directly or indirectly
affect telecommunications costs or increase the likelihood or scope of
competition from the RBOCs or other telecommunications companies, could affect
the prices at which the Company may sell its services. For example, proposed
regulations at the FCC would require discounted Internet connectivity rates for
schools and libraries. Also, the FCC is considering whether ISPs should be
required to pay access charges to local telephone companies for each minute that
dial up users spend connected to ISPs through telephone company switches, and
some telephone companies have requested similar relief from state regulatory
commissions. The imposition of access charges would affect the Company's costs
of serving dial up customers and could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   27
 
DEPENDENCE UPON SUPPLIERS; LIMITED SOURCES OF SUPPLY
 
     The Company relies on other companies to supply certain key components of
its network infrastructure, including telecommunications services and networking
equipment which, in the quantities and quality demanded by the Company, are
available only from limited sources. For example, the Company currently relies
on Cisco Systems to supply routers critical to the Company's network, and the
Company could be adversely affected if routers from Cisco were to become
unavailable on commercially reasonable terms. Qwest, Sprint, MCI and MFS, which
are competitors of the Company, are the Company's primary providers of data
communications facilities and network capacity. The Company also is dependent
upon LECs, which often are competitors of the Company, to provide
telecommunications services and lease physical space to the Company for routers,
modems and other equipment. The Company has from time to time experienced delays
in receiving telecommunications services, which can lead to the loss of
customers or prospective customers. There can be no assurance that, on an
ongoing basis, the Company will be able to obtain such services on the scale and
within the time frames required by the Company at a commercially reasonable
cost, or at all. Failure to obtain or to continue to make use of such services
would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.
 
   
FINANCIAL INFORMATION CONCERNING ACQUISITIONS
    
 
   
     The ISPs targeted by the Company for acquisition typically do not have
audited financial statements and have varying degrees of internal controls and
detailed financial information. Accordingly, the pro forma and other financial
information in this Prospectus includes financial information concerning certain
recently completed acquisitions for which audited financial statements may not
be available. In particular, this is the case with respect to the Company's
recent acquisition of TABNet, and the financial information concerning TABNet
contained herein. There can be no assurance that a subsequent audit by the
Company will not reveal matters of significance, including with respect to
revenues, expenses and liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of these companies.
The Company's business strategy involves the continued and potentially rapid
acquisition of additional ISPs. The Company expects that, from time to time in
the future, it will enter into additional acquisition agreements, the pro forma
effect of which is not known and cannot be predicted. The Company's completion
of additional acquisitions may have a material impact on the financial
information set forth herein. There can be no assurance as to the number, timing
or size of future acquisitions, if any, or the effect any such acquisitions
would have on the Company's operating or financial results.
    
 
LACK OF PUBLIC MARKET
 
     The New Notes constitute a new issue of securities, have no established
trading market and may not be widely distributed. The Initial Purchasers have
informed the Company that they currently intend to make a market in the New
Notes as permitted by applicable laws and regulations, however, the Initial
Purchasers are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any
time without notice. In addition, such market-making will be subject to the
limits imposed by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and may be limited
during the respective Exchange Offers and the pendency of any shelf registration
statement. There can be no assurance as to the development of any market or
liquidity of any market that may develop for the New Notes. If a market does
develop, the New Notes may trade at prices lower than the initial offering price
thereof and liquidity may be limited. If a market for the New Notes does not
develop, purchasers may be unable to resell such securities for an extended
period of time, if at all. Further, the liquidity of, and trading market for,
the New Notes may also be materially and adversely affected by declines in the
market for high-yield securities generally. Such a decline may materially and
adversely affect such liquidity and tracking independently of the financial
performance of, and prospects for, the Company. The Company does not intend to
apply for listing of the New Notes on any securities exchange or for quotation
through the Nasdaq National Market.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON EXCHANGE OFFERS
 
     Issuance of New Notes in exchange for Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offers will be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal,
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   28
 
including all other documents required by such Letter of Transmittal. Therefore,
holders of Old Notes desiring to tender such Old Notes in exchange for New Notes
should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. The Exchange Agent and
the Company are under no duty to give notification of defects or irregularities
with respect to the tenders of Old Notes for exchange. Each broker-dealer that
receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offers must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. See "The Exchange Offers -- Resales of the New Notes" and "Plan
of Distribution."
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
     Holders of Old Notes who do not exchange their Old Notes for New Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offers will continue to be subject to the restrictions
on transfer of such Old Notes as set forth in the legend thereon as a
consequence of the issuance of the Old Notes pursuant to exemptions from, or in
transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and applicable state securities laws. In general, the Old Notes may not be
offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to
an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. The Company does not currently anticipate that
it will register the Old Notes under the Securities Act. To the extent that Old
Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offers, the trading market for
untendered and tendered but unaccepted Old Notes could be adversely affected.
Generally, the rights of holders of Old Notes under the 1997 Notes Registration
Rights Agreement or 1998 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, as the case may
be, would also terminate with respect to Old Notes which are not exchanged for
New Notes in the Exchange Offers.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
     Currently, many computer systems and software products are coded to accept
only two digit entries in the date code field. These date code fields will need
to accept four digit entries to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century
dates. As a result, many companies' software and computer systems may need to be
upgraded or replaced in order to comply with such "Year 2000" requirements. The
Company and third parties with which the Company does business rely on numerous
computer programs in their day to day operations. The Company is evaluating the
Year 2000 issue as it relates to the Company's internal computer systems and
third party computer systems with which the Company interacts. The Company
expects to incur internal staff costs as well as consulting and other expenses
related to these issues; these costs will be expensed as incurred. In addition,
the appropriate course of action may include replacement or an upgrade of
certain systems or equipment at a substantial cost to the Company. There can be
no assurance that the Year 2000 issues will be resolved in 1998 or 1999. The
Company may incur significant costs in resolving its Year 2000 issues. If not
resolved, this issue could have a significant adverse impact on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     The statements contained in this Prospectus that are not historical fact
are "forward-looking statements" (as such term is defined in the Reform Act),
which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
"believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," or "anticipates" or the negative
thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions
of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. Management wishes to caution
the reader that these forward-looking statements such as the timing, costs and
scope of its acquisition of, or investments in, existing ISPs, the revenue and
profitability levels of the ISPs in which it invests, the anticipated reduction
in operating costs resulting from the integration and optimization of those
ISPs, and other matters contained above and herein in this Prospectus regarding
matters that are not historical facts, are only predictions. No assurance can be
given that the future results indicated, whether expressed or implied, will be
achieved. While sometimes presented with numerical specificity, these
projections and other forward-looking statements are based upon a variety of
assumptions relating to the business of the Company, which, although considered
reasonable by the Company, may not be realized. Because of the number and range
of the assumptions underlying the Company's projections and forward-looking
statements, many of which are subject to significant uncertainties and
contingencies that are
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   29
 
beyond the reasonable control of the Company, some of the assumptions inevitably
will not materialize and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur
subsequent to the date of this Prospectus. These forward-looking statements are
based on current expectations, and the Company assumes no obligation to update
this information. Therefore, the actual experience of the Company and results
achieved during the period covered by any particular projections or
forward-looking statements may differ substantially from those projected.
Consequently, the inclusion of projections and other forward-looking statements
should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person
that these estimates and projections will be realized, and actual results may
vary materially. There can be no assurance that any of these expectations will
be realized or that any of the forward-looking statements contained herein will
prove to be accurate.
 
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFERS
 
     The summary herein of certain provisions of the 1997 Notes Registration
Rights Agreement and the 1998 Notes Registration Rights Agreement, as the case
may be, does not purport to be complete and reference is made to the provisions
of the 1997 Notes Registration Rights Agreement and the 1998 Notes Registration
Rights Agreement, which have been filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a part, and copies of which are
available upon request to the Company.
 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT
 
  1997 Notes
 
     The Old 1997 Notes were sold by the Issuer to the Initial 1997 Notes
Purchasers on June 17, 1997. The Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers subsequently
resold the Old 1997 Notes in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The
Issuer and the Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers entered into the 1997 Notes
Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which the Issuer agreed, with respect
to the Old 1997 Notes and subject to the Issuer's determination that the
Exchange Offer with respect to the 1997 Notes is permitted under applicable law,
to (i) cause to be filed, on or prior to March 24, 1998, a registration
statement with the Commission under the Securities Act concerning the Exchange
Offer with respect to the 1997 Notes, and (ii) use its best efforts (a) to cause
such registration statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or
prior to July 24, 1998, and (b) to consummate the Exchange Offer with respect to
the 1997 Notes on or prior to August 24, 1998. The Issuer will keep the Exchange
Offer with respect to the 1997 Notes open for a period of not less than 30 days
(or longer if required by applicable law) after the date the notice of the
Exchange Offer with respect to the 1997 Notes is mailed to the holders of the
Old 1997 Notes. The Exchange Offer with respect to the Old 1997 Notes is
intended to satisfy the Issuer's exchange offer obligations under the 1997 Notes
Registration Rights Agreement.
 
  1998 Notes
 
     The Old 1998 Notes were sold by the Issuer to the Initial 1998 Notes
Purchasers on March 25, 1998. The Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers subsequently
resold the Old 1998 Notes in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The
Issuer and the Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers entered into the 1998 Notes
Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which the Issuer agreed, with respect
to the Old 1998 Notes and subject to the Issuer's determination that the
Exchange Offer with respect to the 1998 Notes is permitted under applicable law,
to (i) cause to be filed, on or prior to June 23, 1998, a registration statement
with the Commission under the Securities Act concerning the Exchange Offer with
respect to the 1998 Notes, and (ii) use its best efforts (a) to cause such
registration statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or prior to
August 21, 1998, and (b) to consummate the Exchange Offer with respect to the
1998 Notes on or prior to September 21, 1998. The Issuer will keep the Exchange
Offer with respect to the 1998 Notes open for a period of not less than 30 days
(or longer if required by applicable law) after the date the notice of the
Exchange Offer with respect to the 1998 Notes is mailed to the holders of the
Old 1998 Notes. The Exchange Offer with respect to the Old 1998 Notes is
intended to satisfy the Issuer's exchange offer obligations under the 1998 Notes
Registration Rights Agreement.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   30
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE OLD NOTES
 
     Following the expiration of the respective Exchange Offers, holders of Old
Notes not tendered, or not properly tendered, will not have any further
registration rights and such Old Notes will continue to be subject to the
existing restrictions on transfer thereof. Accordingly, the liquidity of the
market for a holder's Old Notes could be adversely affected upon expiration of
the Exchange Offer with respect to such Old Notes if such holder elects not to
participate in such Exchange Offer.
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFERS
 
     The Issuer hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal, to exchange up to
(i) $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of New 1997 Notes for up to $100.0
million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Old 1997 Notes and (ii) up
to $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of New 1998 Notes for up to $175.0
million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Old 1998 Notes. The Issuer
will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes that are validly tendered on or
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The Issuer will
issue $1,000 principal amount of New Notes in exchange of each $1,000 principal
amount of outstanding Old Notes accepted in the respective Exchange Offers.
Holders may tender some or all of their Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offers. However, Old Notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000.
Tenders of the Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the Expiration Date with respect to the Exchange Offer
applicable to such Old Notes. The Exchange Offers are not conditioned upon any
minimum principal amount of Old Notes being tendered for exchange. However, the
Exchange Offers are subject to the terms and provisions of the 1997 Notes
Registration Rights Agreement and the 1998 Notes Registration Rights Agreement,
as applicable. See "-- Conditions of the Exchange Offers."
 
     As of the date of this Prospectus, (i) $100.0 million in aggregate
principal amount of the Old 1997 Notes is outstanding and (ii) $175.0 million in
aggregate principal amount of Old 1998 Notes is outstanding. As of
               , there were           registered holders of the Old Notes, and
          DTC participants. Only a holder of the Old Notes (or such holder's
legal representative or attorney-in-fact) may participate in the applicable
Exchange Offer. There will be no fixed record date for determining holders of
the Old Notes entitled to participate in the applicable Exchange Offer. The
Issuer believes that, as of the date of this Prospectus, no holder of Old Notes
is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Issuer.
 
     The Issuer shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes
when, as and if the Issuer has given oral or written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering holders
of Old Notes and for the purposes of receiving the New Notes from the Issuer.
 
     If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an
invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or
otherwise, certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned,
without expense, to the tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable
after the Expiration Date.
 
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
 
     The Expiration Date shall be             , 1998 at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, unless the Issuer, in its sole discretion, extends one or both of the
Exchange Offers, in which case the Expiration Date shall be the latest date and
time to which the applicable Exchange Offer is extended. The Company has no
obligation to make the Exchange Offers coterminous.
 
     In order to extend one or both the Exchange Offers, the Issuer will notify
the Exchange Agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will make a
public announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
     The Issuer reserves the right, in its sole discretion, (i) to delay
accepting any Old Notes, (ii) to extend one or both the Exchange Offers, in
which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date to
which one or both of the Exchange Offers is extended, as the case may be, and
(iii) to amend the
                                       23
<PAGE>   31
 
terms of the Exchange Offers in any manner. If one or both of the Exchange
Offers is amended in a manner determined by the Issuer to constitute a material
change, the Issuer will promptly disclose such amendments by means of a
prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the
Old Notes subject to such Exchange Offer. Modifications of an Exchange Offer,
including but not limited to extension of the period during which the Exchange
Offer is open, may require that at least five business days remain in such
Exchange Offer. In order to extend an Exchange Offer, the Issuer will notify the
Exchange Agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will make a public
announcement thereof, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next
business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date with respect to such
Exchange Offer.
 
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFERS
 
     The Exchange Offers are not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount
of the Old Notes being tendered for exchange. However, the Exchange Offers are
conditioned upon the declaration by the Commission of the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a part.
 
ACCRUED INTEREST
 
  1997 Notes
 
     The New 1997 Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to 13 1/2% per annum
from and including their date of issuance. Holders whose Old 1997 Notes are
accepted for exchange will have the right to receive interest accrued thereon
from the last date on which interest was paid on the Old 1997 Notes, or if no
interest had been paid on such Old 1997 Notes, from the date of their original
issue, to, but not including, the date of issuance of the New 1997 Notes
accepted for exchange, which interest accrued at the rate of 13 1/2% per annum,
and will cease to accrue on the day prior to the issuance of the New 1997 Notes.
See "Description of the 1997 Notes -- Maturity, Interest and Principal."
 
  1998 Notes
 
     The New 1998 Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to 10 3/8% per annum
from and including their date of issuance. Holders whose Old 1998 Notes are
accepted for exchange will have the right to receive interest accrued thereon
from the last date on which interest was paid on the Old 1998 Notes, or if no
interest had been paid on such Old 1998 Notes, from the date of their original
issue, to, but not including, the date of issuance of the New 1998 Notes
accepted for exchange, which interest accrued at the rate of 10 3/8% per annum,
and will cease to accrue on the day prior to the issuance of the New 1998 Notes.
See "Description of the 1998 Notes -- Maturity, Interest and Principal."
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES
 
     The tender of a holder's Old Notes as set forth below and the acceptance
thereof by the Issuer will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering
holder and the Issuer upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal. Except as set
forth below, a holder who wishes to tender Old Notes for exchange pursuant to
the applicable Exchange Offer must transmit such Old Notes, together with a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, including all other
documents required by such Letter of Transmittal, to the Exchange Agent at the
address set forth on the back cover page of this Prospectus prior to 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES,
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND
RISK OF THE HOLDER. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT
REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED.
INSTEAD OF DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE HOLDER USE AN OVERNIGHT
OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO
ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   32
 
     Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's Book-Entry
Transfer Facility system may make book-entry delivery of the Old Notes by
causing DTC to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account in
accordance with DTC's procedures for such transfer. In connection with a
book-entry transfer, a Letter of Transmittal need not be transmitted to the
Exchange Agent, provided that the book-entry transfer procedure is made in
accordance with DTC's ATOP (as defined below) procedures for transfer and such
procedures are complied with prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
 
     DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") is the only method of
processing exchange offers through DTC. To accept the applicable Exchange Offer
through ATOP, participants in DTC must send electronic instructions to DTC
through DTC's communication system, prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Expiration Date, in place of sending a signed, hard copy Letter of
Transmittal. DTC is obligated to communicate those electronic instructions to
the Exchange Agent by an "Agent's Message." To tender Old Notes through ATOP,
the electronic instructions sent to DTC and transmitted by DTC to the Exchange
Agent must contain the participant's acknowledgement of its receipt of and
agreement to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal for such Old Notes.
 
     Each signature on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed unless the Old Notes surrendered for exchange
pursuant hereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Old Notes who has
not completed either the box entitled "Special Exchange Instructions" or the box
entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" in the Letter of Transmittal, or (ii)
by an Eligible Institution (as defined below). In the event that a signature on
a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, is
required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by a firm which is a member of
a registered national securities exchange or the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States or otherwise be an "eligible guarantor
institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act
(collectively, "Eligible Institutions"). If the Letter of Transmittal is signed
by a person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes, the Old Notes
surrendered for exchange must either (i) be endorsed by the registered holder,
with the signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution or (ii) be
accompanied by a bond power, in satisfactory form as determined by the Issuer in
its sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder, with the signature
thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. The term "registered holder" as
used herein with respect to the Old Notes means any person in whose name the Old
Notes are registered on the books of the Registrar.
 
     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of Old Notes tendered for exchange will be
determined by the Issuer in its sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to reject any and all
Old Notes not properly tendered and to reject any Old Notes the Issuer's
acceptance of which might, in the judgment of the Issuer or its counsel, be
unlawful. The Issuer also reserves the absolute right to waive any defects or
irregularities or conditions of the applicable Exchange Offer as to particular
Old Notes either before or after the Expiration Date (including the right to
waive the ineligibility of any holder who seeks to tender Old Notes in such
Exchange Offer). The interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange
Offers (including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto) by the
Issuer shall be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes for exchange must be
cured within such period of time as the Issuer shall determine. The Issuer will
use reasonable efforts to give notification of defects or irregularities with
respect to tenders of Old Notes for exchange but shall not incur any liability
for failure to give such notification. Tenders of the Old Notes will not be
deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or waived.
 
     If any Letter of Transmittal, endorsement, bond power, power of attorney or
any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a trustee,
executor, corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the
Issuer, proper evidence satisfactory to the Issuer, in its sole discretion, of
such person's authority to so act must be submitted.
 
     Any beneficial owner of the Old Notes (a "Beneficial Owner") whose Old
Notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or other nominee and who wishes to tender Old Notes in the applicable
Exchange Offer should contact such registered holder promptly and instruct such
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   33
 
registered holder to tender on such Beneficial Owner's behalf. If such
Beneficial Owner wishes to tender directly, such Beneficial Owner must, prior to
completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and tendering Old Notes, make
appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old Notes in such
Beneficial Owner's name. Beneficial Owners should be aware that the transfer of
registered ownership may take considerable time.
 
     By tendering, each registered holder will represent to the Issuer that,
among other things, (i) the New Notes to be acquired in connection with the
applicable Exchange Offer by the holder and each Beneficial Owner of the Old
Notes are being acquired by the holder and each Beneficial Owner in the ordinary
course of business of the holder and each Beneficial Owner, (ii) the holder and
each Beneficial Owner are not participating, do not intend to participate, and
have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in the
distribution of the New Notes, (iii) the holder and each Beneficial Owner
acknowledge and agree that any person participating in such Exchange Offer for
the purpose of distributing the New Notes must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction of the New Notes acquired by such person and cannot
rely on the position of the staff of the Commission set forth in no-action
letters that are discussed herein under "Resales of New Notes," (iv) that if the
holder is a broker-dealer that acquired Old Notes as a result of market making
or other trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
resale of New Notes acquired in such Exchange Offer, (v) the holder and each
Beneficial Owner understand that a secondary resale transaction described in
clause (iii) above should be covered by an effective registration statement
containing the selling security holder information required by item 507 of
Regulation S-K of the Commission, and (vi) neither the holder nor any Beneficial
Owner is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the
Issuer except as otherwise disclosed to the Issuer in writing. In connection
with a book-entry transfer, each participant will confirm that it makes the
representations and warranties contained in the Letter of Transmittal.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
     Holders who wish to tender their Old Notes and (i) whose Old Notes are not
immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Old Notes or any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent prior to
the Expiration Date (or complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a
timely basis), may tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures set forth in the Letter of Transmittal. Pursuant to such procedures:
(i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution and a Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery (as defined in the Letter of Transmittal) must be signed
by such Holder; (ii) on or prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must
have received from the Holder and the Eligible Institution a properly completed
and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail
or hand delivery) setting forth the name and address of the Holder, the
certificate number or numbers of the tendered Old Notes, and the principal
amount of tendered Old Notes, stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that, within five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
date of delivery of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the tendered Old Notes, a
duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents will be
deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii) such
properly completed and executed documents required by the Letter of Transmittal
and the tendered Old Notes in proper form for transfer (or confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC)
must be received by the Exchange Agent within five New York Stock Exchange
trading days after the Expiration Date. Any Holder who wishes to tender Old
Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure
that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and Letter of
Transmittal relating to such Old Notes prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on the Expiration Date. DTC participants may also submit the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery through ATOP.
 
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW NOTES
 
     Upon satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions to an Exchange Offer, the
Issuer will accept any and all Old Notes that are properly tendered in such
Exchange Offers prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date
with respect to such Exchange Offer. The New Notes issued pursuant to an
Exchange Offer
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   34
 
will be delivered promptly after acceptance of the Old Notes. For purposes of
the Exchange Offers, the Issuer shall be deemed to have accepted validly
tendered Old Notes, when, as, and if the Issuer has given oral or written notice
thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
     In all cases, issuances of New Notes for Old Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offers will be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent of such Old Notes, a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents (or of confirmation of a
book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC);
provided, however, that the Issuer reserves the absolute right to waive any
defects or irregularities in the tender or conditions of the Exchange Offers. If
any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for any reason, such unaccepted Old
Notes will be returned without expense to the tendering Holder thereof as
promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange
Offers.
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
     Tenders of the Old Notes may be withdrawn by delivery of a written notice
(or for DTC participants, transmission of notice through ATOP) to the Exchange
Agent, at its address set forth on the back cover page of this Prospectus, at
any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable Expiration
Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person
having deposited the Old Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify
the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers and
principal amount of such Old Notes, as applicable), (iii) be signed by the
Holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal
by which such Old Notes were tendered (including any required signature
guarantees) or be accompanied by a bond power in the name of the person
withdrawing the tender, in satisfactory form as determined by the Issuer in its
sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder, with the signature
thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution together with the other documents
required upon transfer by the Indenture, and (iv) specify the name in which such
Old Notes are to be re-registered, if different from the Depositor, pursuant to
such documents of transfer. Any questions as to the validity, form and
eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by
the Issuer, in its sole discretion. The Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed
not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the applicable
Exchange Offer. Any Old Notes which have been tendered for exchange but which
are withdrawn will be returned to the Holder thereof without cost to such Holder
as soon as practicable after withdrawal. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be
retendered by following one of the procedures described under "The Exchange
Offers -- Procedure for Tendering Old Notes" at any time on or prior to the
Expiration Date.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   35
 
THE EXCHANGE AGENT; ASSISTANCE
 
   
     U.S. Bank Trust National Association is the Exchange Agent. All tendered
Old Notes, executed Letters of Transmittal and other related documents should be
directed to the Exchange Agent. Questions and requests for assistance and
requests for additional copies of the Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and
other related documents should be addressed to the Exchange Agent as follows:
    
 
                         By Hand, or Overnight Courier:
 
                      U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                             180 East Fifth Street
                               St. Paul, MN 55101
                      Attn: Specialized Finance Department
 
             Facsimile Transmissions (Eligible Institutions Only):
 
   
                                 (612) 244-1537
    
 
                To confirm by telephone or for information call:
 
   
                                 (612) 244-1197
    
 
                                    By Mail:
 
                      U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                             180 East Fifth Street
                               St. Paul, MN 55101
                      Attn: Specialized Finance Department
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     All expenses incident to the Issuer's consummation of the Exchange Offers
and compliance with the 1997 Notes Registration Rights Agreement and the 1998
Notes Registration Rights Agreement, as the case may be, will be borne by the
Issuer, including, without limitation: (i) all applicable Securities and
Exchange Commission, stock exchange or National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") registration and filing fees; (ii) all fees and expenses
incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws
(including reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel for holders that are
Initial Purchasers in connection with blue sky qualifications of any of the New
Notes) and compliance with the rules of the NASD; (iii) all applicable expenses
incurred by the Issuer in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing,
printing and distributing any registration statement, any prospectus and any
amendments or supplements thereto, and in preparing or assisting in preparing
any other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with the 1997
Notes Registration Rights Agreement or the 1998 Notes Registration Rights
Agreement, as the case may be, (iv) all rating agency fees, if any; and (v) the
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuer.
 
     The Issuer has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
Exchange Offers and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers of others
soliciting acceptance of the Exchange Offers. The Issuer, however, will pay the
Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse
it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.
 
     The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers. If, however, a transfer tax is
imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offers, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on
the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering
holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will
be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   36
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
     The New Notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the Old Notes,
as reflected in the Issuer's accounting records on the date of the exchange.
Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Issuer for accounting
purposes. The expenses of the Exchange Offers will be amortized over the term of
the respective New Notes.
 
RESALES OF THE NEW NOTES
 
     Based on the position of the staff of the Commission as set forth in
certain interpretive letters issued to third parties in other transactions, the
Issuer believes that the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offers to any
holder of Old Notes in exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold
and otherwise transferred by such holder (other than (i) a broker-dealer who
purchased Old Notes directly from the Issuer for resale pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act or any other available exemption under the Securities
Act, or (ii) a person that is an affiliate of the Issuer within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without further compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided
that such holder is acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of business
and is not participating, and has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate, in the distribution of the New Notes. However, the Issuer
has not sought its own interpretive letter and there can be no assurance that
the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange
Offers. The Issuer and holders of Old Notes are not entitled to rely on
interpretive advice provided by the staff of other persons, which advice was
based on the facts and conditions represented in such letters. However, the
Exchange Offers are being conducted in a manner intended to be consistent with
the facts and conditions represented in such letters. If any holder acquires New
Notes in an Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing or participating in a
distribution of the New Notes, such holder cannot rely on the position of the
staff of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
(available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May
13, 1989), or interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman and Sterling
(available July 2, 1993), or similar no-action or interpretive letters and must
comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction, unless an
exemption from registration is otherwise available. Each broker-dealer that
receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old
Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market making or other
trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
     It is expected that the New Notes will be freely transferable by the
holders thereof, subject to the limitations described in the immediately
preceding paragraph. Sales of New Notes acquired in the Exchange Offers by
holders who are "affiliates" of the Issuer within the meaning of the Securities
Act will be subject to certain limitations on resale under Rule 144 of the
Securities Act (if applicable). Such persons will only be entitled to sell New
Notes in compliance with the volume limitations set forth in Rule 144, and sales
of New Notes by affiliates will be subject to certain Rule 144 requirements as
to the manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public information
regarding the Issuer. The foregoing is a summary only of Rule 144 as it may
apply to affiliates of the Issuer. Any such persons must consult their own legal
counsel for advice as to any restrictions that might apply to the resale of
their New Notes.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     There will be no cash proceeds payable to the Company from the issuance of
the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers.
 
     The Exchange Offers are intended to satisfy certain of the Company's
obligations under the 1997 Notes Registration Rights Agreement and the 1998
Notes Registration Rights Agreement. In consideration for issuing the New Notes
as contemplated in this Prospectus, the Issuer will receive in exchange Old
Notes in like principal amount, the form and terms of which are the same in all
material respects as the form and terms of the New Notes except that the New
Notes will be registered under the Securities Act and hence do not include
certain rights to registration thereunder. The Old Notes surrendered in exchange
for New Notes will
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   37
 
be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, issuance of the New
Notes will not result in any increase in the indebtedness of the Company.
 
     Net proceeds from the Initial 1997 Notes Offering (after deducting the
Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers' discount and expenses payable by the Issuer) were
approximately $144.8 million. Approximately $46.6 million of such net proceeds
were deposited in an escrow account for the benefit of the holders of the Old
1997 Notes to fund when due the first five scheduled interest payments on the
Old 1997 Notes. Amounts on deposit in the escrow account are held in cash or
used to purchase U.S. Government Securities, and, upon consummation of the
applicable Exchange Offer, will continue to be held for the benefit of the
holders of the New 1997 Notes to fund the remaining scheduled interest payments
on the New Notes through December 15, 1999. The balance of the net proceeds from
the Initial 1997 Notes Offering have been and continue to be used to further the
Company's ISP acquisition and investment strategy, to continue the development
and implementation of the national backbone, customer care center, network
operations center and billing and accounting services, and to support the
Company's general working capital purposes. Pending application of the proceeds
as described above, the Company has invested the net proceeds of the issuance of
the Old 1997 Notes in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.
 
     Net proceeds from the Initial 1998 Notes Offering (after deducting the
Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers' discount and expenses payable by the Issuer) were
approximately $169.8 million. The net proceeds from the Initial 1998 Notes
Offering have been and continue to be used to further the Company's ISP
acquisition and investment strategy, to continue the development and
implementation of the national backbone, customer care center, network
operations center and billing and accounting services, and to support the
Company's general working capital purposes. Pending application of the proceeds
as described above, the Company has invested the net proceeds of the issuance of
the Old 1998 Notes in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
   
     The Company has never declared or paid any dividends on its Common Stock
and does not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company's
current policy is to retain all of its earnings to finance future growth and
acquisitions. Furthermore, the terms of the 1997 Indenture, the 1998 Indenture
and the Bank Facility place limitations on the Company's ability to pay
dividends. Future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of the Company's
Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company's
operations, capital requirements and surplus, general financial condition,
contractual restrictions and such other factors as the Board of Directors may
deem relevant. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations."
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   38
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
   
                             (Amounts in Thousands)
    
 
   
     The following table sets forth at March 31, 1998 (i) the actual
capitalization of the Company and (ii) the pro forma capitalization adjusted for
the Completed Acquisitions and Buyouts, the conversion of all the outstanding
Preferred Stock into Common Stock upon the completion of the IPO, and proceeds
from the IPO and the NTT Investment. This table should be read in conjunction
with the Selected Consolidated Financial Data, the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Combined Financial Statements and the Historical Consolidated Financial
Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   MARCH 31, 1998
                                                              -------------------------
                                                              HISTORICAL   PRO FORMA(1)
                                                              ----------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Cash and cash equivalents...................................   $160,396      $349,171
Restricted cash and securities..............................     27,213        27,213
                                                               ========      ========
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current
  portions..................................................    271,952       273,303
                                                               --------      --------
Redeemable preferred stock(2):
  Series A, par value $0.001 per share; 6,100,000 shares
     authorized; 6,033,333 shares outstanding...............     18,082            --
  Series B, par value $0.001 per share; 10,117,000 shares
     authorized; 10,028,334 shares outstanding..............     59,255            --
  Series C, par value $0.001 per share; 2,500,000 shares
     authorized and outstanding.............................     19,978            --
                                                               --------      --------
                                                                 97,315            --
                                                               --------      --------
Stockholders equity (deficit):
  Preferred stock, Series D-1, par value $0.001 per share;
     3,000,000 shares authorized; 1,684,751 shares
     outstanding(2).........................................     25,271            --
  Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 35,133,000
     shares authorized; 1,294,233 shares outstanding
     historical; 32,233,777 shares pro forma; and additional
     paid in capital(3).....................................      3,666       351,294
  Warrants..................................................     12,675        12,675
  Accumulated deficit.......................................    (79,857)      (79,857)
                                                               --------      --------
          Total stockholders' equity (deficit)..............    (38,245)      284,112
                                                               --------      --------
          Total capitalization..............................   $331,022      $557,415
                                                               ========      ========
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
   
(1) Pro forma for (i) the Completed Acquisitions as if they had occurred on
    March 31, 1998, (ii) the conversion of the Preferred Stock into Common Stock
    upon completion of the IPO, (iii) 699,249 shares of Series D-1 Preferred
    Stock that as of March 31, 1998 were proposed and assumed to be issued in
    connection with the Buyouts completed subsequent to March 31, 1998 as if
    they had occurred on March 31, 1998, (iv) the sale of 5,500,000 shares of
    Common Stock in the IPO for net proceeds of approximately $117.0 million
    after deducting the Underwriter's discounts and commissions and estimated
    expenses, and (v) the sale of 4,493,877 shares of Common Stock to NTT for
    approximately $100.0 million concurrently with the IPO. See "Unaudited Pro
    Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements."
    
 
   
(2) All of the shares of the Company's Preferred Stock are convertible into
    Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to certain anti-dilution
    adjustments. The shares of Series A, B and C Preferred Stock are subject to
    mandatory redemption beginning on October 10, 2004, and are subject to
    mandatory conversion into Common Stock upon consummation of the IPO.
    
 
   
(3) Includes 701,098 shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock that as of March 31,
    1998 were proposed and assumed to be issued in connection with the Buyouts,
    all of which have been assumed to have been converted to Common Stock for
    pro forma purposes. Does not include approximately 3,490,403 shares of
    Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding stock options, or
    2,112,480 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding
    warrants as of March 31, 1998.
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   39
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
   
                   (Amounts in Thousands, Except Share Data)
    
 
   
     The selected historical consolidated financial data as of December 31,
1996, 1997, and March 31, 1998 and for the period from inception (March 1, 1996)
to December 31, 1996, the year ended December 31, 1997 and for the three months
ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 have been derived from the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    
 
   
     The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements and the historical
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. Results of operations for the year ended December
31, 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1998 are not necessarily
indicative of results of operations for future periods. The Company's
development and expansion activities, including acquisitions, during the periods
shown below significantly affect the comparability of this data from one period
to another. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      
                                      
                                      PERIOD FROM                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
                                       INCEPTION               YEAR ENDED            ---------------------------------------
                                    (MARCH 1, 1996)        DECEMBER 31, 1997              HISTORICAL         PRO FORMA(1)(2)
                                    TO DECEMBER 31,   ----------------------------   ---------------------   ---------------
                                         1996         HISTORICAL   PRO FORMA(1)(2)     1997        1998           1998
                                    ---------------   ----------   ---------------   ---------   ---------   ---------------
<S>                                 <C>               <C>          <C>               <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue:
  Dedicated connectivity..........      $ 1,100       $  16,383      $   46,330      $   1,954   $   9,900     $   12,234
  Dial-up connectivity............        1,139           7,093          16,725          1,106       4,147          6,202
  Enhanced services and other.....          126          12,216          25,210          1,354       7,151          8,430
                                        -------       ---------      ----------      ---------   ---------     ----------
        Total revenue.............        2,365          35,692          88,265          4,414      21,198         26,866
Costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating
    costs.........................          974          15,974          38,145          2,042       9,536         11,520
  Selling, general and
    administrative and other......        7,002          49,383          82,070          6,718      19,999         23,518
  Depreciation and amortization...          669          10,624          25,911          1,246       6,381          7,992
                                        -------       ---------      ----------      ---------   ---------     ----------
    Total costs and expenses......        8,645          75,981         146,126         10,006      35,916         43,030
                                        -------       ---------      ----------      ---------   ---------     ----------
    Loss from operations..........       (6,280)        (40,289)        (57,861)        (5,592)    (14,718)       (16,164)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income.................          593           6,080           6,147            714       1,650          1,657
  Interest expense................         (115)        (11,826)        (12,417)          (121)     (5,551)        (5,596)
  Equity in losses of
    affiliates....................           --          (1,958)             --             --          --             --
Minority interests................          680           1,924              --            388         402             99
                                        -------       ---------      ----------      ---------   ---------     ----------
        Loss before extraordinary
          item....................       (5,122)        (46,069)     $  (64,131)        (4,611)    (18,217)    $  (20,004)
                                                                     ==========                                ==========
Extraordinary item -- loss related
  to debt repurchase..............           --              --                             --     (10,101)
        Net loss..................       (5,122)        (46,069)                        (4,611)    (28,318)
Accretion of preferred stock to
  liquidation value...............          (23)           (260)                           (66)        (65)
                                        -------       ---------                      ---------   ---------
        Net loss attributable to
          common stockholders.....      $(5,145)      $ (46,329)                     $  (4,677)  $ (28,383)
                                        =======       =========                      =========   =========
Loss per common share -- basic and
  diluted(3):
    Loss per common share before
      extraordinary item..........      $ (5.29)      $  (40.47)     $    (2.00)     $   (4.29)  $  (14.45)    $     (.62)
                                        =======       =========      ==========      =========   =========     ==========
    Loss per common share.........      $ (5.29)      $  (40.47)                     $   (4.29)  $  (22.44)
                                        =======       =========                      =========   =========
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding -- basic and
  diluted.........................      971,748       1,144,685      32,084,229      1,090,000   1,264,852     32,204,396
                                        =======       =========      ==========      =========   =========     ==========
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(4).........................      $(5,611)      $ (29,665)     $  (31,950)     $  (4,346)  $  (8,337)    $   (8,172)
Capital expenditures(5)...........        3,430          14,547                         (2,987)     (3,820)
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(6)......................           --              --              --             --          --             --
Cash flows information:
  Net cash used by operating
    activities....................       (2,326)        (35,323)                        (9,882)    (14,806)
  Net cash used by investing
    activities....................       (9,123)       (120,330)                       (22,145)     (9,696)
  Net cash provided (used) by
    financing activities..........       77,916         161,772                           (794)    112,312
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   40
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         AS OF
                                                      DECEMBER 31,        AS OF MARCH 31, 1998
                                                   ------------------   -------------------------
                                                    1996       1997     HISTORICAL   PRO FORMA(1)
                                                   -------   --------   ----------   ------------
<S>                                                <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents........................  $66,467   $ 72,586    $160,396      $349,171
Restricted cash and securities...................       --     40,554      27,213        27,213
Goodwill, net....................................    8,736     83,216     113,567       149,094
Total assets.....................................   82,628    246,471     359,785       587,928
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net
  of discount....................................      106    142,321     271,952       273,303
Redeemable preferred stock.......................   76,877     97,249      97,315            --
Stockholders' equity (deficit)...................   (4,055)   (27,001)    (38,245)      284,112
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
   
(1) Pro forma for the Completed Acquisitions (as defined in the Company's
    Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements) as if they had
    occurred on March 31, 1998 for balance sheet purposes and on January 1, 1997
    for statement of operations data purposes, for the conversion of the
    Preferred Stock into Common Stock upon completion of the IPO, and for the
    sale of Common Stock in the IPO and the NTT Investment. See "Unaudited Pro
    Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements."
    
 
   
(2) Pro forma interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs,
    assuming that the Old 1998 Notes had been issued on January 1, 1997 and
    after giving effect to the Refinancing, totaled $27.5 million for the year
    ended December 31, 1997.
    
 
   
(3) The Company paid no cash dividends on its Common Stock during the period
    from inception (March 1, 1996) to December 31, 1996, the year ended December
    31, 1997, and the three months ended March 31, 1998.
    
 
(4) EBITDA represents earnings (loss) from operations before interest, taxes,
    depreciation, amortization and provision for loss on write-offs of
    investments in ISPs and fixed assets. The primary measure of operating
    performance is net earnings (loss). Although EBITDA is a measure commonly
    used in the Company's industry, it should not be construed as an alternative
    to net earnings (loss), determined in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles ("GAAP"), as an indicator of operating performance or
    as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities, determined in
    accordance with GAAP. In addition, the measure of EBITDA presented herein by
    the Company may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of
    other companies.
 
(5) Excludes equipment and leasehold improvements acquired in business
    acquisitions.
 
   
(6) For the period ended December 31, 1996, the year ended December 31, 1997 and
    the three-month periods ended March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998, earnings
    were insufficient to cover combined fixed charges by $5.8 million, $48.0
    million, $5.0 million and $18.6 million, respectively. On a pro forma basis,
    giving effect to the completed and proposed acquisitions and Buyouts,
    earnings would have been insufficient to cover combined fixed charges by
    $64.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 and $20.1 million for the
    three months ended March 31, 1998. Combined fixed charges consist of
    interest expense and that portion of rent expense the Company believes to be
    representative of interest (i.e., one third of rent expense), adjusted for
    minority interests.
    
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   41
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following discussion and analysis is based on the historical and pro
forma results of the Company and includes a number of ISPs acquired at various
times. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements" for the
basis of presentation and those business acquisitions included therein.
Investments in ISP affiliates in which Verio acquires a minority interest are
accounted for at cost. Investments in ISP affiliates in which Verio acquires a
majority interest through the acquisition of net assets, common stock or
convertible preferred stock, and exercises significant control over the
operations are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and,
accordingly, the financial results of these ISPs have been consolidated with
those of the Company. Certain statements set forth below constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Reform Act. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. See
"Risk Factors -- Forward-Looking Statements."
 
OVERVIEW
 
   
     Verio is a leading national provider of Internet connectivity and enhanced
Internet services to small and medium sized businesses. Since its inception in
March 1996, the Company has rapidly established a national presence through the
acquisition, integration, and growth of local Internet service providers
("ISPs") with a business customer focus. Verio believes that small and medium
sized businesses represent an attractive target market for the provision of
Internet services due to this market's low current penetration levels and
customer churn, and the expanding Internet needs of these businesses. The
Company believes it has a unique competitive advantage in serving small and
medium sized business customers through the combination of the technical
competency, hands-on support and entrepreneurial culture of locally based ISPs
with the quality and economic efficiency of Verio's national network,
operational infrastructure and financial strength. Verio has quickly built
critical mass by acquiring the stock or assets of, or making significant
investments in, over 35 ISPs that provide a comprehensive range of Internet
connectivity and enhanced products and services to over 175,000 customer
accounts in 37 of the top 50 MSAs in the country. Verio and its consolidated
subsidiaries had total revenue of approximately $21.2 million for the
three-month period ended March 31, 1998. With the seven additional ISPs acquired
and three Buyouts completed since that date, Verio's combined revenue for that
same three-month period was approximately $29.8 million. Combined revenue
includes the revenue of all of the ISPs that were owned 51% or more on or before
July 7, 1998.
    
 
   
     Initially, Verio's strategy was to acquire 51% to 100% of a large regional
ISP, and a minority interest in smaller ISPs within designated geographic
regions. Verio now generally seeks to acquire 100% of new ISPs, and has brought
its ownership interest in all but two of its existing ISPs to 100%, in
conjunction with its effort to integrate the operations and consolidate the
ownership of its ISPs in each region. This includes the consolidation and
integration of management teams, network operations and marketing efforts within
each particular region. While some one-time costs are incurred in these
consolidation efforts, Verio believes that the combined organizations will be
able to increase revenue faster and more cost effectively. In addition, 100%
ownership facilitates the introduction of the Verio brand name, a suite of
nationwide product offerings, and the transition of all ISPs onto Verio's
national network and financial systems.
    
 
   
     In conjunction with the consolidation of its regional operations, as of
March 31, 1998, the Company had completed the acquisition of all the remaining
equity ("Buyout") of all but four of its initially non-wholly owned ISPs. As of
July 7, 1998, the Company has completed three additional Buyouts (Structured
Network Systems, Inc., Compute Intensive Inc., and Internet Online,Inc.) and has
the right to effect the Buyout of the one remaining ISP in which it did not
initially acquire 100% ownership (Verio Rocky Mountain, Inc., in which the
Company currently holds a 69% equity position). From January 1, 1998 through
July 7, 1998, Verio incurred costs of approximately $48.0 million, in the
aggregate, in connection with the Buyouts and approximately $74.3 million for
acquisitions (not including certain contingent purchase price payments that
    
                                       34
<PAGE>   42
 
   
may become payable in connection with the TABNet acquisition), which were paid
with a combination of cash, shares of Verio stock and options to acquire stock.
As a result of its acquisitions, and the limited amount of fixed assets required
to operate an ISP, Verio has recorded significant amounts of goodwill, and
expects goodwill to increase significantly during 1998.
    
 
   
     To fund its acquisitions and operations, through March 31, 1998 Verio had
raised approximately $100.0 million of equity capital primarily from venture
capital funds and Brooks. It also issued $150.0 million principal amount of
13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2004 ("the Old 1997 Notes") to a group of institutional
investors and Brooks, $100.0 million of which remain outstanding following the
repurchase of $50.0 million principal amount of the Old 1997 Notes previously
held by Brooks (the "Refinancing"). On March 25, 1998, the Company consummated
the sale of $175.0 million principal amount of 10 3/8% Senior Notes Due 2005
("the Old 1998 Notes"), a portion of the proceeds of which was used to effect
the Refinancing. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources". On May 15, 1998, the
Company consummated its initial public offering (the "IPO") of 5,500,000 shares
of the Company's Common Stock for net proceeds of approximately $117.0 million
after deduction of the underwriting discounts, commissions and expenses of the
IPO. Concurrently with the consummation of the IPO, the Company completed the
sale of 4,493,877 shares of its Common Stock to an affiliate of Nippon Telegraph
and Telephone Corporation ("NTT") for proceeds of approximately $100.0 million.
    
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  REVENUE
 
   
     The Company derives the majority of its revenues from business customers
who purchase Internet connections and enhanced services such as Web hosting.
Verio's ISP affiliates offer a broad range of connectivity options to their
customers including dedicated, dial-up, ISDN, frame relay and point-to-point
connections. Dedicated customers typically sign a contract for one to three
years of service that provides for fixed, recurring monthly service charges, and
pay a one-time setup fee. These charges vary depending on the type of service,
the length of the contract, and local market conditions. Dial-up customers also
typically pay a one-time setup fee and recurring monthly service charges. Fees
and service charges for enhanced services vary from product to product. For
example, Web hosting customers pay a one-time setup fee and fixed monthly
service charges that vary depending on the amount of disk space and bandwidth
required. Additional sources of revenue include e-commerce, virtual private
networks, security services, co-location services, consulting and the sales of
equipment and customer circuits. Revenues related to Internet connectivity and
enhanced services is recognized as the services are provided. Amounts billed
relating to future periods are recorded as deferred revenue and amortized
monthly as services are rendered.
    
 
   
     Currently, connectivity services provide a majority of total revenues.
However, revenues from enhanced services, especially Web hosting, are expected
to represent an increasing percentage of total revenues in future periods.
Revenue from business customers currently represents more than 80% of total
revenues and is projected to increase as a percent of total revenues. In
addition to the growth that the Company is achieving through acquisitions,
revenues are also expected to increase due to the internal growth of
consolidated ISPs.
    
 
  Period from Inception to December 31, 1996 compared to the Year Ended December
31, 1997
 
   
     Total consolidated revenues were $2.4 million for the period from inception
(March 1, 1996) to December 31, 1996 (the "1996 Period"), compared to $35.7
million for the year ended December 31, 1997. Internet connectivity represented
95% and 66% of total revenue for the 1996 Period and the year ended December 31,
1997, respectively, with the balance derived from enhanced services and other,
which include Web hosting, consulting, sales of equipment and customer circuits.
The increase in enhanced services and other revenues as a percentage of total
revenues is because of a change in the revenue mix resulting from acquisitions
and increased sales of enhanced services. The increase in dedicated and dial-up
revenues and enhanced services and other revenues for the 1996 Period compared
to the year ended December 31, 1997 was primarily due to the acquisitions of
ISPs subsequent to December 31, 1996 and the longer period covered. Revenues
attributable to acquisitions completed in 1996 accounted for $2.4 million or
100% of total revenues
    
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   43
 
   
for the 1996 Period. Of these acquisitions, revenues from material acquisitions
were $1.8 million from On-Ramp Technologies, Inc. and $.5 million from RAINet,
Inc. Revenues attributable to material acquisitions completed in 1997 accounted
for $23.8 million or 67% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997.
Of these acquisitions, revenues from material acquisitions were $7.7 million
from NorthWestNet, Inc. ($4.4 million in connectivity revenue and $3.3 million
in enhanced services and other revenue), and $3.6 million from Global Enterprise
Services ($2.3 million in connectivity revenue and $1.3 million in enhanced
services and other revenue). Revenues attributable to ISPs consolidated for the
entire year were 31% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997.
    
 
     Three ISPs were included in the consolidated financial statements at
December 31, 1996. Twenty-two ISPs were included in the consolidated financial
statements at December 31, 1997, three of which were included in the
consolidated financial statements for the entire year ended December 31, 1997.
 
   
 Three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to the three months ended March 31,
 1998
    
 
   
     Total consolidated revenue increased 380% from $4.4 million for the three
months ended March 31, 1997, to $21.2 million for the three months ended March
31, 1998. Internet connectivity represented 69% and 66% of total revenue for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1998,
respectively, with the balance derived from enhanced services and other, which
include Web hosting, consulting, sales of equipment and customer circuits. The
increase in enhanced services and other revenue as a percentage of total revenue
is due to acquisitions and increased sales of enhanced services. The increase in
dedicated and dial-up revenue and enhanced services and other revenue for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 compared to the three months ended March 31,
1997 was primarily due to the acquisitions of ISPs subsequent to March 31, 1997.
Revenue from the three ISPs consolidated for the entire three months ended March
31, 1997 and 1998 increased $1.2 million or 54% quarter over quarter. Revenue
attributable to acquisitions completed subsequent to March 31, 1997 accounted
for $11.0 million or 52% of total revenue for the three months ended March 31,
1998. Of these acquisitions, revenue from material acquisitions for the three
months ended March 31, 1998 were $1.5 million from Clark Internet Services,
Inc., $1.4 million from Internet Servers, Inc. and $1.1 million from Communique,
Inc.
    
 
   
  COSTS OF SERVICE AND OPERATING EXPENSES
    
 
   
     Internet services operating costs consist primarily of local
telecommunication expense, Internet access expense and the cost of equipment and
customer circuits sold. Local telecommunications expense represents the cost of
transporting data between the Company's Points of Presence ("POPs") and a
transit provider, or various Internet access points. Internet access expense
includes the cost incurred by the Company to transport its Internet traffic and
for its national network. In some instances the Company also will pay for the
local telecommunications line(s) from the customer's location to one of the
POPs. As of March 31, 1998, 25 ISP affiliates were utilizing the Verio national
network for their Internet access and paying Verio for these network services
based on their bandwidth requirements. The Company has signed a long-term long
haul capacity agreement with Qwest Communications Corporation ("Qwest") (the
"Capacity Agreement") in order to reduce the per unit costs of such services.
There will not be a significant effect on the results for 1998 from this
agreement due to the time required to convert from existing circuits; however,
the Company expects that the pricing advantages provided by this agreement will
substantially reduce the cost of these services in future years. Additionally,
the Company has the right to fund its minimum commitment, which would allow the
capitalization of costs (to the extent prepaid) under this contract. Such
capitalized costs would be amortized to operations over the term of the
agreement. The amount of the prepayment currently would be approximately $60.0
million.
    
 
   
     Selling, general and administrative and other expenses consist primarily of
salaries and related employment expenses, consulting, travel and entertainment,
rent, and utilities. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of
the assets ranging from 3 to 5 years using the straight-line method. The excess
of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired, or goodwill, is amortized
using the straight-line method over a ten-year period.
    
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   44
 
  Period from Inception to December 31, 1996 compared to the Year Ended December
31, 1997
 
   
     Internet services operating costs were 41% and 45% of total revenues for
the 1996 Period and the year ended December 31, 1997, respectively. Internet
services operating costs attributable to acquisitions completed in 1996
accounted for $.7 million, or 69%, of total Internet services operating costs
for the 1996 Period. Of these acquisitions, the costs from material acquisitions
were $.4 million from On-Ramp Technologies, Inc. and $.2 million from RAINet,
Inc. Internet services operating costs attributable to acquisitions completed in
1997 accounted for $8.3 million, or 52%, of total Internet services operating
costs for the year ended December 31, 1997. Of these acquisitions, the costs
from material acquisitions were $2.5 million from Global Enterprise Services,
$1.2 million from NorthWestNet, Inc. and $1.1 million from Compute Intensive
Inc. Internet services operating costs attributable to ISPs consolidated for the
entire year were 26% of total Internet services operating costs for the year
ended December 31, 1997. Internet services operating costs attributable to
corporate were 33% of total Internet services operating costs for the 1996
Period, compared to 22% of total Internet services operating costs for the year
ended December 31, 1997. This decrease is primarily the result of acquisitions
in late 1997 that had not yet converted to Verio's national network. The Company
expects Internet services operating costs to increase in absolute dollars but to
decrease as a percentage of total revenues over time as additional ISP
affiliates are added onto Verio's national network, as enhanced services become
a larger percentage of total revenues, and as the Capacity Agreement (as
defined) with Qwest is implemented.
    
 
   
     Selling, general and administrative and other expenses were 296% and 138%
of revenues for the 1996 Period and the year ended December 31, 1997,
respectively. Selling, general and administrative and other expenses
attributable to acquisitions completed in 1996 accounted for $3.1 million or 44%
of total selling, general and administrative and other expenses for the 1996
Period. Corporate expenses accounted for 56% of total selling, general and
administrative and other expenses for the 1996 Period. Selling, general and
administrative and other expenses attributable to acquisitions completed in 1997
accounted for $19.7 million or 40% of total selling, general and administrative
and other expenses for the year ended December 31, 1997. Of these acquisitions,
the expenses from material acquisitions were $4.9 million from NorthWestNet,
Inc., $4.3 million from Compute Intensive Inc., and $3.2 million from Global
Enterprise Services. Selling, general and administrative and other expenses
attributable to ISPs consolidated for the entire year, and to corporate
expenses, were 22% and 38% of total selling, general and administrative and
other expenses for the year ended December 31, 1997, respectively. For the 1996
Period, selling, general and administrative and other expenses relating to
operations, engineering and customer care were 63% of total selling, general and
administrative and other expenses compared to 66% for the year ended December
31, 1997, as a result of the Company's decision to emphasize the quality of its
engineering and technical support for its customers. Sales and marketing
expenses were 23% of total selling, general and administrative and other
expenses compared to 17% for the 1996 Period, primarily as a result of the
Company's hiring and training of additional sales personnel during the year
ended December 31, 1997. Executive and finance expenses were 12% of total
selling, general and administrative and other expenses compared to 20% for the
1996 Period.
    
 
     The Company expects selling, general and administrative expenses to
continue to increase in absolute dollars but to decrease as a percentage of
total revenues as the Company acquires additional ISPs, allowing it to spread
its corporate overhead over a larger revenue base, as its scaleable systems
reduce the incremental costs of additional revenues, as sales force productivity
increases with experience, and as indirect selling channels are expanded. The
anticipated increases in absolute dollar terms will be primarily due to
increased personnel resulting from acquisitions, and additional expenditures in
sales and marketing. Depreciation and goodwill amortization are expected to
continue to increase significantly as a result of the Company's acquisition and
investment strategies. Also, the Company will continue to have non-recurring
expenses related to its strategy of acquiring and regionalizing groups of ISPs.
 
     Three ISPs were included in the consolidated financial statements at
December 31, 1996. Twenty-two ISPs were included in the consolidated financial
statements at December 31, 1997, three of which were included in the
consolidated financial statements for the entire year ended December 31, 1997.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   45
 
   
 Three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to the three months ended March 31,
 1998
    
 
   
     Internet services operating costs were 46% and 45% of total revenue for the
three months ended March 31, 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1998,
respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 1998, total consolidated
Internet services operating costs increased $7.5 million or 367% compared to the
three months ended March 31, 1997 primarily due to the acquisitions of ISPs
subsequent to March 31, 1997. Internet services operating costs from the three
ISPs consolidated for the entire three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998
increased $.4 million or 57% quarter over quarter. Internet services operating
costs attributable to acquisitions completed subsequent to March 31, 1997
accounted for $4.1 million, or 43% of total Internet services operating costs
for the three months ended March 31, 1998. Of these acquisitions, the costs from
material acquisitions for the three months ended March 31, 1998 were $0.6
million from Global Internet Network Services, Inc., $0.5 million each from both
Clark Internet Services, Inc. and ATMnet. Internet services operating costs
attributable to corporate functions were 26% of total Internet services
operating costs for the three months ended March 31, 1997, compared to 21% of
total Internet services operating costs for the three months ended March 31,
1998. This decrease is primarily due to recent acquisitions that have not yet
converted to Verio's national network. The Company expects Internet services
operating costs to increase in absolute dollars but to decrease as a percentage
of total revenue over time as additional ISP affiliates are integrated onto
Verio's national network, as enhanced services become a larger percentage of
total revenue, and as the Capacity Agreement (as defined) with Qwest is
implemented.
    
 
   
     Selling, general and administrative and other expenses were 152% and 94% of
revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and the three months ended
March 31, 1998, respectively. Total selling, general and administrative and
other expenses increased $13.3 million or 198% for the three months ended March
31, 1998 compared to the three months ended March 31, 1997 primarily due to
acquisitions completed subsequent to March 31, 1997. Selling, general and
administrative and other expenses attributable to acquisitions completed
subsequent to March 31, 1997 accounted for $7.0 million or 35% of total selling,
general and administrative and other expenses for the three months ended March
31, 1998. Of these acquisitions, the expenses from material acquisitions were
$1.1 million from Clark Internet Services, Inc., $0.6 million from Communique,
Inc., and $0.5 million from Internet Servers, Inc. Corporate expenses accounted
for 31% of total selling, general and administrative and other expenses for the
three months ended March 31, 1998 compared to 43% for the three months ended
March 31, 1997. Sales and marketing expenses were 25% of total selling, general
and administrative and other expenses for the three months ended March 31, 1998
compared to 18% for the three months ended March 31, 1997, primarily as a result
of the Company's hiring and training of additional sales personnel.
    
 
   
     The Company expects selling, general and administrative expenses to
continue to increase in absolute dollars but to decrease as a percentage of
total revenue as the Company acquires additional ISPs, allowing it to spread its
corporate overhead over a larger revenue base, as its scaleable systems reduce
the incremental costs of additional revenue, as sales force productivity
increases with experience, and as indirect selling channels are expanded. The
anticipated increases in absolute dollar terms will be primarily due to
increased personnel resulting from acquisitions and additional expenditures in
sales and marketing. Depreciation and goodwill amortization are expected to
continue to increase significantly as a result of the Company's acquisition and
investment strategies. Also, the Company will continue to have non-recurring
expenses related to its strategy of acquiring and regionalizing groups of ISPs.
    
 
  OTHER EXPENSES
 
   
 Period from inception to December 31, 1996 compared to the Year Ended December
 31, 1997
    
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company recognized equity in
losses of affiliates in the amount of $1,958,000, representing losses of those
affiliates in excess of the equity of the common shareholders of the affiliates.
See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.
 
     Interest expense increased from $115,000 in the 1996 Period to $11.8
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 primarily as a result of the
completion of the $150.0 million placement of the Old 1997
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   46
 
Notes on June 24, 1997. Interest expense is expected to increase in 1998,
reflecting a full year's interest on the 1997 Notes that remain outstanding and
interest on the 1998 Notes.
 
   
 Three months ended March 31, 1997 compared to the three months ended March 31,
 1998
    
 
   
     Interest expense increased from $0.1 million for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 to $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998,
primarily as a result of the completion of the $150.0 million placement of the
1997 Notes on June 24, 1997. Interest expense is expected to increase in 1998
primarily due to the issuance of the Company's 1998 Notes in March 1998.
    
 
   
     The Company incurred an extraordinary expense of $10.1 million related to
the Refinancing. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources".
    
 
  INCOME TAXES
 
     As of December 31, 1997, the Company had a net operating loss carryforward
for federal income tax purposes of approximately $49.9 million which is
available to offset future federal taxable income, if any, through 2011. The
utilization of a portion of the net operating loss carryforwards may be limited
under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. No tax benefit for such losses
has been recorded by the Company in 1996 or 1997 due to uncertainties regarding
the utilization of the loss carryforward.
 
   
  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
    
 
   
     As discussed in Note 1(j) to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the
Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plans in accordance with
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and Related Interpretations. Since inception, the Company has granted
stock options with exercise prices equal to the fair value of the underlying
Common Stock, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors and based on the
Company's other equity transactions. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded
compensation expense related to the granting of stock options in 1996, 1997 and
through February 28, 1998. Subsequent to February 28, 1998, the Company granted
options to employees with exercise prices less than the fair value per share
based upon the Company's estimated price per share in the IPO. Accordingly the
Company will record compensation expense totaling approximately $10.6 million.
Such compensation expense will be recognized pro rata over the forty-eight month
vesting period of the options. This compensation expense will total
approximately $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. It is the
intention of the Company to generally grant future stock options with exercise
prices equal to the fair value of the underlying Common Stock at the date of
grant.
    
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   47
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                       MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,   MARCH 31,
                                         1997        1997         1997            1997         1998
                                       ---------   --------   -------------   ------------   ---------
                                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>         <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Revenue:
  Dedicated connectivity.............   $ 1,954    $ 3,852      $  4,314        $  6,263     $  9,900
  Dial-up connectivity...............     1,106      1,564         1,644           2,779        4,147
  Enhanced services and other........     1,354      2,833         3,666           4,363        7,151
                                        -------    -------      --------        --------     --------
          Total revenue..............     4,414      8,249         9,624          13,405       21,198
Costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating
     costs...........................     2,042      3,433         4,029           6,470        9,536
  Selling, general and administrative
     and other.......................     6,718     11,122        13,393          18,150       19,999
  Depreciation and amortization......     1,246      2,548         2,943           3,887        6,381
                                        -------    -------      --------        --------     --------
     Total costs and expenses........    10,006     17,103        20,365          28,507       35,916
                                        -------    -------      --------        --------     --------
     Loss from operations............   $(5,592)   $(8,854)     $(10,741)       $(15,102)    $(14,718)
                                        =======    =======      ========        ========     ========
EBITDA...............................   $(4,346)   $(6,306)     $ (7,798)       $(11,215)    $ (8,337)
                                        =======    =======      ========        ========     ========
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                       ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                       MARCH 31,   JUNE 30,   SEPTEMBER 30,   DECEMBER 31,   MARCH 31,
                                         1997        1997         1997            1997         1998
                                       ---------   --------   -------------   ------------   ---------
                                                     (AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUE)
<S>                                    <C>         <C>        <C>             <C>            <C>
Total revenue........................      100%       100%          100%            100%         100%
Costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating
     costs...........................       46%        42%           42%             48%          45%
  Selling, general and administrative
     and other.......................      152%       135%          139%            135%          94%
  Depreciation and amortization......       28%        31%           31%             29%          30%
     Total costs and expenses........      227%       207%          212%            213%         169%
     Loss from operations............     (127%)     (107%)        (112%)          (113%)        (69%)
 
EBITDA...............................      (98%)      (76%)         (81%)           (84%)        (39%)
</TABLE>
    
 
     The Company's operating results have fluctuated in the past and may in the
future fluctuate significantly depending upon a variety of factors, including
the incurrence of capital costs and costs associated with the Buyouts and the
introduction of value-added enhanced services and new services by the Company.
Additional factors that may contribute to variability of operating results
include: the pricing and mix of services offered by the Company; customer
retention rate; changes in pricing policies and product offerings by the
Company's competitors; growth in demand for network and Internet access
services; one-time costs associated with regional consolidation; and general
telecommunications services' performance and availability. The Company also has
experienced seasonal variation in Internet use and, therefore, revenue streams
may fluctuate accordingly. As a result, variations in the timing and amounts of
revenues could have a material adverse effect on the Company's quarterly
operating results. Due to the foregoing factors, the Company believes that
period-to-period comparisons of its operating results are not necessarily
meaningful and that such comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of
future performance.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   48
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     The Company's business and acquisition strategy has required and will
continue to require substantial capital for investments in ISPs, capital
expenditures for expansion of services, operating losses and working capital.
 
     Net cash used by operating activities was $35.3 million during the year
ended December 31, 1997, which includes a decrease of $.1 million in working
capital. Net cash used by investing activities was $120.3 million during the
year ended December 31, 1997, which includes the investment of restricted cash
totalling $46.6 million from the proceeds of the Old 1997 Notes, and
approximately $64.0 million for acquisitions. Net cash provided by financing
activities was $161.8 million during the year ended December 31, 1997, primarily
from the sale of 2,500,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock for gross proceeds
of approximately $20.0 million and issuance of the Old 1997 Notes for gross
proceeds of approximately $150.0 million.
 
   
     Net cash used by operating activities was $14.8 million during the three
months ended March 31, 1998, which includes a decrease in cash of $2.6 million
related to working capital. Net cash used by investing activities was $9.7
million during the three months ended March 31, 1998, primarily related to
purchases of fixed assets of $3.8 million and approximately $18.8 million for
acquisitions offset by $13.3 million provided from the return of the restricted
cash related to the Refinancing. Net cash provided by financing activities was
$112.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 1998, primarily from the
proceeds of the 1998 Notes of $170.2 million after expenses offset by the
Refinancing.
    
 
   
     Until the completion of the IPO in May 1998, the Company financed its
operations primarily through the private sale of Preferred Stock and debt and,
to a lesser extent, Common Stock. In 1996, the Company raised approximately
$79.2 million (gross) through the issuance of Common Stock, Series A Preferred
Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. In June 1996, the Company sold 6,033,333
shares of Series A Preferred Stock and in December 1996, the Company sold
10,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of
approximately $18.1 million and approximately $60.0 million, respectively.
During the course of 1996, 1,090,000 shares of Common Stock were sold for gross
proceeds of approximately $1.1 million. In 1997, an additional 164,533 shares of
Common Stock were issued for approximately $508,000. In May 1997, the Company
completed the sale of 2,500,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock for gross
proceeds of approximately $20.0 million. In December 1997, the Company issued
680,000 shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock to fund a portion of the
acquisition cost of one ISP. Subsequent to December 31, 1997, the Company issued
an additional 1,534,513 shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock in connection with
acquisitions and Buyouts. Upon consummation of the Company's IPO on May 15,
1998, all outstanding shares of Series A, B, C and D-1 Preferred Stock
automatically converted to an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock.
    
 
     On June 24, 1997, the Company completed the placement of $150.0 million
principal amount of the Old 1997 Notes and attached warrants (the "Warrants").
One hundred fifty thousand units were issued, each consisting of $1,000
principal amount of the Old 1997 Notes and eight Warrants, with each Warrant
entitling the holder thereof to purchase 1.76 shares of the Company's Common
Stock at a price of $.01 per share, for a total of 2,112,480 shares of Common
Stock. The Warrants and the Old 1997 Notes were separated on December 15, 1997.
The 1997 Notes mature on June 15, 2004. Interest on the 1997 Notes, at the
annual rate of 13 1/2%, is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and
December 15 of each year. Concurrent with the completion of the sale of the Old
1997 Notes, the Company was required to deposit funds into an escrow account in
an amount that together with interest would be sufficient to fund the first five
interest payments on the 1997 Notes. Upon consummation of the sale of the Old
1998 Notes and the Refinancing, that portion of the escrowed amount attributable
to the principal amount of the Old 1997 Notes refinanced was released to the
Company. The 1997 Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company commencing
June 15, 2002. The 1997 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company
ranking pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured
and senior indebtedness. The 1997 Notes impose significant limitations on the
Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness unless the Company's
Consolidated Pro Forma Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined) is greater than or
equal to 1.8 to 1.0 prior to June 30, 1999, or 2.5 to 1.0 on or after that date.
The Company is also limited in its ability to pay dividends or make Restricted
Payments (as defined), to engage in businesses other than the Internet service
business, and to place liens on its assets for
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   49
 
the benefit of persons other than the noteholders, among other restrictions. If
a Change of Control (as defined in the 1997 Indenture) occurs, the Company is
required to make an offer to purchase all of the Old 1997 Notes then outstanding
at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid
interest.
 
   
     On March 25, 1998, the Company completed the placement of $175.0 million
principal amount of the Old 1998 Notes. The 1998 Notes mature on April 1, 2005.
Interest on the 1998 Notes, at the annual rate of 10 3/8%, is payable
semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing
October 1, 1998. The 1998 Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company
commencing April 1, 2002. The 1998 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the
Company ranking pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future
unsecured and senior indebtedness. The form and terms of the New 1998 Notes will
be identical in all material respects to the form and terms of the Old 1998
Notes, except that the New 1998 Notes will be registered under the Securities
Act, and therefore will not be subject to certain transfer restrictions and
registration rights provisions applicable to the Old 1998 Notes. The Company
used approximately $54.5 million of the proceeds from the issuance of the Old
1998 Notes to effect the Refinancing (which included the payment of accrued
interest on the Old 1997 Notes that were repurchased). As a result of the
Refinancing, the Company was refunded approximately $13.3 million from the
escrow account for the 1997 Notes, of which approximately $1.9 million was used
to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the $50.0 million principal amount of Old
1997 Notes repurchased from Brooks.
    
 
     On April 6, 1998, Verio entered into the Bank Facility with a group of
commercial lending institutions that committed to provide a $57.5 million
revolving credit facility secured by the stock of the ISPs that Verio owns
currently or may own in the future and the Capacity Agreement. The Chase
Manhattan Bank serves as agent for the Bank Facility. The Bank Facility requires
no payments of principal until its maturity on December 31, 1999. The terms of
the Bank Facility provide for borrowings at LIBOR + 3%, with a 1% decrease in
that rate if the Company has completed a public equity offering of $50.0 million
or more. If the Company has not completed such an offering by December 31, 1998,
or by June 30, 1999, there will be a 2% increase in the rate on each such date.
There is a commitment fee of  1/2% per annum on the undrawn amount of the Bank
Facility and a one-time fee of  1/2% on any amounts drawn. The last $3.0 million
of the Bank Facility cannot be drawn except for the payment of interest.
 
     The Bank Facility sets forth covenants restricting, among other things, the
Company's ability to borrow, to guarantee the debt of others, and to make
borrowings at the subsidiary level. The Company is also limited in its ability
to enter into transactions with affiliates, create liens on its assets, and make
certain investments. In particular, Indebtedness (less cash) may not exceed 2.35
times annualized pro forma revenues for the most recent fiscal quarter.
Dividends and certain types of investments are prohibited, as are liens incurred
for borrowed money. Borrowings under the Bank Facility would be required to be
paid down with the proceeds of new Indebtedness (as defined), certain asset
sales, Excess Cash Flow (as defined), or the net proceeds from insurance claims.
 
   
     On May 15, 1998, the Company consummated its IPO, selling 5,500,000 shares
of Common Stock for net proceeds of approximately $117.0 million after deduction
of underwriting discounts, commissions and expenses. Concurrently with the
consummation of the IPO, the Company completed the sale of 4,493,877 shares of
its Common Stock to an affiliate of NTT for proceeds of approximately $100.0
million.
    
 
   
     As of March 31, 1998, the Company had approximately $160.4 million in cash
and cash equivalents (excluding restricted cash). The Company's business plan
currently anticipates investments of approximately $175.0 million in 1998 for
capital expenditures, ISP acquisitions, operating losses and working capital.
The Company's anticipated expenditures are inherently uncertain and will vary
widely based on many factors including the operating performance and working
capital requirements of Verio and the Verio ISPs, the number and size of
additional ISPs acquired or invested in by the Company, the cost of such
additional acquisitions and investments, the operating performance and working
capital requirements of the Verio ISPs including any additional ISP affiliates
and capital expenditure requirements of the Company and any existing or
additional ISPs. Accordingly, the Company may need significant amounts of cash
in excess of its plan, and no assurance can be given as to the actual amounts of
the Company's expenditures and additional capital requirements.
    
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   50
 
   
     The Company expects to meet its capital needs with cash on hand, proceeds
from the sale, or issuance of capital stock, credit facilities (including the
Bank Facility), and lease financing. There can be no assurance that the Company
will have sufficient resources to fund its investment programs, particularly if
operating losses continue to increase. EBITDA losses increased from negative
$4.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 to negative $8.3 million
for the three months ended March 31, 1998 despite an increase in revenue from
$4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 1997 to $21.2 million for the
three months ended March 31, 1998. EBITDA as a percentage of revenue improved
from negative 98% to negative 39% for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and
the three months ended March 31, 1998, respectively. The Company incurred $20.0
million in selling, general and administrative expenses during the three months
ended March 31, 1998 as it invested in scaleable systems, hiring and sales
training, and network improvements, that it expects will result in incremental
revenue at reduced incremental costs. As a result, the Company expects EBITDA as
a percentage of revenue to improve during 1998. Although the Company is seeking
to reduce EBITDA losses as a percentage of revenue over time, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to do so, or that the rate of any
reduction in EBITDA losses will be as rapid as is being sought by the Company.
The Company intends to use a significant portion of its cash for acquisitions,
and will have to increase revenue without a commensurate increase in costs to
generate sufficient cash to enable it to meet its debt service obligations as
described above. In the near term, the Company intends to use its excess cash
and the Bank Facility which provides for up to $57.5 million in credit until it
matures on December 31, 1999.
    
 
   
     Over the longer term, the Company will be dependent on increased operating
cash flows, and, to the extent cash flow is not sufficient, the availability of
additional financing, to meet its debt service obligations. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to service its indebtedness.
Insufficient funding may require the Company to delay or abandon some of its
planned future expansion or expenditures, which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's growth and its ability to compete. In addition, the
Company's operating flexibility with respect to certain business activities is
limited by covenants associated with its indebtedness. There can be no assurance
that such covenants will not adversely affect the Company's ability to finance
its future operations or capital needs or to engage in business activities that
may be in the interest of the Company.
    
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     The statements included in the discussion and analysis above that are not
historical fact are "forward-looking statements" (as such term is defined in the
Reform Act), which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology
such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," or "anticipates" or the
negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by
discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. Management
cautions the reader that these forward-looking statements addressing the timing,
costs and scope of its acquisition of, or investments in, existing ISPs, the
revenue and profitability levels of the ISPs in which it invests, the
anticipated reduction in operating costs resulting from the integration and
optimization of those ISPs, and other statements regarding matters that are not
historical facts, are only predictions. No assurance can be given that future
results indicated, whether expressed or implied, will be achieved. While
sometimes presented with numerical specificity, these projections and other
forward-looking statements are based upon a variety of assumptions relating to
the business of the Company, which, although considered reasonable by the
Company, may not be realized. Because of the number and range of the assumptions
underlying the Company's projections and forward-looking statements, many of
which are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are beyond
the reasonable control of the Company, some of the assumptions will not
materialize and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur subsequent to
the date of this report. These forward-looking statements are based on current
expectations, and the Company assumes no obligation to update this information.
Therefore, the actual experience of the Company and results achieved during the
period covered by any particular projections or forward-looking statements may
differ substantially from those projected. Consequently, the inclusion of
projections and other forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a
representation by the Company, or any other person, that these estimates and
projections will be realized and actual results may vary materially. There can
be no assurance that any of these expectations will be realized or that any of
the forward-looking statements contained herein will prove to be accurate.
                                       43
<PAGE>   51
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     Verio is a leading national provider of Internet connectivity and enhanced
Internet services to small and medium sized businesses. Since its inception in
March 1996, the Company has rapidly established a national presence through the
acquisition, integration, and growth of local ISPs with a business customer
focus. Verio believes that small and medium sized businesses represent an
attractive target market for the provision of Internet services due to this
market's low current penetration levels and customer churn rates, and the
expanding Internet needs of these businesses. Because of their limited internal
technical resources, small and medium sized businesses also typically require
hands-on local support and highly reliable turnkey solutions for mission
critical applications. Verio further believes that these needs currently are
underserved by both the national and local ISPs. While national ISPs lack the
local presence to provide customized, hands-on service, local ISPs typically
lack the scale and resources required to provide dedicated, high-capacity
Internet access, around-the-clock support and tailored product offerings at
competitive prices.
 
   
     The Company believes it has a unique competitive advantage in serving small
and medium sized business customers through the combination of the technical
competency, hands-on support and entrepreneurial culture of locally based ISPs
with the quality and economic efficiency of Verio's national network,
operational infrastructure and financial strength. Verio has quickly built
critical mass by acquiring the stock or assets of, or making significant
investments in, over 35 ISPs that provide a comprehensive range of Internet
connectivity and enhanced products and services to over 175,000 customer
accounts in 37 of the top 50 MSAs in the country, with combined revenues of
approximately $29.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 1998. The
Company integrates and optimizes the operations of its ISPs by consolidating
their operations into regional operating units with centralized regional
management, connecting their local networks to Verio's high-speed, highly
reliable national backbone, and providing them with Verio's integrated national
support services.
    
 
     Verio believes that a critical factor in the successful implementation of
its business strategy is the quality of its management team and Board of
Directors. The Company's senior management team and Board of Directors have
previously successfully executed similar consolidation strategies and have
considerable experience in the management and growth of recurring revenue-based
telecommunications businesses. Management believes that its experience in the
deployment of similar systems and services in other emerging telecommunications
industries can be leveraged to significantly improve the quality of services
currently available in the Internet service industry.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
     Internet connectivity and enhanced Internet services represent two of the
fastest growing segments of the telecommunications services market. Total ISP
revenues in the United States are projected to grow from $3.3 billion in 1996 to
$18.3 billion in 2000, according to IDC, an independent company that prepares
market studies relating to the Internet. The availability of Internet
connectivity, advancements in technologies required to navigate the Internet,
and the proliferation of content and applications available over the Internet
have attracted a rapidly growing number of users. Businesses are increasingly
recognizing that the Internet can significantly enhance communications among
geographically distributed offices and employees as well as with customers and
suppliers. In addition, the Internet presents a compelling profit opportunity
for businesses as it enables them to reduce operating costs, access valuable
information and reach new markets. As a result, businesses increasingly are
utilizing the Internet for mission critical applications such as sales, customer
service and project coordination. IDC estimates that U.S. corporate dedicated
access revenues will grow from $1.1 billion in 1996 to $5.6 billion in 2000,
representing a 50% compounded annual growth rate. There can be no assurance that
the bases for these projections or the results generated thereby will be
realized.
 
     In addition to Internet connectivity, business customers increasingly are
seeking a variety of enhanced products and applications to take full advantage
of the Internet. For example, a growing number of businesses are implementing
secured virtual private networks ("VPNs") over the Internet as a more economical
option
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   52
 
than dedicated private networks. Technological advances such as increases in
microprocessor speeds, the introduction of innovative software tools and the
development of higher bandwidth data networking technology have led to rapid
innovation and development of enhanced Internet services. The principal enhanced
services being offered by business-oriented ISPs today include Web hosting,
security, e-commerce, virtual private networks (sometimes called "intranets" and
"extranets"), and advanced Internet applications such as voice and fax, video
conferencing and data storage and retrieval solutions. According to IDC,
enhanced services is the fastest growing segment of the Internet services market
and is expected to grow from $126 million in 1996 to over $7 billion in 2000. As
business users of the Internet adopt enhanced services, they also require
additional bandwidth to support their expanded use of the Internet. The Company
expects this trend to continue as high-bandwidth enhanced services continue to
be developed, improve and proliferate and as Internet usage continues to expand.
 
     Industry analysts have reported that small and medium sized businesses
represent a potential market of over seven million customers in the U.S., and
use of the Internet by this market segment is expected to grow substantially
from its current low level of market penetration. IDC predicts that dedicated
connections to the Internet for small and medium sized businesses will grow from
approximately 90,000 in 1996 to just under 800,000 in 2000, representing a 73%
compounded annual growth rate. Small and medium sized businesses generally seek
an ISP with locally based personnel who are readily available to respond
in-person to technical issues, who can assist in developing and implementing the
customer's effective use of the Internet, and with whom they can establish a
stable and long-term relationship. In addition, they are increasingly reliant on
enhanced product offerings that address their specific business needs on a
cost-effective basis, allowing them to compete with larger companies. For
example, IDC estimates Web hosting revenues from small and medium sized
businesses will grow from $84 million in 1996 to over $3.4 billion in 2000,
representing 95% of the total Web hosting market.
 
     The rapid development and growth of the Internet has resulted in a highly
fragmented industry of over 4,000 national and local ISPs in the United States,
with no dominant ISP serving the needs of small and medium sized businesses. The
large national ISPs have primarily focused on the large business or consumer
markets and lack the local presence to provide the customized, hands-on service
required by small and medium sized businesses. The Company believes that
independent local and regional ISPs generally have been more adept at serving
small and medium sized businesses, and that these ISPs are often the source of
innovative Internet products and services. As a result, independent regional and
local ISPs have successfully captured approximately one-half of this market,
despite the substantially greater resources of the national providers. However,
rising costs and increasing demands from business customers are making it more
difficult for the small ISP to meet its customer's demands on a cost-effective
basis. Facing these competitive pressures, Verio believes that independent
regional and local ISPs will continue to be attracted to and benefit from the
consolidation opportunity provided by Verio.
 
THE VERIO SOLUTION
 
     Verio is a leading provider of Internet connectivity and enhanced Internet
services to small and medium sized businesses. The Company's business strategy
of combining national scale with local presence was specifically developed to
serve the needs of this market sector. Verio has taken a leading role in
consolidating the fragmented, independent ISP industry, rapidly establishing its
national presence through the acquisition, integration, and growth of
established, well-regarded regional and local ISPs with a business customer
focus. The Company believes it has a unique competitive advantage in serving
small and medium sized business customers. Verio's combination of national scale
with local presence provides distinct and significant value to these customers,
which the Company expects will result in long-term customer loyalty and an
expanding customer base. Verio intends to enhance this value as it continues to
develop, both internally and through strategic vendor relationships, an
expanding array of enhanced, higher margin product and service offerings to
continue to address the business needs of its customers. The Company further
believes that the small and medium sized business market is more attractive than
the consumer or large business market segments for Internet services, in large
part due to the stability of the customer relationship resulting from the
customer's reliance on its service provider's hands-on technical support and
ability to provide a turnkey Internet solution based on customized products and
services designed for the customer's particular business needs. The
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   53
 
Company's market research indicates that Verio's local presence, providing
around-the-clock, hands-on technical support and tailored Internet service
solutions combined with its high speed, highly reliable national backbone, will
be significant factors in the purchase decision for the small and medium sized
business customer, as well as being a critical factor driving customer loyalty.
 
THE VERIO STRATEGY
 
     The goal of the Company is to be the premier, full-service national
provider of Internet connectivity and enhanced Internet services to small and
medium sized businesses. Key elements of the Company's strategy in accomplishing
this goal are to: (a) continue its role as the leading consolidator of
independent ISPs by acquiring additional local and regional ISPs focused on the
Company's target market; (b) integrate the operations of its ISPs and capture
operational economies of scale by leveraging its national infrastructure and
support services; (c) develop and offer additional high-margin enhanced services
to increase revenues from existing and future customers; and (d) build customer
loyalty and gain market share by expanding the Company's local technical,
distribution and service capabilities and establishing national Verio brand name
recognition.
 
     Continue Consolidation Through Acquisitions. Verio has rapidly established
a national presence and critical customer mass by acquiring the stock or assets
of, or making significant investments in, established, well-regarded independent
ISPs in selected regions throughout the U.S. The Company intends to continue its
consolidation strategy, acquiring additional business-focused ISPs to deepen and
broaden its market presence and to expand its strength in targeted product areas
such as Web hosting. Given the increasing competitive pressures facing the
independent local and regional ISPs, Verio believes that these ISPs will
continue to be attracted to and benefit from the consolidation opportunity
provided by Verio. As part of its integration strategy, the Company now seeks to
acquire 100% of new ISP affiliates and has effected the Buyouts of all but two
of the ISPs in which it did not initially acquire 100% ownership. See "-- ISP
Ownership Structure." The Company's decentralized regional management structure
and equity incentive programs that are tied to regional performance foster
continued entrepreneurial culture, local responsiveness and internal growth.
 
     Integrate Operations and Capture Economies of Scale. The Company integrates
and optimizes the operations of the ISPs it acquires by consolidating their
operations into regional operating units with centralized regional management,
connecting their local networks to Verio's high-speed, highly reliable national
backbone, and providing them with Verio's integrated national support services.
These services include national network transit, 7-day X 24-hour network
monitoring and management, customer technical support, a sophisticated billing
and collections system, financial information management through a central,
standardized accounting system, and national marketing and product development
programs. Through this integration of its national infrastructure with its local
ISP operations, the Company believes that it has achieved a significant degree
of operational control and efficiency and has improved the quality, consistency,
and scalability of its services. The Company also has leveraged its national
scale to establish peering relationships, to obtain favorable national
purchasing contracts and to establish strategic relationships with key hardware,
software and telecommunications providers. These providers view Verio as a
powerful distribution channel. For example, Verio has entered into an agreement
with Microsoft whereby Verio is offered as an "in the box" Web hosting program
for Microsoft's FrontPage product and for Microsoft's Small Business Server
Referral program, which facilitates small businesses' entry to the Internet
using Verio's network. In addition, Verio has negotiated advantageous volume
purchase agreements with key vendors such as Cisco and Raptor. In addition,
Verio has established public or private peering relationships with nearly all of
the major national ISPs, as well as with over 90 smaller domestic and
international networks. Furthermore, the Company's scale also allows it to
support a high quality national network and invest in leading edge systems for
network management, billing, customer service, and financial information.
 
     Develop and Offer Enhanced Products and Services to Increase
Revenues. Small and medium sized businesses are purchasing an increasing number
of enhanced products and services as these businesses deploy mission critical
applications on the Internet. As a result, the Company believes that it will be
able to derive incremental revenue from these customers by selling an expanding
array of enhanced services and additional bandwidth to support these services.
The Company accelerated its ability to provide sophisticated Web hosting on a
national scale through its acquisition of Internet Servers, Inc. ("iServer").
While Internet connectivity
                                       46
<PAGE>   54
 
and Web hosting constitute the predominant services offered by Verio today, a
number of additional high-margin enhanced services are being offered by the
Company. These additional services include VPN, security services, electronic
commerce, intranet services and other advanced Internet applications. Verio
encourages continued innovation within its regional operations, and supports the
identification and transfer of products, services and "best practices" among its
regional operations. In addition, the Company's product development groups are
focused on additional services to be developed both internally, through
acquisition, and in conjunction with strategic partners. Verio has entered into,
and expects to continue to enter into, relationships with selected Internet
hardware, software, service and distribution companies to enhance the Company's
ability to deliver cost-effective solutions to its customers, to gain early
access to new technology, to cooperatively market and sell these new products,
and to gain access to their distribution channels for the purpose of lead
generation and customer acquisition.
 
     Build Customer Loyalty and Brand Name Recognition. The Company's goal is to
achieve national recognition as the leading provider of Internet services to
small and medium sized businesses by rebranding its ISPs under the Verio name.
The Company intends to leverage its local presence by continuing to expand and
enhance local technical, distribution and customer support capabilities. By
combining the quality of local service offered through the Company's regional
operations with the Company's national backbone and support services, the
Company expects to generate increased customer loyalty and expanding market
share at the local level while enhancing its national brand. In conjunction with
the consolidation of its ISPs into integrated regional operating units, the
Company has branded these regional operations under the Verio name, with a
regional or local geographical identifier to emphasize its local presence. As
the Company continues to expand, its acquisition strategy will be to continue to
identify and select ISPs that have developed a strong local presence through
quality service, hands-on customer support, local market knowledge and an
entrepreneurial culture.
 
THE VERIO ORGANIZATION
 
     To date, the Company has pursued a regional acquisition strategy, acquiring
independent, locally based ISPs in selected geographic regions. In each region,
the Company typically sought a larger regional ISP to serve as the focal point
for the region and as the vehicle for integrating and optimizing the networks
and operations in that region. The Company also has invested in smaller ISPs to
increase its local presence and market share. Having established a presence in
each of its initially targeted regions, the Company has expanded its target
markets to encompass all of the top 50 MSAs and is continuing to add
incrementally to its presence within its existing regions. It is also in the
process of consolidating most of the Verio ISP operations within each region
into single, integrated operating units.
 
   
     The Company conducts its operations with both a national and regional
approach. As of July 7, 1998, the Company had acquired the stock or assets of,
or invested in, ISPs in nine regions of the country, and now has operations in:
the Pacific Northwest, serving the primary MSAs in Washington, Oregon and Idaho;
Northern California, serving the greater Bay Area, Stockton and Sacramento;
Southern California, serving the Los Angeles area, Orange County and San Diego;
Texas, serving all of the major cities in Texas; the Mid-Atlantic, serving the
Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond areas, and the I-95 corridor; the
Northeast, serving the major MSAs from New Jersey to Boston and Upstate New
York; the Midwest, serving Chicago, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Kansas City, St. Louis,
Milwaukee, Omaha, Tulsa and Des Moines; and the Southeast, where the Company now
serves the New Orleans, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa/St. Petersburg areas.
In addition, the Company has funded a start-up operation in the Rocky Mountain
region, which is in the early stages of establishing a presence in the Denver
area and along the Front Range. Verio also has substantially increased its
national domain name registration and Web hosting presence with its acquisition
of iServer at the end of 1997, and its recent acquisition of TABNet. Verio has
established a national operating division through which it can offer Web hosting
services to ISP customers throughout its regions. The Company is now focusing
its efforts on seeking greater coverage in the Midwest and establishing its
presence in the Southeast, as well as generally expanding and enhancing its
national market presence. As of July 7, 1998, the Company has executed
non-binding letters of intent to acquire a number of additional ISPs and
continues to evaluate, and is in various stages of negotiations with, a number
of additional potential acquisition candidates.
    
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   55
 
   
     The following chart identifies, by operating region, the 39 ISPs acquired
or invested in by Verio, or from which Verio has acquired significant assets, as
of July 7, 1998. The chart provides certain summary information concerning
Verio's revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1998 as if all such ISPs
had been owned by the Company at such date.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                REVENUE FOR THE
                                                                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
     OPERATING REGION          TOP 50 MSAS SERVED                       ACQUISITIONS           MARCH 31, 1998(1)
     ----------------          ------------------                       ------------           ------------------
                                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                         <C>                                <C>                             <C>
VERIO NORTHWEST                                                                                     $ 5,391
                            - Seattle, WA                      - NorthWestNet, Inc.
                            - Portland, OR                     - Access One, Inc.
                                                               - RAINet, Inc.
                                                               - Internet Engineering
                                                                  Associates, Inc.
                                                               - Pacific Rim Network, Inc.
                                                               - Structured Network
                                                                  Systems, Inc.
VERIO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA                                                                             2,591
                            - San Francisco                    - Aimnet Corporation
                            - Sacramento                       - CCnet Inc.
                            - San Jose                         - West Coast Online, Inc.
                            - Oakland                          - NSNet, Inc.
VERIO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA                                                                             2,724
                            - Los Angeles                      - Compute Intensive Inc.
                            - San Diego                        - ATMnet
                            - Riverside/San Bernardino
                            - Orange County
VERIO TEXAS                                                                                           3,369
                            - Houston, TX                      - On-Ramp Technologies, Inc.
                            - Dallas, TX                       - Signet Partners, Inc.
                            - San Antonio, TX                  - National Knowledge
                            - Ft. Worth, TX                       Networks, Inc.
                                                               - Sesquinet
VERIO MID-ATLANTIC                                                                                    2,896
                            - Washington, DC                   - Clark Internet Services,
                            - Baltimore, MD                       Inc.
                                                               - Monumental Network
                                                                  Systems, Inc.
                                                               - Internet Online, Inc.(2)
VERIO NORTHEAST                                                                                       3,739
                            - New York, NY                     - Global Enterprise Services
                            - Boston, MA                       - Pioneer Global
                            - Philadelphia, PA                    Telecommunications, Inc.
                            - Pittsburgh, PA                   - ServiceTech, Inc.
                            - Hartford, CT                     - Surf Network, Inc.
                            - Newark, NJ                       - PREPnet
                            - Buffalo/Niagara, NY              - Wingnet
                            - Providence, RI                   - LI Net, Inc.
                            - Nassau/Suffolk, NY               - Matrix Online Media Inc.
                            - Bergen/Passaic, NJ                  (d/b/a SpaceLab)
VERIO MIDWEST                                                                                         3,332
                            - Chicago, IL                      - Verio Chicago(3)
                            - St. Louis, MO                    - Global Internet Network
                            - Detroit, MI                         Services, Inc.
                            - Kansas City, MO                  - RustNet, Inc.
                            - Milwaukee/Waukesha, WI           - Branch Information
                                                                  Services, Inc.
                                                               - STARnet, L.L.C.
                                                               - Computing Engineers Inc.
                                                                  (d/b/a Worldwide
                                                                  Access)
VERIO ROCKY MOUNTAIN                                                                                     99
                            - Denver, CO                       - Verio Colorado(4)
                            - Salt Lake City, UT
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   56
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                REVENUE FOR THE
                                                                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
     OPERATING REGION          TOP 50 MSAS SERVED                       ACQUISITIONS           MARCH 31, 1998(1)
     ----------------          ------------------                       ------------           ------------------
                                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                         <C>                                <C>                             <C>
VERIO SOUTHEAST                                                                                     $ 2,056
                            - New Orleans, LA                  - Communique, Inc.
                            - Miami, FL                        - Florida Internet
                            - Fort Lauderdale, FL                 Corporation
                            - Tampa/St. Petersburg,            - PacketWorks, Inc.
                                FL
VERIO WEB HOSTING                                                                                     3,561
                            - National Product                 - Internet Servers, Inc.
                              Offering                         - GTX, Inc. (d/b/a TABNet)
    
   
                                                                                         Total:     $29,758
                                                                                                    =======
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
   
 (1) These amounts reflect the revenues of all of the Verio ISPs in each region
     for the three months ended March 31, 1998.
    
 
   
 (2) The Company completed the Buyout of this ISP on June 30, 1998.
    
 
   
 (3) Funded as a start up to oversee Midwest operations and initiate operations
     in Chicago.
    
 
   
 (4) Funded as a start up to oversee Rocky Mountain operations and initiate
     operations in the primary Colorado business centers. Verio Rocky Mountain
     (d/b/a Verio Colorado) is owned 69% by Verio, and therefore is consolidated
     for financial reporting purposes.
    
 
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
 
     The Company currently offers, through its regional ISP operations, a
comprehensive range of Internet connectivity and enhanced products and services.
The specific products offered in each market are determined by the needs of the
market and local telco tariffs. The Company intends to continue to develop a
broad range of enhanced products and services independently, through
acquisition, and through strategic relationships with key vendors.
 
     Connectivity Services. Verio offers a variety of connectivity solutions,
which include Internet access and third-party software and hardware
implementations and configuration services, which are offered in bundled and
unbundled packages. Internet access currently includes ISDN, frame relay, leased
line access, dial-up and xDSL connectivity. The Company is participating in
trials for the deployment of new access technologies, such as wireless access.
The Company also offers a full range of customer premise equipment ("CPE")
hardware required to connect to the Internet, including routers, CSU/DSUs,
servers and other products as needed. Verio's regional operating units are able
to take advantage of the Company's national purchasing and leasing relationships
with a variety of partners in order to realize improved hardware pricing, lower
cost leasing arrangements and bundled service offerings. Verio also offers a
selection of software products including browsers, electronic mail, news and
other solutions that permit customers to navigate and utilize the Internet.
Additionally, Verio provides turnkey configuration solutions encompassing such
services as domain name server ("DNS") support, telco line provisioning, IP
address space assignment, router set-up, e-mail configuration, router security
configuration and other set-up services.
 
     Enhanced Services. The Company believes that its small and medium sized
business customers will continue to increase their use of the Internet as a
business tool and, as a result, will require an expanding range of enhanced
services. The Company currently offers a variety of enhanced services. In
addition, the Company's national marketing group is focused on developing new
enhanced services through both internal development, acquisition and strategic
relationships with software, hardware and content providers. The Company's
current and planned enhanced services offerings include the following:
 
   
     - Web Hosting and Co-location. Web hosting offers business customers a
       presence on the Internet, enabling them to take advantage of the
       marketing, customer service, internal company information dissemination
       ("intranets") and other benefits offered by such presence. Verio offers
       its customers Web hosting services on a national basis as well as through
       local data centers. The services include the full range of domain name
       registration ("DNR"), Web hosting, Web design, Web site maintenance and
       ongoing consulting services through a combination of internal efforts and
       the use of independent
    
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   57
 
   
       partners. The Company also offers Web site co-location, where a
       customer-owned Web server is located at a Verio POP for higher
       reliability. This solution allows the customer to own its own Web server
       without having to maintain and manage the data center environment. The
       Company's acquisition of iServer at the end of 1997 gave the Company
       access to an extensive network of Web hosting resellers, over 25,000
       hosted Web sites, and iServer's proprietary "virtual server" technology
       which the Company is leveraging across its regional operations to
       accelerate the growth and increase the profitability of its Web hosting
       product line. With the recent TABNet acquisition, Verio now hosts more
       than 125,000 domain names, which includes over 60,000 Web sites. TABNet
       became one of the world's largest Internet domain name registrars and Web
       hosting companies by pioneering domain name registration services and
       establishing preferential Web-based marketing relationships with leading
       Internet search engine and portal companies including Netscape, Yahoo,
       Excite, Infoseek, and others. Verio intends to leverage TABNet's
       marketing relationships and systems to build brand recognition and expand
       these marketing opportunities to their full suite of product offerings.
       In addition to offering Web hosting services, the Company has established
       national Web hosting and co-location services by operating high-end,
       highly reliable data centers positioned close to major network access
       points. The Company is consolidating the majority of its Web hosting
       capability into its regional data centers across the country,
       strategically located near the Company's public and private peering
       points. The Company also intends to implement emerging content
       distribution technologies such as content replication ("mirroring") and
       caching for enhanced end user performance. Currently, the Company
       provides hosting services to over 1,600 resellers.
    
 
     - Security. Security solutions are a vital component for most businesses
       connected to the Internet. These solutions, which include firewalls,
       packet filter and proxy servers, give the customer (i) an ability to
       prevent intruders from accessing its corporate network, (ii)
       authentication of users attempting to gain access, and (iii) encryption
       services, providing secured transmission of company data through the
       Internet. The Company currently offers a comprehensive set of firewall
       products from Raptor, including the sophisticated Eagle Firewall(TM) and
       the more simplified products known as The Wall(TM). The Company also
       offers proxy server solutions such as the Microsoft Proxy Server.
       Additionally, the Company offers a "managed" security solution that
       provides ongoing detection and prevention of intrusions. The Company
       plans to expand its security product line with new solutions that
       simplify, reduce cost, or offer greater functionality as they become
       commercially available.
 
   
     - Virtual Private Network ("VPN"). Many companies today have private data
       communication networks, which are often referred to as wide area networks
       ("WANs") and built on expensive leased lines, to transfer proprietary
       data between office locations. The Internet offers companies a cost-
       effective replacement alternative to WANs through VPNs, which are meant
       to provide secure transmission of private Internet Protocol ("IP")
       traffic through the Internet. Additionally, many companies require that
       their employees have remote access to these private networks from home or
       while traveling. VPN products are available in hardware, software, and
       firewall formats. VPN products are also the basis for offering intranet
       and extranet services. Intranets are corporate/organizational networks
       that rely on Internet-based technologies to provide secure links between
       corporate offices. Extranets expand the network to selected business
       partners through secured links on the Internet. Increasingly, companies
       are finding that intranets and extranets can enhance corporate
       productivity more easily and less expensively than proprietary systems.
       The Company currently offers its customers a number of VPN solutions,
       including Raptor's VPN products, and is in the process of evaluating
       additional products to meet the needs of customers.
    
 
     - National Roaming. Employees of small and medium businesses are
       increasingly dependent on accessing their e-mail while on the road.
       Currently, many users either cannot do so because of the limitations of
       their local ISP, or they are required to pay expensive long distance
       access charges. The Company is in the process of implementing a national
       dial-up access roaming product to enable dial-up business customers to
       access the Internet locally as they travel throughout the country and
       abroad.
 
   
     - Electronic Commerce Solutions. Electronic commerce provides users the
       ability to sell products and services on the Internet. The Company
       currently provides e-commerce capability to over 1,400 cus-
    
                                       50
<PAGE>   58
 
       tomers by providing the three principle functions of electronic commerce:
       secure socket layer, shopping cart support, and transaction processing
       capability. Secure socket layer ("SSL") is provided through its Premier
       Business Partner relationship with Verisign for digital certificates. The
       Company supports a large variety of shopping carts, including Shop Site
       by Icentral, and provides support for third party transaction processing
       through Cybercash and AuthorizeNet. The e-commerce solutions are packaged
       according to the complexity of the individual customer's needs. The
       Company also intends to provide enhanced e-commerce hosting environments,
       as well as to make use of third party software development partners to
       provide certain turnkey e-commerce applications, such as an on-line
       catalogs.
 
     - Professional Services. The Company's target customers typically do not
       have the internal resources or personnel to design and maintain Internet
       services. As more businesses utilize the Internet for mission critical
       applications, the Company expects its customers to rely on their ISP for
       support of many of their information technology applications. As a
       result, the Company believes it will be increasingly important for ISPs
       to offer onsite, technical consulting to customers. The Company currently
       offers a full complement of professional services to its customers,
       including network and system design, Web content creation, security
       system needs analysis and implementation, virtual private network design
       and implementation, and other Internet-related consulting projects. The
       Company intends to invest in additional professional services
       capabilities as they are required to provide customers with turnkey
       Internet solutions.
 
     - Enhanced Products and Services. Customers are increasingly seeking to
       tailor the use of the Internet to their business. Verio intends to serve
       these needs through the packaging and configuration of third party
       applications, such as IP telephony (which permits users to make voice
       calls on the Internet), Internet faxing, Internet audio and video
       conferencing solutions, and other applications that may be developed. As
       businesses commit to using the Internet, the Company believes that the
       advanced applications product category will continue to expand, offering
       additional revenue opportunities. For example, the Company currently
       provides mail list services to customers that have a need to send out
       hundreds of thousands of e-mail messages to their customers, suppliers
       and prospects.
 
     Verio has and intends to continue to enter into agreements with Internet
companies to leverage their products, brand names, distribution channels and
other assets. Verio believes that its existing Internet product and service
partners have been attracted to the Company because of its broad geographic
coverage, ability to influence purchase decisions of its business customers, and
the ability of the Verio sales forces to sell complex Internet solutions. The
Company has established strategic relationships with software providers such as
Microsoft, Oracle and Raptor, and equipment providers such as Cisco and
Farallon, and intends to expand its strategic relationships with additional
providers of key products and services. These relationships provide the Company
with benefits including preferred pricing, access to the latest products,
co-marketing with the vendors, tailored product training and access to the
vendor's distribution channels to generate leads for new customers.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
     Verio offers its products and services through a consultative sales
approach which makes use of local technical talent to understand customer
applications and provide bundled Internet applications solutions consisting of
hardware, software, access and value-added services. Verio believes that this
localized approach will allow it to provide end-to-end customer solutions and
ongoing support. Verio has significant distribution capabilities both through a
direct sales force and indirect channels. The direct sales forces offer a core
base of technically competent, locally based and experienced Internet sales
representatives. Verio is focusing efforts on expanding the direct sales force,
further developing indirect channels and optimizing lead generation techniques
to reduce the cost of new customer acquisitions.
 
   
     The Company currently provides Internet services to over 175,000 customer
accounts. Over 7,000 of these customer accounts receive dedicated connectivity
services from Verio, and over 35,000 represent Web hosting or Web site server
co-location services provided by Verio. With the recent TABNet acquisition, the
    
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   59
 
   
Company now hosts over 125,000 domain names (e.g. yourcompany.com). The over
80,000 remaining accounts are provided dial-up connectivity services, the
majority of which are used for business purposes.
    
 
   
     Direct Sales. Verio has a direct sales force of more than 150 individuals.
These local sales representatives have a strong Internet technical background
and understand the local telecommunications tariffs as well as the needs of
their local business community. Additionally, these representatives are familiar
with local companies to assist in implementing customized solutions such as Web
page content development. Because they are locally based, these sales
representatives are able to meet face-to-face with prospective customers to
discuss their Internet needs and technical requirements and develop tailored
solutions. The Company has developed programs at the national level to attract
and train high quality, motivated sales representatives that have the necessary
technical skills, consultative sales experience and knowledge of their local
markets. These programs include technical sales training, consultative selling
techniques, sales compensation plan development, and sales representative
recruiting profile identification. Through the effective use of these
initiatives, Verio plans to continue to expand its direct sales force. At the
local level, direct marketing techniques are being employed to target customer
segments that would achieve substantial benefit from the business applications
afforded by the Internet. Some direct marketing tactics include direct mail,
telemarketing, seminars and trade show participation. The Company works with key
vendors to assist in these direct marketing efforts. Verio co-markets with these
vendors through direct mail programs, joint seminar development and joint trade
show involvement. Through the TABNet acquisition, the Company has gained a
centralized outbound and inbound telemarketing sales capability targeted at
offering Web hosting services.
    
 
   
     Resellers and Indirect Sales. Verio has three partner programs that permit
the regional operations to adapt a formal indirect distribution strategy to
their markets. Verio believes indirect sales channels are a significant
contributor to its growth, and already has over 2,000 formal and informal
channel partner relationships. The Authorized Solutions Partner ("ASP") program
offers partners the ability to share in the ongoing revenue stream of customers
they bring to Verio. ASPs include computer resellers, VARs, systems integrators
and other organizations focused on providing information technology hardware,
software, and services to the business community, who typically have an
established relationship with the prospective customer base, and a sales force
capable of selling Internet services as part of the partner's suite of services.
Referral partners, including organizations such as Web designers, advertising
agencies, and telco resellers, are another source of customer leads. Verio's
Referral Partner program targets organizations that are less capable of or
interested in selling Internet services, or where Internet services fall outside
their core business interests. The Private Label Partner program is a wholesale
program which allows qualifying organizations to resell Verio services under
their own brand. The benefits of these programs to Verio include greater market
reach without fixed overhead costs, and the ability to use partners to assist in
the delivery of complete solutions to meet customer needs. In addition to local
partnerships, Verio is working with several national companies to expand its
indirect sales capability.
    
 
     Branding. The Company has recently announced the consolidation of the
operations and marketing efforts of all of its ISPs under the Verio brand name,
with a regional or local geographical identifier to emphasize its local
presence. The Company has undertaken national public relations efforts to raise
the awareness and visibility of Verio in its target market.
 
VERIO NATIONAL NETWORK
 
   
     Overview. Verio owns and operates a national network, providing a high
bandwidth, highly reliable data transmission path connecting Verio's customers
to the Internet, which the Company believes is adequate for the provision of
current and future planned access and enhanced services needs. The Company's
national network interconnects more than 17 national nodes and over 160 local
POPs across the United States. The Company believes that aggregating the
bandwidth and capacity requirements of its regional operations onto one national
network provides operational control and efficiency, reduces costs, provides
redundancy, and results in a higher quality service, thereby addressing some of
the most significant challenges that an ISP faces in supporting its customers.
Verio's national infrastructure also incorporates several other elements
critical to maintaining the highest quality Internet service, including a high
capacity and reliable national network, peering relationships with other
national ISPs, sophisticated network management tools and engineering
    
                                       52
<PAGE>   60
 
support services. The reliability of the national network is the result of many
factors, including redundant routers and other critical hardware, carrier class
facilities at POP locations (such as back up power, fire suppression and climate
control), and redundant telecommunications lines.
 
   
     Network Infrastructure. As of June 1998, the national network carried
traffic for 30 of the ISPs acquired to date. The remaining ISPs' traffic will be
added as growth drives the need for additional capacity, as private and public
peering is implemented and as their current transit contracts expire.
    
 
   
     Following is a diagram of the Company's national network as of June 1998:
    
 
                                     [MAP]
 
   
     Currently, the national network architecture includes a presence at
selected national exchange points and redundant network nodes to link the
Company's regional networks to the national network. As of June 1998, Verio's
network included connectivity at MAE West, MAE East and the NY NAP, each of
which is a major national exchange point for ISPs. The Company also has a
presence at the Palo Alto Internet Exchange (PAIX), NASA Ames and a number of
other regional connecting points, including Seattle, Washington; Portland,
Oregon; Sacramento and San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City,
Utah; New Orleans, Louisiana; Dallas and Houston, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Ann
Arbor, Michigan; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Boston, Massachusetts. Each of
these Verio locations features leading router technology. The equipment is
located in facilities leased from a variety of telecommunications providers,
including MCI, Sprint, MFS, Brooks and others. These access points are linked,
using a nationwide, high-speed DS-3 (45 Mbps) and OC-3 (155 Mbps) ATM, and DS-3
and OC-3 clear line network infrastructure, utilizing capacity leased from a
variety of national telco providers, including Sprint, MCI, WorldCom and Qwest.
The ATM portion of the network relies on Sprint's 4-fiber ring SONET network.
Sprint's SONET architecture is designed to survive multiple failures with near
instant restoration to full capacity, thereby providing highly reliable
performance. This combination of clear channel circuits, ATM and router
architecture provides
    
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   61
 
reliability to the network through path diversity and redundancy. Verio's
regional operating units either co-locate at these access nodes or lease
connectivity from a local service provider such as an RBOC or other LEC to
connect to the Verio equipment.
 
     Work has begun to add national access nodes to serve additional parts of
the Midwest, Southern California, Texas, the Northeast and the Southeast which
the Company currently plans to put on-line during the remainder of 1998.
Multiple national access nodes facilitate connection to Verio's national network
by its regional operations. The Company plans to add additional private peering
points and access nodes as it acquires more ISPs and expands operations, and to
further increase network capacity as the need for additional bandwidth arises.
 
     The national network is planned to allow for rapid expansion of bandwidth
through scaleable design supported by multiple local access and interexchange
carriers to provide the required bandwidth. The Company has begun the migration
of selected links from ATM to clear line. It is anticipated that the Company
will require nationwide OC-3 capacity in late 1998 to handle its projected
traffic requirements. The Company anticipates the potential need to exceed OC-3
speeds in 1999.
 
   
     On March 31, 1998, the Company entered into a 15-year Capacity and Services
Agreement (the "Capacity Agreement") with Qwest Communications Corporation
("Qwest"), under which the Company will have access to long haul capacity and
ancillary services on Qwest's planned 16,285 mile MacroCapacity(SM) Fiber
Network. Over the first seven years of the term of the Capacity Agreement (the
"Commitment Term"), the Company must purchase, and Qwest must provide, not less
than $100.0 million, in the aggregate, of such capacity and services (the
"Commitment"), at agreed upon prices. The amount of capacity represented by the
minimum Commitment would satisfy less than 50% of the Company's currently
projected long haul capacity requirements over the Commitment Term. However, the
Company has the right to order capacity and services in excess of the Commitment
level, and after the expiration of the Commitment Term, at the same agreed upon
prices. The Company also currently is party to a number of other long haul
capacity agreements with additional telecommunication providers. These
agreements are for various terms (of up to 5 years), and have varied pricing.
Verio anticipates that it will satisfy a substantial portion of its capacity and
ancillary services needs under the Capacity Agreement, because it believes that
the agreed upon pricing levels will significantly reduce the per unit costs that
it otherwise would pay under its other existing long haul capacity agreements.
    
 
     The Company believes that the currently installed Cisco routers will be
sufficient to support its traffic routing needs up to and including OC-3 speeds.
To handle the routing at speeds higher than OC-3, new technology will be
required. The Company is investigating and testing various options to support
these higher speeds and bandwidth requirements. Verio's options include
switching, higher capacity and faster routers, or hybrid routing and switching
solutions.
 
     Peering Relationships. By implementing its own national network and
establishing peering relationships with other national ISPs, the Company
believes it can lower the cost of its Internet transit and increase the
performance and reliability of its network operations. Peering is the Internet
practice under which ISPs exchange each other's traffic without the payment of
settlement charges. The basis on which the large national ISPs make peering
available or impose settlement charges is evolving as the provision of Internet
access and related services has expanded and the dominance of a small group of
national ISPs has driven industry peering practice. Recently, companies that
have previously offered peering have cut back or eliminated peering
relationships and are establishing new, more restrictive criteria for peering.
The Company believes that substantial traffic volume and national scale will
continue to be the focal criteria necessary to establish and maintain peering
relationships. As a result, it has become increasingly important for companies
seeking to take advantage of peering to have significant traffic, a national
network and monitoring capability.
 
   
     The Company has established public or private peering relationships with
nearly all of the major national ISPs, as well as with over 100 smaller domestic
and international networks. Some large network providers now prefer to peer at
private exchange points rather than at national exchange points. This preference
represents the desire to accomplish the exchange of high bandwidth traffic in a
more efficient manner rather than to risk congestion and equipment failure at
public exchange points. The Company has moved its GTE Internetworking and DIGEX
public peering points to private peering locations and is in the process of
moving its MCI
    
                                       54
<PAGE>   62
 
public peering points to private peering locations. Verio also is evaluating
additional private peering proposals from other national ISPs. The Company
currently anticipates that, as Verio's traffic grows, more peering relationships
can be obtained. However, no assurance can be given that peering relationships
will continue to be made available to the Company. Even if these relationships
are not maintained or established, Verio believes that it will be more
economical for Verio to maintain an exchange point transit agreement than to pay
other national ISPs for transit. See "Risk Factors -- Dependence upon
Implementation of Network Infrastructure; Establishment and Maintenance of
Peering Relationships."
 
   
     National Network Management. The Company considers world-class network
management an essential capability for network monitoring and expansion,
maintaining high customer satisfaction and improving network quality. The
Company has established a 7-day X 24-hour NOC to allow continuous monitoring of
the network and to provide a single point of contact for real-time network
status information and customer technical problem resolution. The NOC is
designed to provide real-time alarming, event correlation, traffic management
and forecasting, and distributed notification of the network events and network
status. The Company utilizes many leading edge systems to provide the NOC
capabilities. As of June 1998, the Company monitored the national network and
the local networks of approximately 21 of the ISPs it had acquired as of such
time. The Company plans to provide network and customer monitoring throughout
its regional operations by the end of 1998.
    
 
   
     Engineering Support Services. The Company has negotiated national level
telecommunications contracts with LECs, such as MFS/WorldCom, providing
favorable terms for local transport. The Company plans to expand national
purchasing and leasing benefits as well as technical planning and support to
improve the performance, reliability and economics of its regional networks.
National level purchasing benefits include both cost and vendor performance
issues as well as the provisioning of spare equipment and additional technical
support from the suppliers. National level distribution agreements have been
negotiated with a number of additional national-scope suppliers. Co-location
agreements have also been established with companies such as Sprint, MCI,
Brooks, MFS/WorldCom and Digital Equipment Corporation. The Company is pursuing
additional vendor and telecommunication relationships in an effort to reduce the
cost of equipment and improve network quality.
    
 
     Technical Planning and Support. The national engineering team provides
engineering support for routing configurations, telecommunications management
and pricing, development of local networks and purchasing and contract
negotiation. The national engineering team also works with the regional
engineering teams to nationalize certain network elements, improve performance
and reduce network costs. Support includes Internet protocol addressing support,
training and technology. This effort of sharing ideas and best practices among
the national team and the regions is intended to enhance the engineering talent
available locally and to share best practices nationally.
 
NATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
 
     In addition to its national network and network monitoring capability,
Verio has developed and implemented three critical national support services
designed to increase operational efficiencies and enhance the quality,
consistency and scalability of the Company's services. These support services
include 7-day X 24-hour customer technical support and service, financial
information management through a central, standardized accounting system, and a
sophisticated billing and collections system. The strategy of creating a
partnership between local support teams and Verio's established national support
services enables the Company to capture economies of scale, improve quality and
responsiveness, and increase productivity, while allowing local personnel to
focus on relationships with customers.
 
     Customer Technical Support. Verio's customer care combines the
responsiveness and on-site capabilities of local ISP presence with the scale
economies of a national customer support center in order to deliver customer
care to businesses. While local, independent ISPs bring the benefits of
understanding customer needs and providing hands-on support demanded by their
customers, they lack the ability to cost-effectively scale internal resources to
independently support their growing customer base. The Company's national
customer support center (located in Dallas, Texas) enables Verio to provide
7-day X 24-hour responsiveness while maintaining the ability to provide on-site
installation assistance, hands-on troubleshooting and access to
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   63
 
   
local experts who understand the customer's business. As of June 1998, the
Company was providing customer care services to 26 of the ISPs it had acquired
as of such time and will offer services to all of the Verio regional operations
as the national customer support center continues to expand throughout 1998. The
support center team is utilizing a leading customer support trouble ticketing
and workflow management system offered by Vantive Corporation. The system offers
the Company the ability to track, route, and report on customer issues and
provides significant benefit in ensuring quality and timely care to customers.
Based on information received through the trouble ticketing system, as well as
through the centralized billing and collections system, the Company is able to
monitor network reliability and outage experiences. To date, this information,
as well as the low churn rates among the Company's dedicated connectivity
customers, reflects that the outages experienced by the Company's customers, for
the most part, are minor and attributable to expected, ordinary course of
business service interruptions, telco capacity demands, and the customer's
hardware and software functionality issues. While the Company and its ISPs do
not provide general service warranties and have not instituted a uniform policy
relating to the provision or extent of service credits, the Company and its ISPs
have provided and continue to provide credits for outages resulting from network
failures in certain circumstances. To date, these credits have been immaterial.
The Company will continue to monitor outage experiences, and would expect to
record appropriate reserves if the level of outage credits becomes material.
    
 
   
     Financial Information Management. The Company is in the process of
converting all of its acquired ISP operations to the PeopleSoft(TM) financial
reporting system and the ADP payroll/human resources system, in order to provide
a central, standardized accounting system. As of June 1998, 24 of the ISPs
acquired were utilizing the financial reporting system and 26 were utilizing the
payroll human resources system. These systems enable Verio to cost effectively
increase the productivity and quality of administrative support by standardizing
operational systems such as payroll, payables, purchasing and financial
reporting. These enhancements are part of the Company's initiative to implement
continuous improvement methodology and to create a learning organization.
    
 
   
     Billing and Collections. The Company has implemented the Kenan Systems' EC
Arbor billing solution which offers high quality, flexibility,
cost-effectiveness and scalability. Kenan is a leading billing solutions
provider to the telecommunications industry, providing accurate, timely, and
easy-to-understand invoicing. As of June 1998, this system served 19 of the ISPs
acquired as of such time. The Company is aggressively rolling out this billing
platform to all of its regional operations and will continue on the path toward
centralized management of billing operations.
    
 
NTT STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP
 
   
     On April 7, 1998, the Company entered into agreements establishing a
strategic relationship with NTT. These agreements provided for an investment by
NTT or one of its affiliates in the Company, concurrent with and conditioned
upon the consummation of the IPO, for up to 12.5% of Company's fully diluted
Common Stock (after giving effect to the IPO and the NTT Investment) up to a
maximum investment of $100.0 million, at a 3.25% discount to the price to public
in the IPO. In connection with the NTT Investment, NTT acquired 4,493,877 shares
of Common Stock and is entitled to designate one member to serve on the
Company's Board of Directors. See "Principal Stockholders -- NTT Investment."
    
 
   
     In addition, the Company and NTT's U.S. affiliate, NTT America, Inc. ("NTT
America"), entered into a three year Outside Service Provider Agreement (the
"OSP Agreement"), which took effect upon the closing of the NTT Investment.
Pursuant to the OSP Agreement, the Company was designated as the preferred
provider of Internet access and related services to customers of NTT America on
a reseller basis. Verio and NTT also will connect their backbones and establish
a peering and transit relationship. During the term of the OSP Agreement, NTT
America will pay the Company for the services provided by the Company at
predetermined rates reflective of the strategic relationship between the
parties, under which NTT is entitled to "most favored customer" status and
pricing concessions. NTT and the Company are continuing to negotiate the
specific terms of these arrangements. NTT America and the Company have agreed to
establish certain working groups to develop the details for implementation of
the specific technical and administrative aspects arising under the OSP
Agreement.
    
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   64
 
ISP OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE
 
     While the Company now typically seeks to acquire 100% of new ISPs, the
Company's early acquisition strategy was to rapidly build mass and scale by
acquiring less than 100% of its ISPs. In each case where the Company acquired
less than 100% of an ISP initially, it obtained the right to acquire the
remaining equity in the future at a price based on either agreed upon revenue
multiples or the fair market value of the ISP. As part of its integration
strategy, the Company has effected the Buyouts of all but two of the ISPs in
which it did not initially acquire 100% ownership through the use of cash on
hand and the issuance of equity. Verio currently expects to effect the Buyouts
of the remaining two non-wholly owned ISPs during the remainder of 1998.
However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete
these additional Buyouts at the times, or on the terms and conditions, that it
currently contemplates.
 
     As the Company completes the Buyouts, in general, the ISPs in each region
are consolidated into integrated regional operating subsidiaries which are
wholly owned by the Company. In certain instances, some of the ISPs may continue
to exist as separate, indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Verio, but operated
as part of the particular integrated operating region.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The market for Internet connectivity and related services is extremely
competitive. The Company anticipates that competition will continue to intensify
as the use of the Internet grows. The tremendous growth and potential market
size of the Internet access market has attracted many new start-ups as well as
existing businesses from different industries. Current and prospective
competitors include, in addition to other national, regional and local ISPs,
long distance and local exchange telecommunications companies, cable television
companies, direct broadcast satellite and wireless communications providers, and
on-line service providers. The Company believes that a reliable national
network, knowledgeable salespeople and the quality of technical support
currently are the primary competitive factors in the Company's target market,
and that price is usually secondary to these factors.
 
     ISPs. According to Boardwatch magazine's directory of Internet Service
Providers, there are currently over 4,000 ISPs in the United States, consisting
of national, regional and local providers. The Company's current primary
competitors include other ISPs with a significant national presence which focus
on business customers, such as UUNet, GTE Internetworking (formerly BBN),
PSINet, Concentric Network and DIGEX. While the Company believes that its level
of local service and support and target market focus distinguish it from these
competitors, some of these competitors have significantly greater market
presence, brand recognition, and financial, technical and personnel resources
than the Company, and have extensive coast-to-coast Internet backbones. The
Company also competes with unaffiliated regional and local ISPs in its targeted
geographic regions.
 
     Telecommunications Carriers. All of the major long distance companies (also
known as interexchange carriers or IXCs), including AT&T, MCI, and Sprint, offer
Internet access services and compete with the Company. The recent sweeping
reforms in the federal regulation of the telecommunications industry have
created greater opportunities for LECs, including the RBOCs, to enter the
Internet connectivity market. In order to address the Internet connectivity
requirements of the current business customers of long distance and local
carriers, the Company believes that there is a move toward horizontal
integration through acquisitions of, joint ventures with, and the wholesale
purchase of connectivity from, ISPs. The WorldCom/MFS/UUNet consolidation, the
NETCOM/ICG merger, the Intermedia/DIGEX merger and GTE's acquisition of BBN are
indicative of this trend. Accordingly, Verio expects that it will experience
increased competition from the traditional telecommunications carriers. Many of
these telecommunications carriers, in addition to their substantially greater
network coverage, market presence, and financial, technical and personnel
resources, also have large existing commercial customer bases. Furthermore,
telecommunications providers may have the ability to bundle Internet access with
basic local and long distance telecommunications services. Such bundling of
services may have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to compete
effectively with the telecommunications providers and may result in pricing
pressure on the Company that would have an adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company believes
that its local presence and its strong technical and data-oriented sales force
is an important feature distinguishing it
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   65
 
from the centralized voice-oriented sales approach typified by the current
Internet connectivity services offered by the IXCs and LECs.
 
   
     Cable Companies, Direct Broadcast Satellite and Wireless Communications
Companies. Many of the major cable companies have announced that they are
exploring the possibility of offering Internet connectivity, relying on the
viability of cable modems and economical upgrades to their networks. MediaOne
Group and TCI have recently announced trials to provide Internet cable service
to their residential customers in select areas. However, the cable companies are
faced with large-scale upgrades of their existing plant equipment and
infrastructure in order to support connections to the Internet backbone via
high-speed cable access devices. Additionally, their current subscriber base and
market focus is residential which requires that they partner with
business-focused providers or undergo massive sales and marketing and network
development efforts in order to target the business sector. Several
announcements also have recently been made by other alternative service
companies approaching the Internet connectivity market with various wireless
terrestrial and satellite-based service technologies. These include Hughes
Network System's DirecPC product that provides high-speed data through direct
broadcast satellite technology, CAI Wireless System's announcement of an MMDS
wireless cable operator launching data services via 2.5 to 2.7 GHz and
high-speed wireless modem technology, Cellularvision's announcement that it is
offering Internet access via high-speed wireless LMDS technology, and Winstar,
which currently offers high-speed Internet access to business customers over the
38 GHz spectrum.
    
 
     On-line Service Providers. The predominant on-line service providers,
including America Online, CompuServe, Microsoft Network, and Prodigy, have all
entered the Internet access business by engineering their current proprietary
networks to include Internet access capabilities. The Company competes to a
lesser extent with these on-line service providers.
 
     Recently, there have been several announcements regarding the planned
deployment of broadband services for high speed Internet access by cable and
telephone companies through new technologies such as cable modems and xDSL.
While these providers have initially targeted the residential consumer, it is
likely that their target markets will expand to encompass the Company's targeted
markets, which may significantly affect the pricing of the Company's service
offerings.
 
PROPERTIES
 
   
     The Company's corporate headquarters is located in Englewood, Colorado
where the Company leases approximately 39,200 square feet of office space. The
Company's lease agreement, which commenced February 1, 1998, is for a term of
five years. The Company also has executed a lease covering 20,700 square feet of
space in the InfoMart in Dallas, Texas, where the Company maintains its network
operations center and customer support center. That lease expires on June 30,
2002. The Company also leases space, typically less than 200 square feet, in
various geographic locations to house network infrastructure and
telecommunications equipment. Operational functions are principally located in
the offices of its regional operations. The Verio ISPs typically are party to
lease agreements for administrative office space sufficient for their respective
personnel, as well as smaller site leases to house their network equipment.
    
 
EMPLOYEES
 
   
     As of June 30, 1998, the Company employed approximately 1,400 people,
including full-time and part-time employees at its corporate headquarters in
Colorado, its network operations and customer support center in Texas and at its
controlled ISPs. The Company considers its employee relations to be good. None
of the employees of the Company is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
    
 
TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES
 
     The Company filed for federal trademark protection of "Verio" on November
29, 1996. This application is pending and the Company has no assurance that it
will be granted. Trademark protections for the Verio mark also have been applied
for in the European Economic Community, as well as in Japan. Additionally,
corporate name reservations for the name "Verio Inc." have been filed in all
fifty states. In conjunction with
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   66
 
the consolidation of its ISPs into regional operating entities, the ISPs have
migrated to the Verio brand name, with a regional or local geographical
identifier appended.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     The Company is not currently party to any material legal proceedings.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   67
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
   
     The following table sets forth the names, ages as of July, 1998, and
positions of the officers and directors of the Company. Their respective
backgrounds are described below.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        NAME                           AGE                   POSITION(S)
                        ----                           ---                   -----------
<S>                                                    <C>   <C>
Steven C. Halstedt(3)(4).............................  52    Chairman of the Board
Justin L. Jaschke(3)(4)..............................  40    Chief Executive Officer, Director
Herbert R. Hribar....................................  46    President and Chief Operating Officer,
                                                             Director
James C. Allen(2)....................................  51    Director
Trygve E. Myhren(1)(2)(4)............................  61    Director
Paul J. Salem........................................  34    Director
Stephen W. Schovee(1)(2).............................  38    Director
George J. Still, Jr.(4)..............................  40    Director
Sean G. Brophy.......................................  39    Vice President of Corporate Development
James F. B. Browning.................................  43    Vice President of Network Operations
James B. Cunningham..................................  41    Vice President of Sales and Marketing
Chris J. DeMarche....................................  41    Chief Technical Officer
Carla Hamre Donelson.................................  42    Vice President, General Counsel and
                                                             Secretary
Peter B. Fritzinger..................................  40    Chief Financial Officer
Deb Mayfield Gahan...................................  43    Vice President of Finance and
                                                             Administration
James M. Kieffer.....................................  37    Vice President of Customer Operations
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
(1) Member of Audit Committee
(2) Member of Compensation Committee
(3) Member of Executive Committee
(4) Member of Finance Committee
 
   
     All of the officers identified above serve at the discretion of the Board
of Directors of the Company. There are no family relationships between any
persons identified above. The following are brief biographies of the persons
identified above.
    
 
     Steven C. Halstedt has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Verio since the Company's inception in March 1996. Mr. Halstedt is a co-founder
of The Centennial Funds. Mr. Halstedt has 17 years of direct venture capital
experience and serves as a general partner of each of the Centennial Holdings'
partnerships. Prior to co-founding The Centennial Funds in 1981, he was
Executive Vice President and Director of Daniels & Associates, Inc., a private
communications service company involved in cable television system operations.
Mr. Halstedt is a member of the Board of Directors of Formus Communications,
Inc., Pluto Technologies International, Inc. and V-I-A Internet, Inc. Mr.
Halstedt was recently a director of Centennial Communications Corp., Masada
Security Holdings, Inc. and Triax Communications Corp. He is also former
Chairman of the Board of OneComm Corporation ("OneComm"), PageAmerica Group,
Inc. and Orion Network Systems, Inc., all publicly traded telecommunications
companies. Mr. Halstedt received a Bachelor of Science with distinction in
management engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and earned a Master
of Business Administration from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration
at Dartmouth College, where he was named an Edward Tuck Scholar. He attended the
University of Connecticut School of Law. He was a Platoon Leader and Battalion
Operations Officer in a U.S. Army Combat Engineer Battalion in Vietnam.
 
     Justin L. Jaschke has served as Chief Executive Officer of Verio since the
Company's inception in March 1996. He is also a member of the Company's Board of
Directors. Prior to forming Verio, Mr. Jaschke served as Chief Operating Officer
for Nextel Communications ("Nextel") following its merger with OneComm in July
of 1995. Mr. Jaschke served as OneComm's President and a member of its Board of
Directors from the time that he joined that company in April 1993 until the
merger with Nextel. Mr. Jaschke
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   68
 
currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of V-I-A Internet, Inc.
and also serves on the Board of Directors of Metricom, a leading wireless data
communications provider, and on the Board of Directors of Dobson Communications,
a rural cellular and local exchange provider. From May 1990 to April 1993, Mr.
Jaschke served as President and CEO of Bay Area Cellular Telephone Company. From
November 1987 to May 1990, Mr. Jaschke was Vice President of Corporate
Development of PacTel Cellular, and from 1985 to 1987 was Director of Mergers
and Acquisitions for PacTel Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Jaschke was a
management consultant with Marakon Associates. Mr. Jaschke received a Bachelor
of Science degree summa cum laude in mathematics from the University of Puget
Sound and a Master of Science degree in management from the Sloan School of
Management at MIT.
 
   
     Herbert R. Hribar has been hired to serve as President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company, effective July 8, 1998. Mr. Hribar joined the Company
from Ameritech Corporation, where he served as President of Ameritech
Corporation's cellular services business unit and was responsible for all
aspects of the business, including strategy, marketing, sales, network, customer
service, IT and business development. He was promoted to that position in 1997
after working for Ameritech for two years, first as Vice President of
International Operations beginning in early 1995, and later as Managing Director
of Ameritech Europe. He also served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
ADSB Telecommunications, a consortium of international telecommunications
companies headed by Ameritech. Before joining Ameritech, Mr. Hribar served in
various capacities with Sprint Corporation from 1988 to 1995, including as Vice
President and General Manager at Sprint International, where he was responsible
for the off-shore network planning, design, operations and information systems
planning for Sprint's international voice, data, messaging and fax services as
well as private data network systems. Mr. Hribar previously worked in senior
management positions at GTE Telenet and served in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Hribar
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval
Academy, a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of
Illinois, a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University
and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins
University.
    
 
   
     James C. Allen has served as a director of Verio since May 1996. Mr. Allen
served as CEO of Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc. until its recent acquisition by
WorldCom. Mr. Allen has 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, operator,
financier, expert witness and advisor in cable television and broadband
telecommunications. Prior to joining Brooks, he served as Chief Financial
Officer and Chief Operating Officer of David Lipscomb University from which he
holds a Bachelor of Science degree. Mr. Allen was a founder and former
President, CFO and COO of Cencom Cable Associates, which was purchased by a
subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, and a former Vice President of Operations of
Telcom Engineering, Inc., a telecommunications engineering and consulting firm
with clients in both the telephone and cable television industries. Mr. Allen
previously held positions as Vice President of Operations of United Cable
Television, Divisional Manager of Continental Telephone Corporation, and Vice
President of Finance for National Communications Service Corporation. Mr. Allen
also is a director of MetroNet Communications Corp. ("MetroNet"), an LEC.
    
 
     Trygve E. Myhren has served as a director of Verio since April 1997. Mr.
Myhren is President of Myhren Media, Inc. which invests in and advises media,
communications and consumer products companies. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Myhren
was President and a director of The Providence Journal Company. From 1975 until
1988, Mr. Myhren was an officer of American Television and Communications
Corporation (ATC), the cable television subsidiary of Time, Inc. (now
Time/Warner Cable), serving as Chairman and CEO from 1980 to 1988. Mr. Myhren
also serves on the boards of The Providence Journal Company, Advanced Marketing
Services, Peapod, Ltd., CableLabs, J.D. Edwards, Inc., Founders Funds and The
University of Denver. Previously, Mr. Myhren served as chairman of the National
Cable Television Association (NCTA), and also served on the boards of Turner
Broadcasting Systems, Continental Cablevision, Inc., Citizens Bank and several
internal Time, Inc. boards, including Home Box Office, Temple-Eastex and Time
Magazine Group. He also served on the FCC's Advisory Committee on High
Definition TV. Mr. Myhren has an undergraduate degree in political science and
philosophy from Dartmouth and a Master of Business Administration from the Amos
Tuck Graduate School at Dartmouth. He served three and one-half years as a naval
officer with the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   69
 
     Paul J. Salem has served as a director of Verio since December 1996. Mr.
Salem is a Managing Director of Providence Equity Partners, Inc., and is a
partner of the general partner of Providence's private equity funds. Providence
manages over $500 million in equity and specializes in communications and media
investments. Mr. Salem has been responsible for many of Providence's investment
activities, including its investments in competitive local exchange companies,
enhanced specialized mobile radio, wireless data networks, radio representation,
telecommunications infrastructure and other areas. He is currently a director of
Interep National Radio Sales, Inc., MetroNet, Wired Ventures, Inc. and UniSite,
Inc. Prior to joining Providence, Mr. Salem worked for Morgan Stanley & Co. in
corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Previously, Mr. Salem spent four
years with Prudential Investment Corporation, an affiliate of Prudential
Insurance, where his responsibilities included private placement financings,
leveraged buyout transactions and establishing Prudential's European investment
office. Mr. Salem received a Bachelor of Arts in business from Brown University
and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
 
   
     Stephen W. Schovee has been a director of the Company since the Company's
inception in March 1996. Mr. Schovee serves as Managing Member of Telecom
Partners, L.P. and Telecom Partners II, L.P. Mr. Schovee was previously
co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and a director of OneComm from its inception
until its merger with Nextel. Prior to that, Mr. Schovee was a Vice President of
Centennial Holdings, the manager of The Centennial Funds, a Denver based venture
capital fund with over $400 million of subscribed capital. Mr. Schovee was a
partner in two of The Centennial Funds where he focused on telecommunications
investments. Mr. Schovee is a special limited partner of Centennial Fund IV,
L.P. and Centennial Fund V, L.P. He is a director of SMR Direct, Intergram
International, and Infobeat. Mr. Schovee received a Bachelor of Science degree
in mechanical engineering from Bucknell University and a Master of Business
Administration from The Wharton School.
    
 
   
     George J. Still, Jr. has been a director of the Company since the Company's
inception in March 1996. Mr. Still, based in Palo Alto, California, is a
Managing Partner of Norwest Venture Partners VI, L.P. and Norwest Equity
Partners V, L.P., and a General Partner of Norwest Equity Partners IV. From July
1984 until October 1989, he was a General Partner with The Centennial Funds
based in Denver, Colorado. Prior to Centennial, Mr. Still was with Ernst &
Whinney (now Ernst & Young) in San Francisco. Currently, he is a director of
PeopleSoft, Inc. and 3Dfx Interactive, Inc., both public companies. In addition,
he serves on the board of several private companies, including Metapath Software
Corporation, Intrepid Systems, ObjectStream, Inc., and Chordiant Software.
Further, Mr. Still serves as a director of the National Venture Capital
Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration
from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from
the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College.
    
 
   
     Sean G. Brophy has served as Vice President of Corporate Development since
November 1997, and prior to that served as Vice President of Marketing and
Business Development for the Company since joining Verio in May 1996. Mr. Brophy
served as Vice President of Marketing for OneComm and then Nextel from 1994 to
1996. He worked at Northern Telecom from 1990 through 1994 in a variety of
capacities, including strategic planning and product management, where he had
global responsibilities for new products for Personal Communications Services.
Prior to that he worked at Bell Northern Research, the research and development
arm of Northern Telecom, designing telephone equipment and services ranging from
the DMS-100 to key systems. While there he was awarded patent and design
excellence awards. Mr. Brophy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer
engineering from McMaster University, a Master of Science degree in electrical
engineering from Carleton University and a Master of Science degree in
management from the Sloan School of Management at MIT.
    
 
     James F. B. Browning was appointed Vice President of Network Operations for
the Company in January 1998, having previously served as President and CEO of
ATMnet, a company he founded in 1995 to provide integrated digital
communications services to businesses with broadband networking requirements.
Verio acquired ATMnet in November 1997. Mr. Browning has 20 years of experience
managing high technology development and operations. From 1988 to 1994, as
co-founder, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of
VisiCom Laboratories, Inc., a systems engineering firm specializing in digital
satellite communications and operating system level software development. From
1983 to 1988, Mr. Browning served as Executive Vice President and then President
of Pacific Microcomputers, Inc., which
                                       62
<PAGE>   70
 
developed and produced Single Board Computers for use in Unix workstations and
real time embedded computing environments. Previously, Mr. Browning held
financial and operational management positions with Advanced Digital Systems and
Tetra Tech, a subsidiary of Honeywell. Mr. Browning holds a Bachelor of Science
degree in accounting from San Diego State University.
 
   
     James B. Cunningham was appointed as the Company's Vice President of Sales
and Marketing in June 1998, after serving as the President of the Company's
Northeast regional operations since December 1997. He assumed that role after
acting as the President of Global Enterprise Services, Inc. (one of the
Company's acquired ISPs) beginning in May 1997. Mr. Cunningham has 17 years of
sales, marketing and general management experience with both established and
early stage telecommunications companies. Mr. Cunningham most recently served as
Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at U.S. One Communications, Inc.
overseeing its eastern United States sales and service organization. Prior to
joining U.S. One Communications in 1996, Mr. Cunningham spent 10 years with MCI.
From 1995 to 1996, he served as Vice President, Sales & Marketing for network
MCI Digital Imaging where he directed its Campus MCI program which provided
Internet access and enhanced services for universities and local governments
around the country. Mr. Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Business Administration from Livingston University in Alabama.
    
 
     Chris J. DeMarche has been Chief Technical Officer of the Company since
joining the Company in May 1996. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. DeMarche was CTO and
Senior Vice President of Nextel, where he was credited with addressing many
critical technology issues. From 1993 to 1995, he was Senior Vice President of
Engineering and Technology at OneComm, where he was responsible for building a
national engineering team and designing and implementing wireless communication
networks. Mr. DeMarche also worked in advanced technology areas at PacTel
Corporation and Hughes Aircraft Corporation and served in the U.S. Naval
Submarine Force. Mr. DeMarche received his Master of Business Administration
from UCLA in 1990, his Master of System Management from University of Southern
California in 1986, and his Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval
Academy in 1978.
 
     Carla Hamre Donelson has served as Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary of the Company since joining Verio in October 1996 from the law firm
of Morrison & Foerster LLP, where she had practiced law since March 1987. She
served as a partner in that firm's business department from 1990 and as head of
the Denver business practice from 1993. While in private practice, Ms. Donelson
was engaged in a general corporate and transactional practice, focused primarily
on the communications and related technology industries, representing domestic
and foreign entities in numerous financing, merger, acquisition, investment, and
licensing transactions. She served as regular outside corporate counsel to
OneComm and represented OneComm in connection with a variety of its SMR
acquisitions as well as its merger with Nextel. Ms. Donelson received her
Bachelor of Arts degree in molecular biology from the University of Colorado,
her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver College of Law, and is a
member of the Colorado Bar Association.
 
     Peter B. Fritzinger has served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company
since June 1997. From September 1993 until June 1997, Mr. Fritzinger served as
Chief Financial Officer of Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas Corp., an independent,
publicly held oil and gas company headquartered in Oklahoma City. From 1991 to
1993, he was Vice President-Finance and Treasurer of Louis Dreyfus Energy Corp.,
a diversified, global enterprise with investments in oil and gas reserves and
other petroleum-related industries. Mr. Fritzinger joined Louis Dreyfus Energy
Corp. from J.P. Morgan, where he was a Vice President in its corporate finance
group, having held various positions with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York since 1980. Mr. Fritzinger received his Bachelor of Arts degree in math and
psychology from Amherst College.
 
     Deb Mayfield Gahan has served as Vice President of Finance and
Administration for the Company since joining the Company in May 1996. She brings
with her ten years of extensive start-up and telecommunications experience. From
1994 to 1996, Ms. Gahan served as Vice President of Business Services and
Controller for OneComm and then for Nextel following its acquisition of OneComm.
From 1987 to 1994, she was Director of Business Operations and Controller for
American Cellular Communications and then BellSouth Cellular Corp., a leading
provider of cellular service in 15 states. In these positions, she was
responsible for
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   71
 
implementing cost-effective financial control systems, asset protection, revenue
assurance, financial reporting, treasury and business process development. Ms.
Gahan is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master of Business
Administration from Mississippi College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in
accounting from Mississippi State University.
 
     James M. Kieffer has served as Vice President of Customer Operations for
the Company since joining the Company in July 1996. Previously, Mr. Kieffer
served as Nextel's Vice President of Customer Operations responsible for
customer care, billing, accounts receivable, and inventory management from
August 1996. Prior to OneComm's merger with Nextel, Mr. Kieffer led the
development of OneComm's customer care as Director of Customer Operations from
January 1994 to August 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Kieffer served as National
Customer Service Manager for Motorola's Land Mobile Products Sector. During his
six years with Motorola, he held several key roles while developing a
consolidated national customer care organization from March 1990 until January
1994. Prior to joining Motorola, Mr. Kieffer managed customer relations and
accounts receivable for IBM. He received his Master of Business Administration
from DePaul University and holds a Bachelor of Science in management from
Illinois State University.
 
   
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    
 
     The Company's Board has established an Executive Committee, a Finance
Committee, a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. The Executive
Committee is responsible for reviewing and, where appropriate, authorizing
corporate action with respect to the conduct of the business of the Company
between Board meetings. Actions taken by the Executive Committee must be
submitted to the Board for review and ratification at the next meeting, except
in those cases when the Board has specifically delegated final decision-making
authority to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is composed of
Messrs. Halstedt and Jaschke. The Finance Committee is responsible for reviewing
and, where appropriate, authorizing certain corporate actions with respect to
the finances of the Company and certain acquisitions of ISPs not involving the
issuance of stock. The Finance Committee is composed of Messrs. Halstedt,
Jaschke, Still and Myhren. The Compensation Committee is responsible for
reviewing and establishing the compensation structure for the Company's officers
and directors, including salary rates, participation in incentive compensation
and benefit plans, 401(k) plans, stock option and purchase plans and other forms
of compensation. The Compensation Committee is composed of Messrs. Allen, Myhren
and Schovee.
 
   
     The Board also has established an Audit Committee consisting of Messrs.
Myhren and Schovee. The Audit Committee will be comprised solely of independent
directors and will be responsible for recommending the firm to be appointed as
independent accountants to audit the Company's financial statements, discussing
the scope and results of the audit with the independent accountants, reviewing
the functions of the Company's management and independent accountants with
respect to the Company's financial statements and performing such other related
duties and functions as are deemed appropriate by the Audit Committee and the
Board.
    
 
DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
 
   
     From and after the consummation of the IPO, each non-employee director of
the Company will receive an annual retainer fee of $5,000 and a fee of $1,000
for each meeting of the Board attended in person or $500 for each meeting
attended by telephone. The fee for Board committee meetings is $500 per meeting.
A director may elect to receive these payments in the form of Common Stock. In
addition, upon consummation of the IPO, each non-employee director automatically
was granted an option to acquire 30,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise
price per share equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock at the date
of grant. Such options will vest and become exercisable in three equal
installments on each yearly anniversary of the grant date. Non-employee
directors elected or appointed to the Board following the IPO also will be
granted automatically at the time of election or appointment an option to
acquire 30,000 shares of Common Stock with the same terms and conditions at an
exercise price equal to the then fair market value of the Common Stock. After
the initial three year vesting period for such options, non-employee directors
will receive automatic annual grants of options to acquire an additional 3,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of
the Common Stock at the date of grant. Such options will vest and become
exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date. In April 1998, the
Company adopted a
    
                                       64
<PAGE>   72
 
   
separate stock incentive plan under which options may be granted and shares of
Common Stock may be issued to non-employee directors in accordance with these
compensation arrangements, from and after the consummation of the IPO. See
"Stock Option and Incentive Plans -- 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive
Plan."
    
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The following table sets forth certain summary information for the years
ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, concerning the compensation paid
and awarded to: (a) the Company's Chief Executive Officer and (b) the Company's
four most highly compensated executive officers whose salaries and bonuses
exceeded $100,000 who were serving as executive officers as of December 31, 1997
(collectively, with the Chief Executive Officer, the "Named Executive
Officers").
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                         AWARDS
                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION          -----------------------
                              --------------------------------   RESTRICTED   SECURITIES
                              FISCAL                               STOCK      UNDERLYING      ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION   YEAR(1)   SALARY($)     BONUS($)   AWARDS($)    OPTIONS(#)   COMPENSATIONS($)
---------------------------   -------   ---------     --------   ----------   ----------   ----------------
<S>                           <C>       <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
Justin L. Jaschke...........   1997      175,003       66,500      85,000           --              --
  Chief Executive Officer      1996      124,631(2)    44,867          --      240,000              --
Mark D. Johnson.............   1997      113,337       50,603          --      200,000              --
  President and Chief          1996           --           --          --           --              --
  Operating Officer(3)
Chris J. DeMarche...........   1997      160,004       60,800      25,000       20,000              --
  Chief Technical Officer      1996      106,666(4)    38,215          --       70,000              --
Carla Hamre Donelson........   1997      160,004       57,760          --       20,000              --
  Vice President, General      1996       26,320(5)    13,680      50,000       60,000          42,678(7)
  Counsel and Secretary
Peter B. Fritzinger.........   1997       89,443(6)    31,287          --       75,000          70,267(8)
  Chief Financial Officer      1996           --           --          --           --              --
</TABLE>
 
---------------
 
(1) Fiscal year 1996 covers the period from inception (March 1, 1996) to
    December 31, 1996.
 
(2) Reflects compensation paid to Mr. Jaschke commencing with his appointment as
    Chief Executive Officer in April 1996.
 
(3) Mr. Johnson, who served as the Company's President and Chief Operating
    Officer beginning in March 1997, died on March 9, 1998. See
    "Summary -- Recent Developments."
 
(4) Reflects compensation paid to Mr. DeMarche commencing with his appointment
    as Chief Technical Officer in May 1996.
 
(5) Reflects compensation paid to Ms. Donelson commencing with her appointment
    as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in October 1996.
 
(6) Reflects compensation paid to Mr. Fritzinger commencing with his appointment
    as Chief Financial Officer in June 1997.
 
(7) Represents the cost to the Company of tax reimbursements.
 
(8) Represents the cost to the Company of providing relocation benefits.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>   73
 
                   STOCK OPTIONS GRANTED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
     The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock
options by Verio under the Company's stock option plans to the Named Executive
Officers during the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                           VALUE AT ASSUMED
                           NUMBER OF      PERCENT OF                                     ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                          SECURITIES    TOTAL OPTIONS                                   PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
                          UNDERLYING      GRANTED TO       EXERCISE                       OPTION TERM ($)(2)
                            OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES IN       PRICE        EXPIRATION     -----------------------
          NAME            GRANTED (#)    FISCAL YEAR     ($/SHARE)(1)       DATE           5%           10%
          ----            -----------   --------------   ------------   -------------   ---------   -----------
<S>                       <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>         <C>
Justin L. Jaschke.......         --             --             --                  --         --            --
Mark D. Johnson.........    200,000         13.28%           6.00        May 11, 2007    754,674     1,912,491
Chris J. DeMarche.......     20,000          1.38%           6.75       Nov. 24, 2007     84,901       215,155
Carla Hamre Donelson....     20,000          1.38%           6.75       Nov. 24, 2007     84,901       215,155
Peter B. Fritzinger.....     75,000          5.18%           6.00        May 21, 2007    283,003       717,184
</TABLE>
 
---------------
 
(1) All options were granted at an exercise price per share equal to at least
    the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, as
    determined by the Board of Directors.
 
(2) The potential realizable value is calculated based on the fair market value
    on the date of grant, which is equal to the exercise price of the options,
    assuming that the stock appreciates in value from the date of grant
    compounded annually until the end of the option term at the rate specified
    (5% or 10%) and that the option is exercised and sold on the last day of the
    option term for the appreciated stock price. Potential realizable value is
    net of the option exercise price. The assumed rates of appreciation are
    specified in the rules and regulations of the Commission and do not
    represent the Company's estimate or projection of future stock price. Actual
    gains, if any, resulting from stock option exercises and Common Stock
    holdings are dependent on the future performance of the Common Stock and
    overall stock market conditions. There can be no assurance that the amounts
    reflected in this table will be achieved.
 
        OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END VALUES
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
Named Executive Officers regarding the stock options exercised during the last
fiscal year, the aggregate number of unexercised options to purchase Common
Stock granted in all years and held by them as of December 31, 1997, and the
value of unexercised in-the-money options (i.e., options that had a positive
spread between the exercise price and the fair market value of the Common Stock)
as of December 31, 1997:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NUMBER OF SECURITIES          VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                SHARES                        UNDERLYING OPTIONS AT        IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                               ACQUIRED                        FISCAL YEAR-END (#)         FISCAL YEAR-END ($)(1)
                                  ON           VALUE       ---------------------------   ---------------------------
           NAME              EXERCISE (#)   REALIZED ($)   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
           ----              ------------   ------------   -----------   -------------   -----------   -------------
<S>                          <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
Justin L. Jaschke..........     60,000       1,280,000           --         180,000        380,000       3,600,000
Mark D. Johnson............         --              --           --         200,000             --       3,400,000
Chris J. DeMarche..........         --              --       14,000          76,000        280,000       1,445,000
Carla Hamre Donelson.......         --              --       12,000          68,000        240,000       1,285,000
Peter B. Fritzinger........         --              --           --          75,000             --       1,275,000
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
   
(1) The value of options at year-end is based on an assumed fair market value of
    $23.00 per share of Common Stock.
    
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     As a general matter, the Company does not enter into employment agreements,
and has not entered into employment agreements with any of its officers. Rather,
the employment relationships with each officer are "at will." However, in
connection with the initial employment of each officer, the Company and the
officer executed an offer letter, in which the general compensation and benefits
provided to the officer are outlined,
 
                                       66
<PAGE>   74
 
   
including base salary, targeted annual bonus, option grants and employee
benefits. As of June 1, 1998, the base salary and targeted bonus levels for each
of the officers remained the same as in 1997. Upon consummation of the IPO, the
base salary for Mr. Jaschke was increased to $260,000, which will result in an
increase in his annual targeted bonus level of 30% to 40% of his base salary.
    
 
COMPENSATION PROTECTION AGREEMENTS
 
   
     The Company has entered into compensation protection agreements (the
"Compensation Protection Agreements") with each of the Named Executive Officers
and certain additional officers (collectively, the "Protected Officers") of the
Company. Each of the Compensation Protection Agreements contain substantially
similar terms. The form of Compensation Protection Agreement has been filed as
an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part. The Compensation Protection Agreements are for a term of three years from
April 1, 1998 (the "Effective Date"), subject to automatic yearly extensions. In
no event will the Compensation Protection Agreements terminate within 12 months
of a Change in Control of the Company. "Change in Control" includes the
following:
    
 
          (a) An acquisition (other than directly from the Company) of any
     voting securities of the Company (the "Voting Securities") by any Person
     (as defined in the Exchange Act) immediately after which such Person has
     Beneficial Ownership (as defined in the Exchange Act) of 40% or more of the
     combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding Voting Securities.
     In determining whether a Change in Control has occurred, Voting Securities
     which are acquired in a "Non-Control Acquisition," as defined in the
     Compensation Protection Agreements, do not constitute an acquisition which
     would cause a Change in Control;
 
          (b) The individuals who, as of the date the Compensation Protection
     Agreements were approved by the Board, are members of the Board (the
     "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
     of the Board (subject to certain provisos);
 
   
          (c) Approval by stockholders of the Company of a merger, consolidation
     or reorganization involving the Company, unless such merger, consolidation
     or reorganization (each, an "event") satisfies certain specified
     conditions;
    
 
          (d) Any other event that at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board
     determines constitutes a Change in Control; and
 
          (e) If a Protected Officer's employment is terminated prior to a
     Change in Control and the Board determines that such termination was at the
     request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps to
     effect a Change in Control and who subsequently effectuates a Change in
     Control, or occurred in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in
     Control which actually occurs, then a Change in Control is considered to
     have occurred with respect to that Protected Officer.
 
     Upon termination within 12 months following a Change in Control, each
Protected Officer will receive the following compensation and benefits:
 
          (i) If a Protected Officer's employment with the Company is terminated
     within 12 months following a Change in Control by the Company for Cause (as
     defined in the Compensation Protection Agreements) or by reason of the
     Protected Officer's Disability (as defined in the Compensation Protection
     Agreements), death, retirement, or by the Protected Officer other than for
     Good Reason (as defined in the Compensation Protection Agreements), then
     the Company must pay to the Protected Officer the Accrued Compensation (as
     defined below) due through the date of termination (the "Termination
     Date"). Accrued Compensation includes base salary, reimbursement for
     reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Protected Officer on
     behalf of the Company during the period ending on the Termination Date, and
     vacation pay.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>   75
 
          (ii) If a Protected Officer's employment is terminated within 12
     months of a Change in Control for any other reason than specified above,
     the Protected Officer will receive:
 
             (A) his or her Accrued Compensation;
 
             (B) an amount equal to the product of a fraction, the numerator of
        which is the number of days in the Company's fiscal year through the
        Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365, and the bonus
        amount, which will be the greater of 100% of the last annual incentive
        payment paid or payable to the Protected Officer prior to the
        Termination Date, and the Protected Officer's incentive target for the
        fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs (the "Bonus Amount");
 
   
             (C) an amount equal to two times the sum of the Protected Officer's
        annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control,
        plus the Bonus Amount. However, the amount paid to Mr. Jaschke will be
        three times that sum;
    
 
             (D) until the third anniversary of the Termination Date, the same
        rights with respect to benefits provided by the Company, as were
        provided to the Protected Officer as of the Effective Date, or, if
        greater, at any time within 90 days preceding the date of the Change in
        Control; and
 
             (E) the immediate vesting and removal of all restrictions on any
        outstanding incentive awards granted to the Protected Officer under the
        Company's stock option and other stock incentive plans or arrangement.
 
     The Compensation Protection Agreements will further provide that the
Protected Officers will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment by
seeking employment or otherwise. Protected Officers may be entitled to
additional compensation or benefits in accordance with the Company's employee
benefit plans and other applicable programs, policies and practices then in
effect. The Compensation Protection Agreements will contain a "gross-up"
provision pursuant to which any Severance Payment, which would be subject to
certain excise taxes occurring as a result of a Change in Control, would include
an additional gross-up payment resulting in the Protected Officer retaining an
additional amount equal to excise tax.
 
STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS
 
  1996 Stock Option Plan
 
   
     The 1996 Stock Option Plan was adopted and approved by the Board of
Directors in May 1996 and by the stockholders of the Company in June 1996. In
February 1998, the 1996 Stock Option Plan was amended, with the approval of the
Board, to reserve a total of 2,205,300 shares of Common Stock for issuance under
this plan. As of June 30, 1998, options to purchase 108,667 shares of Common
Stock granted under the 1996 Stock Option Plan had been exercised, options to
purchase 1,907,653 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and no additional
options to purchase shares of Common Stock remained available for grant. All
options forfeited after the amendment to the 1996 Stock Option Plan was
implemented in February 1998 result in availability under the 1998 Stock
Incentive Plan and are no longer available for grant under the 1996 Stock Option
Plan. The outstanding options were exercisable at a weighted average exercise
price of $6.53 per share. Outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of
1,277,653 shares were held by employees who are not officers or directors of the
Company. Of the 108,667 shares issued upon exercise of options, a total of
48,250 were issued upon exercise prior to their respective exercise vesting
dates, as permitted by the terms of the 1996 Stock Option Plan. As a result,
these shares are subject to repurchase by the Company at their respective
exercise prices, until the date on which they would have become exercisable. The
1996 Stock Option Plan will terminate in 2006, unless sooner terminated by the
Board of Directors.
    
 
     The Board of Directors has delegated administration of the 1996 Stock
Option Plan to its Compensation Committee (the "Committee"). The Committee is
constituted to comply with the rules under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act.
Awards under the 1996 Stock Option Plan may consist of (i) options to purchase
Common Stock that are designed to qualify, under Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), as "incentive stock options"
("Incentive Stock Options") or (ii) options to purchase Common
 
                                       68
<PAGE>   76
 
Stock that are not described in Sections 422 or 423 of the Code ("Non-Qualified
Stock Options" and, collectively with Incentive Stock Options, "Options").
 
   
     The Committee has discretion to grant Incentive Stock Options to employees
and officers (including directors who are employees) of the Company or any
Affiliate (as defined in the 1996 Stock Option Plan) of the Company and
Non-Qualified Stock Options to employees, officers, directors or consultants of
the Company and its Affiliates. The Committee may set the terms of such grants,
subject to applicable restrictions in the 1996 Stock Option Plan. Incentive
Stock Option grants are subject to the following limitations: (i) the term of
any Incentive Stock Option may not be longer than ten years, provided that the
term of any Incentive Stock Option granted to an individual possessing more than
10% of the combined voting power of the Company or an Affiliate (a "10% Holder")
may not be longer than five years; (ii) the aggregate fair market value of all
shares underlying Incentive Stock Options granted to an individual that first
become exercisable in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000; and (iii) the
exercise price of Incentive Stock Options may not be less than the fair market
value of the underlying shares on the grant date, provided that the exercise
price of any Incentive Stock Option granted to a 10% Holder may not be less than
110% of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date. With
respect to Non-Qualified Stock Options, the exercise price may not be less than
85% of the fair market value of the underlying shares on the grant date. As of
June 30, 1998, no such below-market grant has been made.
    
 
     During an optionee's lifetime, an Incentive Stock Option is exercisable
only by the optionee and no Incentive Stock Option may be transferred by the
optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During an
optionee's lifetime (or a transferee pursuant to a qualified domestic relation
order), a Non-Qualified Stock Option is exercisable only by the optionee and no
Non-Qualified Stock Option may be transferred by the optionee other than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic
relation order satisfying the requirements of the prior version of Rule 16b-3
under the Exchange Act. An optionee whose continuous status as an employee,
director or consultant of the Company terminates for any reason (other than
termination because of death or disability) may exercise, in the three-month
period following such cessation (unless such Options terminate or expire sooner
by their terms), or such longer or shorter period as specified in the Option,
that portion of the optionee's Options that is exercisable at the time of such
cessation. In the event the optionee becomes disabled, the Options vested as of
the date of disability may be exercised prior to the earlier of such Option's
specified expiration date or 12 months from the date of the optionee's
disability, or such longer or shorter period as specified in the Option. In the
event the optionee dies, the Options vested as of the date of disability may be
exercised prior to the earlier of such Option's specified expiration date or 18
months from the date of the optionee's disability, or such longer or shorter
period as specified in the Option.
 
     In the event of (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) a
merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation,
(iii) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the
shares of the Company's outstanding common stock immediately prior to such
merger are converted into other property, whether in the form of securities,
cash or otherwise, or (iv) any other capital reorganization in which the
Company's shareholders receive less than 50% of the outstanding voting shares of
the surviving corporation: (a) any surviving corporation shall assume any
Options outstanding under the 1996 Stock Option Plan; (b) such Options shall
continue in full force and effect; or (c) the Options shall terminate if not
exercised prior to such event.
 
  1997 California Stock Option Plan
 
   
     The Company's 1997 California Stock Option Plan (the "1997 California
Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors in February 1997, and approved by
the Company's stockholders in April 1997. In February 1998, the 1997 California
Plan was amended, with the approval of the Board, to reserve a total of 795,400
shares of Common Stock for issuance under this plan. This amendment has been
approved by the Company's stockholders. As of June 30, 1998, options to purchase
80 shares of Common Stock had been exercised under the 1997 California Plan,
options to purchase 614,665 shares of Common Stock were outstanding and options
to purchase an additional 180,715 shares of Common Stock remained available for
grant. The outstanding options were exercisable at a weighted average exercise
price of $12.14 per share. Outstanding options to
    
                                       69
<PAGE>   77
 
purchase an aggregate of 507,605 shares were held by employees who are not
officers or directors of the Company.
 
     The 1997 California Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or
the Committee (either, the "1997 Plan Administrator"). The 1997 California Plan
provides for the granting to employees of the Company and of its subsidiaries or
parent corporations of Incentive Stock Options, and for the granting to
employees and independent contractors of Non-Qualified Stock Options. The 1997
Plan Administrator has the power to determine the terms of the Options granted,
including the exercise price, number of shares subject to the Option and the
exercisability thereof, and the form of consideration payable upon exercise.
Options granted under the 1997 California Plan are not transferable by the
optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution, and each
Option is exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee.
The exercise price of all Incentive Stock Options granted under the 1997
California Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value, as determined
by the Board of Directors, of the Common Stock on the grant date. The exercise
price of all Non-Qualified Stock Options granted under the 1997 California Plan
must be at least 85% of the fair market value, as determined by the 1997 Plan
Administrator, of the Common Stock on the grant date. With respect to any
participant who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the voting power or value
of all classes of the Company's outstanding capital stock, the exercise price of
any Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option granted must equal at
least 110% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the grant date and
the term of the Option must not exceed five years. The term of all other Options
granted under the 1997 California Plan may not exceed ten years. The
consideration for exercising any Option may consist of cash, check, shares of
Common Stock, a promissory note, the assignment of part of the proceeds from the
sale of shares acquired upon exercise of the Options or any combination thereof
as specified in the agreement evidencing the Option.
 
     The 1997 California Plan provides that in the event of a merger of the
Company with or into another corporation or a consolidation, sale of
substantially all of the Company's assets or like transaction involving the
Company in which the Company's stockholders before the transaction do not retain
a majority interest in the Company, each Option may be assumed or an equivalent
Option may be substituted by a successor corporation. If the successor
corporation chooses not to assume the Options under the 1997 California Plan,
the Options not otherwise exercisable will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of the transaction.
 
   
     Unless terminated sooner, the 1997 California Plan will terminate
automatically in 2007. The Board has the authority to amend, suspend or
terminate the 1997 California Plan, subject to stockholder approval of certain
amendments and provided no such action may affect any share of Common Stock
previously issued and sold or any Option previously granted under the 1997
California Plan without the optionee's consent.
    
 
  1998 Stock Incentive Plan
 
   
     The Company's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1998 Stock Incentive Plan"),
which was adopted by the Board of Directors in February 1998, was amended and
restated as of March 19, 1998 and has been approved by the Company's
stockholders to reserve 6,199,300 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the
1998 Stock Incentive Plan, together with (a) any shares of Common Stock
available for future awards under the 1997 California Plan as of the IPO and (b)
any shares of Common Stock represented by Awards under the 1996 Stock Option
Plan and the 1997 California Plan (the "Prior Plans"), that are forfeited,
expire or are cancelled following the IPO. In connection with the adoption of
the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, the Board determined that the Company will limit
the issuance of 1998 Awards (as defined) under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan
such that the aggregate number of shares subject to 1998 Awards granted under
the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and the Prior Plans will not at any time exceed
15% of the Company's outstanding fully-diluted equity. From and after the IPO,
all further option grants will be made solely under the 1998 Stock Incentive
Plan.
    
 
   
     As of June 30, 1998, options to purchase 15,725 shares of Common Stock had
been exercised under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, options to purchase
1,853,240 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, and options to purchase an
additional 4,330,335 shares of Common Stock remained available for grant. The
    
 
                                       70
<PAGE>   78
 
   
outstanding options were exercisable at a weighted average exercise price of
$14.67 per share. Outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 1,188,240
shares were held by employees who are not officers or directors of the Company.
    
 
     The purpose of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan is to attract and retain the
best available personnel, to provide additional incentive to employees,
directors and consultants of the Company and its related entities and to promote
the success of the Company's business. The 1998 Stock Incentive Plan provides
for the granting to employees of Incentive Stock Options and the granting of
nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent
rights, restricted stock, performance units, performance shares, and other
equity-based rights ("1998 Awards") to employees, directors and consultants of
the Company and its related entities.
 
     With respect to 1998 Awards granted to directors or officers, the 1998
Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or a committee
designated by the Board of Directors constituted to permit such 1998 Awards to
be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act in accordance with Rule 16b-3
thereunder. With respect to 1998 Awards granted to other participants, the 1998
Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or a committee
designated by the Board of Directors. In each case, the respective plan
administrator shall determine the provisions, terms and conditions of each 1998
Award, including, but not limited to, the 1998 Award vesting schedule,
repurchase provisions, rights of first refusal, forfeiture provisions, form of
payment (cash, shares of Common Stock, or other consideration) upon settlement
of the 1998 Award, payment contingencies and satisfaction of any performance
criteria.
 
     Incentive Stock Options are not transferable by the optionee other than by
will or the laws of descent or distribution, and each Incentive Stock Option is
exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee. Other
1998 Awards shall be transferable to the extent provided in the agreement
evidencing the 1998 Award.
 
   
     The exercise price of Incentive Stock Options must be at least equal to the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, and the term of the
option must not exceed ten years. The term of other 1998 Awards will be
determined by the respective plan administrator. With respect to an employee who
owns stock possessing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of the
Company's outstanding capital stock, the exercise price of any Incentive Stock
Option must equal at least 110% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the grant date and the term of the option must not exceed five years. The
exercise price or purchase price, if any, of other 1998 Awards will be such
price as determined by the respective plan administrator, but not less than 85%
of the fair market value of the stock. The consideration to be paid for the
shares of Common Stock upon exercise or purchase of a 1998 Award will be
determined by the respective plan administrator and may include cash, check,
shares of Common Stock, or the assignment of part of the proceeds from the sale
of shares acquired upon exercise or purchase of the 1998 Award.
    
 
   
     Where the 1998 Award agreement permits the exercise or purchase of a 1998
Award for a certain period of time following the recipient's termination of
service with the Company, disability, or death, such 1998 Award will terminate
to the extent not exercised or purchased on the last day of the specified period
or the last day of the original term of such 1998 Award, whichever occurs first.
    
 
     Unless terminated sooner, the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan will terminate
automatically in 2008. The Board has the authority to amend, suspend or
terminate the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan subject to stockholder approval of
certain amendments and provided no such action may affect 1998 Awards previously
granted under the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan unless agreed to by the affected
grantees.
 
  1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
     The Company's 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock Purchase Plan")
was approved by the Board of Directors in February 1998 and has been approved by
the Company's stockholders. The Stock Purchase Plan was subsequently amended and
restated as of April 13, 1998. The Stock Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as
an "employee stock purchase plan" under Section 423 of the Code in order to
provide employees of the Company with an opportunity to purchase Common Stock
through payroll deductions. An
 
                                       71
<PAGE>   79
 
   
aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock has been reserved
for issuance under the Stock Purchase Plan and available for purchase
thereunder, subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend
or other similar change in the Common Stock or the capital structure of the
Company. All employees of the Company (and employees of "subsidiary
corporations" and "parent corporations" of the Company (as defined by the Code)
designated by the administrator of the Stock Purchase Plan) whose customary
employment is for more than five months in any calendar year and more than 20
hours per week are eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan. Employees
hired after the IPO are eligible to participate in the Stock Purchase Plan,
subject to a six-month waiting period after hiring. Non-employee directors,
consultants, and employees subject to the rules or laws of a foreign
jurisdiction that prohibit or make impractical the participation of such
employees in the Stock Purchase Plan are not eligible to participate in the
Stock Purchase Plan.
    
 
   
     The Stock Purchase Plan designates Purchase Periods, Accrual Periods and
Exercise Dates. Purchase Periods are generally overlapping periods of 12 months.
The initial Purchase Period began on the effective date of the Stock Purchase
Plan, which was the effective date of the Company's Registration Statement
relating to the IPO, and ends on May 14, 1999. Additional Purchase Periods will
commence each May 15 and November 15. Accrual Periods are generally six month
periods, with the initial Accrual Period commencing on the effective date of the
Stock Purchase Plan and ending on November 14, 1998. Thereafter, Accrual Periods
will commence each May 15 and November 15. Exercise Dates are the last day of
each Accrual Period. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into
another corporation, the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company, or certain other transactions in which the stockholders of the Company
before the transaction own less than 50% of the total combined voting power of
the Company's outstanding securities following the transaction, the
administrator of the Stock Purchase Plan may elect to shorten the Purchase
Period then in progress.
    
 
     On the first day of each Purchase Period, a participating employee is
granted a purchase right which is a form of option to be automatically exercised
on the forthcoming Exercise Dates within the Purchase Period during which
deductions are to be made from the pay of participants (in accordance with their
authorizations) and credited to their accounts under the Stock Purchase Plan.
When the purchase right is exercised, the participant's withheld salary is used
to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company. The price per share at which
shares of Common Stock are to be purchased under the Stock Purchase Plan during
any Accrual Period is the lesser of (a) 85% of the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the date of the grant of the option (the commencement of the
Purchase Period) or (b) 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
Exercise Date (the last day of an Accrual Period). The participant's purchase
right is exercised in this manner on both Exercise Dates arising in the Purchase
Period unless, on the first day of any Accrual Period, the fair market value of
the Common Stock is lower than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
first day of the Purchase Period. If so, the participant's participation in the
original Purchase Period is terminated, and the participant is automatically
enrolled in the new Purchase Period effective the same date.
 
     Payroll deductions may range from 1% to 10% (in whole percentage
increments) of a participant's regular base pay and bonuses, exclusive of
overtime, shift-premiums or commissions. Participants may not make direct cash
payments to their accounts. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock which
any employee may purchase under the Stock Purchase Plan during an Accrual Period
is 1,250 shares. Certain additional limitations on the amount of Common Stock
which may be purchased during any calendar year are imposed by the Code.
 
     The Stock Purchase Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors or a
committee designated by the Board, which will have the authority to terminate or
amend the Stock Purchase Plan (subject to specified restrictions) and otherwise
to administer the Stock Purchase Plan and to resolve all questions relating to
the administration of the Stock Purchase Plan.
 
  1998 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan
 
     In April 1998, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the 1998
Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan (the "1998 Non-Employee Director
Plan"), under which the total number of shares available
                                       72
<PAGE>   80
 
   
for grant is equal to 300,000 shares of Common Stock, in order to provide for
option grants and stock issuances to members of the Company's Board of Directors
who are not employees of the Company, following the IPO, in accordance with the
compensation guidelines described in "-- Directors Compensation." The 1998 Non-
Employee Director Plan has been approved by the Company's stockholders.
    
 
     The purposes of the 1998 Non-Employee Director Plan are to attract and
retain the best available non-employee directors, to provide them additional
incentives, and to promote the success of the Company's business. The 1998
Non-Employee Director Plan establishes two programs for the grant of awards to
non-employee directors: the Automatic Option Grant Program and the Stock Fee
Program (the "Non-Employee Director Awards").
 
   
     Under the Automatic Option Grant Program, each of the six non-employee
directors serving on the Company's Board of Directors upon consummation of the
IPO automatically was granted an option to acquire 30,000 shares of Common Stock
at an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value of the Common
Stock at the date of grant. These options will vest and become exercisable in
three equal installments on each yearly anniversary of the grant date.
Non-employee directors appointed to the Board of Directors following the IPO
also will be granted automatically at the time of election or appointment an
option to acquire 30,000 shares of Common Stock with the same terms and
conditions at an exercise price equal to the then fair market value of the
Common Stock. After the initial three year vesting period for such options, each
non-employee director will receive automatic annual grants of options to acquire
an additional 3,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price equal to the
fair market value of the Common Stock at the date of grant. Such options will
vest and become fully exercisable on the first anniversary of the grant date.
    
 
     Each automatic option grant will have a term of eight years and will be
transferable to the extent provided in the agreement evidencing the option. The
consideration for exercising an option may consist of cash, check, shares of
Common Stock, the assignment of part of the proceeds from the sale of shares
acquired upon exercise of the option or any combination thereof. In the event of
a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, a sale of
substantially all of the Company's assets, a person becoming more than a 50%
owner of the Company or a like transaction involving the Company in which the
Company's stockholders before the transaction do not retain a majority interest
in the Company, immediately prior to the transaction, one-third of the shares
subject to the options to purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock will vest and
become exercisable and all of the shares subject to the options to purchase
3,000 shares of Common Stock will vest and become exercisable. Upon consummation
of such transaction all such options will terminate, unless they are assumed by
the successor company. In the event of a hostile takeover of the Company or
change in the majority of the Board of Directors through contested elections,
the vesting of all such options will likewise accelerate as described above, but
the options will remain exercisable according to their terms.
 
     Under the Stock Fee Program, each non-employee director will be eligible to
apply all or any portion of the annual retainer and meeting fees otherwise
payable in cash to the non-employee director to the acquisition of shares of
Common Stock. The non-employee director must make the stock purchase election
prior to the start of the calendar year for which the election is to be in
effect. The first year for which such elections may be made is 1999. On the
first trading day following the due date for payment of a portion of the annual
retainer fee or the date of any meeting in a calendar year for which the
election is effective, the portion of the annual retainer or meeting fee subject
to such election automatically will be applied to the acquisition of shares of
Common Stock by dividing the selected dollar amount by the then fair market
value per share of the Common Stock. The number of issuable shares will be
rounded down to the next whole share.
 
     The 1998 Non-Employee Director Plan is administered by the Board of
Directors or a committee designated by the Board of Directors (either, the "1998
Plan Administrator") constituted to permit Non-Employee Director Awards to be
exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act in accordance with Rule 16b-3
thereunder. The 1998 Plan Administrator shall approve forms of the Non-Employee
Director Award agreement for use under the Plan, determine the terms and
conditions of Non-Employee Director Awards, and construe and interpret the terms
of the 1998 Non-Employee Director Plan and Non-Employee Director Awards granted
pursuant thereto.
 
     Unless terminated sooner, the 1998 Non-Employee Director Plan will
terminate automatically in 2008. The Board of Directors has the authority to
amend, suspend or terminate the 1998 Non-Employee Director
 
                                       73
<PAGE>   81
 
Plan subject to stockholder approval of certain amendments and provided no such
action may affect Non-Employee Director Awards previously granted under the 1998
Non-Employee Director Plan unless agreed to by the affected non-employee
directors.
 
401(k) PLAN
 
     In January 1997, the Company implemented an employee savings and retirement
plan (the "401(k) Plan") covering certain of the Company's employees who have at
least one month of service with the Company and have attained the age of 21.
Pursuant to the 401(k) Plan, eligible employees may elect to reduce their
current compensation by up to the lesser of 20% of such compensation or the
statutorily prescribed annual limit ($10,000 in 1998) and have the amount of
such reduction contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The Company may make
contributions to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of eligible employees. Employees
become 20% vested in these Company contributions after one year of service, and
increase their vested percentages by an additional 20% for each year of service
thereafter. The 401(k) Plan is intended to qualify under Section 401 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, so that contributions by employees or
by the Company to the 401(k) Plan, and income earned on the 401(k) Plan
contributions, are not taxable to employees until withdrawn from the 401(k)
Plan, and so that contributions by the Company, if any, will be deductible by
the Company when made. The trustee under the 401(k) Plan, at the direction of
each participant, invests the 401(k) Plan employee salary deferrals in selected
investment options. The Company made no contributions to the 401(k) Plan in 1996
or in 1997. The Company does not presently expect to make any contributions to
the 401(k) Plan during the fiscal 1998.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Chairman of the Compensation Committee is Mr. Schovee. No member of the
Compensation Committee was at any time during the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997, or at any other time, an officer or employee of the Company. No member of
the Compensation Committee of the Company serves as a member of the board of
directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive
officers serving as a member of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation
Committee. See "Certain Transactions" for a description of transactions between
the Company and entities affiliated with members of the Compensation Committee.
 
LIMITATION ON LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS
 
   
     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the
Company shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the
DGCL, as it now exists or as amended, all directors and officers pursuant
thereto. The Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also authorize
the Company to indemnify its employees and other agents, at its option, to the
fullest extent permitted by Section 145, as it now exists or as amended. The
Company intends to enter into agreements to indemnify its directors and
officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in the Company's charter
documents. These agreements, among other things, provide for the indemnification
of the Company's directors and officers for certain expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any such
person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in the right of
the Company, arising out of such person's services as a director or officer of
the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any other company or enterprise to
which such person provides services at the request of the Company to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law. The Company believes that these provisions
and agreements will assist the Company in attracting and retaining qualified
persons to serve as directors and officers.
    
 
   
     Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a corporation to provide in its
certificate of incorporation that a director of the corporation shall not be
personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL,
or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides for the elimination
of personal liability of a director for breach of fiduciary duty, as permitted
by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL.
    
                                       74
<PAGE>   82
 
   
     The underwriting agreement executed by the Company and the Underwriters in
connection with the IPO (the "Underwriting Agreement") provides for
indemnification by the Underwriters under certain circumstances of directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Company against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
    
 
   
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company
pursuant to the provisions contained in the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the Company, the DGCL, the Underwriting Agreement, or otherwise, the
Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in
the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the Common Stock
being registered hereunder, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
    
 
     The Company intends to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of the
officers and directors insuring them against liabilities that they may incur in
such capacities or arising out of such status.
 
                                       75
<PAGE>   83
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
   
TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
    
 
     On June 16, 1997, the Company made a loan in the amount of $100,000 to
Peter Fritzinger, which Mr. Fritzinger repaid on July 21, 1997 with interest at
the then current market rate.
 
OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
     On March 18, 1998, in response to an offer by Brooks, the Company and
Brooks reached an agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed to repurchase
the $50.0 million principal amount of the Company's Old 1997 Notes held by
Brooks for an aggregate net purchase price of approximately $54.5 million, plus
accrued interest. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Old 1998 Notes
was used to effect the Refinancing. See "Summary -- Recent Developments."
 
   
     On April 7, 1998, the Company entered into the NTT Investment Agreement and
the OSP Agreement. The NTT Investment Agreement provides NTT with certain Board
representation rights, and imposes certain standstill and other limitations on
its ability to make further acquisitions of the Company's stock. Under the OSP
Agreement, NTT is entitled to "most favored customer" status and pricing
concessions. NTT and the Company are continuing to negotiate the specific terms
of these arrangements. See "Business -- NTT Strategic Relationship" and
"Principal Stockholders -- NTT Investment."
    
 
   
     In May 1998, the Company consummated an additional equity investment in
V-I-A Internet, Inc. ("VIANet") in which it purchased shares of VIANet's Series
B Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $8.0 million, resulting in
the Company's owning an approximately 18% equity position in VIANet. The Company
has no right to acquire the remaining equity of VIANet. The Board of Directors
has determined that its investment in VIANet will be the primary component of
its international strategy in the near term, but the Company also may pursue
direct investments in certain international markets where appropriate
opportunities exist. The Company believes that its indirect international
strategy through VIANet currently is the most effective means to leverage the
Company's resources.
    
 
   
     A number of the Company's significant stockholders (including certain of
The Centennial Funds and Norwest) are investors in VIANet. Mr. Jaschke serves as
the Chairman of the Board of Directors of VIANet and Mr. Halstedt is a member of
VIANet's Board of Directors.
    
 
                                       76
<PAGE>   84
 
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
   
     The following table sets forth certain information as of June 1, 1998,
taking into account the consummation of the IPO and the NTT Investment, with
respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (i) each
stockholder known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent, in
the aggregate, of the outstanding shares of the Company's outstanding Common
Stock, (ii) each director and Named Executive Officer of the Company and (iii)
all executive officers and directors as a group.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NUMBER OF
                                                                 SHARES        PERCENTAGE
                                                              BENEFICIALLY    BENEFICIALLY
                          HOLDERS                                OWNED          OWNED(1)
                          -------                             ------------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc.(2)............................   5,369,131         16.74%
  425 Woods Mill Road South
  Suite 300
  Town & Country, Missouri 63017
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation(3)...............   4,493,877         14.02%
  Global Communications Headquarters
  Tokyo Opera City Tower
  20-2 Nishi-Shinjuku 3-chome
  Shinjuku-ku
  Tokyo 163-14, Japan
Norwest Equity Partners V, L.P..............................   4,301,250         13.41%
  245 Lytton Avenue
  Palo Alto, California 94301
Providence Equity Partners, L.P.............................   3,055,693          9.53%
  50 Kennedy Plaza
  Providence, Rhode Island 02903
Centennial Fund V, L.P.(4)..................................   2,302,303          7.18%
  1428 Fifteenth Street
  Denver, Colorado 80202
Centennial Fund IV, L.P.(4).................................   2,159,105          6.73%
  1428 Fifteenth Street
  Denver, Colorado 80202
Steven C. Halstedt(5).......................................          --            --
Justin L. Jaschke(6)........................................     185,834         *
Estate of Mark D. Johnson(7)................................     130,000         *
James C. Allen(8)...........................................      25,000         *
Trygve E. Myhren(9).........................................      20,000         *
Paul J. Salem(10)...........................................          --            --
Stephen W. Schovee..........................................          --            --
George J. Still, Jr.(11)....................................          --            --
Chris J. DeMarche(12).......................................      88,833         *
Carla Hamre Donelson(13)....................................      29,917         *
Peter B. Fritzinger(14).....................................      40,000         *
All executive officers and directors as a group (12
  persons)(15)..............................................     512,584          1.59%
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       77
<PAGE>   85
 
---------------
 
  *  Less than 1%
 
   
 (1) Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 32,064,323 total shares of
     capital stock outstanding. In computing the number of shares beneficially
     owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of
     Common Stock subject to options or warrants owned by such person that are
     currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 24, 1998 are
     deemed outstanding; provided, that such shares are not deemed outstanding
     for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of any other
     person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to
     applicable community property laws, each of the persons named in this table
     has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth
     opposite such stockholder's name.
    
 
 (2) Includes warrants for 704,160 shares of Common Stock exercisable within 60
     days. As a result of the acquisition of Brooks by WorldCom, which resulted
     in Brooks becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of WorldCom, WorldCom may be
     deemed to indirectly beneficially own the shares owned by Brooks.
 
   
 (3) Because the percentage of beneficial ownership following the IPO reflected
     in this table is based on outstanding (not fully diluted) shares (see
     footnote 1), the ownership percentage shown for NTT is higher than the
     maximum percentage of fully diluted shares that NTT was permitted to
     purchase in the NTT Investment.
    
 
   
 (4) Does not include 71,205 shares of the Company's capital stock held by
     Centennial Entrepreneurs. Holdings V is the sole general partner of
     Centennial Entrepreneurs and may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own
     such shares by virtue of its authority to make decisions regarding the
     voting and disposition of shares beneficially owned by Centennial
     Entrepreneurs. Centennial V disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares
     held by Centennial Entrepreneurs, and Centennial Entrepreneurs disclaims
     beneficial ownership of the shares held by Centennial V. In addition,
     Centennial V disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by
     Centennial IV, and Centennial IV disclaims beneficial ownership of the
     shares held by Centennial V.
    
 
   
 (5) The sole General Partner of Centennial IV is Holdings IV and the sole
     General Partner of Centennial V is Holdings V. Holdings IV and Holdings V
     may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the shares owned by Centennial
     IV and Centennial V, respectively. Mr. Halstedt is a general partner of
     Holdings IV and Holdings V and may be deemed to be the indirect beneficial
     owner of the shares owned by Centennial IV and Centennial V. Mr. Halstedt
     disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by Centennial IV and
     Centennial V. In addition, this amount does not include 141,265 shares of
     the Company's capital stock held by Holdings LLC, of which Mr. Halstedt is
     a unit holder. Centennial Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings Inc."), of which Mr.
     Halstedt is an officer and director, is the sole Managing Member of
     Holdings LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own shares directly
     beneficially owned by Holdings LLC. However, Mr. Halstedt, acting alone,
     does not have voting or investment power with respect to any of the shares
     directly held by either Holdings Inc. or Holdings LLC, and as a result, Mr.
     Halstedt disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Holdings LLC.
    
 
 (6) Includes options for 20,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable within 60
     days.
 
 (7) Includes options exercisable for 70,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable
     within 60 days.
 
   
 (8) On April 6, 1998, Mr. Allen transferred all his shares of Common Stock to
     the James C. Allen Revocable Trust. In accordance with the rules of the
     Exchange Act, Mr. Allen is deemed to be the beneficial owner of such
     shares.
    
 
   
 (9) Includes options exercisable for 10,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable
     within 60 days.
    
 
   
(10) The sole general partner of Providence is PEPLLC. Mr. Salem is a member of
     PEPLLC and may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the shares owned by
     Providence. Mr. Salem disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
    
 
   
(11) The sole general partner of Norwest is Itasca. Mr. Still is a general
     partner of Itasca and may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own the
     shares owned by Norwest. Mr. Still disclaims beneficial ownership of these
     shares.
    
 
                                       78
<PAGE>   86
 
   
(12) Includes options exercisable for 28,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable
     within 60 days.
    
 
   
(13) Includes options exercisable for 12,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable
     within 60 days.
    
 
   
(14) Includes options exercisable for 15,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable
     within 60 days.
    
 
   
(15) Includes options exercisable for 109,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable
     within 60 days (not including options held by Mr. Johnson's estate).
    
 
NTT INVESTMENT
 
   
     NTT Stock Purchase Agreement and NTT Investment Agreement. Pursuant to a
Stock Purchase and Master Strategic Relationship Agreement, dated as of April 7,
1998, between the Company and NTT (the "NTT Stock Purchase Agreement"), NTT
agreed to purchase, concurrent with and conditioned upon the consummation of the
IPO (the "IPO Closing"), a number of shares of the Company's Common Stock equal
to the lesser of (i) 12.5% of the total number of shares of Common Stock, on a
fully diluted and fully converted basis (calculated as of the IPO Closing after
giving effect to the IPO and the sale to NTT), or (ii) the quotient of $100.0
million divided by the "Per Share Price" payable by NTT. The "Per Share Price"
paid by NTT equalled the Price to Public in the IPO multiplied by 96.75%. On May
15, 1998, the Company and NTT consummated the NTT Investment when the Company
sold 4,493,877 shares of its Common Stock to NTT for proceeds of approximately
$100.0 million. The Company granted NTT certain registration rights with respect
to the Common Stock it has acquired. See "Certain Transactions -- Description of
Capital Stock -- Registration Rights."
    
 
   
     The Company and NTT also entered into an Investment Agreement, dated as of
April 7, 1998 (the "NTT Investment Agreement"), providing for certain
arrangements generally effective from and after the purchase of shares by NTT
under the NTT Stock Purchase Agreement, some or all of which could have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company.
In particular, pursuant to the NTT Investment Agreement, so long as NTT
continues to hold at least 50% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
acquired by it in connection with the NTT Investment, the Company has agreed to
appoint an individual designated by NTT to the Board of Directors of the
Company. The initial NTT designee, who has not yet been appointed by NTT, will
serve for an initial term ending as of the third annual stockholder meeting
following the IPO Closing. Thereafter, for so long as NTT continues to meet the
share ownership requirement, the Company has agreed, subject to certain
exceptions, to nominate as a member of the Board of Directors at each subsequent
election of the applicable class of directors a person designated by NTT who
will be subject to election by the stockholders of the Company. In addition, NTT
has agreed on behalf of itself and its affiliates to certain "standstill"
restrictions pursuant to which NTT and its affiliates may only make open market
or privately negotiated purchases of additional voting securities (including
Common Stock) so long as the total holdings of NTT and its affiliates do not
exceed 17.5% of the Company's fully diluted Common Stock after taking into
account such acquisition. The "standstill" obligations terminate five years
after the consummation of the NTT Investment. NTT has also agreed, among other
things, that it will not (i) solicit proxies or participate in a proxy
solicitation or otherwise seek to influence voting with respect to the Company,
(ii) call a stockholders meeting, or (iii) make any announcement or proposal for
a tender offer that would result in NTT owning more than 17.5% of the Company's
fully diluted Common Stock. In addition, NTT has agreed that in connection with
any offer or agreement by a third party to acquire over 30% of the voting power
of the Company or over 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company (an
"Acquisition Proposal"), it will not transfer any securities of the Company in
connection with an Acquisition Proposal, unless such Acquisition Proposal has
been recommended by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Board of
Directors has not publicly recommended against such Acquisition Proposal within
three months of the public announcement or presentation to the Board of
Directors of such Acquisition Proposal.
    
 
   
     The NTT Investment Agreement also imposes certain limitations on NTT's
ability to dispose of the shares of Common Stock that it has acquired. NTT has
granted to the Company certain rights of first offer and rights of first refusal
which apply, under certain circumstances, in the event that NTT proposes to sell
some or all of the shares that it has acquired. The specific terms of these
rights vary depending upon the quantity of shares proposed to be sold and other
terms of the proposed sale. In particular, NTT must provide the Company with
written notice setting forth the shares to be sold, the minimum consideration
for which
    
                                       79
<PAGE>   87
 
   
NTT would effect such sale and, in certain cases, the identity of the proposed
transferee. The Company then has the right to buy all shares covered by such
notice within certain specified time periods ranging from 15 to 60 days
depending on the size of the proposed sale. In the event the Company exercises
its right within the applicable time period, it must consummate its purchase of
the subject shares within a period of between 30 and 90 days, again depending on
the size of such sale. If the Company fails to exercise its right of first
offer, NTT must nonetheless require any transferee who would beneficially own
7.5% or more of the Company's fully diluted Common Stock to be bound by these
same right of first offer provisions. The NTT Investment Agreement also
precludes NTT from transferring its Common Stock to certain parties specified by
the Company (which list may include no more than 15 specified parties at any one
time) that are or are likely to become competitors of the Company or, subject to
certain conditions, to any person that as a result of such transfer would
beneficially own more than 10.0% of the Company's Common Stock.
    
 
   
     In connection with the NTT Investment Agreement, the Company and NTT also
entered into the OSP Agreement, under which NTT is entitled to "most favored
customer" status and pricing concessions. NTT and the Company are continuing to
negotiate the specific terms of these arrangements. See "Business -- NTT
Strategic Relationship." Under the NTT Investment Agreement, NTT will have the
right, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to designate up to
three individuals to be employed by the Company in corporate development,
technical and/or marketing positions to assist in implementing and carrying out
the commercial relationship between Verio and NTT.
    
 
                                       80
<PAGE>   88
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE 1997 NOTES
 
     Set forth below is a summary of certain provisions of the New 1997 Notes.
The New 1997 Notes will be issued under the 1997 Indenture between the Issuer
and the Trustee. A copy of the 1997 Indenture may be obtained upon request from
the Issuer, 8005 South Chester Street, Suite 200, Englewood, Colorado 80112;
attention: General Counsel; telephone: (303) 645-1900.
 
     Except as otherwise indicated below, the following summary applies to both
the Old 1997 Notes and the New 1997 Notes. As used herein, the term "1997 Notes"
means the Old 1997 Notes and the New 1997 Notes, unless otherwise indicated.
 
     The form and terms of the New 1997 Notes will be identical in all material
respects to the form and terms of the Old 1997 Notes, except that the New 1997
Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and therefore such New 1997
Notes will not be subject to certain transfer restrictions and registration
rights applicable to the Old 1997 Notes. See "The Exchange Offers."
 
     The 1997 Notes are issued under the 1997 Indenture, a copy of the form of
which is available upon request. The 1997 Indenture is subject to and governed
by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The
following summary of certain provisions of the 1997 Indenture does not purport
to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to, the Trust Indenture Act, and to all of the provisions of the 1997 Indenture,
including the definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part
of the 1997 Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act, as in effect on
the date of the 1997 Indenture. The definitions of certain capitalized terms
used in the following summary are set forth below under "Certain Definitions."
 
GENERAL
 
     The 1997 Notes are general senior obligations of the Issuer. The 1997 Notes
are collateralized by a first priority security interest in the Escrow Account
described under "-- Disbursement of Funds; Escrow Account." The 1997 Notes have
been issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of
$1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. Principal of, premium,
if any, and interest on the 1997 Notes are payable, and the 1997 Notes are
exchangeable and transferable, at the office or agency of the Issuer in the City
of New York maintained for such purposes (which initially will be the corporate
trust office of the Trustee). See "-- Book-Entry; Delivery and Form." No service
charge will be made for any registration of transfer, exchange or redemption of
the 1997 Notes, except in certain circumstances for any tax or other
governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
 
MATURITY, INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL
 
     The 1997 Notes are limited to $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount after
the Refinancing and will mature on June 15, 2004. Interest on the 1997 Notes
will accrue at a rate of 13 1/2% per annum and be payable in cash semi-annually
in arrears on each June 15 and December 15 (each, an "Interest Payment Date"),
commencing December 15, 1997, to registered holders of 1997 Notes, on the June 1
or December 1, as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment
Date. Interest on the 1997 Notes will accrue from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no
interest has been paid or duly provided for, from the Issue Date. Cash interest
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If the
Issuer defaults on any payment of principal and/or premium (whether upon
redemption or otherwise), cash interest will accrue on the amount in default at
the rate of interest borne by the 1997 Notes. Interest on overdue principal and
premium and, to the extent permitted by law, on overdue installments of interest
will accrue at the rate of interest borne by the 1997 Notes.
 
                                       81
<PAGE>   89
 
REDEMPTION
 
     Optional Redemption. The 1997 Notes are redeemable, at the option of the
Issuer, in whole or in part, on or after June 15, 2002 upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days' written notice at the redemption prices (expressed as
percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during
the twelve-month period beginning on June 15 of each of the years indicated
below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            YEAR                              PERCENTAGE
                            ----                              ----------
<S>                                                           <C>
2002........................................................    106.75%
2003........................................................    100.00%
</TABLE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that after the Issue Date and
prior to June 15, 1999 the Issuer issues, in one or more transactions, Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to Brooks or one or more
Strategic Equity Investors for aggregate gross cash proceeds of $50.0 million or
more (an "Equity Sale"), the Issuer may redeem, at its option, up to a maximum
of 33 1/3% of the initially outstanding aggregate principal amount of 1997 Notes
from the net proceeds thereof at a redemption price equal to 113.5% of the
principal amount of the 1997 Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest to
the date of redemption; provided that not less than $100.0 million aggregate
principal amount of 1997 Notes is outstanding following such redemption. Any
such redemption may only be effected once and must be effected upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice given within 30 days after such Equity
Sale. Following the Refinancing, which resulted in a reduction in the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the 1997 Notes to $100.0 million, this optional
redemption provision following such an issuance of Capital Stock is no longer
applicable.
 
     Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer is not required to make any mandatory
sinking fund payments in respect of the 1997 Notes. However, (i) following the
occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer is required to make an offer to
purchase all outstanding 1997 Notes at a price of 101% of the principal amount
thereof (determined at the date of purchase), plus accrued interest thereon, if
any, to the date of purchase, and (ii) upon the occurrence of an Asset Sale, the
Issuer may be obligated to make an offer to purchase all or a portion of the
outstanding 1997 Notes at a price of 100% of the principal amount, thereof
(determined at the date of purchase), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
to the date of purchase. See "-- Certain Covenants -- Change of Control" and
"-- Certain Covenants -- Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales," respectively.
 
     Selection; Effect of Redemption Notice. In the case of a partial
redemption, selection of the 1997 Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by
lot or such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate
and just; provided that any redemption pursuant to the provisions relating to an
Equity Sale shall be made on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis
as practicable (subject to DTC procedures). No 1997 Notes of a principal amount
of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notice of redemption shall be
mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the
redemption date to each holder of 1997 Notes to be redeemed at its registered
address. If any 1997 Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to such 1997 Note shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new 1997 Note in a principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder
thereof upon surrender for cancellation of the original 1997 Note. Upon giving
of a redemption notice, interest on 1997 Notes called for redemption will cease
to accrue from and after the date fixed for redemption (unless the Issuer
defaults in providing the funds for such redemption) and such 1997 Notes will
cease to be outstanding.
 
DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS; ESCROW ACCOUNT
 
     The 1997 Notes are collateralized, pending disbursement pursuant to the
Escrow and Security Agreement dated as of June 24, 1997, among the Issuer, the
Trustee and U.S. Bank Trust National Association (formerly known as First Trust
National Association), as Escrow Agent (the "Escrow Agreement"), by a pledge of
the Escrow Account (as defined in the Escrow Agreement). The Issuer deposited
approximately $46.6 million of the net proceeds from the sale of the Old 1997
Notes issued pursuant to the Initial 1997 Notes Offering (the "Escrow
Collateral"), representing funds that, together with the proceeds from the
investment
 
                                       82
<PAGE>   90
 
thereof, were sufficient to pay interest on the 1997 Notes for five scheduled
interest payments through December 15, 1999 (but not any Additional Interest (as
defined) arising under the 1997 Notes Registration Rights Agreement).
 
     The Issuer entered into the Escrow Agreement providing for the grant by the
Issuer to the Trustee, for the ratable benefit of the holders of Old 1997 Notes
and New 1997 Notes, as the case may be, of security interests in the Escrow
Collateral. All such security interests will collateralize the payment and
performance when due of all obligations of the Issuer under the 1997 Indenture
and the 1997 Notes, as provided in the Escrow Agreement. The Liens created by
the Escrow Agreement are first priority security interests in the Escrow
Collateral. The ability of holders to realize upon any such funds or securities
may be subject to certain bankruptcy law limitations in the event of the
bankruptcy of the Issuer.
 
   
     Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, funds may be disbursed from the Escrow
Account only to pay interest on the 1997 Notes (or, if a portion of the 1997
Notes has been retired by the Issuer, funds representing the lesser of (i) the
excess of the amount sufficient to pay interest through and including December
15, 1999 on the 1997 Notes not so retired and (ii) the interest payments which
have not previously been made on such retired 1997 Notes for each Interest
Payment Date through and including the Interest Payment Date to occur on
December 15, 1999 shall be paid to the Issuer if no Default then exists under
the 1997 Indenture). As a result of the Refinancing, the Company was refunded
approximately $13.3 million from the escrow account for the 1997 Notes, of which
approximately $1.9 million was used to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the
$50.0 million principal amount of Old 1997 Notes repurchased from Brooks. As of
July 1, 1998, approximately $18.9 million remained in the Escrow Account.
    
 
     Pending such disbursements, all funds contained in the Escrow Account have
been invested in U.S. Government Securities. Interest earned on the U.S.
Government Securities have been and will be, when earned, placed in the Escrow
Account. Upon the acceleration of the maturity of the 1997 Notes, the Escrow
Agreement provides for the foreclosure by the Trustee upon the net proceeds of
the Escrow Account. Under the terms of the 1997 Indenture, the proceeds of the
Escrow Account shall be applied, first, to amounts owing to the Trustee in
respect of fees and expenses of the Trustee and, second, to all obligations
under the 1997 Notes and the 1997 Indenture. Under the Escrow Agreement,
assuming that the Issuer makes the first five scheduled interest payments on the
1997 Notes in a timely manner with funds or U.S. Government Securities held in
the Escrow Account, all of the U.S. Government Securities will be released from
the Escrow Account.
 
RANKING
 
     The indebtedness of the Issuer evidenced by the 1997 Notes ranks senior in
right of payment to all subordinated indebtedness of the Issuer and pari passu
in right of payment with all other existing and future unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Issuer.
 
   
     The Issuer is a holding company with limited assets and no business
operations of its own. The Issuer operates its business through its
subsidiaries. Any right of the Issuer and its creditors, including holders of
the 1997 Notes, to participate in the assets of any of the Issuer's subsidiaries
upon any liquidation or administration of any such subsidiary are subject to the
prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors. As of
March 31, 1998, on a pro forma basis, there would have been approximately $9.9
million of secured long-term indebtedness outstanding to which holders of 1997
Notes were effectively subordinated in right of payment and approximately $7.6
million of subsidiary indebtedness to which holders of 1997 Notes were
structurally subordinated. In addition, the Bank Facility is secured by certain
assets, including the equity of the ISPs that Verio owns currently or may own in
the future, and thus the 1997 Notes are effectively subordinated to the Bank
Facility to the extent of the value of such assets. For a discussion of certain
adverse consequences of the Issuer being a holding company and of the terms of
potential future indebtedness of the Issuer and its subsidiaries, see "Risk
Factors -- Holding Company Structure and Need to Access Subsidiary Cash Flows."
    
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     Set forth below are certain covenants that are contained in the 1997
Indenture.
 
                                       83
<PAGE>   91
 
     Limitation on Additional Indebtedness. The 1997 Indenture provides that the
Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly, create, incur, assume, issue, guarantee or in any manner become
directly or indirectly liable for or with respect to, contingently or otherwise,
the payment of (collectively, to "incur") any Indebtedness (including any
Acquired Indebtedness), except for Permitted Indebtedness (including Acquired
Indebtedness to the extent it would constitute Permitted Indebtedness); provided
that (i) the Issuer will be permitted to incur Indebtedness (including Acquired
Indebtedness) and (ii) a Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to incur
Acquired Indebtedness, if, in either case, after giving pro forma effect to such
incurrence (including the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the
Consolidated Pro Forma Interest Coverage Ratio would be greater than or equal to
1.8 to 1.0 if such Indebtedness is incurred prior to June 30, 1999 or 2.5 to 1.0
if such Indebtedness is incurred on or after June 30, 1999.
 
     Limitation on Restricted Payments. The 1997 Indenture provides that the
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to,
make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment unless:
 
          (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or
     upon giving effect to such Restricted Payment;
 
          (ii) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
     Issuer would be able to incur $1.00 of Indebtedness under the proviso of
     the covenant "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness;" and
 
          (iii) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
     aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made on or after
     the Issue Date and all Designation Amounts does not exceed an amount equal
     to the sum of, without duplication, (a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income
     of the Issuer accrued on a cumulative basis during the period beginning on
     July 1, 1997 and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Issuer
     immediately preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment (or, if
     such cumulative Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for such period is a
     deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus (b) the aggregate net cash
     proceeds received by the Issuer either (x) as capital contributions to the
     Issuer after the Issue Date or (y) from the issue and sale (other than to a
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) of its Capital Stock (other than
     Disqualified Stock) on or after the Issue Date (including upon exercise of
     warrants, options or rights), plus (c) the aggregate net proceeds received
     by the Issuer from the issuance (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of
     the Issuer) on or after the Issue Date of its Capital Stock (other than
     Disqualified Stock) upon the conversion of, or in exchange for,
     Indebtedness of the Issuer, plus (d) in the case of the disposition or
     repayment (in whole or in part) of any Investment constituting a Restricted
     Payment made after the Issue Date (except for Investments made (1) pursuant
     to clause (vii) of the second following paragraph that are not subject to
     clause (e) or (f) of this paragraph below, and (2) pursuant to clauses
     (viii) or (ix) of the second following paragraph), an amount equal to the
     lesser of the return of capital with respect to the applicable portion of
     such Investment and the cost of the applicable portion of such Investment,
     in either case, less the cost of the disposition of such Investment, plus
     (e) in the case of any Revocation with respect to a Subsidiary of the
     Issuer that was made subject to a Designation after the Issue Date, an
     amount equal to the lesser of the Designation Amount with respect to such
     Subsidiary or the Fair Market Value of the Investment of the Issuer and the
     Restricted Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary at the time of Revocation, plus
     (f) an amount equal to the amount of any Investment constituting a
     Restricted Payment made after the Issue Date in an ISP which has been
     included as a Restricted Payment under this clause (iii) pursuant to the
     last paragraph of this covenant to the extent such ISP thereafter (1)
     becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or is merged with the Issuer
     or (2) is a New ISP that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged with
     the Issuer, less, in either such case, any amounts credited pursuant to the
     immediately preceding clause (d) in respect of any such Investment, minus
     (g) 50% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to
     clause (g) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness." For purposes of
     the preceding clauses (b)(y) and (c), as applicable, the value of the
     aggregate net proceeds received by the Issuer upon the issuance of Capital
     Stock either upon the conversion of convertible Indebtedness or in exchange
     for outstanding Indebtedness or upon the exercise of options, warrants or
     rights will be the net cash proceeds received upon the issuance of such
 
                                       84
<PAGE>   92
 
     Indebtedness, options, warrants or rights plus the incremental amount
     received, if any, by the Issuer upon the conversion, exchange or exercise
     thereof.
 
     For purposes of determining the amount expended for Restricted Payments,
cash distributed shall be valued at the face amount thereof and property other
than cash shall be valued at its Fair Market Value.
 
     The provisions of this covenant shall not prohibit the following (each of
which shall be given independent effect): (i) the payment of any dividend or
other distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at
such date of declaration such payment would be permitted by the provisions of
the 1997 Indenture; (ii) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other
acquisition of any shares of Capital Stock of the Issuer in exchange for, or out
of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent issue and sale (other
than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) of, shares of Capital Stock of
the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that any such net cash
proceeds are excluded from clause (iii)(b) of the second preceding paragraph;
(iii) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the purchase,
redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of Subordinated
Indebtedness made by exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of, a
substantially concurrent issue and sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Issuer) of (x) Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Issuer or (y) other Subordinated Indebtedness to the extent that its stated
maturity for the payment of principal thereof is not prior to the 180th day
after the final stated maturity of the 1997 Notes; provided that any such net
cash proceeds are excluded from clause (iii)(b) of the second preceding
paragraph; (iv) (a) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
Investments constituting Restricted Payments by the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary in a New ISP or a person that becomes a New ISP as a result of such
Investment and (b) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
Investments constituting Restricted Payments by the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary in an Existing ISP (x) made out of the net cash proceeds of a
substantially concurrent sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
of the Issuer (provided that any such proceeds are excluded from clause (iii)(b)
of the second preceding paragraph) or (y) such that the aggregate amount of all
Investments in Existing ISPs that are made after the Issue Date pursuant to this
subclause (b)(y) would not exceed $25.0 million in aggregate; (v) bonds, notes,
debentures or other securities received as a result of Asset Sales pursuant to
and in compliance with the covenant "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales";
(vi) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, purchases or
redemptions of Capital Stock (including cash settlements of stock options) held
by employees, officers or directors upon or following termination of their
employment with the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries; provided that payments
shall not exceed $2.0 million in any fiscal year in the aggregate or $4.0
million in the aggregate during the term of the 1997 Notes; (vii) so long as no
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Investments in Unrestricted
Subsidiaries to the extent reasonably promptly made with the proceeds of a
substantially concurrent (1) capital contribution to the Issuer or (2) issue or
sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer (other than
to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer); provided that any such proceeds are
excluded from clause (iii)(b) of the second preceding paragraph; (viii) loans or
advances to employees of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary made in the
ordinary course of business, including to fund the purchase of Capital Stock of
the Issuer (provided that any proceeds from such purchase are excluded from
clause (iii)(b) of the second preceding paragraph to the extent such loan or
advance is not reimbursed) in an amount not to exceed $2.0 million at any time
outstanding; (ix) Investments constituting Restricted Payments in (1) joint
ventures formed to provide services in furtherance of an Internet Service
Business of the Issuer and the ISPs or (2) other persons engaged principally in
an Internet Service Business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30.0 million
outstanding at any time, provided that no more than $15.0 million of Investments
made pursuant to the preceding clause (1) shall be outstanding at any time; and
(x) cash payments in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to any warrant, option
or other similar agreement.
 
     In determining whether or not the net cash proceeds of a sale of Capital
Stock is "substantially concurrent" for purposes of clause (iv)(b)(x) of the
preceding paragraph, if such net cash proceeds are deposited in escrow with a
third party, free and clear of any Lien (other than the Lien of the escrow
agent), to be applied for purposes directed by the Issuer and such net cash
proceeds are excluded from clause (iii)(b) of the first paragraph above, then
the application of such net cash proceeds as set forth in such clause (iv)(b)(x)
shall be deemed "substantially concurrent" if they are subsequently released for
immediate application as
                                       85
<PAGE>   93
 
contemplated by such clause (iv)(b)(x). In no event shall a Restricted Payment
made on the basis of consolidated financial statements prepared in good faith in
accordance with GAAP be subject to rescission or constitute a Default by reason
of any requisite subsequent restatement of such financial statements which would
have made such Restricted Payment prohibited at the time that it was made.
 
     In determining the amount of Restricted Payments permissible under this
covenant, amounts expended pursuant to clauses (i), (iv)(a), (iv)(b)(y), (v),
(vi) and (ix) (to the extent remaining outstanding) above shall be included,
without duplication, as Restricted Payments.
 
     Limitation on Liens Securing Certain Indebtedness. The 1997 Indenture
provides that the Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind against or
upon (i) any of property or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any proceeds therefrom, which secure
either (x) Subordinated Indebtedness unless the 1997 Notes are secured by a Lien
on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to the Liens
securing such Subordinated Indebtedness or (y) Indebtedness of the Issuer that
is not Subordinated Indebtedness, unless the 1997 Notes are equally and ratably
secured with the Liens securing such other Indebtedness, except, in the case of
this clause (y), Permitted Liens, or (ii) the Escrow Account.
 
     Limitation on Business. The 1997 Indenture provides that the Issuer will
not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in a
business which is not substantially an Internet Service Business.
 
     Limitation on Certain Guarantees and Indebtedness of Restricted
Subsidiaries. The 1997 Indenture provides that the Issuer will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to assume, guarantee or in any
other manner become liable with respect to (i) any Subordinated Indebtedness or
(ii) any Indebtedness of the Issuer that is not Subordinated Indebtedness (other
than, in the case of this clause (ii), Indebtedness under any Permitted Credit
Facility to the extent constituting Permitted Indebtedness), unless, in each
case, such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a
supplemental indenture providing for the guarantee of payment of the 1997 Notes
by such Restricted Subsidiary on a basis senior to any such Subordinated
Indebtedness or pari passu with any such other Indebtedness referred to in
clause (ii), as the case may be. Each guarantee created pursuant to such
provisions is referred to as a "Guarantee" and the issuer of each such
Guarantee, so long as the Guarantee remains outstanding, is referred to as a
"Guarantor."
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the unconditional release of
any Guarantor from its obligations in respect of the Indebtedness which gave
rise to the requirement that a Guarantee be given, such Guarantor shall be
released from all obligations under its Guarantee. In addition, upon any sale or
disposition (by merger or otherwise) of any Guarantor by the Issuer or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to any person that is not an Affiliate of
the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which is otherwise in
compliance with the terms of the Indenture and as a result of which such
Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, such Guarantor
will be deemed to be automatically and unconditionally released from all
obligations under its Guarantee; provided that each such Guarantor is sold or
disposed of in accordance with the "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales"
covenant.
 
     Change of Control. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (the date of
such occurrence being the "Change of Control Date"), the Issuer shall make an
offer to purchase (the "Change of Control Offer"), on a business day (the
"Change of Control Payment Date") not later than 60 days following the Change of
Control Date, all 1997 Notes then outstanding at a purchase price equal to 101%
of the principal amount thereof on any Change of Control Payment Date, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such Change of Control Payment Date.
Notice of a Change of Control Offer shall be given to holders of 1997 Notes, not
less than 25 days nor more than 45 days before the Change of Control Payment
Date. The Change of Control Offer is required to remain open for at least 20
business days and until the close of business on the Change of Control Payment
Date.
 
     Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the 1997
Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders of the 1997 Notes
to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the 1997 Notes in the event of
a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction which may be highly
leveraged.
 
                                       86
<PAGE>   94
 
     If a Change of Control Offer is made, there can be no assurance that the
Issuer will have available funds sufficient to pay for all of the 1997 Notes
that might be delivered by holders of 1997 Notes seeking to accept the Change of
Control Offer. The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control
Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control
Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the
requirements applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and
purchases all 1997 Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of
Control Offer.
 
     If the Issuer is required to make a Change of Control Offer, the Issuer
will comply with all applicable tender offer laws and regulations, including, to
the extent applicable, Section 14(e) and Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and
any other applicable securities laws and regulations.
 
     The phrase "all or substantially all" of the assets of the Company, as used
in the definition of "Change of Control," will likely be interpreted under
applicable state law and will be dependent upon particular facts and
circumstances. Although there is a developing body of case law interpreting the
phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the
phrase under applicable law. As a result, there may be a degree of uncertainty
in ascertaining whether a sale or transfer of "all or substantially all" of the
assets of the Company has occurred.
 
     Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
Subsidiaries. The 1997 Indenture provides that the Issuer will not, and will not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise
enter into or cause to become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual
restriction of any kind on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay
dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make any other distributions on its Capital
Stock or any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits to
the extent owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) pay any
Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, (c) make any
Investment in the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (d) transfer any of its
properties or assets to the Issuer or to any Restricted Subsidiary, except for
(in each case except as otherwise noted in the following clause (ii)), (i) any
encumbrance or restriction in existence on the Issue Date, (ii) any encumbrance
or restriction existing under agreements relating to an Investment in an ISP
(which in the case of clause (a) and (b) shall not be permitted in the case of
ISPs that are Restricted Subsidiaries) to the extent consistent with past
practice, (iii) customary non-assignment provisions, (iv) any encumbrances or
restriction pertaining to an asset subject to a Lien to the extent set forth in
the security documentation governing such Lien, (v) any encumbrance or
restriction applicable to a Restricted Subsidiary at the time that it becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary that is not created in contemplation thereof, (vi) any
encumbrance or restriction existing under any agreement that refinances or
replaces an agreement containing a restriction permitted by clause (v) above;
provided that the terms and conditions of any such encumbrance or restriction
are not materially less favorable to the holders of 1997 Notes than those under
or pursuant to the agreement being replaced or the agreement evidencing the
Indebtedness refinanced, (vii) any encumbrance or restriction imposed upon a
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for
the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or
assets of such Restricted Subsidiary or any Asset Sale to the extent limited to
the Capital Stock or assets in question and (viii) any customary encumbrance or
restriction applicable to a Restricted Subsidiary that is contained in an
agreement or instrument governing or relating to Indebtedness contained in any
Permitted Credit Facility; provided that the provisions of such agreement permit
the payment of interest and principal and mandatory repurchases pursuant to the
terms of the 1997 Indenture and the 1997 Notes and other Indebtedness that is
solely an obligation of the Issuer, but, provided, further, that such agreement
may nevertheless contain customary net worth, leverage, invested capital and
other financial covenants, customary covenants regarding the merger of or sale
of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary, customary restrictions on transactions with affiliates, and
customary subordination provisions governing Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or
any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales. The 1997 Indenture provides that
the Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any
Asset Sale unless (a) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the
Fair Market Value of the shares or assets sold or otherwise disposed of and (b)
at least 75% of such consideration consists of cash or Cash Equivalents;
provided that the following shall be treated as cash for purposes of this
covenant:
                                       87
<PAGE>   95
 
(x) the amount of any liabilities (other than Subordinated Indebtedness or
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that would not constitute Restricted
Subsidiary Indebtedness) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets
pursuant to an agreement that unconditionally releases the Issuer or such
Restricted Subsidiary from further liability ("assumed liabilities") and (y) the
amount of any notes or other obligations that within 30 days of receipt, are
converted into cash (to the extent of the cash received). The Issuer or the
applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, may (i) apply the Net Cash
Proceeds from such Asset Sale within 365 days of the receipt thereof to repay an
amount of Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Issuer in
an amount not exceeding the Other Senior Debt Pro Rata Share and elect to
permanently reduce the amount of the commitments thereunder by the amount of the
Indebtedness so repaid, (ii) apply the Net Cash Proceeds from such Asset Sale to
repay any Restricted Subsidiary Indebtedness and elect to permanently reduce the
commitments thereunder by the amount of the Indebtedness so repaid or (iii)
apply such Net Cash Proceeds within 365 days thereof, to an investment in
properties and assets that will be used in an Internet Service Business (or in
Capital Stock and other securities of any person that will become a Restricted
Subsidiary as a result of such investment to the extent such person owns
properties and assets that will be used in an Internet Service Business) of the
Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary ("Replacement Assets"). Any Net Cash
Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are neither used to repay, and permanently
reduce the commitments under, any Restricted Subsidiary Indebtedness as set
forth in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence or invested in Replacement Assets
within the 365-day period as set forth in clause (iii) shall constitute "Excess
Proceeds." Any Excess Proceeds not used as set forth in clause (i) of the second
preceding sentence shall constitute "Offer Excess Proceeds" subject to
disposition as provided below.
 
     When the aggregate amount of Offer Excess Proceeds equals or exceeds $10.0
million, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase (an "Asset Sale Offer"),
from all holders of the 1997 Notes, that aggregate principal amount of 1997
Notes as can be purchased by application of such Offer Excess Proceeds at a
price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof on any purchase
date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to any purchase date. Each Asset
Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 business days or such longer
period as may be required by law. To the extent that the principal amount of
1997 Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Offer
Excess Proceeds, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may use such deficiency
for general corporate purposes. If the principal amount of 1997 Notes validly
tendered and not withdrawn by holders thereof exceeds the amount of 1997 Notes
which can be purchased with the Offer Excess Proceeds, 1997 Notes to be
purchased will be selected on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of such Asset
Sale Offer, the amount of Offer Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.
 
     If the Issuer is required to make an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer will
comply with all applicable tender offer rules, including, to the extent
applicable, Section 14(e) and Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other
applicable securities laws and regulations.
 
     Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Preferred Stock by Restricted
Subsidiaries. The 1997 Indenture provides that the Issuer (i) will not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any Preferred Stock (other than to the Issuer
or a Restricted Subsidiary) and (ii) will not permit any person (other than the
Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) to own any Preferred Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary.
 
     Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. The 1997 Indenture provides
that the Issuer will not, and will not permit, cause or suffer any Restricted
Subsidiary to, conduct any business or enter into any transaction (or series of
related transactions which are similar or part of a common plan) with or for the
benefit of any of their respective Affiliates (other than Affiliates of a
Restricted Subsidiary that are not also Affiliates of the Issuer or any Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary) or any beneficial holder of 10% or more of the
Common Stock of the Issuer or any officer or director of the Issuer (each, an
"Affiliate Transaction"), unless the terms of the Affiliate Transaction are set
forth in writing, and are fair and reasonable to the Issuer or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be. Each Affiliate Transaction involving aggregate
payments or other Fair Market Value in excess of $1.0 million shall be approved
by a majority of the Board, such approval to be evidenced by a Board Resolution
stating that the Board has determined that such transaction or transactions
comply with the foregoing provisions. In addition to the foregoing, each
Affiliate Transaction involving aggregate consideration of $5.0 million or more
shall be approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors; provided that,
in lieu of such approval by the Disinterested Directors, the Issuer may obtain a
written opinion from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that the terms of
such Affiliate Transaction to the Issuer or the
                                       88
<PAGE>   96
 
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, are fair from a financial point of
view. For purposes of this covenant, any Affiliate Transaction approved by a
majority of the Disinterested Directors or as to which a written opinion has
been obtained from an Independent Financial Advisor, on the basis set forth in
the preceding sentence, shall be deemed to be on terms that are fair and
reasonable to the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be,
and, therefore, shall be permitted under this covenant.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions set forth in this covenant
shall not apply to (i) transactions with or among, or solely for the benefit of,
the Issuer and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) transactions pursuant
to agreements and arrangements existing on the Issue Date, (iii) transactions
among any of the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any
of the ISPs, on the other hand, provided that (a) such transactions are in the
ordinary course of business and are related to or in furtherance of an Internet
Service Business and (b) no 10% or more beneficial shareholder of Common Stock
of the Issuer or officer or director of the Issuer shall beneficially own any
Capital Stock of such ISP, (iv) dividends paid by the Issuer pursuant to and in
compliance with the covenant "Limitation on Restricted Payments," (v) customary
directors' fees, indemnification and similar arrangements, consulting fees,
employee salaries bonuses, employment agreements and arrangements, compensation
or employee benefit arrangements or legal fees, (vi) transactions contemplated
by any of the Permitted Affiliate Agreements as in effect on the Issue Date and
(vii) grants of customary registration rights with respect to securities of the
Issuer.
 
     The Issuer is required to use, or to cause each Restricted Subsidiary to
use, its commercially reasonable best efforts to ensure that each person in
which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary makes an Investment that is an ISP
at the time of the Investment at all times thereafter continues to meet the
conditions and requirements of the definition of "ISP" in all material respects.
 
     Reports. The 1997 Indenture provides that, for periods prior to the fiscal
quarter ending June 30, 1998, the Issuer shall furnish without cost to each
holder of 1997 Notes and file with the Trustee (i) within 135 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Issuer, (x) audited year-end consolidated financial
statements (including a balance sheet, income statement and statement of changes
of cash flow) prepared in accordance with GAAP and substantially in the form
included in this Prospectus, (y) the information described in Item 303 of
Regulation S-K under the Securities Act with respect to such period and (z) all
pro forma and historical financial information in respect of any significant
transaction consummated more than 60 days prior to the date such information is
furnished (and any other transaction for which such information is available at
such time) to the extent such financial information would be required in a
filing on Form 10-K with the SEC at such time; and (ii) within 60 days after the
end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the
Issuer, (x) unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements (including a
balance sheet, income statement and statement of changes of cash flows) prepared
in accordance with GAAP and substantially in the form included in this
Prospectus, (y) the information described in Item 303 of Regulation S-K under
the Securities Act with respect to such period and (z) all pro forma and
historical financial information in respect of any significant transaction
consummated more than 60 days prior to the date such information is furnished
(and any other transaction for which such information is available at such time)
to the extent such financial information would be required in a filing on Form
10-Q with the SEC at such time. Whether or not the Issuer has a class of
securities registered under the Exchange Act, the Issuer shall furnish without
cost to each holder of 1997 Notes and file with the Trustee and file with the
SEC, (a) beginning with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1998 (i) within the
applicable time period required under the Exchange Act, after the end of each
fiscal year of the Issuer, the information required by Form 10-K (or any
successor form thereto) under the Exchange Act with respect to such period and
(ii) within the applicable time period required under the Exchange Act after the
end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the
Issuer, the information required by Form 10-Q (or any successor form thereto)
under the Exchange Act with respect to such period and (b) from and after August
15, 1998, any current reports on Form 8-K (or any successor forms) required to
be filed under the Exchange Act. Prior to such time as the Issuer shall file
with the SEC its first report on either of Form 10-K or Form 10-Q under the
Exchange Act, the Issuer shall telephonically make its executive officers
available to holders of 1997 Notes upon 10-days advance written request of
holders of at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of 1997 Notes
outstanding at the time of such request; provided that holders of 1997 Notes may
make only one such request per fiscal quarter.
 
                                       89
<PAGE>   97
 
     Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The 1997 Indenture
provides that the Issuer will not designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other
than a newly created Subsidiary in which no Investment has previously been made)
as an "Unrestricted Subsidiary" under the 1997 Indenture (a "Designation")
unless:
 
          (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or
     after giving effect to such Designation;
 
          (b) except in the case of a Permitted Investment or an Investment made
     pursuant to clause (vii) or (ix) of the third paragraph of the covenant
     "Limitation on Restricted Payments," immediately after giving effect to
     such Designation, the Issuer would be able to incur $1.00 of Indebtedness
     under the proviso of the covenant "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness;"
     and
 
          (c) the Issuer would not be prohibited under the 1997 Indenture from
     making an Investment at the time of Designation (assuming the effectiveness
     of such Designation) in an amount (the "Designation Amount") equal to the
     Fair Market Value of the net Investment of the Issuer or any other
     Restricted Subsidiary in such Restricted Subsidiary on such date.
 
     In the event of any such Designation, the Issuer shall be deemed to have
made an Investment constituting a Restricted Payment pursuant to the covenant
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" for all purposes of the 1997 Indenture in
the Designation Amount. The 1997 Indenture further provides that neither the
Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time (x) provide a guarantee
of, or similar credit support to, any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted
Subsidiary (including of any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing
such Indebtedness); provided that the Issuer may pledge Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary on a nonrecourse basis such that the
pledgee has no claim whatsoever against the Issuer other than to obtain such
pledged property, (y) be directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness of
any Unrestricted Subsidiary or (z) be directly or indirectly liable for any
other Indebtedness which provides that the holder thereof may (upon notice,
lapse of time or both) declare a default thereon (or cause the payment thereof
to be accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled maturity) upon the
occurrence of a default with respect to any other Indebtedness that is
Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any corresponding right to
take enforcement action against such Unrestricted Subsidiary), except in the
case of clause (x) or (y) to the extent permitted under the covenants
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" and "Limitation on Transactions with
Affiliates."
 
     The 1997 Indenture further provides that the Issuer will not revoke any
Designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (a "Revocation")
unless:
 
          (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of
     and after giving effect to such Revocation; and
 
          (b) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary
     outstanding immediately following such Revocation would, if incurred at
     such time, have been permitted to be incurred for all purposes of the 1997
     Indenture.
 
     All Designations and Revocations must be evidenced by Board Resolutions
delivered to the Trustee certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions.
 
     Limitation on Status as Investment Company. The 1997 Indenture provides
that the Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries or
controlled Affiliates to, conduct its business in a fashion that would cause the
Issuer to be required to register as an "investment company" (as that term is
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment
Company Act")), or otherwise become subject to regulation under the Investment
Company Act. For purposes of establishing the Issuer's compliance with this
provision, any exemption which is or would become available under Section
3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act will be disregarded.
 
     Ratings of the 1997 Notes. The 1997 Indenture provides that the Issuer will
use its best efforts to obtain a rating for the 1997 Notes from each of Moody's
and S&P within 18 months of the Issue Date. A rating, if
 
                                       90
<PAGE>   98
 
obtained, is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, is subject to
revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning entity and should be
evaluated independently of any other rating.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS, ETC.
 
     The 1997 Indenture provides that the Issuer will not (i) consolidate or
combine with or merge with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign,
convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any person or persons in a single transaction or
through a series of transactions, or (ii) permit any of the Restricted
Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or series of transactions if it
would result in the disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or
assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,
unless, in the case of either (i) or (ii), (a) the Issuer shall be the
continuing person or, if the Issuer is not the continuing person, the resulting,
surviving or transferee person (the "surviving entity") shall be a company
organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State or
territory thereof; (b) the surviving entity shall expressly assume all of the
obligations of the Issuer under the 1997 Notes and the 1997 Indenture, and
shall, if required by law to effectuate such assumption, execute a supplemental
indenture to effect such assumption which supplemental indenture shall be
delivered to the Trustee and shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee; (c) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without
limitation, any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred in
connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions),
the Issuer or the surviving entity (assuming such surviving entity's assumption
of the Issuer's obligations under the 1997 Notes and the 1997 Indenture), as the
case may be, would be able to incur $1.00 of Indebtedness under the proviso of
the covenant "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness"; provided that, in the case
of any transaction or series of transactions comprised solely of one or more
Rollups, this clause (c) shall be deemed satisfied if the Issuer or the
surviving entity and the Restricted Subsidiaries would have been able to incur
all of their outstanding Indebtedness as Permitted Indebtedness; (d) immediately
after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma
basis (including, without limitation, any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated
to be incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of
transactions), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (e) the
Issuer or the surviving entity, as the case may be, shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such transaction or series of
transactions, and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with
such transaction or series of transactions to effectuate such assumption, such
supplemental indenture complies with this covenant and that all conditions
precedent in the 1997 Indenture relating to the transaction or series of
transactions have been satisfied.
 
     Upon any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, conveyance,
lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Issuer in accordance with the foregoing in which the Issuer or the
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is not the continuing corporation,
the successor corporation formed by such a consolidation or into which the
Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary is merged or to which such transfer is
made, will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and
power of, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, under
the 1997 Indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had
been named as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary therein; and thereafter,
except in the case of (i) any lease or (ii) any sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer,
the Issuer shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the 1997
Indenture and the 1997 Notes.
 
     The 1997 Indenture provides that for all purposes of the 1997 Indenture and
the 1997 Notes (including the provision of this covenant and the covenants
"Limitation on Additional Indebtedness," "Limitation on Restricted Payments" and
"Limitation on Liens"), Subsidiaries of any surviving entity will, upon such
transaction or series of related transactions, become Restricted Subsidiaries or
Unrestricted Subsidiaries as provided pursuant to the covenant "Limitation on
Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries" and all Indebtedness, and all Liens
on property or assets, of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in
existence immediately prior to such transaction or series of related
transactions will be deemed to have been incurred upon such transaction or
series of related transactions.
 
                                       91
<PAGE>   99
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following are "Events of Default" under the 1997 Indenture:
 
          (i) default in the payment of interest on the 1997 Notes when it
     becomes due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30
     days or more (provided such 30 day grace period shall be inapplicable for
     the first four interest payments due on the 1997 Notes); or
 
          (ii) default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any,
     on the 1997 Notes when due; or
 
          (iii) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant described
     under "-- Certain Covenants -- Change of Control," "-- Certain
     Covenants -- Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" or "-- Consolidation,
     Merger, Sale of Assets, Etc.;" or
 
          (iv) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the
     1997 Indenture (other than defaults specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii)
     above) or the Escrow Agreement, and continuance of such default or breach
     for a period of 30 days or more after written notice to the Issuer by the
     Trustee or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in
     aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 1997 Notes (in each case,
     when such notice is deemed received in accordance with the 1997 Indenture);
     or
 
          (v) failure to perform any term, covenant, condition or provision of
     one or more classes or issues of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal
     amount of $7.5 million or more under which the Issuer or a Material
     Restricted Subsidiary is obligated, and either (a) such Indebtedness is
     already due and payable in full or (b) such failure results in the
     acceleration of the maturity of such Indebtedness; or
 
          (vi) any holder of at least $7.5 million in aggregate principal amount
     of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Material Restricted Subsidiary shall
     commence judicial proceedings or take any other action to foreclose upon,
     or dispose of assets of the Issuer or any Material Restricted Subsidiary
     having an aggregate Fair Market Value, individually or in the aggregate, of
     $7.5 million or more or shall have exercised any right under applicable law
     or applicable security documents to take ownership of any such assets in
     lieu of foreclosure; provided that, in any such case, the Issuer or any
     Material Restricted Subsidiary shall not have obtained, prior to any such
     foreclosure or disposition of assets, a stay of all such actions that
     remains in effect; or
 
          (vii) one or more judgments, orders or decrees for the payment of
     money of $7.5 million or more, either individually or in the aggregate,
     shall be entered into against the Issuer or any Material Restricted
     Subsidiary or any of their respective properties and shall not be
     discharged and there shall have been a period of 60 days or more during
     which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of pending
     appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
 
          (viii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     administration or similar proceedings with respect to the Issuer or any
     Material Restricted Subsidiary shall have occurred; or
 
          (ix) the Issuer shall assert or acknowledge in writing that the Escrow
     Agreement is invalid or unenforceable.
 
     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause
(viii) above with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, then the
Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
1997 Notes may, by written notice, and the Trustee upon the request of the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding 1997 Notes
shall, declare the principal amount of, premium (if any) on, and any accrued and
unpaid interest on, all outstanding 1997 Notes to be immediately due and payable
and upon any such declaration such amounts shall become immediately due and
payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (viii) above with respect to
the Issuer occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of, premium (if
any) on, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all outstanding 1997 Notes
shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holder.
 
                                       92
<PAGE>   100
 
     After a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of outstanding 1997 Notes may, by notice to the Trustee,
rescind such declaration of acceleration if all existing Events of Default,
other than nonpayment of the principal of, premium (if any) on, and any accrued
and unpaid interest on, the 1997 Notes that has become due solely as a result of
such acceleration, have been cured or waived and if the rescission of
acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or decree. The holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding 1997 Notes also have the right
to waive past defaults under the 1997 Indenture, except a default in the payment
of principal of, premium (if any) on, or any interest on, any outstanding Note,
or in respect of certain covenants or a provisions that cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of all holders of 1997 Notes.
 
     No holder of any of the 1997 Notes has any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the 1997 Indenture or any remedy thereunder, unless
the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding 1997 Notes
have made written request, and offered reasonable security or indemnity, to the
Trustee to institute such proceeding as Trustee, the Trustee has failed to
institute such proceeding within 60 days after receipt of such notice and the
Trustee has not within such 60-day period received directions inconsistent with
such written request by holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding 1997 Notes. Such limitations do not apply, however, to a suit
instituted by a holder of a 1997 Note for the enforcement of the payment of the
principal of, premium (if any) on, or any accrued and unpaid interest on, such
1997 Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such 1997 Note.
 
     During the existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee is required to
exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the 1997 Indenture and use
the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof as a prudent person
would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own
affairs. Subject to the provisions of the 1997 Indenture relating to the duties
of the Trustee, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Trustee is not under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the 1997 Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders
unless such holders shall have offered to such Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity. Subject to certain provisions concerning the rights of the Trustee,
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding 1997 Notes have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred
on the Trustee.
 
     The 1997 Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within 45 days after the
occurrence of any Default, give to the holders of the 1997 Notes notice of such
Default known to it, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived;
provided that the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it
determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest
of such holders.
 
     The Issuer is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to
its compliance with all conditions and covenants under the 1997 Indenture.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Issuer may at any time terminate all of its obligations with respect to
the 1997 Notes ("defeasance"), except for certain obligations, including those
regarding any trust established for a defeasance and obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of the 1997 Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen 1997 Notes as required by the 1997 Indenture and to maintain agencies in
respect of 1997 Notes. The Issuer may at any time terminate its obligations
under certain covenants set forth in the 1997 Indenture, some of which are
described under "-- Certain Covenants" above, and any omission to comply with
such obligations shall not constitute a Default with respect to the 1997 Notes
("covenant defeasance"). To exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance,
the Issuer must irrevocably deposit in trust, for the benefit of the holders of
the 1997 Notes, with the Trustee money (in United States dollars) or U.S.
government obligations (denominated in United States dollars), or a combination
thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal of, and
premium, if any, and interest on the 1997 Notes to redemption or maturity and
comply with certain other conditions, including the delivery of a legal opinion
as to certain tax matters.
 
                                       93
<PAGE>   101
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
     The 1997 Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect (except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of
1997 Notes) as to all outstanding 1997 Notes when either (a) all such 1997 Notes
theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed 1997
Notes that have been replaced or paid and 1997 Notes for whose payment money has
theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the
Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust) have
been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (b)(i) all such 1997 Notes
not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and
payable and the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with
the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount of money
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the 1997 Notes not
theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal amount,
premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of such deposit; (ii) the
Issuer has paid all sums payable by it under the 1997 Indenture; and (iii) the
Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the
deposited money toward the payment of the 1997 Notes at maturity or on the
redemption date, as the case may be. In addition, the Issuer must deliver an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions
precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.
 
AMENDMENT AND WAIVERS
 
     From time to time, the Issuer, when authorized by resolutions of the Board,
and the Trustee, without the consent of the holders of the 1997 Notes, may
amend, waive or supplement the 1997 Indenture or the 1997 Notes for certain
specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects
or inconsistencies, maintaining the qualification of the 1997 Indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act or making any change that does not adversely affect the
rights of any holder. Other amendments and modifications of the 1997 Indenture
and the 1997 Notes may be made by the Issuer and the Trustee by supplemental
indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 1997 Notes; provided that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding 1997 Note affected thereby, (i) reduce the principal amount of,
change the fixed maturity of, or alter the redemption provisions of, the 1997
Notes, (ii) change the currency in which any 1997 Notes or amounts owing thereon
is payable, (iii) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount
outstanding of 1997 Notes which must consent to an amendment, supplement or
waiver or consent to take any action under the 1997 Indenture or the 1997 Notes,
(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to the 1997 Notes, (v) waive a default in payment with respect to
the 1997 Notes, (vi) reduce the rate or change the time for payment of interest
on the 1997 Notes, (vii) following the occurrence of a Change of Control or an
Asset Sale, alter the Issuer's obligation to purchase the 1997 Notes in
accordance with the 1997 Indenture or waive any default in the performance
thereof, (viii) affect the ranking of the 1997 Notes in a manner adverse to the
holder of the 1997 Notes, (ix) release any Guarantee except in compliance with
the terms of the 1997 Indenture or (x) release any Liens created by the Escrow
Agreement except in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.
 
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE AND ESCROW AGENT
 
     U.S. Bank Trust National Association (formerly known as First Trust
National Association) serves as Trustee under the 1997 Indenture and Escrow
Agent under the Escrow Agreement.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The 1997 Indenture and the Escrow Agreement provide that the 1997 Indenture
and the 1997 Notes and the Escrow Agreement, respectively, will be governed by
and construed in accordance with laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to principles of conflicts of law.
 
                                       94
<PAGE>   102
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     Set forth below is a summary of certain defined terms used in the 1997
Indenture or the Escrow Agreement. Reference is made to the 1997 Indenture for
the full definition of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms
used herein for which no definition is provided.
 
     "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a person existing at the time
such person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with an
Asset Acquisition by such person and not incurred in connection with, or in
anticipation of, such person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset
Acquisition; provided that Indebtedness of such person which is redeemed,
defeased, retired or otherwise repaid at the time of or immediately upon
consummation of the transactions by which such person becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition shall not constitute Acquired Indebtedness.
 
     "Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person which, directly
or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under direct or indirect common
control with, such specified person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms
"affiliated," "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
 
     "Annualized ISP Revenues" means, with respect to any ISP at any date of
determination, the consolidated net revenues of such ISP and its Subsidiaries
for the most recent quarter for which financial information concerning such ISP
is available (and determined on a basis consistent with the Issuer's accounting
principles) multiplied by four.
 
     "Asset Acquisition" means (i) any capital contribution (by means of
transfers of cash or other property to others or payments for property or
services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) by the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary in any other person, or any acquisition or purchase of
Capital Stock of any other person by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in
either case pursuant to which such person shall (a) become a Restricted
Subsidiary or (b) shall be merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary or (ii) any acquisition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the assets of any person which constitute substantially all of an operating unit
or line of business of such person or which is otherwise outside of the ordinary
course of business.
 
     "Asset Sale" means any direct or indirect sale, conveyance, transfer or
lease (that has the effect of a disposition and is not for security purposes) or
other disposition (that is not for security purposes) to any person other than
the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, of (i) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than
customary stock option programs), (ii) any assets of the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary which constitute substantially all of an operating unit or
line of business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) any
other property or asset of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of
the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of this definition, the term
"Asset Sale" shall not include (i) any disposition of properties and assets of
the Issuer that is governed under "-- Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets,
Etc." above, (ii) sales of property or equipment that have become worn out,
obsolete or damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the
business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and
(iii) for purposes of the covenant "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales," any
sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of any property or asset,
whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions occurring within
one year, either (x) involving assets with a Fair Market Value not in excess of
$500,000 or (y) which constitutes the incurrence of a Capitalized Lease
Obligation.
 
     "Average Life to Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any Indebtedness,
as at any date of determination, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum
of the products of (a) the number of years from such date to the date or dates
of each successive scheduled principal payment (including, without limitation,
any sinking fund requirements) of such Indebtedness multiplied by (b) the amount
of each such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments;
provided that, in the case of any Capitalized Lease
 
                                       95
<PAGE>   103
 
Obligation, all calculations hereunder shall give effect to any applicable
options to renew in favor of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Issuer.
 
     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted by the Board
and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and
delivered to the Trustee.
 
     "Brooks" means Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc. (and its successors by merger
or consolidation) and its controlled Affiliates.
 
     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights in, or other equivalents (however designated
and whether voting and/or non-voting) of, such person's capital stock, whether
outstanding on the Issue Date or issued after the Issue Date, and any and all
rights (other than any evidence of Indebtedness), warrants or options
exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock.
 
     "Capitalized Lease Obligation" means any obligation to pay rent or other
amounts under a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any
property (whether real, personal or mixed, immovable or movable) that is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease obligation
under GAAP, and, for the purpose of the 1997 Indenture, the amount of such
obligation at any date shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such date,
determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Cash Equivalents" means (i) any evidence of Indebtedness (with, for
purposes of the covenant "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" only, a
maturity of 365 days or less) issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured
by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the
full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof or such
Indebtedness constitutes a general obligation of such country); (ii) deposits,
certificates of deposit or acceptances (with, for purposes of the covenant
"Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" only, a maturity of 365 days or less)
of any financial institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, in
each case having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits (or any
similar capital concept) of not less than $500.0 million and whose senior
unsecured debt is rated at least "A-1" by S&P or "P-1" by Moody's; (iii)
commercial paper with a maturity of 365 days or less issued by a corporation
(other than an Affiliate of the Issuer) organized under the laws of the United
States or any State thereof and rated at least "A-1" by S&P or "P-1" by Moody's;
(iv) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements relating to
marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United
States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States Government maturing within 365 days from the
date of acquisition; and (v) money market funds which invest substantially all
of their assets in securities of the type described in the preceding clauses (i)
through (iv).
 
     "Change of Control" is defined to mean the occurrence of any of the
following events: (a) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), excluding Brooks, is or becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange
Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all
securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the total Voting Stock of the Issuer; or (b) the
Issuer consolidates with, or merges with or into, another person or sells,
assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or
substantially all of its assets to any person, or any person consolidates with,
or merges with or into, the Issuer, in any such event pursuant to a transaction
in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer is converted into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where (i) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer is converted
into or exchanged for (1) Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
surviving or transferee corporation or its parent corporation and/or (2) cash,
securities and other property in an amount which could be paid by the Issuer as
a Restricted Payment under the 1997 Indenture and (ii) immediately after such
transaction no "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Exchange Act), excluding Brooks, is the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a person
shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all
 
                                       96
<PAGE>   104
 
securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the total Voting Stock of the surviving or
transferee corporation or its parent corporation, as applicable; or (c) during
any consecutive two-year period, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constituted the Board (together with any new directors whose election by the
Board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Issuer was
approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who were
either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason (other than by
action of Brooks) to constitute a majority of the Board then in office. The good
faith determination by the Board, based upon advice of outside counsel, of the
beneficial ownership of securities of the Issuer within the meaning of Rules
13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act shall be conclusive, absent contrary
controlling judicial precedent or contrary written interpretation published by
the SEC.
 
     "Common Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares,
interest or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated
and whether voting or nonvoting) of such person's common stock whether
outstanding at the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and
classes of such common stock.
 
     "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" means, with respect to any period, the
provision for United States corporation, local, foreign and other income taxes
of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any period, without
duplication, the sum of (i) the interest expense of the Issuer and the
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, (a) any amortization of
debt discount, (b) the net cost under Interest Rate Obligations (including any
amortization of discounts), (c) the interest portion of any deferred payment
obligation, (d) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with
respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing and similar
transactions and (e) all accrued interest, (ii) the interest component of
Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or
accrued by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and (iii) the amount
of dividends in respect of Disqualified Stock paid by the Issuer and the
Restricted Subsidiaries during such period; provided that Consolidated Interest
Expense shall exclude the amortization of fees related to the issuance of the
1997 Notes and fees related to any Indebtedness under a Permitted Credit
Facility.
 
     "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any period, the
consolidated net income of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such consolidated net
income, by excluding, without duplication, (i) all extraordinary, unusual or
nonrecurring gains or losses of such person (net of fees and expenses relating
to the transaction giving rise thereto) for such period, (ii) income of the
Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries derived from or in respect of all
Investments in persons other than Restricted Subsidiaries, except to the extent
of any dividends or distributions actually received by the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) the portion of net income (or loss) of such person
allocable to minority interests in Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, (iv)
net income (or loss) of any other person combined with such person on a "pooling
of interests" basis attributable to any period prior to the date of combination,
(v) any gain or loss, net of taxes, realized by such person upon the termination
of any employee pension benefit plan during such period, (vi) gains or losses in
respect of any Asset Sales (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction
giving rise thereto) during such period and (vii) except in the case of any
restriction or encumbrance permitted under clause (viii) of the covenant
"Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
Subsidiaries," the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary for such period to
the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar distributions by that
Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted, directly or
indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulations
applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
 
     "Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any person, the
consolidated stockholders' or partners' equity of such person reflected on the
most recent financial statements of such person, determined in
 
                                       97
<PAGE>   105
 
accordance with GAAP, less any amounts attributable to redeemable capital stock
(as determined under applicable accounting standards by the SEC) of such person.
 
     "Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to any period, the
Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period increased, to the extent deducted in arriving at Consolidated Net Income
for such period, by the sum of (i) the Consolidated Income Tax Expense of the
Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries accrued according to GAAP for such period
(other than taxes attributable to extraordinary gains or losses and gains and
losses from Asset Sales); (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period;
(iii) depreciation of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period; (iv) amortization of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, including, without limitation, amortization of capitalized debt issuance
costs for such period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP; and (v) other non-cash charges decreasing Consolidated Net Income.
 
     "Consolidated Pro Forma Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as of any date of
determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Pro Forma Operating Cash Flow to
(ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for the four-quarter period immediately
preceding the date of determination for which consolidated financial statements
of the Issuer are available; provided that (1) if the Issuer or any of the
Restricted Subsidiaries has incurred any Indebtedness (whether through an Asset
Acquisition, Asset Sale or otherwise) since the beginning of such period and
through the date of determination that remains outstanding or if the transaction
or series of transactions giving rise to the need to calculate such ratio
involves an incurrence of Indebtedness, Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to (A) such
Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been incurred on the first day of such
period, except that if such Indebtedness is incurred under a revolving credit
facility (or similar arrangement or under any predecessor revolving credit or
similar arrangement) the amount of interest expense associated therewith shall
be the actual interest expense during the applicable four-quarter period, and
(B) the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or
otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such
discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and (2) if, since the
beginning of such period, any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of the
Restricted Subsidiaries has been repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise
discharged (whether through an Asset Acquisition, Asset Sale or otherwise)
(other than Indebtedness under a revolving credit or similar arrangement unless
such revolving credit Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been
replaced), Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated
after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Indebtedness had been repaid,
repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged on the first day of such period.
 
     "Consolidated Pro Forma Operating Cash Flow" means, at any date of
determination, Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for the latest four fiscal
quarters for which consolidated financial statements of the Issuer are
available. For purposes of calculating "Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" for
any four fiscal quarter period for purposes of this definition, (i) any
Subsidiary of the Issuer that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the date of the
transaction (the "Transaction Date") giving rise to the need to calculate
"Consolidated Pro Forma Operating Cash Flow" shall be deemed to have been a
Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four fiscal quarter period and
(ii) any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the
Transaction Date shall be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any
time during such four fiscal quarter period. In addition to and without
limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, "Consolidated
Operating Cash Flow" shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma
basis for the applicable four fiscal quarter period to, without duplication, any
Asset Sales or Asset Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any Asset
Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of the
Issuer or one of the Restricted Subsidiaries (including any person who becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming
or otherwise being liable for Acquired Indebtedness) occurring during the period
commencing on the first day of such four fiscal quarter period to and including
the Transaction Date (the "Reference Period"), as if such Asset Sale or Asset
Acquisition occurred on the first day of the Reference Period.
 
     "consolidation" means, with respect to the Issuer, the consolidation of the
accounts of the Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Issuer, all in
accordance with GAAP; provided that "consolidation" will not
 
                                       98
<PAGE>   106
 
include consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary with the
accounts of the Issuer. The term "consolidated" has a correlative meaning to the
foregoing.
 
     "Debt Securities" means any debt securities issued by the Issuer in a
public offering or a private placement.
 
     "Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
 
     "Designation" has the meaning set forth under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
 
     "Disinterested Director" means, with respect to any transaction or series
of related transactions, a member of the Board of Directors of the Issuer other
than a director who (i) has any material direct or indirect financial interest
in or with respect to such transaction or series of related transactions or (ii)
is an employee or officer of the Issuer or an Affiliate that is itself a party
to such transaction or series of transactions or an Affiliate of a party to such
transaction or series of related transactions.
 
     "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any person, any Capital Stock
which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any
event, matures or becomes mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, or becomes exchangeable for Indebtedness at the option
of the holder thereof, or becomes redeemable at the option of the holder
thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the final maturity date of the 1997
Notes; provided such Capital Stock shall only constitute Disqualified Stock to
the extent it so matures or becomes so redeemable or exchangeable on or prior to
the final maturity date of the 1997 Notes; provided, further, that any Capital
Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof
giving holders thereof the right to require such person to repurchase or redeem
such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control"
occurring prior to the final maturity date of the 1997 Notes shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control"
provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders
of such Capital Stock than the provisions contained in "-- Certain Covenants --
Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" and "-- Certain Covenants -- Change of
Control" covenants described above and such Capital Stock specifically provides
that such person will not repurchase or redeem any such stock pursuant to such
provision prior to the Issuer's repurchase of such 1997 Notes as are required to
be repurchased pursuant to the "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" and
"Change of Control" covenants described above.
 
     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
     "Existing ISP" means any ISP in which the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the
Issuer has an Investment on the Issue Date.
 
     "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the price
that could be negotiated in an arms-length free market transaction, for cash,
between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of whom is under pressure
or compulsion to complete the transaction. Unless otherwise specified in the
1997 Indenture, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board acting in
good faith and shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.
 
     "GAAP" means, at any date of determination, generally accepted accounting
principles in effect in the United States and which are applicable as of the
date of determination and which are consistently applied for all applicable
periods.
 
     "Guarantee" means, as applied to any obligation, (i) a guarantee (other
than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary
course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of
such obligation and (ii) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or
performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance) of all or
any part of such obligation, including, without limiting the foregoing, the
payment of amounts drawn down by letters of credit.
 
     "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, without duplication, (i)
any liability, contingent or otherwise, of such person (A) for borrowed money
(whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole
 
                                       99
<PAGE>   107
 
of the assets of such person or only to a portion thereof) or (B) evidenced by a
note, debenture or similar instrument or letter of credit (including a purchase
money obligation) or (C) for the payment of money relating to a Capitalized
Lease Obligation or other obligation relating to the deferred purchase price of
property (except to the extent representing funds deposited in escrow to secure
the deferred purchase price of an acquisition of, or an Investment in, an ISP)
or (D) in respect of an Interest Rate Obligation or currency agreement; or (ii)
any liability of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (i) which
the person has guaranteed or which is otherwise its legal liability; or (iii)
any obligation secured by a Lien (other than (x) Permitted Liens of the types
described in clauses (b), (d) or (e) of the definition of Permitted Liens;
provided that the obligations secured would not constitute Indebtedness under
clauses (i) or (ii) or (iii) of this definition, and (y) Liens on Capital Stock
or Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary) to which the property or assets
of such person are subject, whether or not the obligations secured thereby shall
have been assumed by or shall otherwise be such person's legal liability (the
amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such
property or asset or the amount of the obligation so secured); (iv) all
Disqualified Stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum
fixed repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and (v) any and all
deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications
or supplements to, any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding
clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv). In no event shall "Indebtedness" include trade
payables and accrued liabilities that are current liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business, excluding the current maturity of any obligation
which would otherwise constitute Indebtedness. For purposes of the covenants
"Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" and "Limitation on Restricted Payments"
and the definition of "Events of Default," in determining the principal amount
of any Indebtedness to be incurred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or
which is outstanding at any date, (x) the principal amount of any Indebtedness
which provides that an amount less than the principal amount at maturity thereof
shall be due upon any declaration of acceleration thereof shall be the accreted
value thereof at the date of determination and (y) the principal amount of any
Indebtedness shall be reduced by any amount of cash or Cash Equivalent
collateral securing on a perfected basis, and dedicated for disbursement
exclusively to the payment of principal of and interest on, such Indebtedness.
Indebtedness of any person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed
incurred at the time that such person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     "Independent Financial Advisor" means a United States investment banking
firm of national or regional standing in the United States (i) which does not,
and whose directors, officers and employees or Affiliates do not have, a direct
or indirect financial interest in the Issuer and (ii) which, in the judgment of
the Board, is otherwise independent and qualified to perform the task for which
it is to be engaged.
 
     "Interest Rate Obligations" means the obligations of any person pursuant to
any arrangement with any other person whereby, directly or indirectly, such
person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic payments calculated by
applying either a floating or a fixed rate of interest on a stated notional
amount and shall include without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors,
collars, forward interest rate agreements and similar agreements.
 
     "Internet Service Business" means any business operating an internet
connectivity or internet enhancement service as it exists from time to time,
including, without limitation, dial up or dedicated internet service, web
hosting or collocation services, security solutions, the provision and
development of software in connection therewith configuration services,
electronic commerce, intranet solutions, data backup and restoral, business
content and collaboration, communications tools or network equipment products or
services (including, without limitation, any business conducted by the Issuer or
any Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date), and any business reasonably
related to the foregoing. A good faith determination by a majority of the Board
as to whether a business meets the requirements of this definition shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error.
 
     "Investment" means, with respect to any person, any advance, loan, account
receivable (other than an account receivable arising in the ordinary course of
business), or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, by means
of any guarantee) or any capital contribution to (by means of transfers of
property to others, payments for property or services for the account or use of
others, or otherwise), or any purchase or ownership of any stocks, bonds, notes,
debentures or other securities of, any other person. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in no event shall any issuance of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer in
                                       100
<PAGE>   108
 
exchange for Capital Stock, property or assets of another person constitute an
Investment by the Issuer in such other person.
 
     "ISP" means any person (a) engaged principally in an Internet Service
Business, (b) of which the Issuer and Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries own
either (x) Qualifying Preferred Stock representing in aggregate from 20% to 50%
of such person's outstanding Capital Stock (on an economic basis) or (y) Common
Stock or Qualifying Preferred Stock representing in aggregate in excess of 50%
of such person's voting Capital Stock, (c) as to which the Issuer or a Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary has an option, either immediately exercisable or
exercisable commencing after one year (subject to extension under limited
circumstances consistent with past practice) of the Investment made by the
Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, to acquire all of such person's
outstanding Capital Stock, (d) as to which the Issuer or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary is the beneficiary of a right of first refusal or other
transfer restrictions generally limiting transfers of such person's Capital
Stock by third parties, (e) as to which the Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary has the right to appoint and has appointed at least one member of
such person's board of directors, in the case where such person would not be a
Subsidiary of the Issuer, or a majority of such person's board of directors, in
the case where such person would be a Subsidiary of the Issuer and (f) which has
no outstanding Capital Stock or Indebtedness other than (i) Common Stock or
options to acquire Common Stock, (ii) Qualifying Preferred Stock held by the
Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) rights granted to other
stockholders to acquire Capital Stock of such person from the Issuer or its
affiliates in certain circumstances, (iv) preferred stock ranking junior in a
liquidation to any Qualifying Preferred Stock referred to in clause (ii), and
(v) Indebtedness of such person or preferred stock of such person ranking prior
in a liquidation or deemed liquidation to the Qualifying Preferred Stock
referred to in clause (ii) having an aggregate outstanding principal balance and
liquidation preference, respectively, that (x) in the case of a person that is a
Restricted Subsidiary, is permitted to be incurred under the covenant
"Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" and (y) in the case of a person that is
not a Restricted Subsidiary, does not at any time exceed 50% of Annualized ISP
Revenues.
 
     "Issue Date" means the original date of issuance of the 1997 Notes.
 
     "Lien" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or other),
security interest, hypothecation, assignment for security, claim, or preference
or priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property of any
kind. A person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which such
person has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under
any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention
agreement.
 
     "Market Capitalization" of any person means, as of any day of
determination, the average Closing Price of such person's Common Stock over the
20 consecutive trading days immediately preceding such day. "Closing Price" on
any trading day with respect to the per share price of any shares of Common
Stock means the last reported sale price regular way or, in case no such
reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid
and asked prices regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange or,
if such shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on such
exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which such shares are
listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotations National Market System or, if such shares are not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or quoted on such
automated quotation system but the issuer is a Foreign Issuer (as defined in
Rule 3b-4(b) under the Exchange Act) and the principal securities exchange on
which such shares are listed or admitted to trading is a Designated Offshore
Securities Market (as defined in Rule 902(a) under the Securities Act), the
average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way on such
principal exchange, or, if such shares are not listed or admitted to trading on
any national securities exchange or quoted on such automated quotation system
and the issuer and principal securities exchange do not meet such requirements,
the average of the closing bid and asked prices in the over-the-counter marked
as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm that is selected from
time to time by the Issuer for that purpose and is reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee.
 
                                       101
<PAGE>   109
 
     "Material Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Issuer, which, at any date of determination, is a "Significant Subsidiary" (as
that term is defined in Regulation S-X issued under the Securities Act), but
shall, in any event, include (x) any Guarantor or (y) any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Issuer which, at any date of determination, is an obligor under any
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount equal to or exceeding $7.5
million.
 
     "Maturity Date" means, with respect to any 1997 Note, the date specified in
such 1997 Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such 1997 Note is due
and payable.
 
     "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service.
 
     "Net Cash Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds
thereof in the form of cash (including assumed liabilities and other items
deemed to be cash under the proviso to the first sentence of the covenant
"Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales") or Cash Equivalents including payments
in respect of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of cash or
Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or
sold with recourse to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) net of (i)
brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses (including fees and expenses
of legal counsel and investment bankers) related to such Asset Sale, (ii)
provisions for all taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale, (iii) amounts
required to be paid to any person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in or having a Permitted Lien on the
assets subject to the Asset Sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by
the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve
required in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with such
Asset Sale and retained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, after such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other
post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental
matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with
such Asset Sale, all as reflected in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Trustee.
 
     "New ISP" means any ISP in which the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer
makes its first Investment after the Issue Date.
 
     "Other Senior Debt Pro Rata Share" means the amount of the applicable
Excess Proceeds obtained by multiplying the amount of such Excess Proceeds by a
fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the aggregate accreted value and/or
principal amount, as the case may be, of all Indebtedness (other than (x) the
1997 Notes and (y) Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Issuer outstanding at the
time of the applicable Asset Sale with respect to which the Issuer is required
to use Excess Proceeds to repay or make an offer to purchase or repay and (ii)
the denominator of which is the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all
1997 Notes outstanding at the time of the applicable Asset Sale and (b) the
aggregate principal amount or the aggregate accreted value, as the case may be,
of all other Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Issuer
outstanding at the time of the applicable Asset Sale Offer with respect to which
the Issuer is required to use the applicable Excess Proceeds to offer to repay
or make an offer to purchase or repay.
 
     "Permitted Affiliate Agreement" means each of the Series A Purchase
Agreement, the Series B Purchase Agreement, the Series C Purchase Agreement and
the Shareholders Agreement, each as in effect on the Issue Date.
 
     "Permitted Credit Facility" means any senior commercial term loan and/or
revolving credit facility (including any letter of credit subfacility) entered
into principally with commercial banks and/or other financial institutions
typically party to commercial loan agreements.
 
     "Permitted Equipment Financing" means any credit facility or other
financing arrangement (including in the form of Capitalized Lease Obligations
and guarantees of Indebtedness of ISPs) entered into with any vendor or supplier
(or any financial institution acting on behalf of or for the purpose of directly
financing purchases from such vendor or supplier) to the extent the Indebtedness
thereunder is incurred for the purpose of financing the cost (including the cost
of design, development, site acquisition, construction, integration, manufacture
or acquisition) of real or personal property (tangible or intangible) used, or
to be used, in an Internet Service Business.
 
                                       102
<PAGE>   110
 
     "Permitted Indebtedness" means the following Indebtedness (each of which
shall be given independent effect):
 
          (a) Indebtedness under the 1997 Notes and the 1997 Indenture;
 
          (b) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary
     outstanding on the Issue Date;
 
          (c) (i) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by
     the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) Indebtedness of the Issuer,
     not secured by any Lien, owed to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary;
     provided that an incurrence of Indebtedness shall be deemed to have
     occurred upon (x) any sale or other disposition (excluding assignments as
     security to financial institutions) of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or a
     Restricted Subsidiary referred to in this clause (c) to a person (other
     than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) or (y) any sale or other
     disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, or Designation of
     a Restricted Subsidiary, which holds Indebtedness of the Issuer or another
     Restricted Subsidiary such that such Restricted Subsidiary, in any such
     case, ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
          (d) Interest Rate Obligations of the Issuer and/or any Restricted
     Subsidiary relating to Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or such Restricted
     Subsidiary, as the case may be (which Indebtedness (x) bears interest at
     fluctuating interest rates and (y) is otherwise permitted to be incurred
     under the "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" covenant), but only to
     the extent that the notional principal amount of such Interest Rate
     Obligations does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness
     (and/or Indebtedness subject to commitments) to which such Interest Rate
     Obligations relate;
 
          (e) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary in
     respect of performance bonds of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or
     surety bonds provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred
     in the ordinary course of business;
 
          (f) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary to the
     extent it represents a replacement, renewal, refinancing or extension (a
     "Refinancing") of outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or of any
     Restricted Subsidiary incurred or outstanding pursuant to clause (a), (b),
     (g), (h) or (i) of this definition or the proviso of the covenant
     "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness"; provided that (1) Indebtedness of
     the Issuer may not be Refinanced to such extent under this clause (f) with
     Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and (2) any such Refinancing
     shall only be permitted under this clause (f) to the extent that (x) it
     does not result in a lower Average Life to Stated Maturity of such
     Indebtedness as compared with the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (y) it
     does not exceed the sum of the principal amount (or, if such Indebtedness
     provides for a lesser amount to be due and payable upon a declaration of
     acceleration thereof, an amount no greater than such lesser amount) of the
     Indebtedness being Refinanced plus the amount of accrued interest thereon
     and the amount of any reasonably determined prepayment premium necessary to
     accomplish such Refinancing and such reasonable fees and expenses incurred
     in connection therewith;
 
          (g) Indebtedness of the Issuer such that, after giving effect to the
     incurrence thereof, the total aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness
     incurred under this clause (g) and any Refinancings thereof otherwise
     incurred in compliance with the 1997 Indenture would not exceed 200% of
     Total Incremental Equity;
 
          (h) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary
     incurred under any Permitted Credit Facility and/or Indebtedness of the
     Issuer represented by Debt Securities of the Issuer, and any Refinancings
     of the foregoing otherwise incurred in compliance with the 1997 Indenture,
     in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $70.0 million at any time
     outstanding;
 
          (i) Indebtedness of the Company and/or any Restricted Subsidiary
     incurred under any Permitted Equipment Financing or as a result of any
     Rollup of any ISP, and any Refinancings thereof otherwise incurred in
     compliance with the 1997 Indenture, provided the aggregate principal amount
     of all such Indebtedness does not exceed $30.0 million at any time
     outstanding;
 
                                       103
<PAGE>   111
 
          (j) Indebtedness of the Issuer representing the deferred purchase
     price (whether or not subject to a contingency) of an acquisition of, or an
     Investment in, a New ISP in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
     $15.0 million at any time outstanding; and
 
          (k) in addition to the items referred to in clauses (a) through (j)
     above, Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries having
     an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20.0 million at any time
     outstanding.
 
     "Permitted Investments" means (a) Cash Equivalents; (b) Investments in
prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility
and workers' compensation, performance and other similar deposits; (c) Interest
Rate Obligations incurred in compliance with the covenant "Limitation on
Additional Indebtedness"; and (d) the extension by the Issuer and the Restricted
Subsidiaries of (i) trade credit to Subsidiaries of the Issuer and ISPs,
represented by accounts receivable, extended on usual and customary terms in the
ordinary course of business or (ii) guarantees of commitments for the purchase
of goods or services by any ISP incurred in the ordinary course of business so
long as such guarantees to the extent constituting Indebtedness are permitted to
be incurred under the covenant "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness."
 
     "Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens on property of a person existing at the
time such person is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such
Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger, consolidation
or acquisition and do not secure any property or assets of the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or assets subject to the Liens
prior to such merger or consolidation or acquisition; (b) Liens imposed by law,
such as carriers', warehousemen's and mechanics' Liens and other similar Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business that secure payment of obligations
not more than 60 days past due or that are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings; (c) Liens existing on the Issue Date; (d) Liens for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent
or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly
instituted and diligently conducted; provided that any reserve or other
appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have
been made therefor; (e) easements, rights of way, restrictions and other similar
easements, licenses, restrictions on the use of properties, or minor
imperfections of title that, in the aggregate, are not material in amount and do
not in any case materially detract from the properties subject thereto or
interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or the
Restricted Subsidiaries; (f) Liens to secure the performance of statutory
obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a
like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (g) Liens securing any
Permitted Credit Facility or Permitted Equipment Financing; (h) Liens to secure
Indebtedness incurred in compliance with clause (j) of "Permitted Indebtedness"
to the extent relating to the asset subject of the particular Asset Acquisition
or Investment; (i) Liens to secure any Refinancing of any Indebtedness secured
by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) or (c), but only to the extent
that such Liens do not extend to any other property or assets and the principal
amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens is not increased; (j) Liens to
secure the 1997 Notes; and (k) Liens on real property incurred in connection
with the financing of the purchase of such real property (or incurred within 60
days of purchase) by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     "Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of such
person's preferred or preference stock whether now outstanding, or issued after
the Issue Date, and including, without limitation, all classes and series of
preferred or preference stock of such person.
 
     "Public Capital Stock" means any class of Capital Stock which is traded on
the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market.
 
     "Qualifying Preferred Stock" means preferred stock of an ISP (i) having a
liquidation and dividend preference at least equal to the amount of the
Investment made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in such ISP, (ii) that,
in the case of ISPs not constituting Restricted Subsidiaries, is redeemable at
the option of the holder on a basis consistent with past practice and (iii) that
is convertible into shares of Common Stock of such ISP at the option of the
holder.
                                       104
<PAGE>   112
 
     "Refinancing" has the meaning set forth in clause (f) of the definition of
"Permitted Indebtedness."
 
     "Restricted Payment" means any of the following: (i) the declaration or
payment of any dividend or any other distribution on Capital Stock of the Issuer
or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as
such) of Capital Stock of the Issuer (other than dividends or distributions
payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or
in options, warrants or other rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer); (ii) the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Issuer (other
than any such Capital Stock owned by the Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary); (iii) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund or maturity
of any Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated Indebtedness held
by a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary); (iv) the making of any payment
(whether of dividends or in respect of liquidation preference) in respect of the
Series A Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock or the Series C Preferred
Stock; or (v) the making by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any
Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any person (other than an
Investment by a Restricted Subsidiary in the Issuer or an Investment by the
Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in (a) a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary
engaged principally in an Internet Service Business; (b) a New ISP that is a
Restricted Subsidiary; (c) a person (other than an Existing ISP) engaged
principally in an Internet Service Business that becomes a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Investment; (d) a New ISP that becomes
a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Investment; or (e) a Restricted
Subsidiary (other than an Existing ISP) or a person (other than an Existing ISP)
that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Investment, provided
that, in either case, such Restricted Subsidiary would, but for failing to meet
the requirements of clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of "ISP," be a New
ISP).
 
     "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that has not
been designated by the Board, by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee, as
an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant
"Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries." Any such designation
may be revoked by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee, subject to the
provisions of such covenant.
 
     "Restricted Subsidiary Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary (i) which is not subordinated to any other Indebtedness of such
Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) in respect of which the Issuer is not also
obligated (by means of a guarantee or otherwise) other than, in the case of this
clause (ii), Indebtedness under any Permitted Credit Facilities.
 
     "Revocation" has the meaning set forth under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
 
     "Rollup" means (i) an Investment in an Existing ISP or transaction or
series of related transactions as a result of which such Existing ISP becomes a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) an Investment in a New ISP or
transaction or series of related transactions as a result of which such New ISP
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) a merger or consolidation of any ISP
with the Issuer.
 
     "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Corporation.
 
     "Strategic Equity Investor" means any person engaged principally in one or
more communications businesses with a Market Capitalization or Consolidated Net
Worth of at least $1.0 billion.
 
     "Subordinated Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any
Guarantor which is expressly subordinated in right of payment to any other
Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Guarantor.
 
     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any person, (i) any corporation of
which the outstanding Capital Stock having at least a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast in the election of directors shall at the time be owned,
directly or indirectly, by such person, or (ii) any other person of which at
least a majority of voting interest is at the time, directly or indirectly,
owned by such person.
 
     "Total Consolidated Indebtedness" means, at any date of determination, an
amount equal to the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the Issuer and the
Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of determination.
                                       105
<PAGE>   113
 
     "Total Incremental Equity" means, at any time of determination, the sum of,
without duplication, (i) the aggregate cash proceeds received prior to June 24,
2000 by the Issuer from capital contributions in respect of existing Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) or the issuance or sale of Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock but including Capital Stock issued upon the
conversion of convertible Indebtedness or from the exercise of options, warrants
or rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)) subsequent
to the Issue Date, other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer, plus (ii) the Fair
Market Value (determined at the time of issuance) of any Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer issued prior to June 24, 2000 as
consideration for the acquisition of Capital Stock of an ISP (other than the
acquisition of Capital Stock of an Existing ISP), plus (iii) the Fair Market
Value (determined at the time of issuance) of any Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer issued prior to June 24, 2000 as consideration
for the acquisition of Capital Stock of an Existing ISP in a transaction as a
result of which the Existing ISP becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary,
plus (iv) the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary from the sale, disposition or repayment (in whole or in part) of any
Investment that is made after the Issue Date and that constitutes a Restricted
Payment that has been deducted from Total Incremental Equity pursuant to clause
(v) below in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the return of capital with
respect to the applicable portion of such Investment and (b) the cost of the
applicable portion of such Investment, in either case, less the cost of the
disposition of such Investment, minus (v) the aggregate amount of all Restricted
Payments declared or made on and after the Issue Date (other than (1) a
Restricted Payment constituting an Investment in an ISP (other than the
acquisition of Capital Stock of an Existing ISP in a transaction as a result of
which the Existing ISP becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) and (2) a
Restricted Payment made pursuant to clauses (iii), (viii) or (ix) (solely, in
the case of clause (ix), to the extent the Investment is made in a Restricted
Subsidiary) of the third paragraph of the covenant "Limitation on Restricted
Payments").
 
     "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Issuer designated as
such pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant "Limitation on Designations
of Unrestricted Subsidiaries." Any such designation may be revoked by a Board
Resolution delivered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of such covenant.
 
     "U.S. Government Securities" means securities that are direct obligations
of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and
credit is pledged.
 
     "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any person, the Capital Stock of any
class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors
or other members of the governing body of such person.
 
     "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of
which 99% or more of the outstanding Capital Stock is owned by the Issuer or
another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary; provided NorthWestNet shall be
deemed a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary notwithstanding its existing stock
option plan and any stock options issued thereunder. For the purposes of this
definition, any directors' qualifying shares or investments by foreign nationals
mandated by applicable law shall be disregarded in determining the ownership of
a Restricted Subsidiary.
 
                                       106
<PAGE>   114
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF THE 1998 NOTES
 
     Set forth below is a summary of certain provisions of the New 1998 Notes.
The New 1998 Notes will be issued under the 1998 Indenture between the Issuer
and the Trustee. A copy of the 1998 Indenture may be obtained upon request from
the Issuer, 8005 South Chester Street, Suite 200, Englewood, Colorado 80112;
attention: General Counsel; telephone: (303) 645-1900.
 
     Except as otherwise indicated below, the following summary applies to both
the Old 1998 Notes and the New 1998 Notes. As used herein, the term "1998 Notes"
means the Old 1998 Notes and the New 1998 Notes, unless otherwise indicated.
 
     The form and terms of the New 1998 Notes will be identical in all material
respects to the form and terms of the Old 1998 Notes, except that the New 1998
Notes will be registered under the Securities Act, and therefore such New 1998
Notes will not be subject to certain transfer restrictions and, registration
rights applicable to the Old 1998 Notes. See "The Exchange Offers."
 
     The 1998 Notes are issued under the 1998 Indenture, a copy of the form of
which is available upon request. The 1998 Indenture is subject to and governed
by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The following summary of certain provisions
of the 1998 Indenture does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Trust Indenture Act, and to all
of the provisions of the 1998 Indenture, including the definitions of certain
terms therein and those terms made a part of the 1998 Indenture by reference to
the Trust Indenture Act, as in effect on the date of the 1998 Indenture. The
definitions of certain capitalized terms used in the following summary are set
forth below under "Certain Definitions."
 
GENERAL
 
     The 1998 Notes are general senior obligations of the Issuer. The 1998 Notes
have been issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations
of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples thereof. Principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the 1998 Notes are payable, and the 1998 Notes
are exchangeable and transferable, at the office or agency of the Issuer in the
City of New York maintained for such purposes (which initially will be the
corporate trust office of the Trustee). See "-- Book-Entry; Delivery and Form."
No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer, exchange or
redemption of the 1998 Notes, except in certain circumstances for any tax or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith.
 
MATURITY, INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL
 
     The 1998 Notes are limited to $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount and
will mature on April 1, 2005. The Issuer will not be required to make any
mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the 1998 Notes. Interest on the
1998 Notes will accrue at a rate of 10 3/8% per annum and be payable in cash
semi-annually in arrears on each April 1 and October 1 (each, an "Interest
Payment Date"), commencing October 1, 1998, to registered holders of 1998 Notes,
on the March 15 or September 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding such
Interest Payment Date. Interest on the 1998 Notes will accrue from the most
recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from the Issue Date.
Cash interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. If the Issuer defaults on any payment of principal and/or premium
(whether upon redemption or otherwise), cash interest will accrue on the amount
in default at the rate of interest borne by the 1998 Notes. Interest on overdue
principal and premium and, to the extent permitted by law, on overdue
installments of interest will accrue at the rate of interest borne by the 1998
Notes.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     Optional Redemption.  The 1998 Notes are redeemable, at the option of the
Issuer, in whole or in part, on or after April 1, 2002 upon not less than 30 nor
more than 60 days' written notice at the redemption prices (expressed as
percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, if
 
                                       107
<PAGE>   115
 
any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month
period beginning on April 1 of each of the years indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                REDEMPTION
YEAR                                                              PRICE
----                                                            ----------
<S>                                                             <C>
2002........................................................     105.188%
2003........................................................     102.594%
2004........................................................     100.000%
</TABLE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that after the Issue Date and
prior to April 1, 2001 the Issuer issues, in one or more transactions, Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to WorldCom or one or more
Strategic Equity Investors or in any Public Equity Offering for aggregate gross
cash proceeds of $50.0 million or more (an "Equity Sale"), the Issuer may
redeem, at its option, up to a maximum of 35% of the initially outstanding
aggregate principal amount of 1998 Notes from the net proceeds thereof at a
redemption price equal to 110.375% of the principal amount of the 1998 Notes,
together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption; provided
that not less than $113.75 million aggregate principal amount of 1998 Notes is
outstanding following such redemption. Any such redemption may only be effected
once and must be effected upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice
given within 180 days after such Equity Sale.
 
     Selection; Effect of Redemption Notice.  In the case of a partial
redemption, selection of the 1998 Notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by
lot or such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate
and just; provided that any redemption pursuant to the provisions relating to an
Equity Sale shall be made on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis
as practicable (subject to DTC procedures). No 1998 Notes of a principal amount
of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notice of redemption shall be
mailed by first-class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the
redemption date to each holder of 1998 Notes to be redeemed at its registered
address. If any 1998 Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to such 1998 Note shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new 1998 Note in a principal amount
equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder
thereof upon surrender for cancellation of the original 1998 Note. Upon giving
of a redemption notice, interest on 1998 Notes called for redemption will cease
to accrue from and after the date fixed for redemption (unless the Issuer
defaults in providing the funds for such redemption) and such 1998 Notes will
cease to be outstanding.
 
RANKING
 
     The indebtedness of the Issuer evidenced by the 1998 Notes ranks senior in
right of payment to all subordinated indebtedness of the Issuer and pari passu
in right of payment with all other existing and future unsubordinated
indebtedness of the Issuer including the 1997 Notes.
 
   
     The Issuer is a holding company with limited assets and no business
operations of its own. The Issuer operates its business through its
subsidiaries. Any right of the Issuer and its creditors, including holders of
the 1998 Notes, to participate in the assets of any of the Issuer's subsidiaries
upon any liquidation or administration of any such subsidiary will be subject to
the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors. As of
March 31, 1998, on a pro forma basis, there would have been approximately $9.9
million of secured long-term indebtedness outstanding to which holders of 1998
Notes would have been effectively subordinated in right of payment and
approximately $7.6 million of subsidiary indebtedness to which holders of 1998
Notes would have been structurally subordinated. In addition, the Bank Facility
is secured by certain assets, including the equity of the ISPs that Verio owns
currently or may own in the future, and thus the 1998 Notes are effectively
subordinated to the Bank Facility to the extent of the value of such assets. For
a discussion of certain adverse consequences of the Issuer being a holding
company and of the terms of potential future indebtedness of the Issuer and its
subsidiaries, see "Risk Factors -- Holding Company Structure and Need to Access
Subsidiary Cash Flows."
    
 
                                       108
<PAGE>   116
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     Set forth below are certain covenants that are contained in the 1998
Indenture.
 
     Limitation on Additional Indebtedness.  The 1998 Indenture provides that
the Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly
or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including any Acquired Indebtedness),
except for Permitted Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness to the extent
it would constitute Permitted Indebtedness); provided, however, that (i) the
Issuer will be permitted to incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness)
and (ii) a Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to incur Acquired
Indebtedness, if, in either case, after giving pro forma effect to such
incurrence (including the application of the net proceeds therefrom), the ratio
of Total Consolidated Indebtedness to Consolidated Annualized Pro Forma
Operating Cash Flow would be less than 6.0 to 1.0.
 
     Limitation on Restricted Payments.  The 1998 Indenture provides that the
Issuer will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to,
make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment unless:
 
          (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or
     upon giving effect to such Restricted Payment;
 
          (ii) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
     Issuer would be able to incur $1.00 of Indebtedness under the proviso of
     the covenant "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness;" and
 
          (iii) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the
     aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made on or after
     the Issue Date and all Designation Amounts does not exceed an amount equal
     to the sum of, without duplication, (a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income
     of the Issuer accrued on a cumulative basis during the period beginning on
     January 1, 1998 and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the
     Issuer immediately preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment
     (or, if such cumulative Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for such
     period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus (b) the aggregate
     net cash proceeds received by the Issuer either (x) as capital
     contributions to the Issuer after the Issue Date or (y) from the issue and
     sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) of its Capital
     Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) on or after the Issue Date (including
     upon exercise of warrants, options or rights), plus (c) the aggregate net
     proceeds received by the Issuer from the issuance (other than to a
     Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) on or after the Issue Date of its
     Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) upon the conversion of, or in
     exchange for, Indebtedness of the Issuer, plus (d) in the case of the
     disposition or repayment (in whole or in part) of any Investment
     constituting a Restricted Payment made after the Issue Date (except for
     Investments made (1) pursuant to clause (vii) of the second following
     paragraph that are not subject to clause (e) or (f) of this paragraph
     below, and (2) pursuant to clauses (viii) or (ix) of the second following
     paragraph), an amount equal to the lesser of the return of capital with
     respect to the applicable portion of such Investment and the cost of the
     applicable portion of such Investment, in either case, less the cost of the
     disposition of such Investment, plus (e) in the case of any Revocation with
     respect to a Subsidiary of the Issuer that was made subject to a
     Designation after the Issue Date, an amount equal to the lesser of the
     Designation Amount with respect to such Subsidiary or the Fair Market Value
     of the Investment of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in such
     Subsidiary at the time of Revocation, plus (f) an amount equal to the
     amount of any Investment constituting a Restricted Payment made after the
     Issue Date in an ISP which has been included as a Restricted Payment under
     this clause (iii) pursuant to the last paragraph of this covenant to the
     extent such ISP thereafter (1) becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary
     or is merged with the Issuer or (2) is a New ISP that becomes a Restricted
     Subsidiary or is merged with the Issuer, less, in either such case, any
     amounts credited pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (d) in
     respect of any such Investment, minus (g) 50% of the principal amount of
     any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (g) of the definition of
     "Permitted Indebtedness." For purposes of the preceding clauses (b)(y) and
     (c), as applicable, the value of the aggregate net proceeds received by the
     Issuer upon the issuance of Capital Stock either upon the conversion of
     convertible Indebtedness or in exchange for outstanding Indebtedness or
     upon the exercise of options, warrants or rights will be the net cash
     proceeds received upon the issuance of such
 
                                       109
<PAGE>   117
 
     Indebtedness, options, warrants or rights plus the incremental amount
     received, if any, by the Issuer upon the conversion, exchange or exercise
     thereof.
 
     For purposes of determining the amount expended for Restricted Payments,
cash distributed shall be valued at the face amount thereof and property other
than cash shall be valued at its Fair Market Value.
 
     The provisions of this covenant shall not prohibit the following (each of
which shall be given independent effect): (i) the payment of any dividend or
other distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at
such date of declaration such payment would be permitted by the provisions of
the 1998 Indenture; (ii) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other
acquisition of any shares of Capital Stock of the Issuer in exchange for, or out
of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent issue and sale (other
than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer) of, shares of Capital Stock of
the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that any such net cash
proceeds are excluded from clause (iii)(b) of the second preceding paragraph;
(iii) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the purchase,
redemption, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of Subordinated
Indebtedness made by exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of, a
substantially concurrent issue and sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Issuer) of (x) Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
Issuer or (y) other Subordinated Indebtedness to the extent that its stated
maturity for the payment of principal thereof is not prior to the 180th day
after the final stated maturity of the 1998 Notes; provided that any such net
cash proceeds are excluded from clause (iii)(b) of the second preceding
paragraph; (iv) (a) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
Investments constituting Restricted Payments by the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary in a New ISP or a person that becomes a New ISP as a result of such
Investment and (b) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
Investments constituting Restricted Payments by the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary in an Existing ISP (x) made out of the net cash proceeds of a
substantially concurrent sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
of the Issuer (provided that any such proceeds are excluded from clause (iii)(b)
of the second preceding paragraph) or (y) such that the aggregate amount of all
Investments in Existing ISPs that are made after the Issue Date pursuant to this
subclause (b)(y) would not exceed $25.0 million in aggregate; (v) bonds, notes,
debentures or other securities received as a result of Asset Sales pursuant to
and in compliance with the covenant "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales";
(vi) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, purchases or
redemptions of Capital Stock (including cash settlements of stock options) held
by employees, officers or directors upon or following termination of their
employment with the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries; provided that payments
shall not exceed $2.0 million in any fiscal year in the aggregate or $4.0
million in the aggregate during the term of the 1998 Notes; (vii) so long as no
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Investments in Unrestricted
Subsidiaries to the extent reasonably promptly made with the proceeds of a
substantially concurrent (1) capital contribution to the Issuer or (2) issue or
sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer (other than
to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer); provided that any such proceeds are
excluded from clause (iii)(b) of the second preceding paragraph; (viii) loans or
advances to employees of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary made in the
ordinary course of business, including to fund the purchase of Capital Stock of
the Issuer (provided that any proceeds from such purchase are excluded from
clause (iii)(b) of the second preceding paragraph to the extent such loan or
advance is not reimbursed) in an amount not to exceed $2.0 million at any time
outstanding; (ix) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
Investments constituting Restricted Payments in joint ventures formed to provide
services in furtherance of an Internet Service Business of the Issuer and the
ISPs or other persons engaged principally in an Internet Service Business in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $30.0 million outstanding at any time; provided
that following the first Public Equity Offering resulting in aggregate gross
cash proceeds of $50.0 million or more to the Issuer, the aggregate amount of
Investments permitted pursuant to this clause (ix) shall be increased to an
aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million outstanding at any time; and (x)
cash payments in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to any warrant, option or
other similar agreement.
 
     In determining whether the receipt of net cash proceeds of a sale of
Capital Stock is "substantially concurrent" for purposes of clause (iv)(b)(x) of
the preceding paragraph, if such net cash proceeds are deposited in escrow with
a third party, free and clear of any Lien (other than the Lien of the escrow
agent), to be applied for purposes directed by the Issuer and such net cash
proceeds are excluded from clause (iii)(b) of
 
                                       110
<PAGE>   118
 
the first paragraph above, then the application of such net cash proceeds as set
forth in such clause (iv)(b)(x) shall be deemed "substantially concurrent" if
they are subsequently released for immediate application as contemplated by such
clause (iv)(b)(x). In no event shall a Restricted Payment made on the basis of
consolidated financial statements prepared in good faith in accordance with GAAP
be subject to rescission or constitute a Default by reason of any requisite
subsequent restatement of such financial statements which would have made such
Restricted Payment prohibited at the time that it was made.
 
     In determining the amount of Restricted Payments permissible under this
covenant, amounts expended pursuant to clauses (i), (iv)(a), (iv)(b)(y), (v),
(vi) and (ix) (to the extent remaining outstanding) above shall be included,
without duplication, as Restricted Payments.
 
     Limitation on Liens Securing Certain Indebtedness.  The 1998 Indenture
provides that the Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind against or
upon any property or assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether
now owned or hereafter acquired, or any proceeds therefrom, which secure either
(x) Subordinated Indebtedness unless the 1998 Notes are secured by a Lien on
such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to the Liens
securing such Subordinated Indebtedness or (y) Indebtedness of the Issuer that
is not Subordinated Indebtedness, unless the 1998 Notes are equally and ratably
secured with the Liens securing such other Indebtedness, except, in the case of
this clause (y), Permitted Liens.
 
     Limitation on Business.  The 1998 Indenture provides that the Issuer will
not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in a
business which is not substantially an Internet Service Business.
 
     Limitation on Certain Guarantees and Indebtedness of Restricted
Subsidiaries.  The 1998 Indenture provides that the Issuer will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to assume, guarantee or in any
other manner become liable with respect to (i) any Subordinated Indebtedness or
(ii) any Indebtedness of the Issuer that is not Subordinated Indebtedness (other
than, in the case of this clause (ii), Indebtedness under any Permitted Credit
Facility to the extent constituting Permitted Indebtedness), unless, in each
case, such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a
supplemental indenture providing for the guarantee of payment of the 1998 Notes
by such Restricted Subsidiary on a basis senior to any such Subordinated
Indebtedness or pari passu with any such other Indebtedness referred to in
clause (ii), as the case may be. Each guarantee created pursuant to such
provisions is referred to as a "Guarantee" and the issuer of each such
Guarantee, so long as the Guarantee remains outstanding, is referred to as a
"Guarantor."
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the unconditional release of
any Guarantor from its obligations in respect of the Indebtedness which gave
rise to the requirement that a Guarantee be given, such Guarantor shall be
released from all obligations under its Guarantee. In addition, upon any sale or
disposition (by merger or otherwise) of any Guarantor by the Issuer or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer to any person that is not an Affiliate of
the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which is otherwise in
compliance with the terms of the Indenture and as a result of which such
Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, such Guarantor
will be deemed to be automatically and unconditionally released from all
obligations under its Guarantee; provided that each such Guarantor is sold or
disposed of in accordance with the "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales"
covenant.
 
     Change of Control.  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (the date of
such occurrence being the "Change of Control Date"), the Issuer shall make an
offer to purchase (the "Change of Control Offer"), on a business day (the
"Change of Control Payment Date") not later than 60 days following the Change of
Control Date, all 1998 Notes then outstanding at a purchase price equal to 101%
of the principal amount thereof on any Change of Control Payment Date, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to such Change of Control Payment Date.
Notice of a Change of Control Offer shall be given to holders of 1998 Notes, not
less than 25 days nor more than 45 days before the Change of Control Payment
Date. The Change of Control Offer is required to remain open for at least 20
business days and until the close of business on the Change of Control Payment
Date.
 
                                       111
<PAGE>   119
 
     Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the 1998
Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders of the 1998 Notes
to require that the Issuer repurchase or redeem the 1998 Notes in the event of a
takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction which may be highly leveraged.
 
     If a Change of Control Offer is made, there can be no assurance that the
Issuer will have available funds sufficient to pay for all of the 1998 Notes
that might be delivered by holders of 1998 Notes seeking to accept the Change of
Control Offer. The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control
Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control
Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the
requirements applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and
purchases all 1998 Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of
Control Offer.
 
     If the Issuer is required to make a Change of Control Offer, the Issuer
will comply with all applicable tender offer laws and regulations, including, to
the extent applicable, Section 14(e) and Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and
any other applicable securities laws and regulations.
 
     The phrase "all or substantially all" of the assets of the Company, as used
in the definition of "Change of Control," will likely be interpreted under
applicable state law and will be dependent upon particular facts and
circumstances. Although there is a developing body of case law interpreting the
phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the
phrase under applicable law. As a result, there may be a degree of uncertainty
in ascertaining whether a sale or transfer of "all or substantially all" of the
assets of the Company has occurred.
 
     Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
Subsidiaries.  The 1998 Indenture provides that the Issuer will not, and will
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or
otherwise enter into or cause to become effective any consensual encumbrance or
consensual restriction of any kind on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary
to (a) pay dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make any other distributions on
its Capital Stock or any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its
profits to the extent owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) pay
any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, (c) make any
Investment in the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or (d) transfer any of its
properties or assets to the Issuer or to any Restricted Subsidiary, except for
(in each case except as otherwise noted in the following clause (ii)), (i) any
encumbrance or restriction in existence on the Issue Date, (ii) any encumbrance
or restriction existing under agreements relating to an Investment in an ISP
(which in the case of clause (a) and (b) shall not be permitted in the case of
ISPs that are Restricted Subsidiaries) to the extent consistent with past
practice, (iii) customary non-assignment provisions, (iv) any encumbrances or
restrictions pertaining to an asset subject to a Lien to the extent set forth in
the security documentation governing such Lien, (v) any encumbrance or
restriction applicable to a Restricted Subsidiary at the time that it becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary that is not created in contemplation thereof, (vi) any
encumbrance or restriction existing under any agreement that refinances or
replaces an agreement containing a restriction permitted by clause (v) above;
provided that the terms and conditions of any such encumbrance or restriction
are not materially less favorable to the holders of 1998 Notes than those under
or pursuant to the agreement being replaced or the agreement evidencing the
Indebtedness refinanced, (vii) any encumbrance or restriction imposed upon a
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement which has been entered into for
the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or
assets of such Restricted Subsidiary or any Asset Sale to the extent limited to
the Capital Stock or assets in question and (viii) any customary encumbrance or
restriction applicable to a Restricted Subsidiary that is contained in an
agreement or instrument governing or relating to Indebtedness contained in any
Permitted Credit Facility; provided that the provisions of such agreement permit
the payment of interest and principal and mandatory repurchases pursuant to the
terms of the 1998 Indenture and the 1998 Notes and other Indebtedness that is
solely an obligation of the Issuer, but, provided, further, that such agreement
may nevertheless contain customary net worth, leverage, invested capital and
other financial covenants, customary covenants regarding the merger of or sale
of all or any substantial part of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary, customary restrictions on transactions with affiliates, and
customary subordination provisions governing Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or
any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
                                       112
<PAGE>   120
 
     Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales.  The 1998 Indenture provides that
the Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any
Asset Sale unless (a) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the
Fair Market Value of the shares or assets sold or otherwise disposed of and (b)
at least 75% of such consideration consists of cash or Cash Equivalents;
provided that the following shall be treated as cash for purposes of this
covenant: (x) the amount of any liabilities (other than Subordinated
Indebtedness or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that would not
constitute Restricted Subsidiary Indebtedness) that are assumed by the
transferee of any such assets pursuant to an agreement that unconditionally
releases the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability
("assumed liabilities") and (y) the amount of any notes or other obligations
that within 30 days of receipt, are converted into cash (to the extent of the
cash received). The Issuer or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, may (i) apply the Net Cash Proceeds from such Asset Sale within 365 days
of the receipt thereof to repay an amount of Indebtedness (other than
Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Issuer in an amount not exceeding the Other
Senior Debt Pro Rata Share and elect to permanently reduce the amount of the
commitments thereunder by the amount of the Indebtedness so repaid, (ii) apply
the Net Cash Proceeds from such Asset Sale to repay any Restricted Subsidiary
Indebtedness and elect to permanently reduce the commitments thereunder by the
amount of the Indebtedness so repaid or (iii) apply such Net Cash Proceeds
within 365 days thereof, to an investment in properties and assets that will be
used in an Internet Service Business (or in Capital Stock and other securities
of any person that will become a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such
investment to the extent such person owns properties and assets that will be
used in an Internet Service Business) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary
("Replacement Assets"). Any Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are
neither used to repay, and permanently reduce the commitments under, any
Restricted Subsidiary Indebtedness as set forth in clause (ii) of the preceding
sentence or invested in Replacement Assets within the 365-day period as set
forth in clause (iii) shall constitute "Excess Proceeds." Any Excess Proceeds
not used as set forth in clause (i) of the second preceding sentence shall
constitute "Offer Excess Proceeds" subject to disposition as provided below.
 
     When the aggregate amount of Offer Excess Proceeds equals or exceeds $10.0
million, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase (an "Asset Sale Offer"),
from all holders of the 1998 Notes, that aggregate principal amount of 1998
Notes as can be purchased by application of such Offer Excess Proceeds at a
price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof on any purchase
date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to any purchase date. Each Asset
Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 business days or such longer
period as may be required by law. To the extent that the principal amount of
1998 Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Offer
Excess Proceeds, the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary may use such deficiency
for general corporate purposes. If the principal amount of 1998 Notes validly
tendered and not withdrawn by holders thereof exceeds the amount of 1998 Notes
which can be purchased with the Offer Excess Proceeds, 1998 Notes to be
purchased will be selected on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of such Asset
Sale Offer, the amount of Offer Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.
 
     If the Issuer is required to make an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer will
comply with all applicable tender offer rules, including, to the extent
applicable, Section 14(e) and Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other
applicable securities laws and regulations.
 
     Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Preferred Stock by Restricted
Subsidiaries.  The 1998 Indenture provides that the Issuer will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to issue any Preferred Stock (other than to the Issuer or
a Restricted Subsidiary).
 
     Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.  The 1998 Indenture provides
that the Issuer will not, and will not permit, cause or suffer any Restricted
Subsidiary to, conduct any business or enter into any transaction (or series of
related transactions which are similar or part of a common plan) with or for the
benefit of any of their respective Affiliates (other than Affiliates of a
Restricted Subsidiary that are not also Affiliates of the Issuer or any Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary) or any beneficial holder of 10% or more of the
Common Stock of the Issuer or any officer or director of the Issuer (each, an
"Affiliate Transaction"), unless the terms of the Affiliate Transaction are set
forth in writing, and are fair and reasonable to the Issuer or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be. Each Affiliate Transaction involving aggregate
payments or other Fair Market
                                       113
<PAGE>   121
 
Value in excess of $1.0 million shall be approved by a majority of the Board,
such approval to be evidenced by a Board Resolution stating that the Board has
determined that such transaction or transactions comply with the foregoing
provisions. In addition to the foregoing, each Affiliate Transaction involving
aggregate consideration of $5.0 million or more shall be approved by a majority
of the Disinterested Directors; provided that, in lieu of such approval by the
Disinterested Directors, the Issuer may obtain a written opinion from an
Independent Financial Advisor stating that the terms of such Affiliate
Transaction to the Issuer or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, are
fair from a financial point of view. For purposes of this covenant, any
Affiliate Transaction approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors or
as to which a written opinion has been obtained from an Independent Financial
Advisor, on the basis set forth in the preceding sentence, shall be deemed to be
on terms that are fair and reasonable to the Issuer and the Restricted
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, and, therefore, shall be permitted under this
covenant.
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions set forth in this covenant
shall not apply to (i) transactions with or among, or solely for the benefit of,
the Issuer and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) transactions pursuant
to agreements and arrangements existing on the Issue Date, (iii) transactions
related to the provision of internet services in the ordinary course of
business; provided that (x) such transactions are entered into on an arm's
length basis and are fair and reasonable to the Issuer or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (y) in the good faith judgment of the Issuer
or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value of the
consideration received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, reasonably approximates the Fair Market Value of the services provided,
(iv) dividends paid by the Issuer pursuant to and in compliance with the
covenant "Limitation on Restricted Payments," (v) customary directors' fees,
indemnification and similar arrangements, consulting fees, employee salaries
bonuses, employment agreements and arrangements, compensation or employee
benefit arrangements or legal fees, (vi) transactions contemplated by any of the
Permitted Affiliate Agreements as in effect on the Issue Date and (vii) grants
of customary registration rights with respect to securities of the Issuer.
 
     The Issuer is required to use, or to cause each Restricted Subsidiary to
use, its commercially reasonable best efforts to ensure that each person in
which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary makes an Investment that is an ISP
at the time of the Investment continues to meet the conditions and requirements
of the definition of "ISP" in all material respects until such time as a Rollup
shall have occurred with respect to such ISP.
 
     Reports.  The 1998 Indenture provides that, for periods prior to the fiscal
quarter ending June 30, 1998, the Issuer shall furnish without cost to each
holder of 1998 Notes and file with the Trustee (i) within 135 days after the end
of each fiscal year of the Issuer, (x) audited year-end consolidated financial
statements (including a balance sheet, income statement and statement of changes
of cash flow) prepared in accordance with GAAP and substantially in the form
included in this Prospectus, (y) the information described in Item 303 of
Regulation S-K under the Securities Act with respect to such period and (z) all
pro forma and historical financial information in respect of any significant
transaction consummated more than 60 days prior to the date such information is
furnished (and any other transaction for which such information is available at
such time) to the extent such financial information would be required in a
filing on Form 10-K with the SEC at such time; and (ii) within 60 days after the
end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the
Issuer, (x) unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements (including a
balance sheet, income statement and statement of changes of cash flows) prepared
in accordance with GAAP and substantially in the form included in this
Prospectus, (y) the information described in Item 303 of Regulation S-K under
the Securities Act with respect to such period and (z) all pro forma and
historical financial information in respect of any significant transaction
consummated more than 60 days prior to the date such information is furnished
(and any other transaction for which such information is available at such time)
to the extent such financial information would be required in a filing on Form
10-Q with the SEC at such time. Whether or not the Issuer has a class of
securities registered under the Exchange Act, the Issuer shall furnish without
cost to each holder of 1998 Notes and file with the Trustee and file with the
SEC, (a) beginning with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 1998 (i) within the
applicable time period required under the Exchange Act, after the end of each
fiscal year of the Issuer, the information required by Form 10-K (or any
successor form thereto) under the
 
                                       114
<PAGE>   122
 
Exchange Act with respect to such period and (ii) within the applicable time
period required under the Exchange Act after the end of each of the first three
fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Issuer, the information required by
Form 10-Q (or any successor form thereto) under the Exchange Act with respect to
such period and (b) from and after August 15, 1998, any current reports on Form
8-K (or any successor forms) required to be filed under the Exchange Act. Prior
to such time as the Issuer shall file with the SEC its first report on either of
Form 10-K or Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act, the Issuer shall telephonically
make its executive officers available to holders of 1998 Notes upon 10-days
advance written request of holders of at least 10% of the aggregate principal
amount of 1998 Notes outstanding at the time of such request; provided that
holders of 1998 Notes may make only one such request per fiscal quarter.
 
     Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.  The 1998
Indenture provides that the Issuer will not designate any Subsidiary of the
Issuer (other than a newly created Subsidiary in which no Investment has
previously been made) as an "Unrestricted Subsidiary" under the 1998 Indenture
(a "Designation") unless:
 
          (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or
     after giving effect to such Designation;
 
          (b) except in the case of a Permitted Investment or an Investment made
     pursuant to clause (vii) or (ix) of the third paragraph of the covenant
     "Limitation on Restricted Payments," immediately after giving effect to
     such Designation, the Issuer would be able to incur $1.00 of Indebtedness
     under the proviso of the covenant "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness;"
     and
 
          (c) the Issuer would not be prohibited under the 1998 Indenture from
     making an Investment at the time of Designation (assuming the effectiveness
     of such Designation) in an amount (the "Designation Amount") equal to the
     Fair Market Value of the net Investment of the Issuer or any other
     Restricted Subsidiary in such Restricted Subsidiary on such date.
 
     In the event of any such Designation, the Issuer shall be deemed to have
made an Investment constituting a Restricted Payment pursuant to the covenant
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" for all purposes of the 1998 Indenture in
the Designation Amount. The 1998 Indenture further provides that neither the
Issuer nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time (x) provide a guarantee
of, or similar credit support to, any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted
Subsidiary (including of any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing
such Indebtedness); provided that the Issuer may pledge Capital Stock or
Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary on a nonrecourse basis such that the
pledgee has no claim whatsoever against the Issuer other than to obtain such
pledged property, (y) be directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness of
any Unrestricted Subsidiary or (z) be directly or indirectly liable for any
other Indebtedness which provides that the holder thereof may (upon notice,
lapse of time or both) declare a default thereon (or cause the payment thereof
to be accelerated or payable prior to its final scheduled maturity) upon the
occurrence of a default with respect to any other Indebtedness that is
Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any corresponding right to
take enforcement action against such Unrestricted Subsidiary), except in the
case of clause (x) or (y) to the extent permitted under the covenants
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" and "Limitation on Transactions with
Affiliates."
 
     The 1998 Indenture further provides that the Issuer will not revoke any
Designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (a "Revocation")
unless:
 
          (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of
     and after giving effect to such Revocation; and
 
          (b) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary
     outstanding immediately following such Revocation would, if incurred at
     such time, have been permitted to be incurred for all purposes of the 1998
     Indenture.
 
     All Designations and Revocations must be evidenced by Board Resolutions
delivered to the Trustee certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions.
 
                                       115
<PAGE>   123
 
     Limitation on Status as Investment Company.  The 1998 Indenture provides
that the Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries or
controlled Affiliates to, conduct its business in a fashion that would cause the
Issuer to be required to register as an "investment company" (as that term is
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment
Company Act")), or otherwise become subject to regulation under the Investment
Company Act. For purposes of establishing the Issuer's compliance with this
provision, any exemption which is or would become available under Section
3(c)(1) or Section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act will be disregarded.
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS, ETC.
 
     The 1998 Indenture provides that the Issuer will not (i) consolidate or
combine with or merge with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign,
convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any person or persons in a single transaction or
through a series of transactions, or (ii) permit any of the Restricted
Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or series of transactions if it
would result in the disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or
assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,
unless, in the case of either (i) or (ii), (a) the Issuer shall be the
continuing person or, if the Issuer is not the continuing person, the resulting,
surviving or transferee person (the "surviving entity") shall be a company
organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State or
territory thereof; (b) the surviving entity shall expressly assume all of the
obligations of the Issuer under the 1998 Notes and the 1998 Indenture, and
shall, if required by law to effectuate such assumption, execute a supplemental
indenture to effect such assumption which supplemental indenture shall be
delivered to the Trustee and shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee; (c) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without
limitation, any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred in
connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions),
the Issuer or the surviving entity (assuming such surviving entity's assumption
of the Issuer's obligations under the 1998 Notes and the 1998 Indenture), as the
case may be, would be able to incur $1.00 of Indebtedness under the proviso of
the covenant "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness"; provided that, in the case
of any transaction or series of transactions comprised solely of one or more
Rollups, this clause (c) shall be deemed satisfied if the Issuer or the
surviving entity and the Restricted Subsidiaries would have been able to incur
all of their outstanding Indebtedness as Permitted Indebtedness; (d) immediately
after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma
basis (including, without limitation, any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated
to be incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of
transactions), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (e) the
Issuer or the surviving entity, as the case may be, shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such transaction or series of
transactions, and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with
such transaction or series of transactions to effectuate such assumption, such
supplemental indenture complies with this covenant and that all conditions
precedent in the 1998 Indenture relating to the transaction or series of
transactions have been satisfied.
 
     Upon any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, conveyance,
lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Issuer in accordance with the foregoing in which the Issuer or the
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is not the continuing corporation,
the successor corporation formed by such a consolidation or into which the
Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary is merged or to which such transfer is
made, will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and
power of, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, under
the 1998 Indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had
been named as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary therein; and thereafter,
except in the case of (i) any lease or (ii) any sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or other disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer,
the Issuer shall be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the 1998
Indenture and the 1998 Notes.
 
     The 1998 Indenture provides that for all purposes of the 1998 Indenture and
the 1998 Notes (including the provision of this covenant and the covenants
"Limitation on Additional Indebtedness," "Limitation on Restricted Payments" and
"Limitation on Liens Securing Certain Indebtedness"), Subsidiaries of any
surviving entity will, upon such transaction or series of related transactions,
become Restricted Subsidiaries or
 
                                       116
<PAGE>   124
 
Unrestricted Subsidiaries as provided pursuant to the covenant "Limitation on
Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries" and all Indebtedness, and all Liens
on property or assets, of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in
existence immediately prior to such transaction or series of related
transactions will be deemed to have been incurred upon such transaction or
series of related transactions.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     The following are "Events of Default" under the 1998 Indenture:
 
          (i) default in the payment of interest on the 1998 Notes when it
     becomes due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30
     days or more; or
 
          (ii) default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any,
     on the 1998 Notes when due; or
 
          (iii) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant described
     under "-- Certain Covenants -- Change of Control," "-- Disposition of
     Proceeds of Asset Sales" or "-- Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets,
     Etc.;" or
 
          (iv) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the
     1998 Indenture (other than defaults specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii)
     above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 30 days
     or more after written notice to the Issuer by the Trustee or to the Issuer
     and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
     amount of the outstanding 1998 Notes (in each case, when such notice is
     deemed received in accordance with the 1998 Indenture); or
 
          (v) failure to perform any term, covenant, condition or provision of
     one or more classes or issues of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal
     amount of $7.5 million or more under which the Issuer or a Material
     Restricted Subsidiary is obligated, and either (a) such Indebtedness is
     already due and payable in full or (b) such failure results in the
     acceleration of the maturity of such Indebtedness; or
 
          (vi) any holder of at least $7.5 million in aggregate principal amount
     of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Material Restricted Subsidiary shall
     commence judicial proceedings or take any other action to foreclose upon,
     or dispose of assets of the Issuer or any Material Restricted Subsidiary
     having an aggregate Fair Market Value, individually or in the aggregate, of
     $7.5 million or more or shall have exercised any right under applicable law
     or applicable security documents to take ownership of any such assets in
     lieu of foreclosure; provided that, in any such case, the Issuer or any
     Material Restricted Subsidiary shall not have obtained, prior to any such
     foreclosure or disposition of assets, a stay of all such actions that
     remains in effect; or
 
          (vii) one or more judgments, orders or decrees for the payment of
     money of $7.5 million or more, either individually or in the aggregate,
     shall be entered into against the Issuer or any Material Restricted
     Subsidiary or any of their respective properties and shall not be
     discharged and there shall have been a period of 60 days or more during
     which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of pending
     appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or
 
          (viii) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     administration or similar proceedings with respect to the Issuer or any
     Material Restricted Subsidiary shall have occurred.
 
     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause
(viii) above with respect to the Issuer) occurs and is continuing, then the
Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
1998 Notes may, by written notice, and the Trustee upon the request of the
holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding 1998 Notes
shall, declare the principal amount of, premium (if any) on, and any accrued and
unpaid interest on, all outstanding 1998 Notes to be immediately due and payable
and upon any such declaration such amounts shall become immediately due and
payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (viii) above with respect to
the Issuer occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of, premium (if
any) on, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, all outstanding 1998 Notes
shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holder.
 
                                       117
<PAGE>   125
 
     After a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of outstanding 1998 Notes may, by notice to the Trustee,
rescind such declaration of acceleration if all existing Events of Default,
other than nonpayment of the principal of, premium (if any) on, and any accrued
and unpaid interest on, the 1998 Notes that has become due solely as a result of
such acceleration, have been cured or waived and if the rescission of
acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or decree. The holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding 1998 Notes also have the right
to waive past defaults under the 1998 Indenture, except a default in the payment
of principal of, premium (if any) on, or any interest on, any outstanding Note,
or in respect of certain covenants or a provisions that cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of all holders of 1998 Notes.
 
     No holder of any of the 1998 Notes has any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the 1998 Indenture or any remedy thereunder, unless
the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding 1998 Notes
have made written request, and offered reasonable security or indemnity, to the
Trustee to institute such proceeding as Trustee, the Trustee has failed to
institute such proceeding within 60 days after receipt of such notice and the
Trustee has not within such 60-day period received directions inconsistent with
such written request by holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding 1998 Notes. Such limitations do not apply, however, to a suit
instituted by a holder of a 1998 Note for the enforcement of the payment of the
principal of, premium (if any) on, or any accrued and unpaid interest on, such
1998 Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such 1998 Note.
 
     During the existence of an Event of Default, the Trustee is required to
exercise such rights and powers vested in it under the 1998 Indenture and use
the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof as a prudent person
would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own
affairs. Subject to the provisions of the 1998 Indenture relating to the duties
of the Trustee, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the
Trustee is not under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the 1998 Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders
unless such holders shall have offered to such Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity. Subject to certain provisions concerning the rights of the Trustee,
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding 1998 Notes have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred
on the Trustee.
 
     The 1998 Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within 45 days after the
occurrence of any Default, give to the holders of the 1998 Notes notice of such
Default known to it, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived;
provided that the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it
determines in good faith that the withholding of such notice is in the interest
of such holders.
 
     The Issuer is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement as to
its compliance with all conditions and covenants under the 1998 Indenture.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
     The Issuer may at any time terminate all of its obligations with respect to
the 1998 Notes ("defeasance"), except for certain obligations, including those
regarding any trust established for a defeasance and obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of the 1998 Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen 1998 Notes as required by the 1998 Indenture and to maintain agencies in
respect of 1998 Notes. The Issuer may at any time terminate its obligations
under certain covenants set forth in the 1998 Indenture, some of which are
described under " -- Certain Covenants" above, and any omission to comply with
such obligations shall not constitute a Default with respect to the 1998 Notes
("covenant defeasance"). To exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance,
the Issuer must irrevocably deposit in trust, for the benefit of the holders of
the 1998 Notes, with the Trustee money (in United States dollars) or U.S.
government obligations (denominated in United States dollars), or a combination
thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal of, and
premium, if any, and interest on the 1998 Notes to redemption or maturity and
comply with certain other conditions, including the delivery of a legal opinion
as to certain tax matters.
 
                                       118
<PAGE>   126
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
     The 1998 Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect (except as to surviving rights or registration of transfer or exchange of
1998 Notes) as to all outstanding 1998 Notes when either (a) all such 1998 Notes
theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed 1998
Notes that have been replaced or paid and 1998 Notes for whose payment money has
theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the
Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust) have
been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (b)(i) all such 1998 Notes
not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and
payable and the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with
the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount of money
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the 1998 Notes not
theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal amount,
premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of such deposit; (ii) the
Issuer has paid all sums payable by it under the 1998 Indenture; and (iii) the
Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the
deposited money toward the payment of the 1998 Notes at maturity or on the
redemption date, as the case may be. In addition, the Issuer must deliver an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions
precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been complied with.
 
AMENDMENT AND WAIVERS
 
     From time to time, the Issuer, when authorized by resolutions of the Board,
and the Trustee, without the consent of the holders of the 1998 Notes, may
amend, waive or supplement the 1998 Indenture or the 1998 Notes for certain
specified purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities, defects
or inconsistencies, maintaining the qualification of the 1998 Indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act or making any change that does not adversely affect the
rights of any holder. Other amendments and modifications of the 1998 Indenture
and the 1998 Notes may be made by the Issuer and the Trustee by supplemental
indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 1998 Notes; provided that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each
outstanding Note affected thereby, (i) reduce the principal amount of, change
the fixed maturity of, or alter the redemption provisions of, the 1998 Notes,
(ii) change the currency in which any 1998 Notes or amounts owing thereon is
payable, (iii) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount
outstanding of 1998 Notes which must consent to an amendment, supplement or
waiver or consent to take any action under the 1998 Indenture or the 1998 Notes,
(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to the 1998 Notes, (v) waive a default in payment with respect to
the 1998 Notes, (vi) reduce the rate or change the time for payment of interest
on the 1998 Notes, (vii) following the occurrence of a Change of Control or an
Asset Sale, alter the Issuer's obligation to purchase the 1998 Notes in
accordance with the 1998 Indenture or waive any default in the performance
thereof, (viii) affect the ranking of the 1998 Notes in a manner adverse to the
holder of the 1998 Notes, or (ix) release any Guarantee except in compliance
with the terms of the 1998 Indenture.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The 1998 Indenture provides that the 1998 Indenture and the 1998 Notes will
be governed by and construed in accordance with laws of the State of New York
without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     Set forth below is a summary of certain defined terms used in the 1998
Indenture. Reference is made to the 1998 Indenture for the full definition of
all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no
definition is provided.
 
     "1997 Notes" means the Issuer's 13 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2004.
 
     "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a person existing at the time
such person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with an
Asset Acquisition by such person and not incurred in
                                       119
<PAGE>   127
 
connection with, or in anticipation of, such person becoming a Restricted
Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition; provided that Indebtedness of such person
which is redeemed, defeased, retired or otherwise repaid at the time of or
immediately upon consummation of the transactions by which such person becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition shall not constitute Acquired
Indebtedness.
 
     "Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person which, directly
or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under direct or indirect common
control with, such specified person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms
"affiliated," "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
 
     "Annualized ISP Revenues" means, with respect to any ISP at any date of
determination, the consolidated net revenues of such ISP and its Subsidiaries
for the most recent quarter for which financial information concerning such ISP
is available (and determined on a basis consistent with the Issuer's accounting
principles) multiplied by four.
 
     "Asset Acquisition" means (i) any capital contribution (by means of
transfers of cash or other property to others or payments for property or
services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) by the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary in any other person, or any acquisition or purchase of
Capital Stock of any other person by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in
either case pursuant to which such person shall (a) become a Restricted
Subsidiary or (b) shall be merged with or into the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary or (ii) any acquisition by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the assets of any person which constitute substantially all of an operating unit
or line of business of such person or which is otherwise outside of the ordinary
course of business.
 
     "Asset Sale" means any direct or indirect sale, conveyance, transfer or
lease (that has the effect of a disposition and is not for security purposes) or
other disposition (that is not for security purposes) to any person other than
the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, of (i) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than
customary stock option programs), (ii) any assets of the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary which constitute substantially all of an operating unit or
line of business of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) any
other property or asset of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of
the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of this definition, the term
"Asset Sale" shall not include (i) any disposition of properties and assets of
the Issuer that is governed under "-- Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets,
Etc." above, (ii) sales of property or equipment that have become worn out,
obsolete or damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the
business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, and
(iii) for purposes of the covenant "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales," any
sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of any property or asset,
whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions occurring within
one year, either (x) involving assets with a Fair Market Value not in excess of
$500,000 or (y) which constitutes the incurrence of a Capitalized Lease
Obligation.
 
     "Average Life to Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any Indebtedness,
as at any date of determination, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum
of the products of (a) the number of years from such date to the date or dates
of each successive scheduled principal payment (including, without limitation,
any sinking fund requirements) of such Indebtedness multiplied by (b) the amount
of each such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments;
provided that, in the case of any Capitalized Lease Obligation, all calculations
hereunder shall give effect to any applicable options to renew in favor of the
Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Issuer.
 
     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted by the Board
and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and
delivered to the Trustee.
 
                                       120
<PAGE>   128
 
     "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights in, or other equivalents (however designated
and whether voting and/or non-voting) of, such person's capital stock, whether
outstanding on the Issue Date or issued after the Issue Date, and any and all
rights (other than any evidence of Indebtedness), warrants or options
exchangeable for or convertible into such capital stock.
 
     "Capitalized Lease Obligation" means any obligation to pay rent or other
amounts under a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any
property (whether real, personal or mixed, immovable or movable) that is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease obligation
under GAAP, and, for the purpose of the 1998 Indenture, the amount of such
obligation at any date shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such date,
determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Cash Equivalents" means (i) any evidence of Indebtedness (with, for
purposes of the covenant "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" only, a
maturity of 365 days or less) issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured
by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the
full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof or such
Indebtedness constitutes a general obligation of such country); (ii) deposits,
certificates of deposit or acceptances (with, for purposes of the covenant
"Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" only, a maturity of 365 days or less)
of any financial institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, in
each case having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits (or any
similar capital concept) of not less than $500.0 million and whose senior
unsecured debt is rated at least "A-1" by S&P or "P-1" by Moody's; (iii)
commercial paper with a maturity of 365 days or less issued by a corporation
(other than an Affiliate of the Issuer) organized under the laws of the United
States or any State thereof and rated at least "A-1" by S&P or "P-1" by Moody's;
(iv) repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements relating to
marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United
States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith
and credit of the United States Government maturing within 365 days from the
date of acquisition; (v) other debt obligations maturing in 365 days or less
issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Issuer) organized under
the laws of the United States or any state thereof and rated at least "A-" by
S&P or "A3" by Moody's; and (vi) money market funds which invest substantially
all of their assets in securities of the type described in the preceding clauses
(i) through (v).
 
     "Change of Control" is defined to mean the occurrence of any of the
following events: (a) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), excluding WorldCom, is or becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange
Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all
securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the total Voting Stock of the Issuer; or (b) the
Issuer consolidates with, or merges with or into, another person or sells,
assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or
substantially all of its assets to any person, or any person consolidates with,
or merges with or into, the Issuer, in any such event pursuant to a transaction
in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer is converted into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where (i) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer is converted
into or exchanged for (1) Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
surviving or transferee corporation or its parent corporation and/or (2) cash,
securities and other property in an amount which could be paid by the Issuer as
a Restricted Payment under the 1998 Indenture and (ii) immediately after such
transaction no "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Exchange Act), excluding WorldCom, is the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a person
shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that such
person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of
the total Voting Stock of the surviving or transferee corporation or its parent
corporation, as applicable; or (c) during any consecutive two-year period,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (together
with any new directors whose election by the Board or whose nomination for
election by the stockholders of the Issuer was approved by a vote of a majority
of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning
of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved) cease for any reason (other than by action of WorldCom) to constitute
a majority of the Board then in office. The good faith determination by the
 
                                       121
<PAGE>   129
 
Board, based upon advice of outside counsel, of the beneficial ownership of
securities of the Issuer within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act shall be conclusive, absent contrary controlling judicial precedent
or contrary written interpretation published by the SEC.
 
     "Common Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares,
interest or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated
and whether voting or nonvoting) of such person's common stock whether
outstanding at the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and
classes of such common stock.
 
     "Consolidated Annualized Pro Forma Operating Cash Flow" means, at any date
of determination, Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for the latest fiscal quarter
for which consolidated financial statements of the Issuer are available
multiplied by four. For purposes of calculating "Consolidated Operating Cash
Flow" for any fiscal quarter for purposes of this definition, (i) any Subsidiary
of the Issuer that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the date of the transaction
(the "Transaction Date") giving rise to the need to calculate "Consolidated
Annualized Pro Forma Operating Cash Flow" shall be deemed to have been a
Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such fiscal quarter and (ii) any
Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Transaction
Date shall be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during
such fiscal quarter. In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for
purposes of this definition, "Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" shall be
calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the applicable fiscal
quarter to, without duplication, any Asset Sales or Asset Acquisitions
(including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to
make such calculation as a result of the Issuer or one of the Restricted
Subsidiaries (including any person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a
result of the Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise being liable
for Acquired Indebtedness) occurring during the period commencing on the first
day of such fiscal quarter to and including the Transaction Date, as if such
Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition occurred on the first day of such fiscal
quarter.
 
     "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" means, with respect to any period, the
provision for United States corporation, local, foreign and other income taxes
of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, with respect to any period, without
duplication, the sum of (i) the interest expense of the Issuer and the
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation, (a) any amortization of
debt discount, (b) the net cost under Interest Rate Obligations (including any
amortization of discounts), (c) the interest portion of any deferred payment
obligation, (d) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with
respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing and similar
transactions and (e) all accrued interest, (ii) the interest component of
Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or
accrued by the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and (iii) the amount
of dividends in respect of Disqualified Stock paid by the Issuer and the
Restricted Subsidiaries during such period; provided that Consolidated Interest
Expense shall exclude the amortization of fees related to the issuance of the
1998 Notes and fees related to any Indebtedness under a Permitted Credit
Facility.
 
     "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any period, the
consolidated net income of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such consolidated net
income, by excluding, without duplication, (i) all extraordinary, unusual or
nonrecurring gains or losses of such person (net of fees and expenses relating
to the transaction giving rise thereto) for such period, (ii) income of the
Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries derived from or in respect of all
Investments in persons other than Restricted Subsidiaries, except to the extent
of any dividends or distributions actually received by the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) the portion of net income (or loss) of such person
allocable to minority interests in Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, (iv)
net income (or loss) of any other person combined with such person on a "pooling
of interests" basis attributable to any period prior to the date of combination,
(v) any gain or loss, net of taxes, realized by such person upon the termination
of any employee pension benefit plan during such period, (vi) gains or losses in
respect of any Asset Sales (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction
giving rise thereto) during such period and (vii) except in the
 
                                       122
<PAGE>   130
 
case of any restriction or encumbrance permitted under clause (viii) of the
covenant "Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Restricted Subsidiaries," the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary for such
period to the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar distributions
by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted,
directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any
agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental
regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
 
     "Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any person, the
consolidated stockholders' or partners' equity of such person reflected on the
most recent financial statements of such person, determined in accordance with
GAAP, less any amounts attributable to redeemable capital stock (as determined
under applicable accounting standards by the SEC) of such person.
 
     "Consolidated Operating Cash Flow" means, with respect to any period, the
Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period increased, to the extent deducted in arriving at Consolidated Net Income
for such period, by the sum of (i) the Consolidated Income Tax Expense of the
Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries accrued according to GAAP for such period
(other than taxes attributable to extraordinary gains or losses and gains and
losses from Asset Sales); (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period;
(iii) depreciation of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period; (iv) amortization of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, including, without limitation, amortization of capitalized debt issuance
costs for such period, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP; and (v) other non-cash charges decreasing Consolidated Net Income.
 
     "consolidation" means, with respect to the Issuer, the consolidation of the
accounts of the Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Issuer, all in
accordance with GAAP; provided that "consolidation" will not include
consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary with the accounts
of the Issuer. The term "consolidated" has a correlative meaning to the
foregoing.
 
     "Debt Securities" means any debt securities issued by the Issuer in a
public offering or a private placement.
 
     "Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
 
     "Designation" has the meaning set forth under " -- Certain
Covenants-Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
 
     "Disinterested Director" means, with respect to any transaction or series
of related transactions, a member of the Board other than a director who (i) has
any material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such
transaction or series of related transactions or (ii) is an employee or officer
of the Issuer or an Affiliate that is itself a party to such transaction or
series of transactions or an Affiliate of a party to such transaction or series
of related transactions.
 
     "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any person, any Capital Stock
which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any
event, matures or becomes mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, or becomes exchangeable for Indebtedness at the option
of the holder thereof, or becomes redeemable at the option of the holder
thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the final maturity date of the 1998
Notes; provided such Capital Stock shall only constitute Disqualified Stock to
the extent it so matures or becomes so redeemable or exchangeable on or prior to
the final maturity date of the 1998 Notes; provided, further, that any Capital
Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof
giving holders thereof the right to require such person to repurchase or redeem
such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an "asset sale" or "change of control"
occurring prior to the final maturity date of the 1998 Notes shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock if the "asset sale" or "change of control"
provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders
of such Capital Stock than the provisions contained in "Disposition of Proceeds
of Asset Sales" and "Change of Control" covenants described above and such
Capital Stock specifically provides that such person will not repurchase or
redeem any such stock pursuant to such provision prior to the
 
                                       123
<PAGE>   131
 
Issuer's repurchase of such 1998 Notes as are required to be repurchased
pursuant to the "Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales" and "Change of Control"
covenants described above.
 
     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
     "Existing ISP" means any ISP in which the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the
Issuer has an Investment on the Issue Date.
 
     "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the price
that could be negotiated in an arms-length free market transaction, for cash,
between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of whom is under pressure
or compulsion to complete the transaction. Unless otherwise specified in the
Indenture, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board acting in good
faith and shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.
 
     "GAAP" means, at any date of determination, generally accepted accounting
principles in effect in the United States and which are applicable as of the
date of determination and which are consistently applied for all applicable
periods.
 
     "guarantee" means, as applied to any obligation, (i) a guarantee (other
than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary
course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of
such obligation and (ii) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or
performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance) of all or
any part of such obligation, including, without limiting the foregoing, the
payment of amounts drawn down by letters of credit.
 
     "incur" means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of any
person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume,
guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness or other
obligation including by acquisition of Subsidiaries or the recording, as
required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any such Indebtedness or other
obligation on the balance sheet of such person (and "incurrence," "incurred,"
"incurrable" and "incurring" shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing);
provided that a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of such person that
exists at such time becoming Indebtedness shall not be deemed an incurrence of
such Indebtedness and that neither the accrual of interest nor the accretion of
original issue discount shall be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness.
Indebtedness otherwise incurred by a person before it becomes a Subsidiary of
the Issuer (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be
deemed to have been incurred at the time at which such person becomes a
Subsidiary of the Issuer.
 
     "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, without duplication, (i)
any liability, contingent or otherwise, of such person (A) for borrowed money
(whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such
person or only to a portion thereof) or (B) evidenced by a note, debenture or
similar instrument or letter of credit (including a purchase money obligation)
or (C) for the payment of money relating to a Capitalized Lease Obligation or
other obligation relating to the deferred purchase price of property (except to
the extent representing funds deposited in escrow to secure the deferred
purchase price of an acquisition of, or an Investment in, an ISP) or (D) in
respect of an Interest Rate Obligation or currency agreement; or (ii) any
liability of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (i) which the
person has guaranteed or which is otherwise its legal liability; or (iii) any
obligation secured by a Lien (other than (x) Permitted Liens of the types
described in clauses (b), (d) or (e) of the definition of Permitted Liens;
provided that the obligations secured would not constitute Indebtedness under
clauses (i) or (ii) or (iii) of this definition, and (y) Liens on Capital Stock
or Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary) to which the property or assets
of such person are subject, whether or not the obligations secured thereby shall
have been assumed by or shall otherwise be such person's legal liability (the
amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such
property or asset or the amount of the obligation so secured); (iv) all
Disqualified Stock valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum
fixed repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and (v) any and all
deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of, or amendments, modifications
or supplements to, any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding
 
                                       124
<PAGE>   132
 
clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv). In no event shall "Indebtedness" include trade
payables and accrued liabilities that are current liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business, excluding the current maturity of any obligation
which would otherwise constitute Indebtedness. For purposes of the covenants
"Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" and "Limitation on Restricted Payments"
and the definition of "Events of Default," in determining the principal amount
of any Indebtedness to be incurred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or
which is outstanding at any date, (x) the principal amount of any Indebtedness
issued with original issue discount shall be the face amount of such
Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue
discount of such Indebtedness at such date as determined in conformity with GAAP
and (y) the principal amount of any Indebtedness shall be reduced by any amount
of cash or Cash Equivalent collateral securing on a perfected basis, and
dedicated for disbursement exclusively to the payment of principal of and
interest on, such Indebtedness.
 
     "Independent Financial Advisor" means a United States investment banking
firm of national or regional standing in the United States (i) which does not,
and whose directors, officers and employees or Affiliates do not have, a direct
or indirect financial interest in the Issuer and (ii) which, in the judgment of
the Board, is otherwise independent and qualified to perform the task for which
it is to be engaged.
 
     "Interest Rate Obligations" means the obligations of any person pursuant to
any arrangement with any other person whereby, directly or indirectly, such
person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic payments calculated by
applying either a floating or a fixed rate of interest on a stated notional
amount and shall include without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors,
collars, forward interest rate agreements and similar agreements.
 
     "Internet Service Business" means any business operating an internet
connectivity or internet enhancement service as it exists from time to time,
including, without limitation, dial up or dedicated internet service, web
hosting or collocation services, security solutions, the provision and
development of software in connection therewith, configuration services,
electronic commerce, intranet solutions, data backup and restoral, business
content and collaboration, communications tools or network equipment products or
services (including, without limitation, any business conducted by the Issuer or
any Restricted Subsidiary on the Issue Date), and any business reasonably
related to the foregoing. A good faith determination by a majority of the Board
as to whether a business meets the requirements of this definition shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error.
 
     "Investment" means, with respect to any person, any advance, loan, account
receivable (other than an account receivable arising in the ordinary course of
business), or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, by means
of any guarantee) or any capital contribution to (by means of transfers of
property to others, payments for property or services for the account or use of
others, or otherwise), or any purchase or ownership of any stocks, bonds, notes,
debentures or other securities of, any other person. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in no event shall any issuance of Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer in exchange for Capital Stock, property or
assets of another person constitute an Investment by the Issuer in such other
person.
 
     "ISP" means any person (a) engaged principally in an Internet Service
Business, (b) of which the Issuer or Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries own
either (x) Qualifying Preferred Stock representing in aggregate from 20% to 50%
of such person's outstanding Capital Stock (on an economic basis) or (y) Common
Stock or Qualifying Preferred Stock representing in aggregate in excess of 50%
of such person's voting Capital Stock, (c) as to which the Issuer or a Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary has an option, either immediately exercisable or
exercisable commencing after one year (subject to extension under limited
circumstances consistent with past practice) of the Investment made by the
Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, to acquire all of such person's
outstanding Capital Stock, (d) as to which the Issuer or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary is the beneficiary of a right of first refusal or other
transfer restrictions generally limiting transfers of such person's Capital
Stock by third parties, (e) as to which the Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary has the right to appoint and has appointed at least one member of
such person's board of directors, in the case where such person would not be a
Subsidiary of the Issuer, or a majority of such person's board of directors, in
the case where such person would be a Subsidiary of the Issuer and (f) which has
no outstanding Capital Stock or Indebtedness other than (i) Common Stock or
options to acquire Common
 
                                       125
<PAGE>   133
 
Stock, (ii) Qualifying Preferred Stock held by the Issuer or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) rights granted to other stockholders to acquire
Capital Stock of such person from the Issuer or its affiliates in certain
circumstances, (iv) preferred stock ranking junior in a liquidation to any
Qualifying Preferred Stock referred to in clause (ii), and (v) Indebtedness of
such person or preferred stock of such person ranking prior in a liquidation or
deemed liquidation to the Qualifying Preferred Stock referred to in clause (ii)
having an aggregate outstanding principal balance and liquidation preference,
respectively, that (x) in the case of a person that is a Restricted Subsidiary,
is permitted to be incurred under the covenant "Limitation on Additional
Indebtedness" and (y) in the case of a person that is not a Restricted
Subsidiary, does not at any time exceed 50% of Annualized ISP Revenues.
 
     "Issue Date" means the original date of issuance of the 1998 Notes.
 
     "Lien" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or other),
security interest, hypothecation, assignment for security, claim, or preference
or priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property of any
kind. A person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which such
person has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under
any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention
agreement.
 
     "Market Capitalization" of any person means, as of any day of
determination, the average Closing Price of such person's Common Stock over the
20 consecutive trading days immediately preceding such day. "Closing Price" on
any trading day with respect to the per share price of any shares of Common
Stock means the last reported sale price regular way or, in case no such
reported sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid
and asked prices regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange or,
if such shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on such
exchange, on the principal national securities exchange on which such shares are
listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, on the National Association of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotations National Market System or, if such shares are not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or quoted on such
automated quotation system but the issuer is a Foreign Issuer (as defined in
Rule 3b-4(b) under the Exchange Act) and the principal securities exchange on
which such shares are listed or admitted to trading is a Designated Offshore
Securities Market (as defined in Rule 902(a) under the Securities Act), the
average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way on such
principal exchange, or, if such shares are not listed or admitted to trading on
any national securities exchange or quoted on such automated quotation system
and the issuer and principal securities exchange do not meet such requirements,
the average of the closing bid and asked prices in the over-the-counter marked
as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm that is selected from
time to time by the Issuer for that purpose and is reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee.
 
     "Material Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Issuer, which, at any date of determination, is a "Significant Subsidiary" (as
that term is defined in Regulation S-X issued under the Securities Act), but
shall, in any event, include (x) any Guarantor or (y) any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Issuer which, at any date of determination, is an obligor under any
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount equal to or exceeding $7.5
million.
 
     "Maturity Date" means, with respect to any 1998 Note, the date specified in
such 1998 Note as the fixed date on which the principal of such 1998 Note is due
and payable.
 
     "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service.
 
     "Net Cash Proceeds" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds
thereof in the form of cash (including assumed liabilities and other items
deemed to be cash under the proviso to the first sentence of the covenant
"Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales") or Cash Equivalents including payments
in respect of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of cash or
Cash Equivalents (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or
sold with recourse to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) net of (i)
brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses (including fees and expenses
of legal counsel and investment bankers) related to such Asset Sale, (ii)
provisions for all taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale, (iii) amounts
required to be paid to any person (other than the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary)
 
                                       126
<PAGE>   134
 
owning a beneficial interest in or having a Permitted Lien on the assets subject
to the Asset Sale and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or
any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve required in
accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and
retained by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, after
such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other
post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental
matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with
such Asset Sale, all as reflected in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Trustee.
 
     "New ISP" means any ISP in which the Issuer or a Subsidiary of the Issuer
makes its first Investment after the Issue Date.
 
     "Other Senior Debt Pro Rata Share" means the amount of the applicable
Excess Proceeds obtained by multiplying the amount of such Excess Proceeds by a
fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the aggregate accreted value and/or
principal amount, as the case may be, of all Indebtedness (other than (x) the
1998 Notes and (y) Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Issuer outstanding at the
time of the applicable Asset Sale with respect to which the Issuer is required
to use Excess Proceeds to repay or make an offer to purchase or repay and (ii)
the denominator of which is the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all
1998 Notes outstanding at the time of the applicable Asset Sale and (b) the
aggregate principal amount or the aggregate accreted value, as the case may be,
of all other Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Issuer
outstanding at the time of the applicable Asset Sale Offer with respect to which
the Issuer is required to use the applicable Excess Proceeds to offer to repay
or make an offer to purchase or repay.
 
     "Permitted Affiliate Agreement" means each of the Series A Purchase
Agreement, the Series B Purchase Agreement, the Series C Purchase Agreement and
the Stockholders Agreement, each as in effect on the Issue Date.
 
     "Permitted Credit Facility" means any senior commercial term loan and/or
revolving credit facility (including any letter of credit subfacility) entered
into principally with commercial banks and/or other financial institutions
typically party to commercial loan agreements.
 
     "Permitted Equipment Financing" means any credit facility or other
financing arrangement (including in the form of Capitalized Lease Obligations
and guarantees of Indebtedness of ISPs) entered into with any vendor or supplier
(or any financial institution acting on behalf of or for the purpose of directly
financing purchases from such vendor or supplier) to the extent the Indebtedness
thereunder is incurred for the purpose of financing the cost (including the cost
of design, development, site acquisition, construction, integration, manufacture
or acquisition) of real or personal property (tangible or intangible) used, or
to be used, in an Internet Service Business.
 
     "Permitted Indebtedness" means the following Indebtedness (each of which
shall be given independent effect):
 
          (a) Indebtedness under the 1998 Notes and the 1998 Indenture;
 
          (b) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary
     outstanding on the Issue Date, including, without limitation, the 1997
     Notes;
 
          (c) (i) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by
     the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) Indebtedness of the Issuer,
     not secured by any Lien, owed to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary;
     provided that an incurrence of Indebtedness shall be deemed to have
     occurred upon (x) any sale or other disposition (excluding assignments as
     security to financial institutions) of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or a
     Restricted Subsidiary referred to in this clause (c) to a person (other
     than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) or (y) any sale or other
     disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, or Designation of
     a Restricted Subsidiary, which holds Indebtedness of the Issuer or another
     Restricted Subsidiary such that such Restricted Subsidiary, in any such
     case, ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
          (d) Interest Rate Obligations of the Issuer and/or any Restricted
     Subsidiary relating to Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or such Restricted
     Subsidiary, as the case may be (which Indebtedness (x) bears
                                       127
<PAGE>   135
 
     interest at fluctuating interest rates and (y) is otherwise permitted to be
     incurred under the "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness" covenant), but
     only to the extent that the notional principal amount of such Interest Rate
     Obligations does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness
     (and/or Indebtedness subject to commitments) to which such Interest Rate
     Obligations relate;
 
          (e) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary in
     respect of performance bonds of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or
     surety bonds provided by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred
     in the ordinary course of business;
 
          (f) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary to the
     extent it represents a replacement, renewal, refinancing or extension (a
     "Refinancing") of outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or of any
     Restricted Subsidiary incurred or outstanding pursuant to clause (a), (b),
     (g), (h) or (i) of this definition or the proviso of the covenant
     "Limitation on Additional Indebtedness"; provided that (1) Indebtedness of
     the Issuer may not be Refinanced to such extent under this clause (f) with
     Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and (2) any such Refinancing
     shall only be permitted under this clause (f) to the extent that (x) it
     does not result in a lower Average Life to Stated Maturity of such
     Indebtedness as compared with the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (y) it
     does not exceed the sum of the principal amount (or, if such Indebtedness
     provides for a lesser amount to be due and payable upon a declaration of
     acceleration thereof, an amount no greater than such lesser amount) of the
     Indebtedness being Refinanced plus the amount of accrued interest thereon
     and the amount of any reasonably determined prepayment premium necessary to
     accomplish such Refinancing and such reasonable fees and expenses incurred
     in connection therewith;
 
          (g) Indebtedness of the Issuer such that, after giving effect to the
     incurrence thereof, the total aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness
     incurred under this clause (g) and any Refinancings thereof otherwise
     incurred in compliance with the 1998 Indenture would not exceed 200% of
     Total Incremental Equity;
 
          (h) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary
     incurred under any Permitted Credit Facility and/or Indebtedness of the
     Issuer represented by Debt Securities of the Issuer, and any Refinancings
     of the foregoing otherwise incurred in compliance with the 1998 Indenture,
     in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $140.0 million at any time
     outstanding;
 
          (i) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary
     incurred under any Permitted Equipment Financing in an aggregate principal
     amount not to exceed the Fair Market Value of the assets acquired with the
     proceeds thereof;
 
          (j) Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or any Restricted Subsidiary
     incurred as a result of any Rollup of any ISP, and any Refinancings thereof
     otherwise incurred in compliance with the 1998 Indenture, provided the
     aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness does not exceed $30.0
     million at any time outstanding;
 
          (k) Indebtedness of the Issuer representing the deferred purchase
     price (whether or not subject to a contingency) of an acquisition of, or an
     Investment in, a New ISP in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
     $30.0 million at any time outstanding; and
 
          (l) in addition to the items referred to in clauses (a) through (j)
     above, Indebtedness of the Issuer and/or the Restricted Subsidiaries having
     an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $40.0 million at any time
     outstanding.
 
     "Permitted Investments" means (a) Cash Equivalents; (b) Investments in
prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility
and workers' compensation, performance and other similar deposits; (c) Interest
Rate Obligations incurred in compliance with the covenant "Limitation on
Additional Indebtedness"; and (d) the extension by the Issuer and the Restricted
Subsidiaries of (i) trade credit to Subsidiaries of the Issuer and the ISPs,
represented by accounts receivable, extended on usual and customary terms in the
ordinary course of business or (ii) guarantees of commitments for the purchase
of goods or services by any ISP incurred in the ordinary course of business so
long as such guarantees to the extent
 
                                       128
<PAGE>   136
 
constituting Indebtedness are permitted to be incurred under the covenant
"Limitation on Additional Indebtedness."
 
     "Permitted Liens" means (a) Liens on property of a person existing at the
time such person is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such
Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger, consolidation
or acquisition and do not secure any property or assets of the Issuer or any
Restricted Subsidiary other than the property or assets subject to the Liens
prior to such merger or consolidation or acquisition; (b) Liens imposed by law,
such as carriers', warehousemen's and mechanics' Liens and other similar Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business that secure payment of obligations
not more than 60 days past due or that are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings; (c) Liens existing on the Issue Date; (d) Liens for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent
or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly
instituted and diligently conducted; provided that any reserve or other
appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have
been made therefor; (e) easements, rights of way, restrictions and other similar
easements, licenses, restrictions on the use of properties, or minor
imperfections of title that, in the aggregate, are not material in amount and do
not in any case materially detract from the properties subject thereto or
interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or the
Restricted Subsidiaries; (f) Liens to secure the performance of statutory
obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a
like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (g) Liens securing any
Permitted Credit Facility or Permitted Equipment Financing; (h) Liens to secure
Indebtedness incurred in compliance with clause (k) of "Permitted Indebtedness"
to the extent relating to the asset subject of the particular Asset Acquisition
or Investment; (i) Liens to secure any Refinancing of any Indebtedness secured
by Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) or (c), but only to the extent
that such Liens do not extend to any other property or assets and the principal
amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens is not increased; (j) Liens to
secure the 1998 Notes; and (k) Liens on real property incurred in connection
with the financing of the purchase of such real property (or incurred within 60
days of purchase) by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     "Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of such
person's preferred or preference stock whether now outstanding, or issued after
the Issue Date, and including, without limitation, all classes and series of
preferred or preference stock of such person.
 
     "Public Capital Stock" means any class of Capital Stock which is traded on
the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National
Market.
 
     "Public Equity Offering" means an underwritten public offering of Common
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) made pursuant to a registration statement
filed with the Commission under the Securities Act.
 
     "Qualifying Preferred Stock" means preferred stock of an ISP (i) having a
liquidation and dividend preference at least equal to the amount of the
Investment made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in such ISP, (ii) that,
in the case of ISPs not constituting Restricted Subsidiaries, is redeemable at
the option of the holder on a basis consistent with past practice and (iii) that
is convertible into shares of Common Stock of such ISP at the option of the
holder.
 
     "Refinancing" has the meaning set forth in clause (f) of the definition of
"Permitted Indebtedness."
 
     "Restricted Payment" means any of the following: (i) the declaration or
payment of any dividend or any other distribution on Capital Stock of the Issuer
or any payment made to the direct or indirect holders (in their capacities as
such) of Capital Stock of the Issuer (other than dividends or distributions
payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or
in options, warrants or other rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer); (ii) the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Issuer (other
than any such Capital Stock owned by the Issuer or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary); (iii) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
retirement for value prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund or maturity
of any
 
                                       129
<PAGE>   137
 
Subordinated Indebtedness (other than any Subordinated Indebtedness held by a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary); (iv) the making of any payment (whether of
dividends or in respect of liquidation preference) in respect of the Series A
Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock or
the Series D Preferred Stock; or (v) the making by the Issuer or any Restricted
Subsidiary of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any person
(other than an Investment by a Restricted Subsidiary in the Issuer or an
Investment by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in (a) a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary engaged principally in an Internet Service Business, (b) a
New ISP that is a Restricted Subsidiary; (c) a person (other than an Existing
ISP) engaged principally in an Internet Service Business that becomes a Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Investment; (d) a New ISP that
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Investment; or (e) a
Restricted Subsidiary (other than an Existing ISP) or a person (other than an
Existing ISP) that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such
Investment, provided that, in either case, such Restricted Subsidiary would, but
for failing to meet the requirements of clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of
"ISP," be a New ISP).
 
     "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that has not
been designated by the Board, by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee, as
an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant
"Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries." Any such designation
may be revoked by a Board Resolution delivered to the Trustee, subject to the
provisions of such covenant.
 
     "Restricted Subsidiary Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary (i) which is not subordinated to any other Indebtedness of such
Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) in respect of which the Issuer is not also
obligated (by means of a guarantee or otherwise) other than, in the case of this
clause (ii), Indebtedness under any Permitted Credit Facilities.
 
     "Revocation" has the meaning set forth under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Designations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries."
 
     "Rollup" means (i) an Investment in an Existing ISP or transaction or
series of related transactions as a result of which such Existing ISP becomes a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) an Investment in a New ISP or
transaction or series of related transactions as a result of which such New ISP
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) a merger or consolidation of any ISP
with the Issuer.
 
     "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Corporation.
 
     "Strategic Equity Investor" means any person engaged principally in one or
more communications businesses with a Market Capitalization or Consolidated Net
Worth of at least $1.0 billion.
 
     "Subordinated Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any
Guarantor which is expressly subordinated in right of payment to any other
Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Guarantor.
 
     "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any person, (i) any corporation of
which the outstanding Capital Stock having at least a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast in the election of directors shall at the time be owned,
directly or indirectly, by such person, or (ii) any other person of which at
least a majority of voting interest is at the time, directly or indirectly,
owned by such person.
 
     "Total Consolidated Indebtedness" means, at any date of determination, an
amount equal to the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the Issuer and the
Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of determination.
 
     "Total Incremental Equity" means, at any time of determination, the sum of,
without duplication, (i) the aggregate cash proceeds received prior to June 24,
2000 by the Issuer from capital contributions in respect of existing Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) or the issuance or sale of Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock but including Capital Stock issued upon the
conversion of convertible Indebtedness or from the exercise of options, warrants
or rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)) subsequent
to the Issue Date, other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer, plus (ii) the Fair
Market Value (determined at the time of issuance) of any Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer issued prior to June 24, 2000 as
consideration for the acquisition of Capital Stock of an ISP (other than the
acquisition of Capital Stock of an Existing ISP), plus (iii) the Fair Market
Value (determined at the time of issuance) of any Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer issued prior to June 24, 2000 as consideration
for the acquisition of Capital Stock of an Existing ISP in a transaction as a
result of which the
 
                                       130
<PAGE>   138
 
Existing ISP becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, plus (iv) the
aggregate cash proceeds received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from
the sale, disposition or repayment (in whole or in part) of any Investment that
is made after the Issue Date and that constitutes a Restricted Payment that has
been deducted from Total Incremental Equity pursuant to clause (v) below in an
amount equal to the lesser of (a) the return of capital with respect to the
applicable portion of such Investment and (b) the cost of the applicable portion
of such Investment, in either case, less the cost of the disposition of such
Investment, minus (v) the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared
or made on and after the Issue Date (other than (1) a Restricted Payment
constituting an Investment in an ISP (other than the acquisition of Capital
Stock of an Existing ISP in a transaction as a result of which the Existing ISP
becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) and (2) a Restricted Payment made
pursuant to clauses (iii), (viii) or (ix) (solely, in the case of clause (ix),
to the extent the Investment is made in a Restricted Subsidiary) of the third
paragraph of the covenant "Limitation on Restricted Payments").
 
     "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Issuer designated as
such pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant "Limitation on Designations
of Unrestricted Subsidiaries." Any such designation may be revoked by a Board
Resolution delivered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of such covenant.
 
     "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any person, the Capital Stock of any
class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors
or other members of the governing body of such person.
 
     "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of
which 99% or more of the outstanding Capital Stock is owned by the Issuer or
another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary; provided NorthWestNet shall be
deemed a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary notwithstanding its existing stock
option plan and any stock options issued thereunder. For the purposes of this
definition, any directors' qualifying shares or investments by foreign nationals
mandated by applicable law shall be disregarded in determining the ownership of
a Restricted Subsidiary.
 
     "WorldCom" means WorldCom, Inc. (and its successors by merger or
consolidation) and its controlled Affiliates.
 
                         BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
 
     Except as set forth under "-- Certificated Securities," each of the New
1997 Notes and the New 1998 Notes will be issued in the form of one Global New
Note. Each such Global New Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the
Depository and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee. Except
as set forth below, each such Global New Note may be transferred, in whole and
not in part, only to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository.
 
     Investors may hold their beneficial interests in each such Global New Note
directly through the Depository if they have an account with the Depository or
indirectly through organizations which have accounts with the Depository.
 
     The Depository has advised the Issuer as follows: The Depository is a
limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York,
a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code, and "a clearing agency" registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depository
was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with the
Depository ("participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions among its participants in such securities through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The
Depository's participants include securities brokers and dealers (which may
include the Initial Purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations. Access to the Depository's book-entry system is
also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies
that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant,
whether directly or indirectly.
 
     Upon the issuance of each such Global New Note, the Depository will credit,
on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amount of the
applicable New Notes represented by such
 
                                       131
<PAGE>   139
 
Global New Note to the accounts of participants. Ownership of beneficial
interests in each such Global New Note will be limited to participants or
persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial
interests in each such Global New Note will be shown on, and the transfer of
those ownership interests will be effected only through records maintained by
the Depository (with respect to participants' interest) and such participants
(with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the applicable Global New
Note other than participants). The laws of some jurisdictions may require that
certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer or
pledge beneficial interests in each such Global New Note.
 
     So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered holder and
owner of a Global New Notes, the Depository or such nominee, as the case may be,
will be considered the sole legal owner and holder of the related New Notes for
all purposes of such New Notes and the 1997 Indenture or 1998 Indenture, as the
case may be. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in each
Global New Note will not be entitled to have the New Notes represented by the
applicable Global New Note registered in their names, will not receive or be
entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated New Notes in definitive
form and will not be considered to be the owners or holders of any New Notes
under the applicable Global New Note. The Issuer understands that under existing
industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global
New Note desires to take any action that the Depository, as the holder of the
Global New Notes is entitled to take, the Depository would authorize the
participants to take such action, and that the participants would authorize
beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would
otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
 
     Payment of principal of and interest on New Notes represented by a Global
New Note registered in the name of and held by the Depository or its nominee
will be made to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner and holder of the applicable Global New Note.
 
     The Company expects that the Depository or its nominee, upon receipt of any
payment of principal of or interest on a Global New Note, will credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the applicable Global
New Note as shown on the records of the Depository or its nominee. The Issuer
also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in
a Global New Note held through such participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such
participants. The Issuer will not have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial
ownership interests in a Global New Note for any New Note or for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between the Depository and
its participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of
beneficial interests in the Global New Notes owning through such participants.
 
     Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for certificated New
Notes in definitive form, the Global New Notes may not be transferred except as
a whole by the Depository to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of
such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository.
 
     Although the Depository has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in each Global New Note among participants of
the Depository, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such
procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of the
Trustee, the Issuer nor the Paying Agent will have any responsibility for the
performance by the Depository or its participants or indirect participants of
their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.
 
     Certificated Securities. Interests in each Global New Note will be
exchanged for Certificated Securities if (i) DTC notifies the Issuer that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global New Note, or DTC
ceases to be a "Clearing Agency" registered under the Exchange Act, and a
successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days, or (ii) an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the related New
Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in the preceding
sentence, the Issuer will cause the appropriate Certificated Securities to be
delivered.
 
                                       132
<PAGE>   140
 
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. Federal income
tax considerations relevant to the exchange of Old Notes for New Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offers and the ownership and disposition of the New Notes by
holders who acquire the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers, but does not
purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The discussion
is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), U.S.
Treasury Regulations (the "Regulations"), Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions all in effect as of the date
hereof, all of which are subject to change at any time, and any such change may
be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of the
New Notes. The discussion does not address all of the U.S. Federal income tax
consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of such holder's
particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules, such as certain
financial institutions, insurance companies, dealers in securities, tax-exempt
organizations and persons who hold the New Notes as part of a "straddle,"
"hedge" or "conversion transaction." In addition, this discussion is limited to
persons purchasing the Old Notes for cash at original issue. Moreover, the
effect of any applicable state, local or foreign tax laws is not discussed. The
discussion deals only with New Notes held as "capital assets" within the meaning
of Section 1221 of the Code.
 
     As used herein, "U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner of New Notes who or
that (i) is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) is a corporation,
partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States or political subdivision thereof (unless, in the case of a
partnership, the IRS provides otherwise by Regulations), (iii) is an estate the
income of which is subject to U.S. Federal income taxation regardless of its
source, (iv) is a trust if (A) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of the trust and (B) one or more U.S.
persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(c)(30) of the Code) have authority
to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (v) is otherwise subject
to U.S. Federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of the New Notes. As
used herein, a "non-U.S. holder" means a holder who or that is not a U.S.
holder.
 
     The Company has not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS with
respect to the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS
will not take a different position concerning the tax consequences of the
exchange of Old Notes for New Notes and the ownership or disposition of the New
Notes by holders who acquire the New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers or
that any such position would not be sustained.
 
     PROSPECTIVE HOLDERS OF THE NEW NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS
WITH REGARD TO THE APPLICATION OF THE TAX CONSIDERATIONS DISCUSSED BELOW TO
THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF ANY STATE, LOCAL,
FOREIGN OR OTHER TAX LAWS, INCLUDING GIFT AND ESTATE TAX LAWS.
 
EXCHANGE OFFERS
 
     The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers
will not be treated as an exchange or other taxable event for U.S. Federal
income tax purposes because, under the Regulations, the New Notes do not differ
materially in kind or extent from the Old Notes. Rather, the New Notes received
by a holder will be treated as a continuation of the Old Notes in the hands of
such holder. As a result, there will be no U.S. Federal income tax consequences
to holders who exchange Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offers
and any such holder will have the same tax basis and holding period in the New
Notes as it had in the Old Notes immediately before the exchange.
 
U.S. HOLDERS
 
     Interest. The stated interest on the New Notes generally will be taxable to
a U.S. holder as ordinary income at that time that it is paid or accrued, in
accordance with the U.S. holder's method of accounting for federal income tax
purposes. The New Notes are not expected to give rise to "original issue
discount" income in the hands of U.S. holders.
 
                                       133
<PAGE>   141
 
     Sale or Retirement of a Note. A U.S. holder of a New Note will recognize
gain or loss upon the sale, retirement, redemption or other taxable disposition
of such New Note in an amount equal to the difference between (a) the amount of
cash and the fair market value of other property received in exchange therefor
(other than amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid stated interest) and (b)
the U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in such New Note. Subject to the market
discount rules discussed below, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss.
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 made certain changes to the Code with respect to
the taxation of capital gains of noncorporate taxpayers. In general, the maximum
tax rate for noncorporate taxpayers on long-term capital gains is 20% with
respect to capital assets (including the New Notes), but only if they have been
held for more than 18 months at the time of disposition. Gain realized by
noncorporate taxpayers on capital assets sold, having a holding period of more
than one year but not more than 18 months at the time of disposition, is taxed
as "mid-term" gain at a maximum 28% rate.
 
     U.S. holders should be aware that the resale of the New Notes may be
affected by the "market discount" rules of the Code under which a purchaser of a
New Note acquiring the New Note at a market discount generally would be required
to include as ordinary income a portion of the gain realized upon the
disposition or retirement of such New Note, to the extent of the market discount
that has accrued but not been included in income while the New Note was held by
such purchaser.
 
NON-U.S HOLDERS
 
  U.S. Withholding Tax. Interest paid to non-U.S. holders of the New Notes will
not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided that (i) the non-U.S. holder
does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, (ii) the non-U.S. holder is
not (a) a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. Federal income tax purposes
that is related to the Company through stock ownership or (b) a bank that
received the New Note on an extension of credit made pursuant to a loan
agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business, and
(iii) the beneficial owner of the New Note provides a statement signed under
penalties of perjury that includes its name and address and certifies that it is
not a U.S. person in compliance with applicable Regulations or an exemption is
otherwise established. If these requirements cannot be made, a non-U.S. holder
will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate,
if applicable) on interest payments.
 
     In general, any gain realized by any non-U.S. holder upon the sale,
exchange or redemption of a New Note will not be subject to United States
withholding tax. However, such gain will be subject to U.S. withholding tax if a
non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a total
of 183 days or more during the taxable year in which the gain is realized and
certain other conditions are satisfied.
 
     U.S. Estate Tax. New Notes owned or treated as owned by an individual who
is not a citizen or resident (as specially defined for U.S. Federal estate tax
purposes) of the United States at the time of death ("Nonresident Decedent")
will not be includible in the Nonresident Decedent's gross estate for U.S.
Federal estate tax purposes as a result of the Nonresident Decedent's death,
provided that, at the time of death, the Nonresident Decedent does not own,
actually or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company and payments with respect to such New Notes
would not have been effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or
business in the United States by the Nonresident Decedent. A Nonresident
Decedent's estate may be subject to U.S. Federal estate tax on property
includible in the estate for U.S. Federal estate tax purposes.
 
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     Certain noncorporate U.S. persons may be subject to information reporting
and backup withholding at a rate of 31% on payments of principal and interest on
the New Notes, and the proceeds from a disposition of the New Notes. Backup
withholding will only be imposed where the holder (i) fails to furnish its
taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), which, for an individual, would
ordinarily be his or her social security number, (ii) furnishes an incorrect
TIN, (iii) is notified by the IRS that it has failed to properly report payments
of interest or dividends, or (iv) under certain circumstances, fails to certify,
under penalties of perjury, that it has furnished a correct TIN and has not been
notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding. The Company will
also institute backup withholding if instructed to do so by the IRS. Holders of
the New Notes should consult their own tax advisors regarding their
qualification for exemption from backup
 
                                       134
<PAGE>   142
 
withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.
However, interest paid with respect to a New Note and received by a non-U.S.
holder will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding if the
payor has received appropriate certification statements, provided that the payor
does not have actual knowledge that the holder is a U.S. person.
 
     The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of New Notes to or through
the U.S. office of any broker, U.S. or foreign, will not be subject to
information reporting and possibly backup withholding if the owner certifies as
to its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an
exemption, provided that the broker does not have actual knowledge that the
holder is a U.S. person or that the conditions of any other exemption are not,
in fact, satisfied. The payment of the proceeds from the disposition of a New
Note to or through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker that is not a U.S.
related person will not be subject to information reporting or backup
withholding. For this purpose, a "U.S. related person" is (i) a controlled
foreign corporation for U.S. Federal income tax purposes or (ii) a foreign
person 50% or more of whose gross income from all sources for the three-year
period ending with the close of its taxable year preceding the payment (or for
such part of the period that the broker has been in existence) is derived from
activities that are effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or
business.
 
     In the case of the payment of proceeds from the disposition of New Notes to
or through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. related person, the
Regulations require information reporting on the payment unless the broker has
documentary evidence in its files that the owner is a non-U.S. holder and the
broker has no knowledge to the contrary. Backup withholding will not apply to
payments made through foreign offices of a broker that is a U.S. person or a
U.S. related person (absent actual knowledge that the payee is a U.S. person).
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rates from a payment to a
non-U.S. holder will be allowed as a credit against such non-U.S. holder's U.S.
Federal income tax liability, if any, or otherwise will be refunded, provided
that the requisite procedures are followed.
 
PROSPECTIVE FINAL REGULATIONS
 
     On October 6, 1997, new Regulations ("New Regulations") were issued that
modify the requirements imposed on a non-U.S. holder and certain intermediaries
for establishing the recipient's status as a non-U.S. holder eligible for
exemption from or reduction in U.S. withholding tax and backup withholding
described above. The New Regulations generally are effective for payments made
after December 31, 1998, subject to certain transition rules. (However, new
Temporary Regulations, effective for payments made after December 31, 1997,
require some non-U.S. holders to satisfy certain residency requirements when
claiming the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty.) In general, the New
Regulations do not significantly alter the substantive withholding and
information reporting requirements but rather unify current certification
procedures and forms and clarify reliance standards. In addition, the New
Regulations impose more stringent conditions on the ability of financial
intermediaries acting for non-U.S. holders to provide certifications on behalf
of non-U.S. holders, which may include entering into an agreement with the IRS
to audit certain documentation with respect to such certifications. Non-U.S.
holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the effects of the
application of the New Regulations to their particular circumstances.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offers must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where
such Old Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities. The Company has agreed that, starting on the Expiration Date
with respect to each Exchange Offer and ending on 180 days after such Expiration
Date, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until
such date, all dealers effecting transactions in the New Notes may be required
to deliver a prospectus.
 
                                       135
<PAGE>   143
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sales of New Notes by
broker-dealers or others. New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offers may be sold from time to time in one or
more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such methods
of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related
to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be
made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offers and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution
of such New Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and any profit from any such resale of New Notes and any
commissions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting
compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by
acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act.
 
     For a period of 180 days after the applicable Expiration Date, the Company
will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offers (including the expenses of one counsel for the
holders of the respective Notes) other than commissions or concessions of any
brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the Notes (including any
broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the New Notes will be passed upon for the Company by
Morrison & Foerster LLP, San Francisco, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated financial statements of Verio Inc. and Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997 and for the period from inception (March 1, 1996) to
December 31, 1996, and the year ended December 31, 1997 and the financial
statements of On-Ramp Technologies, Inc. as of and for the nine months ended
July 31, 1996; Global Enterprise Services -- Network Division (a Division of
Global Enterprise Services, Inc.) as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and for each
of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996 and the period
ended January 17, 1997; Compute Intensive Inc. as of December 31, 1995 and 1996,
and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 1996, and
the period ended February 18, 1997; NorthWestNet, Inc. as of and for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 and the eight months ended February 28, 1997,
Northwest Academic Computing Consortium, Inc. as of and for the year ended June
30, 1995 and the six months ended December 31, 1995; Aimnet Corporation as of
and for the year ended March 31, 1997 and for the period ended May 19, 1997;
West Coast Online, Inc. as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 1997;
Clark Internet Services, Inc. as of and for the year ended September 30, 1997
and for the period ended October 17, 1997; ATMnet as of and for the years ended
October 31, 1996 and 1997; Global Internet Network Services, Inc. as of December
31, 1996 and November 26, 1997 and for the year and period then ended;
Pennsylvania Research Partnership Network as of and for the years ended November
30, 1996 and 1997 and for the period ended December 24, 1997; Monumental Network
Systems, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997; Internet
Servers, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and for the period from inception
(August 23, 1995) to December 31, 1995 and the years ended December 31, 1996 and
1997; NSNet, Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997;
Access One, Inc. as of and for the year ended December 31, 1997; STARnet, L.L.C.
as of and for the year ended December 31, 1997; Computing Engineers Inc. as of
and for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997; and LI Net, Inc. as of April
30, 1997 and January 31, 1998 and for the years ended April 30, 1996 and 1997
and the nine months ended January 31, 1998, have been included herein and in the
Registration Statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
                                       136
<PAGE>   144
 
                               GLOSSARY OF TERMS
 
ATM                 Asynchronous Transfer Mode. An information transfer standard
                    for routing traffic which uses packets (cells) of a fixed
                    length.
 
Backbone            A centralized high-speed network that interconnects smaller,
                    independent networks.
 
Bandwidth           The number of bits of information which can move through a
                    communications medium in a given amount of time; the
                    capacity of a telecommunications circuit/ network to carry
                    voice, data and video information. Typically measured in
                    kbps and Mbps.
 
caching             Temporary storage or replication of a Web server content at
                    one or more locations throughout the Internet to provide a
                    quicker response to a browser request.
 
CPE                 Customer Premise Equipment.
 
CSU/DSU             Channel Service Unit/Digital Service Unit. A device used to
                    terminate telephone company equipment and prepare data for
                    router interface.
 
DNS                 Domain Name Server.
 
DS-3 or T-3         A data communications circuit capable of transmitting data
                    at 45 Mbps. Equivalent to 28 T-1's of data capacity.
                    Currently used only by businesses/institutions and carriers
                    for high end applications.
 
Ethernet            A common method of networking computers in a LAN. Ethernet
                    will handle about 10 Mbps and can be used with almost any
                    kind of computer.
 
FDDI                Fiber Distributed Data Interface. A standard for
                    transmitting data on fiber-optic cables at a rate of 100
                    Mbps.
 
Firewall            A system placed between networks that filters data passing
                    through it and prevents unauthorized traffic, thereby
                    enhancing the security of the network.
 
Frame Relay         An information transfer standard for relaying traffic based
                    on an address contained in the six-byte header of a variable
                    length packet that is up to 2,106 bytes long.
 
Hertz               The dimensional unit for measuring the frequency with which
                    an electromagnetic signal cycles through the zero-value
                    state between lowest and highest states. One Hertz
                    (abbreviated Hz) equals one cycle per second. KHz
                    (KiloHertz) stands for thousands of Hertz; MHz (MegaHertz)
                    stands for millions of Hertz; GHz (GigaHertz) stands for
                    billions of Hertz.
 
Internet            A global collection of interconnected computer networks
                    which use a specific communications protocol.
 
IP                  Internet Protocol. Network protocols that allow computers
                    with different architectures and operating system software
                    to communicate with other computers on the Internet.
 
ISDN                Integrated Services Digital Network. An information transfer
                    standard for transmitting digital voice and data over
                    telephone lines at speeds up to 128 Kbps.
 
ISPs                Internet Service Providers. Companies formed to provide
                    access to the Internet to consumers and business customers
                    via local networks.
 
IXC                 Interexchange Carrier. A telecommunications company that
                    provides telecommunications services between local exchanges
                    on an interstate or intrastate basis.
 
kbps                Kilobits per second. A transmission rate. One kilobit equals
                    1,024 bits of information.
 
                                       137
<PAGE>   145
 
LAN                 Local Area Network. A data communications network designed
                    to interconnect personal computers, workstations,
                    minicomputers, file servers and other communications and
                    computing devices within a localized environment.
 
Leased Line         Telecommunications line dedicated to a particular customer
                    along predetermined routes.
 
LEC                 Local Exchange Carrier. A telecommunications company that
                    provides telecommunications services in a geographic area in
                    which calls generally are transmitted without toll charges.
                    LECs include both RBOCs and competitive local exchange
                    carriers.
 
LMDS                Local Multipoint Distribution Service. Two blocks of
                    spectrum with total bandwidth of 1150 MHz and 150 MHz to be
                    auctioned and used for various wireless services.
 
MAE-East            A major exchange point among ISPs, located in Falls Church,
                    Virginia.
 
MAE-West            A major exchange point among ISPs, located in Santa Clara,
                    California.
 
Mbps                Megabits per second. A transmission rate. One megabit equals
                    1,024 kilobits.
 
MMDS                Microwave Multipoint Distribution Service.
 
Modem               A device for transmitting digital information over an analog
                    telephone line.
 
MSAs                Metropolitan Statistical Areas. A designation by the U.S.
                    Census Bureau for Metropolitan areas with a central city or
                    an urbanized area having a minimum population of 50,000 with
                    a total metropolitan population of at least 100,000 and
                    including all counties that have strong economic and social
                    ties to the central city.
 
NAP                 Network Access Point. A location at which ISPs exchange each
                    other's traffic.
 
National Node       National network access point where IP traffic is exchanged
                    between network links and where regional networks access the
                    national network.
 
NOC                 Network Operations Center. Facility where the Company
                    monitors and manages the Company's network.
 
OC-3                A data communications circuit consisting of three DS-3s
                    capable of transmitting data at 155 Mbps.
 
Peering             The commercial practice under which ISPs exchange each
                    other's traffic without the payment of settlement charges.
                    Peering occurs at both public and private exchange points.
 
POP                 Point of Presence. Telecommunications facility where the
                    Company locates network equipment used to connect customers
                    to its network backbone.
 
Proxy Server        A server that acts on behalf of one or more other servers,
                    usually for screening, firewall, caching, or a combination
                    of these purposes. Typically, a proxy server is used within
                    a company to gather all Internet requests, forward them out
                    to Internet servers, and then receive the responses and in
                    turn forward them to the original requestor within the
                    company.
 
Router              Equipment placed between networks that relays data to those
                    networks based upon a destination address contained in the
                    data packets being routed.
 
TCP/IP              Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A suite of
                    network protocols that allow computers with different
                    architectures and operating system software to communicate
                    with other computers on the Internet.
 
                                       138
<PAGE>   146
 
VPN                 Virtual Private Network. A network capable of providing the
                    tailored services of a private network (i.e. low latency,
                    high throughput, security and customization) while
                    maintaining the benefits of a public network (i.e. ubiquity
                    and economies of scale).
 
WAN                 Wide Area Network. A data communications network designed to
                    interconnect personal computers, workstations, mini
                    computers, file servers and other communications and
                    computing devices across a broad geographic region.
 
Web Site            A server connected to the Internet from which Internet users
                    can obtain information.
 
World Wide Web
  or Web            A collection of computer systems supporting a communications
                    protocol that permits multi-media presentation of
                    information over the Internet.
 
xDSL                A term referring to a variety of new Digital Subscriber Line
                    technologies. Some of these varieties are asymmetric with
                    different data rates in the downstream and upstream
                    directions. Others are symmetric. Downstream speeds range
                    from 384 kbps (or "SDSL") to 1.5-8 Mbps (or "ASDL").
 
                                       139
<PAGE>   147
 
                                   VERIO INC.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements:
  Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1998 (unaudited).................................    F-4
  Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1997 and the Three
    Months Ended March 31, 1998 (unaudited)...................................................................    F-5
  Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements (unaudited)......................................    F-7
Verio Inc. and Subsidiaries -- Consolidated Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-16
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997................................................   F-17
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Period from Inception (March 1, 1996) to December 31, 1996 and
    the Year Ended December 31, 1997..........................................................................   F-18
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficit for the Period from Inception (March 1, 1996) to December
    31, 1996 and the Year Ended December 31, 1997.............................................................   F-19
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Period from Inception (March 1, 1996) to December 31, 1996 and
    the Year Ended December 31, 1997..........................................................................   F-20
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................................................   F-21
On-Ramp Technologies, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-35
  Balance Sheet as of July 31, 1996...........................................................................   F-36
  Statement of Operations for the Nine Months Ended July 31, 1996.............................................   F-37
  Statement of Stockholders' Deficit for the Nine Months Ended July 31, 1996..................................   F-38
  Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended July 31, 1996.............................................   F-39
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................   F-40
Global Enterprises Services -- Network Division -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-43
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996.............................................................   F-44
  Statements of Operations and Owner's Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995, 1996 and Period
    Ended January 17, 1997....................................................................................   F-45
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and Period Ended January 17,
    1997......................................................................................................   F-46
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................   F-47
Compute Intensive, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-50
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1996.............................................................   F-51
  Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and Period Ended February 18,
    1997......................................................................................................   F-52
  Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and Period Ended
    February 18, 1997.........................................................................................   F-53
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and Period Ended February 18,
    1997......................................................................................................   F-54
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................   F-55
NorthWestNet, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-60
  Balance Sheets as of June 30, 1995 and 1996.................................................................   F-61
  Statements of Operations for the Year Ended June 30, 1995 and the Six Months Ended December 31, 1995 and Six
    Months Ended June 30, 1996 and the Eight Months Ended February 28, 1997...................................   F-62
  Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Fund Balance for the Year Ended June 30, 1995 and the Six Months
    Ended December 31, 1995 and Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and the Eight Months Ended February 28, 1997...   F-63
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended June 30, 1995 the Six Months Ended December 31, 1995, and the
    Six Months Ended June 30, 1996 and the Eight Months Ended February 28, 1997...............................   F-64
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................   F-65
Aimnet Corporation -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-72
  Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1997..........................................................................   F-73
  Statement of Operations for the Year Ended March 31, 1997 and Period Ended May 19, 1997.....................   F-74
  Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Year Ended March 31, 1997 and Period Ended May 19, 1997..........   F-75
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended March 31, 1997 and Period Ended May 19, 1997....................   F-76
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................   F-77
West Coast Online, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-80
  Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1997......................................................................   F-81
  Statement of Operations and Accumulated Deficit for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997................   F-82
  Statement of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997........................................   F-83
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................   F-84
Clark Internet Services, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-87
  Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1997......................................................................   F-88
  Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings for the Year Ended September 30, 1997 and Period Ended
    October 17, 1997..........................................................................................   F-89
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended September 30, 1997 and Period Ended October 17, 1997............   F-90
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................   F-91
ATMnet -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................   F-93
  Balance Sheets as of October 31, 1996 and 1997..............................................................   F-94
  Statements of Operations for the Years Ended October 31, 1996 and 1997......................................   F-95
  Statements of Stockholders' Deficit for the Years Ended October 31, 1996 and 1997...........................   F-96
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   148
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended October 31, 1996 and 1997......................................   F-97
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................   F-98
Global Internet Network Services, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-102
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and November 26, 1997................................................  F-103
  Statements of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 and the Period Ended November 26, 1997........  F-104
  Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 and the Period Ended
    November 26, 1997.........................................................................................  F-105
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 1996 and the Period Ended November 26, 1997........  F-106
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-107
Pennsylvania Research Partnership Network (PREPnet) -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-110
  Balance Sheets as of November 30, 1996 and 1997.............................................................  F-111
  Statements of Operations and Owner's Deficit for the Years Ended November 30, 1996 and 1997 and the Period
    Ended December 24, 1997...................................................................................  F-112
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended November 30, 1996 and 1997 and the Period Ended December 24,
    1997......................................................................................................  F-113
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-114
Monumental Network Systems, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-117
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997.............................................................  F-118
  Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997.....................................  F-119
  Statements of Stockholders' Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997..........................  F-120
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997.....................................  F-121
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-122
Internet Servers, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-126
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997.............................................................  F-127
  Statements of Operations for the Period from Inception (August 23, 1995) to December 31, 1995 and Years
    Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997..........................................................................  F-128
  Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Period from Inception (August 23, 1995) to December 31, 1995 and
    Years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997....................................................................  F-129
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Period from Inception (August 23, 1995) to December 31, 1995 and Years
    Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997..........................................................................  F-130
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-131
NSNet, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-134
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997.............................................................  F-135
  Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997.....................................  F-136
  Statements of Owner's and Stockholder's Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997...............  F-137
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997.....................................  F-138
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-139
Access One, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-142
  Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1997.......................................................................  F-143
  Statement of Operations and Accumulated Deficit for the Year Ended December 31, 1997........................  F-144
  Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 1997................................................  F-145
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-146
STARnet, L.L.C. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-150
  Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1997.......................................................................  F-151
  Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1997................................................  F-152
  Statement of Members' Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 1997...........................................  F-153
  Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 1997................................................  F-154
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-155
Computing Engineers Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-157
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997.............................................................  F-158
  Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997.....................................  F-159
  Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997...........................  F-160
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1996 and 1997.....................................  F-161
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-162
LI Net, Inc. -- Financial Statements:
  Independent Auditors' Report................................................................................  F-164
  Balance Sheets as of April 30, 1997 and January 31, 1998....................................................  F-165
  Statements of Operations for the Years Ended April 30, 1996 and 1997 and the Nine Months Ended January 31,
    1998......................................................................................................  F-166
  Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended April 30, 1996 and 1997 and the Nine Months
    Ended January 31, 1998....................................................................................  F-167
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended April 30, 1996 and 1997 and the Nine Months Ended January 31,
    1998......................................................................................................  F-168
  Notes to Financial Statements...............................................................................  F-169
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   149
 
                                   VERIO INC.
 
          UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
     During the period from August 1, 1996 through July 1, 1998, Verio Inc.
("Verio" or the "Company") completed numerous business combinations, whereby the
Company acquired newly authorized redeemable, convertible preferred stock,
shares of common stock, or certain net assets of entities operating in the
Internet industry (ISPs), and completed the Buyout of the remaining equity
interests of certain ISPs in which it initially acquired a less-than-100% equity
position (collectively, the "Completed Acquisitions"). Business combinations,
which are acquisitions of a 100% ownership interest in the target business or of
a majority ownership interest (upon conversion of the preferred shares to common
stock) on a fully diluted basis, are accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. Acquisitions of minority interests represented by preferred stock
are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, as described in Note 1
to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Completed Acquisitions are
described in Note A to the accompanying pro forma condensed combined financial
statements.
    
 
   
     While the Company now seeks to acquire 100% of new ISPs, the Company's
early acquisition strategy was to rapidly build mass and scale by acquiring less
than 100% of its ISPs. In each case where the Company acquired less than 100% of
an ISP initially, it obtained the right to Buyout the remaining equity in the
future at a price based on either agreed upon revenue multiples or the fair
market value of the ISP. As part of its integration strategy, the Company has
effected the Buyouts of all but one ISP in which it did not initially acquire a
100% interest, through the use of cash on hand and the issuance of equity. As of
July 1, 1998, Verio has consummated the Buyout of the following fifteen ISPs;
On-Ramp Technologies, Inc.; NorthWestNet, Inc.; National Knowledge Networks,
Inc.; Access One, Inc.; Signet Partners, Inc.; Surf Network, Inc.; Pacific Rim
Network, Inc.; Internet Engineering Associates, Inc.; AimNet Corporation; West
Coast Online, Inc.; ServiceTech, Inc., Clark Internet Services, Inc., Compute
Intensive Inc., Structured Network Systems, Inc. and Internet Online, Inc. With
respect to the Buyout that has not yet been completed, the Company has
contractual rights to effect this Buyout and expects to complete the Buyout
during 1998. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
complete this Buyout at the times, or in accordance with the terms and
conditions, that it currently contemplates. This acquisition will also be
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
    
 
   
     The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet assumes that the
Completed Acquisitions occurred on March 31, 1998 and includes the March 31,
1998 historical consolidated balance sheets of Verio and the acquired businesses
adjusted for the pro forma effects of these acquisitions. The unaudited pro
forma condensed combined statements of operations for the year ended December
31, 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1998 assume that the Completed
Acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 1997 and include the historical
consolidated statements of operations of Verio and the Completed Acquisitions
for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the three months ended March 31, 1998,
adjusted for the pro forma effects of the acquisitions. The unaudited pro forma
condensed combined balance sheet also assumes the conversion of the Preferred
Stock into common stock upon completion of the IPO and includes the proceeds of
the IPO and the NTT Investment.
    
 
   
     The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations are not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would actually have
occurred if the transactions had been consummated as of January 1, 1997 and are
not intended to indicate the expected results for any future period. These
statements should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated
financial statements and related notes thereto of Verio, and certain acquired
businesses, included herein. The actual purchase accounting adjustments may be
revised upon completion of the acquisitions.
    
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   150
 
                                   VERIO INC.
 
                   PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
   
                           MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED)
    
                              AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ASSETS

                                                         HISTORICAL
                                                   -----------------------
                                                               COMPLETED      PRO FORMA      PRO FORMA
                                                              ACQUISITIONS   ADJUSTMENTS     COMBINED
                                                    VERIO       (NOTE B)      (NOTE D)         VERIO
                                                   --------   ------------   -----------     ---------
<S>                                                <C>        <C>            <C>             <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents......................  $160,396     $   424       $(28,649)(1)   $349,171
                                                                               217,000(7)
  Restricted cash and securities.................    14,285          --             --         14,285
  Receivables, net...............................    10,068       1,578             --         11,646
  Prepaid expenses and other.....................     4,412         289           (110)(3)      4,591
                                                   --------     -------       --------       --------
          Total current assets...................   189,161       2,291        188,241        379,693
Investments in affiliates, at cost...............     1,376          --           (150)(1)      1,226
Restricted cash and securities...................    12,928          --             --         12,928
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net........    31,758       2,153             --         33,911
Other assets:
  Goodwill, net..................................   113,567          --         35,527(1)     149,094
  Other, net.....................................    10,995          81                        11,076
                                                   --------     -------       --------       --------
          Total assets...........................  $359,785     $ 4,525       $223,618       $587,928
                                                   ========     =======       ========       ========
 
                                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses..........  $ 17,122     $ 1,301       $   (110)(3)   $ 18,313
  Lines of credit, notes payable and current
     portion of long-term debt and capital lease
     obligations.................................     3,462         207                         3,669
  Deferred revenue...............................     7,565         914             --          8,479
                                                   --------     -------       --------       --------
          Total current liabilities..............    28,149       2,422           (110)        30,461
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations,
  less current portion...........................   271,952       1,351             --        273,303
                                                   --------     -------       --------       --------
          Total liabilities......................   300,101       3,773           (110)       303,764
Minority interests in subsidiaries...............       614          --           (562)(5)         52
Redeemable preferred stock.......................    97,315         150           (150)(2)         --
                                                                               (97,315)(7)
Stockholders' deficit:
  Preferred stock................................    25,271          --        (25,271)(7)         --
  Common stock and additional paid-in capital....     3,666       1,420         (1,420)(2)    351,294
                                                                               122,586(7)
                                                                               217,000(7)
                                                                                 8,042(1)
  Warrants.......................................    12,675          --             --         12,675
  Retained earnings (deficit)....................   (79,857)       (818)           818(2)     (79,857)
                                                   --------     -------       --------       --------
                                                    (38,245)        602        104,755        284,112
                                                   --------     -------       --------       --------
          Total liabilities and stockholders'
            deficit..............................  $359,785     $ 4,525       $223,618       $587,928
                                                   ========     =======       ========       ========
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   151
 
                                   VERIO INC.
 
              PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 (UNAUDITED)
             AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             HISTORICAL
                                                      -------------------------
                                                                    COMPLETED      PRO FORMA           PRO FORMA
                                                                   ACQUISITIONS   ADJUSTMENTS          COMBINED
                                                        VERIO        (NOTE C)      (NOTE D)              VERIO
                                                      ----------   ------------   -----------         -----------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>            <C>                 <C>
Revenue:
  Internet connectivity.............................  $   23,476     $39,677      $       (98)(3)     $    63,055
  Enhanced services and other.......................      12,216      12,994               --              25,210
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
         Total revenue..............................      35,692      52,671              (98)             88,265
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
Costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.................      15,974      22,247              (76)(3)          38,145
  Selling, general and administrative and other.....      49,383      32,687               --              82,070
  Depreciation and amortization.....................      10,624       3,257           12,030(4)           25,911
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
         Total costs and expenses...................      75,981      58,191           11,954             146,126
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
    Loss from operations............................     (40,289)     (5,520)         (12,052)            (57,861)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income...................................       6,080          67               --               6,147
  Interest expense..................................     (11,826)       (591)              --             (12,417)
  Equity in losses of affiliates....................      (1,958)         --            1,958(5)               --
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
    Loss before minority interests and income
      taxes.........................................     (47,993)     (6,044)         (10,094)            (64,131)
Minority interests..................................       1,924          --           (1,924)(5)              --
Income taxes........................................          --      (1,247)           1,247(6)               --
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
         Net loss...................................     (46,069)     (7,291)         (10,771)            (64,131)
Accretion of preferred stock to liquidation value...        (260)         --              260(7)               --
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
Net loss attributable to common stockholders........  $  (46,329)    $(7,291)     $   (10,511)        $   (64,131)
                                                      ==========     =======      ===========         ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding -- basic and
  diluted...........................................   1,144,685                   30,939,544(7)       32,084,229
                                                      ==========                  ===========         ===========
Loss per common share -- basic and diluted..........  $   (40.47)                                     $     (2.00)
                                                      ==========                                      ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   152
 
                                   VERIO INC.
 
              PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
   
                 THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 (UNAUDITED)
    
             AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             HISTORICAL
                                                      -------------------------
                                                                    COMPLETED      PRO FORMA           PRO FORMA
                                                                   ACQUISITIONS   ADJUSTMENTS          COMBINED
                                                        VERIO        (NOTE C)      (NOTE D)              VERIO
                                                      ----------   ------------   -----------         -----------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>            <C>                 <C>
Revenue:
  Internet connectivity.............................  $   14,047     $ 4,389                          $    18,436
  Enhanced services and other.......................       7,151       1,421             (142)(3)           8,430
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
         Total revenue..............................      21,198       5,810             (142)             26,866
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
Costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.................       9,536       2,066              (82)(3)          11,520
  Selling, general and administrative and other.....      19,999       3,579              (60)(3)          23,518
  Depreciation and amortization.....................       6,381         242            1,369(4)            7,992
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
         Total costs and expenses...................      35,916       5,887            1,227              43,030
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
    Loss from operations............................     (14,718)        (77)          (1,369)            (16,164)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income...................................       1,650           7               --               1,657
  Interest expense..................................      (5,551)        (45)              --              (5,596)
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
    Loss before minority interests, income taxes,
      and extraordinary item........................     (18,619)       (115)          (1,369)            (20,103)
Minority interests..................................         402          --             (303)(5)              99
Income taxes........................................          --        (100)             100(6)               --
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
    Loss before extraordinary item and accretion of
      preferred stock...............................     (18,217)       (215)          (1,572)            (20,004)
Accretion of preferred stock to liquidation value...         (65)         --               65(7)               --
                                                      ----------     -------      -----------         -----------
Loss attributable to common stockholders before
  extraordinary item................................  $  (18,282)    $  (215)     $    (1,507)        $   (20,004)
                                                      ==========     =======      ===========         ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding -- basic and
  diluted...........................................   1,264,852                   30,939,544(7)       32,204,396
                                                      ==========                  ===========
Loss per common share before extraordinary
  item -- basic and diluted.........................  $   (14.45)                                     $      (.62)
                                                      ==========                                      ===========
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   153
 
                                   VERIO INC.
 
           NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(A) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
   
     During the period from inception (March 1, 1996) to July 1, 1998, Verio
completed numerous business combinations, and completed the Buyout of the
remaining equity interests of certain ISPs in which it initially acquired a
less-than-100% equity position. All of the acquisitions have been or will be
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Summary information
regarding substantially all of the Completed Acquisitions is as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   OWNERSHIP
                                                                  PERCENTAGE
                                                                    FOR THE
                                                                   COMPLETED             CONSIDERATION
                                                                 ACQUISITIONS    ------------------------------
                                                                    THROUGH       CASH
                                                                    JULY 1,        AND     PREFERRED
         COMPLETED ACQUISITIONS            ACQUISITION DATE(S)       1998         NOTES    STOCK(b)    TOTAL(c)
         ----------------------            -------------------   -------------   -------   ---------   --------
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>                   <C>             <C>       <C>         <C>
On-Ramp Technologies, Inc. ..............  August 1, 1996              51%
                                           October 4, 1996              4%
                                           February 26, 1998           45%       $13,485    $6,985     $ 20,470
National Knowledge Networks, Inc. .......  August 2, 1996              26%
                                           November 7, 1997            15%
                                           February 27, 1998           59%         2,999        --        2,999
RAINet, Inc. ............................  August 2, 1996             100%         2,000        --        2,000
Access One, Inc..........................  December 12, 1996           20%
                                           February 27, 1998           80%         6,006        --        6,006
CCnet, Inc. .............................  December 19, 1996          100%         1,800        --        1,800
Signet Partners, Inc. ...................  December 19, 1996           25%
                                           November 20, 1997           16%
                                           February 26, 1998           59%         1,234     1,283        2,517
Global Enterprise Services -- Network
  Division...............................  January 17, 1997           100%         2,350        --        2,350
Surf Network, Inc. ......................  January 31, 1997            25%
                                           December 22, 1997           75%           603        --          603
Pacific Rim Network, Inc. ...............  February 4, 1997            27%
                                           February 16, 1998           73%           850        --          850
Pioneer Global Telecommunications,
  Inc. ..................................  February 6, 1997           100%         1,011        --        1,011
Compute Intensive Inc. ..................  February 18, 1997           55%
                                           April 24, 1998              45%         7,099     8,042       15,141
NorthWestNet, Inc. ......................  February 28, 1997           85%
                                           March 6, 1998               15%        12,089     2,475       14,564
Internet Engineering Associates, Inc. ...  March 4, 1997               20%
                                           February 25, 1998           80%           206     1,500        1,706
Internet Online, Inc. ...................  March 5, 1997               36%         1,050        --        1,050
Structured Network Systems, Inc. ........  March 6, 1997               20%
                                           April 16, 1998              80%         1,250        --        1,250
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   154
                                   VERIO INC.
 
   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   OWNERSHIP
                                                                  PERCENTAGE
                                                                    FOR THE
                                                                   COMPLETED             CONSIDERATION
                                                                 ACQUISITIONS    ------------------------------
                                                                    THROUGH       CASH
                                                                    JULY 1,        AND     PREFERRED
         COMPLETED ACQUISITIONS            ACQUISITION DATE(S)       1998         NOTES    STOCK(b)    TOTAL(c)
         ----------------------            -------------------   -------------   -------   ---------   --------
                                                                                         (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>                   <C>             <C>       <C>         <C>
RustNet, Inc. ...........................  March 14, 1997             100%         1,703        --        1,703
AimNet Corporation.......................  May 19, 1997                55%
                                           September 22, 1997          45%         7,613        --        7,613
West Coast Online, Inc. .................  July 26, 1996               20%
                                           April 29, 1997              12%
                                           September 30, 1997          68%         2,000        --        2,000
ServiceTech, Inc. .......................  August 1, 1997              40%
                                           December 31, 1997           60%         2,055        --        2,055
Branch Information Services, Inc. .......  September 17, 1997         100%         1,687        --        1,687
Communique, Inc. ........................  October 2, 1997            100%         3,000        --        3,000
Clark Internet Services, Inc. ...........  October 17, 1997            51%
                                           February 25, 1998           49%         3,969     3,431        7,400
ATMnet...................................  November 5, 1997           100%         5,522        --        5,522
Global Internet Network Services,
  Inc. ..................................  December 1, 1997           100%         6,000        --        6,000
Sesquinet................................  December 24, 1997          100%(a)        732        --          732
PREPnet..................................  December 24, 1997          100%         1,405        --        1,405
Monumental Network Systems, Inc. ........  December 31, 1997          100%         3,962        --        3,962
Internet Servers, Inc. ..................  December 31, 1997          100%         9,800    10,200       20,000
NSNet, Inc. .............................  February 27, 1998          100%         1,535     1,765        3,300
LI Net, Inc. ............................  April 9, 1998              100%         6,500        --        6,500
STARnet, L.L.C. .........................  April 14, 1998             100%         3,500        --        3,500
Computing Engineers Inc. ................  April 15, 1998             100%         9,000        --        9,000
Florida Internet Corporation.............  April 15, 1998             100%         2,200        --        2,200
Matrix Online Media, Inc. ...............  May 5, 1998                100%         4,000        --        4,000
                                                                                                       --------
         Total...........................                                                              $165,896
                                                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
     The total consideration, exclusive of acquisition costs, for the Completed
Acquisitions has been allocated as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Equipment...................................................  $ 18,095
Goodwill....................................................   152,156
Net current liabilities.....................................    (5,405)
Investment in Internet Online, Inc..........................     1,050
                                                              --------
          Total.............................................  $165,896
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
(a)  Assets of this entity were purchased by On-Ramp Technologies, Inc.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   155
                                   VERIO INC.
 
   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(b)  Represents shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock valued at $15 per share.
     For NorthWestNet, Inc., the amount represents options to purchase Preferred
     Stock at $15 per share. Such per share value was determined by the
     Company's Board of Directors based on comparable valuations of private and
     public companies, methodologies based on multiples of revenue and
     discounted cash flows, and arms-length negotiated values.
 
(c)  Total consideration does not include acquisition costs.
 
   
     The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of
March 31, 1998 includes historical balances of Verio and the businesses acquired
adjusted for the pro forma effects of substantially all of the acquisitions
completed through July 1, 1998, including the acquisitions of the remaining
interests in certain consolidated subsidiaries and minority owned affiliates.
All acquisitions are assumed to have been completed for cash, debt or the
issuance of preferred stock of Verio. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined
statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the three
months ended March 31, 1998 include historical results of operations of Verio
and the businesses acquired, including the acquisitions of the remaining
interests in certain consolidated subsidiaries and minority owned affiliates,
adjusted for the pro forma effects of the acquisitions.
    
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   156
 
                                   VERIO INC.
 
   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(B) HISTORICAL CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION -- COMPLETED ACQUISITIONS
 
   
     Historical condensed balance sheet information for the Completed
Acquisitions as of March 31, 1998 is as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              STRUCTURED               FLORIDA     COMPUTING                MATRIX
                               NETWORK      LI NET    INTERNET     ENGINEERS   STARNET   ONLINE MEDIA,
                             SYSTEMS INC.    INC.    CORPORATION     INC.       LLC.         INC.        TOTAL
                             ------------   ------   -----------   ---------   -------   -------------   ------
<S>                          <C>            <C>      <C>           <C>         <C>       <C>             <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash
    equivalents............     $  47       $  54       $  14       $    4      $162        $  143       $  424
  Receivables, net.........       150         240          99          677       179           233        1,578
  Prepaid expenses and
    other..................         1          26           1           57       140            64          289
                                -----       -----       -----       ------      ----        ------       ------
         Total current
           assets..........       198         320         114          738       481           440        2,291
Equipment and leasehold
  improvements, net........        61         501         232          428       244           687        2,153
  Other assets.............         7          47           3           --         4            20           81
                                -----       -----       -----       ------      ----        ------       ------
         Total assets......     $ 266       $ 868       $ 349       $1,166      $729        $1,147       $4,525
                                =====       =====       =====       ======      ====        ======       ======
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and
    accrued expenses.......     $ 377       $ 399       $  73       $  342      $ 19        $   91       $1,301
  Lines of credit, notes
    payable and current
    portion of long-term
    debt and capital lease
    obligations............        20         123          42           --        20             2          207
  Deferred revenue.........       104         161          52          225       339            33          914
                                -----       -----       -----       ------      ----        ------       ------
         Total current
           liabilities.....       501         683         167          567       378           126        2,422
  Long-term debt and
    capital lease
    obligations, less
    current portion........        21         288          --          652        --           390        1,351
                                -----       -----       -----       ------      ----        ------       ------
         Total
           liabilities.....       522         971         167        1,219       378           516        3,773
Redeemable preferred
  stock....................       150          --          --           --        --            --          150
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock and
    additional paid-in
    capital................         1         300         298            6       276           539        1,420
  Retained earnings
    (deficit)..............      (407)       (403)       (116)         (59)       75            92         (818)
                                -----       -----       -----       ------      ----        ------       ------
         Total
           stockholders'
           equity
           (deficit).......      (406)       (103)        182          (53)      351           631          602
                                -----       -----       -----       ------      ----        ------       ------
         Total liabilities
           and
           stockholders'
           equity
           (deficit).......     $ 266       $ 868       $ 349       $1,166      $729        $1,147       $4,525
                                =====       =====       =====       ======      ====        ======       ======
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   157
                                   VERIO INC.
 
   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(C) HISTORICAL CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION -- COMPLETED
ACQUISITIONS
 
     Historical condensed statement of operations information for the Completed
Acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 1997 including the periods from
January 1, 1997 to the dates of consolidation is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PIONEER GLOBAL
                                  AIMNET      RUSTNET,            COMPUTE    NORTHWEST   TELECOMMUNICATIONS,    WEST COAST
 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997   CORPORATION     INC.      GES    INTENSIVE      NET             INC.           ONLINE, INC.
 ----------------------------   -----------   --------   -----   ---------   ---------   -------------------   ------------
<S>                             <C>           <C>        <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>                   <C>
Revenue:
  Internet connectivity.......    $1,068       $ 310     $ 112     $ 468      $  709            $ 62              $1,192
  Enhanced services and
    other.....................       101          69        --       326         351               7                 457
                                  ------       -----     -----     -----      ------            ----              ------
        Total revenue.........     1,169         379       112       794       1,060              69               1,649
Operating costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating
    costs.....................       444         147        94       301         113              33                 735
  Selling, general and
    administrative and
    other.....................       978         319       133       673       1,661              37                 981
  Depreciation and
    amortization..............       248          17        --        16         136               4                  77
                                  ------       -----     -----     -----      ------            ----              ------
        Total costs and
          expenses............     1,670         483       227       990       1,910              74               1,793
                                  ------       -----     -----     -----      ------            ----              ------
  Earnings (loss) from
    operations................      (501)       (104)     (115)     (196)       (850)             (5)               (144)
Interest income...............         8                                                          --                  --
Interest expense..............        --          (8)       --        (8)         --              (2)                 --
                                  ------       -----     -----     -----      ------            ----              ------
    Earnings (loss) before
      income taxes............      (493)       (112)     (115)     (204)       (850)             (7)               (144)
Income taxes..................        --          --        --        --         118              (5)                 --
                                  ------       -----     -----     -----      ------            ----              ------
        Net earnings (loss)...    $ (493)      $(112)    $(115)    $(204)     $ (732)           $(12)             $ (144)
                                  ======       =====     =====     =====      ======            ====              ======
 
<CAPTION>
                                    BRANCH
                                 INFORMATION
 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997   SERVICES, INC.
 ----------------------------   --------------
<S>                             <C>
Revenue:
  Internet connectivity.......       $588
  Enhanced services and
    other.....................         84
                                     ----
        Total revenue.........        672
Operating costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating
    costs.....................         84
  Selling, general and
    administrative and
    other.....................        298
  Depreciation and
    amortization..............          2
                                     ----
        Total costs and
          expenses............        384
                                     ----
  Earnings (loss) from
    operations................        288
Interest income...............         --
Interest expense..............         --
                                     ----
    Earnings (loss) before
      income taxes............        288
Income taxes..................       (101)
                                     ----
        Net earnings (loss)...       $187
                                     ====
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         GLOBAL
                                                             CLARK                                      INTERNET
                                                           INTERNET      SURF                            NETWORK
                                             COMMUNIQUE,   SERVICES,   NETWORK,                         SERVICES,
                                                INC.         INC.        INC.     SESQUINET   ATMNET      INC.      PREPNET
                                             -----------   ---------   --------   ---------   -------   ---------   -------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>
Revenue
  Internet connectivity....................    $1,454       $2,582      $  585     $1,124     $2,754     $2,501     $2,026
  Enhanced services and other..............       764          562         190         --         73      1,284        121
                                               ------       ------      ------     ------     -------    ------     ------
        Total revenue......................     2,218        3,144         775      1,124      2,827      3,785      2,147
Operating costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating costs........       690        1,394         431        538      2,976      2,679        793
  Selling, general and administrative and
    other..................................     1,159        1,784         981        367      1,786      1,019        773
  Depreciation and amortization............         5          116          76         54         40        280        121
                                               ------       ------      ------     ------     -------    ------     ------
    Total costs and expenses...............     1,854        3,294       1,488        959      4,802      3,978      1,687
                                               ------       ------      ------     ------     -------    ------     ------
    Earnings (loss) from operations........       364         (150)       (713)       165     (1,975)      (193)       460
Interest income............................        --            2          --         --         --         --         --
Interest expense...........................        --          (25)        (33)        --       (171)        (8)       (11)
                                               ------       ------      ------     ------     -------    ------     ------
    Earnings (loss) before income taxes....       364         (173)       (746)       165     (2,146)      (201)       449
Income taxes...............................      (127)          --          --        (58)        --         --       (171)
                                               ------       ------      ------     ------     -------    ------     ------
        Net earnings (loss)................    $  237       $ (173)     $ (746)    $  107     $(2,146)   $ (201)    $  278
                                               ======       ======      ======     ======     =======    ======     ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   158
                                   VERIO INC.
 
   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       INTERNET
                                            INTERNET   SERVICE    PACIFIC RIM     SIGNET              ENGINEERING    STRUCTURED
                              MONUMENTAL,   SERVERS,    TECH,      NETWORK,      PARTNERS,   NSNET,   ASSOCIATES,      NETWORK
                                 INC.         INC.      INC.         INC.          INC.       INC.       INC.       SYSTEMS, INC.
                              -----------   --------   -------   -------------   ---------   ------   -----------   -------------
<S>                           <C>           <C>        <C>       <C>             <C>         <C>      <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet connectivity.....    $2,425       $  704    $ 1,536       $ 472        $1,133     $1,832     $  831          $ 859
  Enhanced services and
    other...................        47        3,688        627         337           518         15        303             27
                                ------       ------    -------       -----        ------     ------     ------          -----
      Total revenue.........     2,472        4,392      2,163         809         1,651      1,847      1,134            886
Operating costs and
  expenses:
  Internet services
    operating costs.........     1,162          536      1,229         385           336        471        323            473
  Selling, general and
    administrative and
    other...................     1,757        2,006      1,814         674         1,977        939        678            511
  Depreciation and
    amortization............       172          260        197          69            10        126         63             --
                                ------       ------    -------       -----        ------     ------     ------          -----
      Total costs and
         expenses...........     3,091        2,802      3,240       1,128         2,323      1,536      1,064            984
                                ------       ------    -------       -----        ------     ------     ------          -----
    Earnings (loss) from
      operations............      (619)       1,590     (1,077)       (319)         (672)       311         70            (98)
Interest income.............        --           26         --          --            --         --         14             --
Interest expense............       (16)          --        (42)        (15)           (5)        (6)        --            (17)
                                ------       ------    -------       -----        ------     ------     ------          -----
    Earnings (loss) before
      income taxes..........      (635)       1,616     (1,119)       (334)         (677)       305         84           (115)
Income taxes................        --         (602)        33         (15)           --       (116)       (29)            --
                                ------       ------    -------       -----        ------     ------     ------          -----
      Net earnings (loss)...    $ (635)      $1,014    $(1,086)      $(349)       $ (677)    $  189     $   55          $(115)
                                ======       ======    =======       =====        ======     ======     ======          =====
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    NATIONAL
                                    KNOWLEDGE                 FLORIDA     COMPUTING                MATRIX
                       ACCESSONE,   NETWORKS,      LI        INTERNET     ENGINEERS   STARNET,     ONLINE
                          INC.        INC.      NET, INC.   CORPORATION     INC.       L.L.C.    MEDIA, INC.    TOTAL
                       ----------   ---------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------   -----------   -------
<S>                    <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet
    connectivity.....    $2,484      $1,169      $1,907       $1,172       $3,322      $1,202      $1,094      $39,677
  Enhanced services
    and other........     1,035         234         120          264          758         399         233       12,994
                         ------      ------      ------       ------       ------      ------      ------      -------
      Total
         revenue.....     3,519       1,403       2,027        1,436        4,080       1,601       1,327       52,671
Operating costs and
  expenses:
  Internet services
    operating
    costs............     1,510         669         792          773        1,026         717         393       22,247
  Selling, general
    and
    administrative
    and other........     2,251       1,282       1,573          578        2,341         570         787       32,687
  Depreciation and
    amortization.....       245          55         135          121          329         156         127        3,257
                         ------      ------      ------       ------       ------      ------      ------      -------
      Total costs and
         expenses....     4,006       2,006       2,500        1,472        3,696       1,443       1,307       58,191
                         ------      ------      ------       ------       ------      ------      ------      -------
    Earnings (loss)
      from
      operations.....      (487)       (603)       (473)         (36)         384         158          20       (5,520)
Interest income......        --           6          --           --           --           9           2           67
Interest expense.....       (26)        (26)        (39)         (12)         (96)         (6)        (19)        (591)
                         ------      ------      ------       ------       ------      ------      ------      -------
    Earnings (loss)
      before income
      taxes..........      (513)       (623)       (512)         (48)         288         161           3       (6,044)
Income taxes.........        --          (3)         --           --        (110_         (61)         --       (1,247)
                         ------      ------      ------       ------       ------      ------      ------      -------
      Net earnings
         (loss)......    $ (513)     $ (626)     $ (512)      $  (48)      $  178      $  100      $    3      $(7,291)
                         ======      ======      ======       ======       ======      ======      ======      =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   159
                                   VERIO INC.
 
   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
   
     Historical condensed statement of operations information for the Completed
Acquisitions for the three months ended March 31, 1998 including the periods
from January 1, 1998 to the dates of consolidation is as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                INTERNET
                                           PACIFIC RIM     SIGNET              ENGINEERING    STRUCTURED
                                            NETWORK,      PARTNERS,   NSNET,   ASSOCIATES,      NETWORK      ACCESSONE,
                                              INC.          INC.       INC.       INC.       SYSTEMS, INC.      INC.
                                          -------------   ---------   ------   -----------   -------------   ----------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>         <C>      <C>           <C>             <C>
Revenue:
  Internet connectivity.................      $ 73          $122       $275       $152           $271          $ 643
  Enhanced services and other...........        31            50         75         41             24            108
                                              ----          ----       ----       ----           ----          -----
      Total revenue.....................       104           172        350        193            295            751
Operating costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.....        43            45        126         61            143            268
  Selling, general and administrative
    and other...........................        88           142        287        124            221            535
  Depreciation and amortization.........        10             4         27         13              1             53
                                              ----          ----       ----       ----           ----          -----
      Total costs and expenses..........       141           191        440        198            365            856
                                              ----          ----       ----       ----           ----          -----
    Earnings (loss) from operations.....       (37)          (19)       (90)        (5)           (70)          (105)
Interest income.........................        --            --         --          1              2             --
Interest expense........................        (2)           (1)        --         --             (2)           (11)
                                              ----          ----       ----       ----           ----          -----
    Earnings (loss) before income
      taxes.............................       (39)          (20)       (90)        (4)           (70)          (116)
Income taxes............................        --            --         --         --             --             --
                                              ----          ----       ----       ----           ----          -----
      Net earnings (loss)...............      $(39)         $(20)      $(90)      $ (4)          $(70)         $(116)
                                              ====          ====       ====       ====           ====          =====
</TABLE>
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 NATIONAL
                                 KNOWLEDGE                 FLORIDA     COMPUTING                MATRIX
                                 NETWORKS,      LI        INTERNET     ENGINEERS   STARNET,     ONLINE
                                   INC.      NET, INC.   CORPORATION     INC.       L.L.C.    MEDIA, INC.   TOTAL
                                 ---------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------   -----------   ------
<S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet connectivity........    $265        $424         $675        $  775       $306        $408       $4,389
  Enhanced services and
    other......................      68         213           77           508        134          92        1,421
                                   ----        ----         ----        ------       ----        ----       ------
      Total revenue............     333         637          752         1,283        440         500        5,810
Operating costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating
    costs......................     147         332          220           335        206         140        2,066
  Selling, general and
    administrative and other...     246         314          494           746        154         228        3,579
  Depreciation and
    amortization...............       9          29           23            43         15          15          242
                                   ----        ----         ----        ------       ----        ----       ------
      Total costs and
         expenses..............     402         675          737         1,124        375         383        5,887
                                   ----        ----         ----        ------       ----        ----       ------
    Earnings (loss) from
      operations...............     (69)        (38)          15           159         65         117          (77)
Interest income................      --          --           --             1          2           1            7
Interest expense...............      --          --           (3)          (20)        --          (6)         (45)
                                   ----        ----         ----        ------       ----        ----       ------
    Earnings (loss) before
      income taxes.............     (69)        (38)          12           140         67         112         (115)
Income taxes...................      --          --           (4)          (42)       (20)        (34)        (100)
                                   ----        ----         ----        ------       ----        ----       ------
      Net earnings (loss)......    $(69)       $(38)        $  8        $   98       $ 47        $ 78       $ (215)
                                   ====        ====         ====        ======       ====        ====       ======
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   160
                                   VERIO INC.
 
   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(D) PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
 
   
     The following pro forma adjustments have been made to the condensed
combined balance sheet as of March 31, 1998 and the condensed combined statement
of operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 and three months ended March
31, 1998. The purchase accounting adjustments relating to the acquisitions
completed prior to April 1, 1998 are included in the historical consolidated
balance sheet of Verio as of March 31, 1998.
    
 
   
          (1) To reflect cash of $28,649,000 and 536,109 shares of preferred
     stock valued at $8,042,000, which is the approximate number of shares
     proposed and assumed to be issued as of March 31, 1998 in connection with
     the Completed Acquisitions subsequent to March 31, 1998, and the allocation
     of excess purchase price to goodwill in the amount of $35,527,000 and to
     adjust investments in affiliates in the amount of $150,000 for the
     completed acquisitions of majority interests. Preferred stock issued for
     acquisitions was recorded at fair value as determined by the Company's
     Board of Directors and based on other third-party issuances of Company
     securities. In the opinion of management, the historical balances of all
     other assets acquired and liabilities assumed approximate fair value.
    
 
   
     Cash and notes payable issued for all acquisitions completed from inception
     through July 1, 1998 (exclusive of acquisition costs), as described in note
     A, is summarized as follows (in thousands):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                           <C>
        Cash and notes payable issued for acquisitions completed
          through March 31, 1998....................................  $101,566
        Cash consideration for Completed Acquisitions subsequent to
          March 31, 1998 and through July 1, 1998...................    28,649
                                                                      --------
                  Total.............................................  $130,215
                                                                      ========
</TABLE>
    
 
          (2) To eliminate equity accounts and redeemable preferred stock of the
     Completed Acquisitions.
 
          (3) To eliminate intercompany revenue, expenses, receivables and
     payables.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   161
                                   VERIO INC.
 
   NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
   
          (4) To adjust amortization expense due to increase in carrying value
     of goodwill, using a ten-year life, including additional amortization
     expense related to consolidated acquisitions completed during 1997 and the
     three months ended March 31, 1998, as if such acquisitions had been
     completed as of January 1, 1997, as follows (in thousands):
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      THREE MONTHS
                                                                        YEAR ENDED       ENDED
                                                                       DECEMBER 31,    MARCH 31,
                                                                           1997           1998
                                                                       ------------   ------------
           <S>                                                         <C>            <C>
           Pro forma goodwill for acquisitions completed after
             December 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998 as if the
             acquisitions occurred on January 1, 1997................    $69,025        $35,527
           Amortization period (months in period/total months in
             amortization period)....................................     12/120          3/120
                                                                         -------        -------
           Amortization of goodwill for acquisitions completed after
             December 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998....................      6,903            888
           Amortization of goodwill on 1997 acquisitions for the
             period from January 1, 1997 through the date of
             acquisition as if the acquisitions had occurred as of
             January 1, 1997 and amortization of goodwill on 1998
             acquisitions for the period from January 1, 1998 through
             the date of acquisition as if the acquisitions had
             occurred as of January 1, 1997..........................      5,127            481
                                                                         -------        -------
           Total.....................................................    $12,030        $ 1,369
                                                                         =======        =======
</TABLE>
    
 
          (5) To eliminate minority interests share of equity and equity in
     losses of affiliates upon acquisition of 100% ownership interests.
 
   
          (6) To eliminate income tax expense or benefit of acquired businesses
     due to consolidated net operating loss for the year ended December 31, 1997
     and the three months ended March 31, 1998.
    
 
   
          (7) To reflect (i) the conversion of 20,945,667 shares of preferred
     stock into common stock upon completion of the IPO, including 1,704,000
     shares of preferred stock assumed to be issued and converted to common
     stock subsequent to March 31, 1998, (ii) the sale of 5,500,000 shares of
     Common Stock in the IPO for net proceeds of approximately $117.0 million
     after deducting the discounts and commissions payable to the underwriters
     participating in the IPO and estimated expenses, (iii) the sale of
     4,493,877 shares of Common Stock to NTT for approximately $100.0 million
     concurrently with the IPO and (iv) to eliminate accretion of preferred
     stock to liquidation value.
    
   
    
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   162
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Verio Inc.
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' deficit, and cash flows for the period
from inception (March 1, 1996) to December 31, 1996 and the year ended December
31, 1997. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Verio Inc.
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the period from inception (March 1, 1996) to
December 31, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 25, 1998
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   163
 
   
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    
 
   
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    
   
                   (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ASSETS

                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                              --------------------     MARCH 31,
                                                                1996        1997         1998
                                                              --------    --------    -----------
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $ 66,467    $ 72,586     $160,396
  Restricted cash and securities (notes 3 and 4)............        --      21,015       14,285
  Receivables:
    Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $117,
     $1,233, and $1,470.....................................       611       7,565       10,068
    Affiliates..............................................       119         735          309
  Prepaid expenses and other................................       410       3,921        4,103
                                                              --------    --------     --------
        Total current assets................................    67,607     105,822      189,161
Restricted cash and securities (notes 3 and 4)..............        --      19,539       12,928
Investments in affiliates, at cost (note 2).................     1,536       2,378        1,376
Equipment and leasehold improvements:
  Internet access and computer equipment....................     4,485      30,535       36,790
  Furniture, fixtures and computer software.................       220       3,301        3,489
  Leasehold improvements....................................       141       1,596        2,225
                                                              --------    --------     --------
                                                                 4,846      35,432       42,504
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization............      (359)     (7,219)     (10,746)
                                                              --------    --------     --------
        Net equipment and leasehold improvements............     4,487      28,213       31,758
Other assets:
  Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $303, $3,595,
    and $6,047 (note 2).....................................     8,736      83,216      113,567
  Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of
    $0, $330, and $332......................................        --       4,858        8,424
  Organization costs and other, net.........................       262       2,445        2,571
                                                              --------    --------     --------
        Total assets........................................  $ 82,628    $246,471     $359,785
                                                              ========    ========     ========
 
                              LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $  2,132    $  7,389     $  6,532
  Accrued expenses..........................................       931      11,401        6,559
  Accrued interest payable..................................        --         844        4,031
  Accrued preferred stock issuance costs....................     1,110          --
  Lines of credit, notes payable and current portion of
    long-term debt (note 3).................................     2,573       2,751        1,022
  Current portion of capital lease obligations (note 4).....        64       1,575        2,440
  Deferred revenue..........................................       659       7,177        7,565
                                                              --------    --------     --------
        Total current liabilities...........................     7,469      31,137       28,149
Long-term debt, less current portion, net of discount (note
  3)........................................................        20     139,376      268,476
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....        86       2,945        3,476
                                                              --------    --------     --------
        Total liabilities...................................     7,575     173,458      300,101
                                                              --------    --------     --------
Minority interests in subsidiaries (note 2).................     2,231       2,765          614
Redeemable preferred stock (note 5):
  Series A, convertible, $.001 par value; 6,100,000 shares
    authorized; 6,033,333 shares issued and outstanding at
    December 31, 1996 and 1997 and March 31, 1998.
    Liquidation preference of $18,100.......................    18,078      18,080       18,082
  Series B, convertible, $.001 par value; 10,117,000 shares
    authorized; 10,000,000, 10,028,334, and 10,028,334
    shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1996 and
    1997 and March 31, 1998. Liquidation preference of
    $60,170.................................................    58,799      59,193       59,255
  Series C, convertible, $.001 par value; 2,500,000 shares
    authorized; issued and outstanding at December 31, 1997
    and March 31, 1998. Liquidation preference of $20,000...        --      19,976       19,978
                                                              --------    --------     --------
                                                                76,877      97,249       97,315
                                                              --------    --------     --------
Stockholders' equity (deficit) (note 6):
  Preferred stock, Series D-1, convertible, $.001 par value;
    3,000,000 shares authorized; 680,000 and 1,684,751
    shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 1997 and
    March 31, 1998. Liquidation preference of $25,271 (note
    5)......................................................        --      10,200       25,271
  Common stock, $.001 par value; 35,133,000 shares
    authorized; 1,090,000, 1,254,533 and, 1,294,233 shares
    issued and outstanding at December 31, 1996 and 1997 and
    March 31, 1998..........................................         1           1            1
  Additional paid-in capital................................     1,089      14,272       16,340
  Accumulated deficit.......................................    (5,145)    (51,474)     (79,857)
                                                              --------    --------     --------
        Total stockholders' equity (deficit)................    (4,055)    (27,001)     (38,245)
                                                              --------    --------     --------
Commitments (notes 2, 4 and 5)
        Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit.........  $ 82,628    $246,471     $359,785
                                                              ========    ========     ========
</TABLE>
    
 
   
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
    
   
    
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   164
 
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
            (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              PERIOD FROM
                                               INCEPTION           YEAR         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                            (MARCH 1, 1996)       ENDED       -----------------------
                                            TO DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,   MARCH 31,    MARCH 31,
                                                 1996              1997          1997         1998
                                           -----------------   ------------   ----------   ----------
                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                        <C>                 <C>            <C>          <C>
Revenue:
  Internet connectivity:
     Dedicated...........................      $  1,100         $   16,383    $    1,954   $    9,900
     Dial-up.............................         1,139              7,093         1,106        4,147
  Enhanced services and other............           126             12,216         1,354        7,151
                                               --------         ----------    ----------   ----------
          Total revenue..................         2,365             35,692         4,414       21,198
Costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating costs......           974             15,974         2,042        9,536
  Selling, general and administrative and
     other...............................         7,002             49,383         6,718       19,999
  Depreciation and amortization..........           669             10,624         1,246        6,381
                                               --------         ----------    ----------   ----------
          Total costs and expenses.......         8,645             75,981        10,006       35,916
                                               --------         ----------    ----------   ----------
          Loss from operations...........        (6,280)           (40,289)       (5,592)     (14,718)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income........................           593              6,080           714        1,650
  Interest expense.......................          (115)           (11,826)         (121)      (5,551)
  Equity in losses of affiliates.........            --             (1,958)           --           --
                                               --------         ----------    ----------   ----------
          Loss before minority interests
            and extraordinary item.......        (5,802)           (47,993)       (4,999)     (18,619)
Minority interests.......................           680              1,924           388          402
                                               --------         ----------    ----------   ----------
          Loss before extraordinary
            item.........................        (5,122)           (46,069)       (4,611)     (18,217)
Extraordinary item -- loss related to
  debt repurchase........................            --                 --            --      (10,101)
                                               --------         ----------    ----------   ----------
          Net loss.......................        (5,122)           (46,069)       (4,611)     (28,318)
Accretion of preferred stock to
  liquidation value......................           (23)              (260)          (66)         (65)
                                               --------         ----------    ----------   ----------
          Net loss attributable to common
            stockholders.................      $ (5,145)        $  (46,329)   $   (4,677)  $  (28,383)
                                               ========         ==========    ==========   ==========
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding -- basic and diluted.......       971,748          1,144,685     1,090,000    1,264,852
                                               ========         ==========    ==========   ==========
Loss per common share -- basic and
  diluted:
          Loss per common share before
            extraordinary item...........         (5.29)            (40.47)        (4.29)      (14.45)
          Extraordinary item.............            --                 --            --        (7.99)
                                               --------         ----------    ----------   ----------
          Loss per common share..........      $  (5.29)        $   (40.47)   $    (4.29)  $   (22.44)
                                               ========         ==========    ==========   ==========
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   165
 
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
                   (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      COMMON STOCK      ADDITIONAL
                                       PREFERRED   ------------------    PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED
                                         STOCK      SHARES     AMOUNT    CAPITAL       DEFICIT      TOTAL
                                       ---------   ---------   ------   ----------   -----------   --------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>      <C>          <C>           <C>
BALANCES AT INCEPTION................   $    --           --    $--      $    --      $     --     $     --
Issuance of common stock for cash....        --    1,090,000      1        1,089            --        1,090
Accretion of preferred stock to
  liquidation value..................        --           --     --           --           (23)         (23)
Net loss.............................        --           --     --           --        (5,122)      (5,122)
                                        -------    ---------    ---      -------      --------     --------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996........        --    1,090,000      1        1,089        (5,145)      (4,055)
Issuance of common stock for exercise
  of options.........................        --       76,200                 148            --          148
Issuance of common stock for cash....        --       88,333                 360            --          360
Warrants issued in connection with
  debt offering (note 3).............        --           --     --       12,675            --       12,675
Issuance of preferred stock in
  business combination (note 5)......    10,200           --     --           --            --       10,200
Accretion of redeemable preferred
  stock to liquidation value.........        --           --                  --          (260)        (260)
Net loss.............................        --           --     --                    (46,069)     (46,069)
                                        -------    ---------    ---      -------      --------     --------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1997........    10,200    1,254,533      1       14,272       (51,474)     (27,001)
Issuance of common stock for exercise
  of options.........................        --       39,733     --          131            --          131
Issuance of preferred stock in
  business combinations..............    15,071           --     --           --            --       15,071
Issuance of options in business
  combinations.......................        --           --     --        1,937            --        1,937
Accretion of redeemable preferred
  stock to liquidation value.........        --           --     --           --           (65)         (65)
Net loss.............................                                                  (28,318)     (28,318)
                                        -------    ---------    ---      -------      --------     --------
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 1998
  (UNAUDITED)........................   $25,271    1,294,266    $ 1      $16,340      $(79,857)    $(38,245)
                                        =======    =========    ===      =======      ========     ========
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   166
 
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  PERIOD FROM INCEPTION       YEAR         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                     (MARCH 1, 1996)         ENDED             MARCH 31,
                                                     TO DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 31,   ----------------------
                                                          1996                1997         1997        1998
                                                  ---------------------   ------------   --------   -----------
                                                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                               <C>                     <C>            <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss......................................         $(5,122)           $(46,069)    $ (4,611)   $(28,318)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
    used by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization...............             669              10,624        1,246       6,381
    Minority interests' share of losses.........            (680)             (1,924)        (388)       (402)
    Equity in losses of affiliates..............              --               1,958           --          --
    Extraordinary item -- loss related to the
      repurchase of debt........................              --                  --           --      10,101
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
      excluding effects of business
      combinations:
      Receivables...............................            (265)             (1,561)        (975)     (1,226)
      Prepaid expenses and other current
         assets.................................            (284)             (2,305)        (667)        773
      Accounts payable..........................           1,439              (1,656)      (2,668)     (1,607)
      Accrued expenses..........................           1,910               3,082       (2,218)     (3,509)
      Accrued interest payable..................              --                 844           --       3,467
      Deferred revenue..........................               7               1,684          399        (466)
                                                         -------            --------     --------    --------
         Net cash used by operating
           activities...........................          (2,326)            (35,323)      (9,882)    (14,806)
                                                         -------            --------     --------    --------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of equipment and leasehold
    improvements................................          (3,430)            (14,547)      (2,987)     (3,820)
  Acquisition of net assets in business
    combinations and investments in affiliates,
    net of cash acquired........................          (5,627)            (64,023)     (18,538)    (18,844)
  Restricted cash and securities................                             (40,554)          --      13,341
  Other.........................................             (66)             (1,206)        (620)       (373)
                                                         -------            --------     --------    --------
         Net cash used by investing
           activities...........................          (9,123)           (120,330)     (22,145)     (9,696)
                                                         -------            --------     --------    --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from lines of credit, notes payable
    and long-term debt..........................              --             145,512           60     169,769
  Repayments of lines of credit and notes
    payable.....................................             (20)             (3,468)        (750)    (57,138)
  Repayments of capital lease obligations.......              (8)               (950)        (104)       (450)
  Proceeds from issuance of common and preferred
    stock, net of issuance costs................          77,944              20,678           --         131
                                                         -------            --------     --------    --------
         Net cash provided (used) by financing
           activities...........................          77,916             161,772         (794)    112,312
                                                         -------            --------     --------    --------
         Net increase (decrease) in cash and
           cash equivalents.....................          66,467               6,119      (32,821)     87,810
Cash and cash equivalents:
  Beginning of period...........................              --              66,467       66,467      72,586
                                                         -------            --------     --------    --------
  End of period.................................         $66,467            $ 72,586     $ 33,646    $160,396
                                                         =======            ========     ========    ========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
  information:
  Cash paid for interest........................         $    --            $ 10,982     $     --    $  1,875
                                                         =======            ========     ========    ========
  Equipment acquired through capital lease
    obligations.................................         $    58            $  3,301     $     --    $  1,651
                                                         =======            ========     ========    ========
  Acquisition of net assets in business
    combination through issuance of notes
    payable.....................................         $ 6,675            $  4,718     $     --    $     --
                                                         =======            ========     ========    ========
  Acquisition of net assets in business
    combination through issuance of preferred
    stock and preferred stock options...........         $    --            $ 10,200     $     --    $ 17,008
                                                         =======            ========     ========    ========
  Warrants issued in connection with debt
    offering....................................         $    --            $ 12,675     $     --    $     --
                                                         =======            ========     ========    ========
</TABLE>
    
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   167
 
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  (a) Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Verio Inc. (Verio or the Company) was incorporated on March 1, 1996 to
capitalize on the growing demand for Internet access and enhanced services by
business users through the acquisition, integration, and growth of existing
independent Internet service providers with a business customer focus in
targeted geographic regions. The goal of the Company is to be the dominant,
full-service national provider of Internet connectivity and enhanced Internet
services to small and medium sized businesses. The Company commenced operations
in April 1996 and had no activity other than the sale of common stock to
founders prior to April 1, 1996.
 
   
     The accompanying unaudited financial information as of March 31, 1998 and
for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1998 has been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial
information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation
S-X. All material adjustments, consisting of only normal and recurring
adjustments, which, in the opinion of Management, were necessary for a fair
presentation of the results for the interim periods have been reflected.
Operating results for the three-month period ending March 31, 1998 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
    
 
     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Verio and its majority owned subsidiaries, as described in Note 2. All
significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation. The preparation of financial statements requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during
the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  (b) Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
 
     The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Included in cash
equivalents as of December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997 are U.S. government,
municipal and corporate debt securities, money market accounts and commercial
paper, totaling $61,769,000 and $75,442,000 (exclusive of cash overdraft in the
amount of $11,228,000), respectively, with maturities ranging from thirty to
ninety days.
 
     Restricted cash and securities include U.S. government securities which are
classified as securities held to maturity and recorded at cost. At December 31,
1997, cost approximated market value.
 
  (c) Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
 
     Equipment and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Depreciation is
provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 3 to 5 years
using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the
shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset.
 
  (d) Investments in Affiliates and Consolidation of Subsidiaries
 
     Investments in affiliates represent newly issued preferred shares of
various affiliates. The preferred shares are convertible at the option of the
Company into common shares on a one-for-one basis and represent future common
stock ownership interests, upon conversion, of less than 50%. As the Company did
not acquire a common stock ownership interest, these investments are recorded at
cost until such time as the preferred
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   168
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
shares are converted to common. In addition, if these entities incur losses
resulting in the equity of the common shareholders being reduced to zero, the
Company will utilize the equity method of accounting for these investments and
will generally recognize 100% of all losses of the affiliates from that date, up
to the amount of the Company's investment, based on the inability of the
majority common shareholders to fund additional losses. During the year ended
December 31, 1997, the Company recognized equity in losses of affiliates of
$1,958,000 under this method of accounting.
 
     The Company has also acquired preferred shares in certain entities which
are convertible into future common stock ownership interests of greater than
50%. In these situations, the Company has majority representation on the Board
of Directors and majority voting rights, exercises significant control over the
entities' operations, and intends to acquire a 100% common ownership interest in
the future. Accordingly, the accounts of these investees have been consolidated
with those of the Company in the accompanying consolidated financial statements
from the dates of acquisition (see note 2).
 
  (e) Other Assets
 
     The excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired, or goodwill,
is amortized using the straight-line method over a 10-year period. Other
intangibles are amortized using the straight-line method over periods ranging
from three to seven years.
 
  (f) Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lives Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations, including goodwill, when indications of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. In addition, the
recoverability of goodwill is further evaluated under the provisions of APB
Opinion No. 17, Intangible Assets, based upon undiscounted cash flows. If such
assets are impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount
by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of
the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
value or fair value, less costs to sell.
 
  (g) Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenue related to Internet services is recognized as the services are
provided, and deferred and amortized to operations for amounts billed relating
to future periods. Installation and customer set-up fees are recognized upon
completion of the services. Revenue from consulting services is recognized as
the services are provided. Revenue from hardware and software sales is
recognized upon shipment of the respective products.
 
  (h) Peering Relationships
 
     The Company does not pay any fees in connection with its peering
relationships with other companies and does not record revenue or expense in
connection with those arrangements. The nature of these relationships is that
the parties share the responsibility for communications that occur between their
respective local networks. These peering relationships are essentially exchanges
of similar productive assets rather than a culmination of an earnings process.
Accordingly, these arrangements are appropriately not reflected in the
operations of the Company.
 
  (i) Income Taxes
 
     The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109).
SFAS 109 requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the
expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the
financial
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   169
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and
assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement
and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for
the year in which the difference is expected to reverse.
 
  (j) Stock-Based Compensation
 
     The Company accounts for its stock-based employee compensation plans using
the intrinsic value based method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related
interpretations (APB 25). The Company has provided pro forma disclosures of net
loss and loss per share as if the fair value based method of accounting for the
plans, as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123,
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123), had been applied. Pro forma
disclosures include the effects of employee stock options granted during the
period and year ended December 31, 1996 and 1997.
 
  (k) Loss Per Share
 
     Loss per share is presented in accordance with the provisions of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share, (SFAS 128). SFAS
128 replaced the presentation of primary and fully diluted earnings (loss) per
share (EPS), with a presentation of basic EPS and diluted EPS. Under SFAS 128,
basic EPS excludes dilution for common stock equivalents and is computed by
dividing income or loss available to common shareholders by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the
potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue
common stock were exercised or converted into common stock and resulted in the
issuance of common stock. Basic and diluted EPS are the same in 1996 and 1997,
and all common stock equivalents are antidilutive.
 
   
  (l) New Accounting Standards
    
 
   
     During 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statements of
Financial Accounting No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income (SFAS 130) and No.
131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (SFAS
131). The adoption of SFAS 130 and 131 did not have a significant effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
    
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>   170
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
(2) BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES
 
     During the period from inception (March 1, 1996) to December 31, 1996, the
Company completed seven business combinations and investments for cash and notes
payable. All of the acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting, and represent the acquisition of stock or net assets. Outstanding
stock options of acquired businesses were included in the determination of the
purchase prices based on fair values. For those businesses acquired and
consolidated, the results of operations for the acquired businesses are included
in the Company's consolidated statement of operations from the dates of
acquisition. Summary information regarding the business combinations is as
follows:
 
  Consolidated acquisitions in 1996:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     TOTAL OWNERSHIP
                                                       OWNERSHIP       INTEREST AT     APPROXIMATE
                                                        INTEREST      DECEMBER 31,      PURCHASE
          BUSINESS NAME            ACQUISITION DATE   PURCHASED(a)       1996(a)          PRICE
          -------------            ----------------   ------------   ---------------   -----------
                                                                                       (AMOUNTS IN
                                                                                       THOUSANDS)
<S>                                <C>                <C>            <C>               <C>
On-Ramp Technologies, Inc........  August 1, 1996          51%
                                   October 4, 1996          4%              55%(b)       $ 8,775
RAINet, Inc......................  August 2, 1996         100%             100%(c)         2,000
CCnet Inc........................  December 19, 1996      100%             100%(c)         1,800
                                                                                         -------
                                                                                         $12,575
Acquisition costs................                                                            284
                                                                                         -------
                                                                                         $12,859
                                                                                         =======
</TABLE>
    
 
The aggregate purchase price, including acquisition costs was allocated based
upon fair value as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
Equipment...............................................  $ 1,359
Goodwill................................................    9,039
Net current assets......................................    2,461
                                                          -------
         Total purchase price...........................  $12,859
                                                          =======
</TABLE>
    
 
  Unconsolidated investments in 1996:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   OWNERSHIP       TOTAL OWNERSHIP      APPROXIMATE
                                                    INTEREST         INTEREST AT         PURCHASE
        BUSINESS NAME          ACQUISITION DATE   PURCHASED(a)   DECEMBER 31, 1996(a)      PRICE
        -------------          ----------------   ------------   --------------------   -----------
                                                                                        (AMOUNTS IN
                                                                                        THOUSANDS)
<S>                            <C>                <C>            <C>                    <C>
West Coast Online, Inc.......  July 26, 1996           20%                20%(b)          $  225
National Knowledge Networks,
  Inc........................  August 2, 1996          26%                26%(b)             300
Access One, Inc..............  December 12, 1996       20%                20%(b)             506
Signet Partners, Inc.........  December 19, 1996       25%                25%(b)             403
                                                                                          ------
                                                                                          $1,434
Acquisition costs............                                                                102
                                                                                          ------
                                                                                          $1,536
                                                                                          ======
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>   171
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
     During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company completed 23 business
combinations and investments for cash, notes payable and preferred stock. All of
the acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. For
those businesses acquired and consolidated, the results of operations for the
acquired businesses are included in the Company's consolidated statement of
operations from the dates of acquisition. Seventeen subsidiaries were acquired
and newly consolidated during 1997. In addition, the Company formed two new
start-up subsidiaries. Summary information regarding these acquisitions is as
follows:
 
  Consolidated acquisitions in 1997:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 OWNERSHIP       TOTAL OWNERSHIP      APPROXIMATE
                                                  INTEREST         INTEREST AT         PURCHASE
      BUSINESS NAME         ACQUISITION DATE    PURCHASED(a)   DECEMBER 31, 1997(a)    PRICE(e)
      -------------         ----------------    ------------   --------------------   -----------
                                                                                      (AMOUNTS IN
                                                                                      THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>                  <C>            <C>                    <C>
Global Enterprise
  Services -- Network
  Division...............  January 17, 1997         100%               100%(d)          $ 2,350
Pioneer Global
  Telecommunications,
  Inc. ..................  February 6, 1997         100%               100%(c)            1,011
Compute Intensive
  Inc. ..................  February 18, 1997         55%                55%(b)            4,900
NorthWestNet, Inc. ......  February 28, 1997         85%                85%(c)            9,464
RUSTnet, Inc. ...........  March 14, 1997           100%               100%(c)            1,703
Aimnet Corporation.......  May 19, 1997              55%
                           September 22, 1997        45%               100%(c)            7,613
Branch Information
  Services, Inc. ........  September 17, 1997       100%               100%(c)            1,687
West Coast Online,
  Inc. ..................  April 29, 1997            12%
                           September 30, 1997        68%               100%(b)            1,775
Communique, Inc. ........  October 2, 1997          100%               100%(c)            3,000
Clark Internet Services,
  Inc. ..................  October 17, 1997          51%                51%(b)            3,520
ATMnet ..................  November 5, 1997         100%               100%(d)            5,522
Global Internet Network
  Services, Inc. ........  December 1, 1997         100%               100%(c)            6,000
Surf Network, Inc. ......  January 31, 1997          25%
                           December 22, 1997         75%               100%(b)              603
PREPnet..................  December 24, 1997        100%               100%(d)          $ 1,405
Sesquinet................  December 24, 1997        100%               100%(d)              732
Service Tech, Inc. ......  August 1, 1997            40%
                           December 31, 1997         60%               100%(b)            2,055
Monumental Network
  Systems, Inc. .........  December 31, 1997        100%               100%(c)            3,962
Internet Servers,
  Inc. ..................  December 31, 1997        100%               100%(c)           20,000
                                                                                        -------
                                                                                        $77,302
Acquisition costs........                                                                 3,396
                                                                                        -------
                                                                                        $80,698
                                                                                        =======
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>   172
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
   
     The aggregate purchase price, including acquisition costs of $3,396 was
allocated based upon fair values as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
Equipment.........................................  $ 12,378
Goodwill..........................................    77,772
Net current liabilities...........................    (9,452)
                                                    --------
          Total purchase price....................  $ 80,698
                                                    ========
</TABLE>
    
 
  Unconsolidated investments in 1997:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              OWNERSHIP       TOTAL OWNERSHIP      APPROXIMATE
                                               INTEREST         INTEREST AT         PURCHASE
     BUSINESS NAME       ACQUISITION DATE    PURCHASED(a)   DECEMBER 31, 1997(a)    PRICE(e)
     -------------       ----------------    ------------   --------------------   -----------
                                                                                   (AMOUNTS IN
                                                                                   THOUSANDS)
<S>                      <C>                 <C>            <C>                    <C>
Pacific Rim Network,
  Inc. ................  February 4, 1997         27%                27%(b)          $  150
Internet Engineering
  Associates, Inc. ....  March 4, 1997            20%                20%(b)             206
Internet Online,
  Inc. ................  March 5, 1997            35%                35%(b)           1,050
Structured Network
  Systems, Inc. .......  March 6, 1997            20%                20%(b)             150
National Knowledge
  Networks, Inc. ......  November 7, 1997         15%                41%(b)             599
Signet Partners,
  Inc. ................  November 20, 1997        16%                41%(b)             414
                                                                                     ------
                                                                                     $2,569
Acquisition costs......                                                                 253
                                                                                     ------
                                                                                     $2,822
                                                                                     ======
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>   173
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
   
     During the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company purchased
additional investments in eight of the Company's affiliates and acquired one new
internet service provider for a combination of cash and Series D-1 Preferred
Stock. All acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. For those businesses acquired and consolidated, the results of
operations for the acquired businesses are included in the Company's
consolidated statement of operations from the dates of acquisition. Summary
information regarding the business combinations is as follows:
    
 
   
  Consolidated acquisitions in 1998:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  OWNERSHIP      TOTAL OWNERSHIP    APPROXIMATE
                                                   INTEREST        INTEREST AT       PURCHASE
       BUSINESS NAME          ACQUISITION DATE   PURCHASED(a)   MARCH 31, 1998(a)    PRICE(e)
       -------------          ----------------   ------------   -----------------   -----------
                                                                                    (AMOUNTS IN
                                                                                    THOUSANDS)
<S>                           <C>                <C>            <C>                 <C>
Signet Partners, Inc........  January 30, 1998        14%
                              February 26, 1998       45%             100%            $ 1,925
Pacific Rim Network, Inc....  February 16, 1998       73%             100%                730
Clark Internet Services,
  Inc.......................  February 25, 1998       49%             100%              3,863
Internet Engineering
  Associates, Inc...........  February 25, 1998       80%             100%              1,608
On-Ramp Technologies,
  Inc.......................  February 26, 1998       45%             100%             11,849
National Knowledge Networks,
  Inc.......................  February 27, 1998       59%             100%              2,092
Access One, Inc.............  February 27, 1998       80%             100%              5,601
NSNet, Inc..................  February 27, 1998      100%             100%              3,661
NorthWestNet, Inc...........  March 6, 1998           15%             100%              4,803
                                                                                      -------
                                                                                       36,132
Acquisition costs...........                                                              544
                                                                                      -------
                                                                                      $36,676
                                                                                      =======
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     The aggregate purchase price, including acquisition costs of $544 was
allocated based upon fair values as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                           <C>
Equipment...................................................  $ 1,859
Goodwill....................................................   32,803
Net current assets..........................................    2,014
                                                              -------
          Total purchase price..............................  $36,676
                                                              =======
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
(a)  Represents existing ownership interest or, in the case of investments in
     preferred stock, ownership upon conversion of preferred shares to common,
     on a fully diluted basis.
 
(b)  Represents ownership of preferred stock of affiliate or subsidiary.
 
(c)  Represents ownership of common stock of affiliate or subsidiary.
 
(d)  Represents acquisition of net assets.
 
   
(e)  Purchase prices are comprised of cash, notes payable, the issuance of
     1,684,751 shares of Series D-1 preferred stock at $15 per share, and the
     granting of an option to purchase 165,000 shares of Series D-1 preferred
     stock at $15 per share. Such per share value was determined by the
     Company's Board of
    
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>   174
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
     Directors based on comparable valuations of private and public companies,
     methodologies based on multiples of revenue and discounted cash flows, and
     arms-length negotiated values.
 
   
     The following unaudited condensed pro forma information presents the
unaudited results of operations of the Company as if the above consolidated
acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 1996:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,       MARCH 31,
                                              -----------------------   ------------------
                                                 1996         1997       1997       1998
                                              ----------   ----------   -------   --------
                                                         (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS,
                                                       EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>          <C>          <C>       <C>
Revenue.....................................   $ 51,308     $ 76,908    $16,189   $ 22,959
Loss before extraordinary item and accretion
  of preferred stock........................    (40,283)     (60,136)    (9,058)   (19,280)
Net loss attributable to common
  shareholders..............................    (40,306)     (60,396)    (9,124)   (29,446)
Loss per common share -- basic and
  diluted...................................   $ (41.48)    $ (52.76)   $ (8.37)  $ (23.28)
</TABLE>
    
 
   
     The pro forma results do not necessarily represent results that would have
occurred if the consolidated acquisitions had taken place as of January 1, 1996
nor are they necessarily indicative of the results of future operations.
    
 
     For all of its less-than-100%-owned ISP affiliates, the Company has the
option to acquire all of the remaining ownership interests. Generally, the
option may be exercised beginning one year from the date of the initial
investment or upon the earlier of the completion of an initial public offering
of common stock by the Company or a significant strategic investment in the
Company. In one case, the Company's option becomes mandatorily exercisable upon
completion of an initial public offering.
 
   
     Subsequent to March 31, 1998 and through June 1, 1998, the Company has
completed the acquisition of the remaining ownership interests and acquisitions
of 7 ISPs, for total consideration of approximately $35.6 million in preferred
stock, cash, and options to acquire Preferred Stock.
    
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>   175
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
(3) DEBT
 
   
     Lines of credit, notes payable and long-term debt consists of the
following:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                     -------------------     MARCH 31,
                                                      1996        1997         1998
                                                     -------    --------    -----------
                                                                            (UNAUDITED)
                                                           (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>         <C>
10 3/8% Senior Notes due 2005(b)...................  $    --    $     --     $175,000
13 1/2% Senior Notes due in 2004, net of
  unamortized discount of $12,130,136 and 7,900,515
  as of December 31, 1997 and March 31, 1998,
  respectively(a)..................................       --     137,870       92,099
Revolving lines of credit, bearing interest at .5%
  to 2.00% above prime, (9.0% to 10.5% at December
  31, 1997) due primarily on demand, secured by
  restricted cash of $765,000......................       --         788           --
Unsecured notes payable bearing interest primarily
  at 7%, due in 1998 and 1999......................    2,500       2,809        1,445
Other..............................................       93         660          954
                                                     -------    --------     --------
                                                       2,593     142,127      269,498
Less current portion...............................   (2,573)     (2,751)      (1,022)
                                                     -------    --------     --------
          Long-term debt, less current portion.....  $    20    $139,376     $268,476
                                                     =======    ========     ========
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
(a)  In June 1997, the Company completed a debt offering of $150,000,000, 13.5%
     Senior Notes due 2004 (the "1997 Notes") and warrants to purchase 2,112,480
     shares of common stock at $.01 per share, which were valued at
     approximately $12,675,000 based on the Company's most recent equity
     offering. Interest on the 1997 Notes is payable semi-annually on June 15
     and December 15 of each year. The value attributed to the warrants has been
     recorded as debt discount and is being amortized to interest expense using
     the interest method over the term of the 1997 Notes. Upon closing, the
     Company deposited U.S. Treasury securities in an escrow account in an
     amount that, together with interest on the securities, will be sufficient
     to fund the first five interest payments (through December 1999) on the
     1997 Notes. This restricted cash and securities balance totaled $38,195,404
     at December 31, 1997. The 1997 Notes are redeemable on or after June 15,
     2002 at 103% of the face value.
 
          The indenture covering the 1997 Notes includes various covenants
     restricting the payment of dividends, additional indebtedness, disposition
     of assets, and transactions with affiliates.
 
     Maturities of lines of credit, notes payable and long-term debt are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
1998..............................................  $  2,751
1999..............................................     1,032
2000..............................................       474
2001..............................................        --
2002..............................................        --
Thereafter........................................   137,870
                                                    --------
                                                    $142,127
                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
   
(b)  On March 25, 1998, the Company completed the private placement of $175.0
     million principal amount of senior notes (the "1998 Notes"). The 1998 Notes
     are redeemable at the option of the Company
    
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>   176
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
   
     commencing April 1, 2002. The 1998 Notes mature on April 1, 2005. Interest
     on the 1998 Notes, at the annual rate of 10 3/8%, is payable semi-annually
     in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1,
     1998. The 1998 Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company
     ranking pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future
     unsecured and senior indebtedness. The 1998 Notes contain terms that are
     substantially similar to the 1997 Notes. The Company used approximately
     $54.5 million of the proceeds plus accrued interest to repurchase $50.0
     million principal amount of the $150,000,000 13 1/2% Senior Notes due 2004
     ("1997 Notes"). As a result, the Company was refunded approximately $13.3
     million from the escrow account for the 1997 Notes, of which approximately
     $1.9 million was used to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the $50.0
     million principal amount of 1997 Notes repurchased from Brooks Fiber
     Properties, Inc. This transaction resulted in an extraordinary loss of
     $10.1 million.
    
 
     As of February 25, 1998, Verio had received commitments from a group of
commercial lending institutions to provide an aggregate of up to $57.5 million
pursuant to a two-year revolving credit financing facility. The Company is in
the process of negotiating the definitive terms and conditions and final
documentation for this facility. Chase Manhattan Bank has committed to serve as
agent for the lenders in this facility. In addition, the Company is considering
a possible private placement of up to $100 million in senior notes. There can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to negotiate final terms and
conditions that are acceptable to the Company with respect to, or to consummate,
either of such financing efforts.
 
(4) LEASES AND COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases office space, certain facilities storing internet points
of presence and certain computer and office equipment under capital and
operating leases expiring at various dates through 2003. Future minimum annual
lease payments under these leases as of December 31, 1997 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CAPITAL      OPERATING
                                                              LEASES        LEASES
                                                              -------      ---------
                                                              (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
1998........................................................  $ 2,279       $ 5,786
1999........................................................    1,840         5,178
2000........................................................    1,128         3,485
2001........................................................       42         1,393
2002........................................................        9           487
Thereafter..................................................       --           172
                                                              -------       -------
          Total minimum payments............................  $ 5,298       $16,501
                                                                            =======
Less amount representing interest...........................     (778)
                                                              -------
          Present value of net minimum lease payments.......    4,520
Less current portion........................................   (1,575)
                                                              -------
                                                              $ 2,945
                                                              =======
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the period from inception (March 31, 1996) to December 31,
1996 and the year ended December 31, 1997 was $128,000 and $1,856,000,
respectively.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>   177
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
     In addition, the Company has entered into agreements with two
telecommunications companies to provide the Company with products and services
to be used in its operations. Under one agreement, the minimum payments as of
December 31, 1997 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
1998................................................  $1,200
1999................................................   1,900
2000................................................   2,400
2001................................................     800
                                                      ------
          Total minimum payments....................  $6,300
                                                      ======
</TABLE>
 
     Under the second agreement, the Company is obligated to spend a total of
$39 million between June 16, 1997 and June 16, 2002 of which $1,500,000 had been
paid as of December 31, 1997. Annual payments will be based on actual usage by
the Company.
 
     The Company had an outstanding irrevocable letter of credit in the amount
of $1.1 million as of December 31, 1997. This letter of credit, which is
automatically renewed after one year at the discretion of the bank, not to be
extended beyond January 31, 2003, is to collateralize the Company's lease
obligation to a third party. The fair value of this letter of credit
approximates contract value which is fixed over the life of the commitment.
Restricted cash in the amount of $1,400,000 secures the letter of credit.
 
(5) PREFERRED STOCK
 
   
     Series A, B and C preferred shares were issued in 1996 and 1997 at $3, $6
and $8 per share, respectively, for total proceeds of $18,100,001, $60,170,004
and $20,000,000, respectively, and are convertible into common stock initially
on a one-for-one basis. In December 1997, the Company also issued 680,000 shares
of Series D-1 preferred shares at $15 per share in connection with an
acquisition. From January 1, 1998 through March 31, 1998, the Company issued
1,004,751 additional shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock at $15 per share in
connection with business combinations. The preferred shares are entitled to
receive dividends equal, on an as-converted basis, to any amount paid to common
stockholders. In the event of any liquidation or dissolution of the Company,
including certain mergers, consolidations and asset sales, holders of the
preferred shares are entitled to receive an amount equal to the original
issuance price, plus any declared and unpaid dividends.
    
 
     In addition, the Series A, B and C preferred shares are subject to
mandatory redemption, in total, by the Company in October 2004. The Series D-1
preferred shares are not redeemable. Upon redemption, the Series C shares are
senior to Series B shares, which are senior to Series A shares, on the basis
provided in the preferred stock terms. Series A, B, C and D-1 preferred shares
may be converted into shares of common stock at any time at the option of the
holder. The Series A, B, C and D-1 preferred shares are also subject to
mandatory conversion upon consummation of a public offering of common stock
resulting in proceeds to the Company of not less than $30 million and at an
offering price per share equal to at least $15. In addition, shares of Series
D-1 preferred stock are subject to mandatory conversion upon the election of
each of the Series A, B and C classes, each voting as a separate class, to
convert to common.
 
(6) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
     The Company has established Incentive Stock Option Plans (the Plans)
whereby, at the discretion of the Board of Directors (the Board), the Company
may grant stock options to employees of the Company and its controlled
subsidiaries. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had reserved 2,750,000 shares
for issuance under the Plans. The Plans were amended subsequent to December 31,
1997 to increase the number of shares
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>   178
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
reserved for issuance to 4,750,000. The option price is determined by the Board
at the time the option is granted, but in no event is less than the fair market
value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant, as determined by the
Board. As of December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997, options had been granted
entitling the holders to purchase 707,200 and 2,237,050 shares of the Company's
common stock, respectively, at exercise prices of $1, $3, $6, $6.75 and $8.50
per share. Options granted on or before December 19, 1997, vest over a five year
period, and expire ten years from the date of grant. Options granted December
20, 1997, or later, vest over a four year period, and expire eight years from
the date of grant. In certain circumstances, options vest earlier or later based
upon the fair value of the Company's common shares or upon reaching certain
performance targets, as defined, and in the case that such performance targets
are not met, such performance-based options vest seven years from the date of
grant. Performance based options granted on or before December 19, 1997, expire
ten years from the date of grant, and performance based options granted December
20, 1997, or later, expire eight years from the date of grant. As of December
31, 1997, 54,700 options, in total, were vested and exercisable. Options may be
exercised prior to their scheduled vesting date, but are subject to a repurchase
by the Company at the exercise price until the scheduled vesting date. The
weighted average contractual term of outstanding options was approximately 5
years at December 31, 1997.
 
     The following table summarizes option activity for the period from
inception (March 1, 1996) through December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           WEIGHTED
                                                                           AVERAGE
                                                              NUMBER OF    EXERCISE
                                                               OPTIONS      PRICE
                                                              ---------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Options granted at the following exercise prices:
  $1 per share..............................................     60,000
  $3 per share..............................................    647,700
                                                              ---------
  Options outstanding at December 31, 1996..................    707,700     $2.83
Options granted at the following exercise prices:
  $3 per share..............................................      6,000
  $6 per share..............................................    924,550
  $6.75 per share...........................................    635,450
  $8.50 per share...........................................    191,250
  Options forfeited.........................................   (151,700)    $5.95
  Options exercised.........................................    (76,200)    $1.95
                                                              ---------     -----
Options outstanding at December 31, 1997....................  2,237,050     $5.55
                                                              =========     =====
</TABLE>
 
     As discussed in Note 1, the Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related
interpretations in accounting for its stock compensation plan. Accordingly,
since the Company grants stock options with exercise prices equal to fair value
at the date of grant, no compensation expense has been recognized relating to
option grants in 1996 and 1997. During the period and year ended December 31,
1996 and 1997, the per share weighted-average fair value of stock options
granted was $.46 and $1.08, respectively, on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions: no dividends or volatility, risk-free interest rate of 6%, and
expected life of three years. If the Company had recorded compensation expense
for the period and year ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, based on the fair
value of the options at the grant date under SFAS No. 123, net loss available to
common stockholders would increase to $5,210,000 and $46,737,000, respectively,
and basic and diluted net loss per common share would increase to $4.78 and
$40.83, respectively.
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>   179
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
   
     Since inception, the Company has granted stock options with exercise prices
equal to the fair value of the underlying Common Stock, as determined by the
Company's Board of Directors and based on the Company's other equity
transactions. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded compensation expense
related to the granting of stock options in 1996, 1997 and through February 28,
1998. Subsequent to February 28, 1998, the Company granted options to employees
with exercise prices less than the fair value per share based upon the Company's
estimated price per share in the IPO. Accordingly the Company will record
compensation expense totaling approximately $10.6 million. Such compensation
expense will be recognized pro rata over the forty-eight month vesting period of
the options. This compensation expense will total approximately $2.0 million for
the year ended December 31, 1998. It is the intention of the Company to
generally grant future stock options with exercise prices equal to the fair
value of the underlying Common Stock at the date of grant. The compensation
expense related to the three months ended March 31, 1998 is immaterial.
    
 
(7) INCOME TAXES
 
   
     Income tax benefit for the year and period ended December 31, differs from
the amounts that would result from applying the federal statutory rate of 34% as
follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996          1997
                                                              ---------    ----------
                                                              (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Expected tax benefit........................................   $(1,749)      (15,752)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit..................      (180)       (1,622)
Nondeductible goodwill amortization.........................        26           820
Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets,
  exclusive of effect of acquired net operating losses......     1,877        16,472
Other.......................................................        26            82
                                                               -------      --------
     Actual income tax benefit..............................   $    --            --
                                                               =======      ========
</TABLE>
    
 
     Temporary differences that give rise to the components of deferred tax
assets as of December 31 are as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996          1997
                                                              ---------    ----------
                                                              (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Net operating loss carryforwards, including acquisitions....   $ 2,238        18,586
Other, net..................................................        39           163
                                                               -------      --------
          Gross deferred tax asset..........................     2,277        18,749
Valuation allowance.........................................    (2,277)      (18,749)
                                                               -------      --------
          Net deferred tax asset............................   $    --            --
                                                               =======      ========
</TABLE>
    
 
     At December 31, 1997, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward for
federal income tax purposes of approximately $49.9 million, of which $5.9
million and $44.0 million is available to offset future federal taxable income,
if any, through 2011 and 2012, respectively. As a result of various preferred
stock transactions during 1996 and 1997, management believes the Company has
undergone an "ownership change" as defined by section 382 of the Internal
Revenue Code. Accordingly, the utilization of a portion of the net operating
loss carryforward may be limited. Due to this limitation, and the uncertainty
regarding the ultimate utilization of the net operating loss carryforward, no
tax benefit for losses has been recorded by the Company in 1996 and 1997, and a
valuation allowance has been recorded for the entire amount of the deferred tax
asset.
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>   180
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
   
     INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 31, 1998 AND FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
    
   
                      MARCH 31, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED
    
 
(8) CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and
accounts receivable. As of December 31, 1996 and 1997, the Company had no
concentrations of credit risk. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to
trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising
the Company's customer base and the relatively minor balances of each individual
account. At December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997, the fair value, of the
Company's financial instruments approximate their carrying value, based on their
terms and interest rates.
 
(9) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
     The Company has a 401(k) Plan (the Plan) for all full time employees of the
Company. The Company may make discretionary contributions to the Plan on behalf
of employees that meet certain contribution eligibility requirements defined
under the terms of the Plan. The Company did not make any contributions to the
Plan during 1996 or 1997.
 
(10) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
   
     Summary quarterly financial information for the Company is as follows. The
second quarter of 1996 represents the period from inception (March 1, 1996) to
March 31, 1996 (Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data).
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                           -----------------------------------------------
                  1996                     MARCH 31   JUNE 30   SEPTEMBER 30   DECEMBER 31    TOTAL
                  ----                     --------   -------   ------------   -----------   --------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>           <C>
Revenue..................................  $    --    $    --     $    678      $  1,687     $  2,365
Loss from operations.....................       --       (329)      (1,395)       (4,556)      (6,280)
Net loss.................................       --       (329)      (1,442)       (3,374)      (5,145)
Loss per common share -- basic and
  diluted................................       --      (0.34)       (1.48)        (3.47)       (5.29)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  1997                     MARCH 31   JUNE 30   SEPTEMBER 30   DECEMBER 31    TOTAL
                  ----                     --------   -------   ------------   -----------   --------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>       <C>            <C>           <C>
Revenue..................................  $ 4,414    $ 8,249     $  9,624      $ 13,405     $ 35,692
Loss from operations.....................   (5,592)    (8,854)     (10,741)      (15,102)     (40,289)
Net loss.................................   (4,677)    (8,120)     (12,762)      (20,770)     (46,329)
Loss per common share -- basic and
  diluted................................    (4.29)     (7.28)      (10.84)       (18.06)      (40.47)
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>   181
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of On-Ramp Technologies,
Inc. as of July 31, 1996, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' deficit, and cash flows for the nine months then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of On-Ramp Technologies, Inc.
as of July 31, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
the nine months then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
April 11, 1997
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>   182
 
                           ON-RAMP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                                 JULY 31, 1996
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Current assets:
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $80,812.............................................  $   433,075
  Prepaid expenses and other................................       25,079
                                                              -----------
          Total current assets..............................      458,154
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................      867,388
                                                              -----------
          Total assets......................................  $ 1,325,542
                                                              ===========
                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
  Cash overdraft............................................  $    91,342
  Accounts payable..........................................      448,460
  Accrued liabilities.......................................       61,750
  Current portion of note payable (note 3)..................       55,003
  Deferred revenue..........................................      652,965
                                                              -----------
          Total current liabilities.........................    1,309,520
Note payable, less current portion (note 3).................       58,692
                                                              -----------
          Total liabilities.................................    1,368,212
                                                              -----------
Stockholders' equity (deficit) (note 5):
  Common stock, $0.001 par value, 40,000,000 shares
     authorized, 1,079,000 shares issued....................        1,079
  Additional paid-in capital................................    1,804,871
  Accumulated deficit.......................................   (1,822,620)
  Treasury stock -- 689,971 shares at cost..................      (26,000)
                                                              -----------
          Total stockholders' deficit.......................      (42,670)
                                                              -----------
Commitments and contingencies (note 4):
          Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit.......  $ 1,325,542
                                                              ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>   183
 
                           ON-RAMP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                        NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $2,959,650
  Computer hardware and software sales......................     312,487
  Consulting services.......................................      92,881
                                                              ----------
          Total revenue.....................................   3,365,018
                                                              ----------
Cost and expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.........................     606,249
  Cost of hardware and software sales.......................     249,990
  Selling, general and administrative.......................   2,210,706
  Provision for bad debts...................................     497,742
  Depreciation..............................................     260,194
                                                              ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   3,824,881
                                                              ----------
          Loss from operations..............................    (459,863)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income...........................................       8,035
  Interest expense..........................................      (7,991)
                                                              ----------
          Net loss..........................................  $ (459,819)
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>   184
 
                           ON-RAMP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
                       STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
                        NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              TOTAL
                                                    ADDITIONAL                            STOCKHOLDERS'
                                          COMMON     PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED   TREASURY      EQUITY
                                           STOCK     CAPITAL       DEFICIT      STOCK       (DEFICIT)
                                          -------   ----------   -----------   --------   -------------
<S>                                       <C>       <C>          <C>           <C>        <C>
BALANCES AT NOVEMBER 1, 1995............   1,079    1,799,699    (1,362,801)   (26,000)      411,977
Capital contribution....................      --        5,172            --         --         5,172
Net loss................................      --           --      (459,819)        --      (459,819)
                                          ------    ---------    ----------    -------      --------
BALANCES AT JULY 31, 1996...............  $1,079    1,804,871    (1,822,620)   (26,000)      (42,670)
                                          ======    =========    ==========    =======      ========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>   185
 
                           ON-RAMP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                        NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(459,819)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by
     operating activities:
     Depreciation...........................................    260,194
     Provision for bad debts................................    497,742
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Trade receivables....................................   (375,867)
       Prepaid expenses.....................................      6,103
       Accounts payable.....................................   (170,123)
       Accrued liabilities..................................      4,891
       Deferred revenue.....................................    227,140
                                                              ---------
          Net cash used by operating activities.............     (9,739)
                                                              ---------
Cash flows from investing activities --
  purchases of equipment....................................   (222,564)
                                                              ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Increase in cash overdraft................................     91,342
  Principal payments on note payable........................    (26,919)
  Capital contribution......................................      5,172
                                                              ---------
          Net cash used by financing activities.............     69,595
                                                              ---------
          Decrease in cash..................................   (162,708)
Cash at beginning of period.................................    162,708
                                                              ---------
Cash at end of period.......................................  $      --
                                                              =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Cash paid for interest....................................  $   7,991
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>   186
 
                           ON-RAMP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 JULY 31, 1996
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Business and Basis of Presentation
 
     On-Ramp Technologies, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in the State of
Texas on December 27, 1993. The Company's business consists of providing
regional internet access services, and hardware and software sales and
consulting, to customers in Texas and Georgia.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from consulting services is recognized as the services are
provided. Revenue from hardware and software sales is recognized upon shipment
of the respective products.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is
recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the
related assets of three years. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are
expensed as incurred.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax
consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and
their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and
statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected
to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary,
to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of (SFAS 121). This
statement was effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the
amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value less costs to sell. The adoption of SFAS 121 as of November
1, 1995 did not have a significant effect on the Company's financial position or
results of operations.
 
  Stock Based Compensation
 
     In October 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, (SFAS No. 123), which establishes a fair
 
                                      F-40
<PAGE>   187
                           ON-RAMP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
value-based method of accounting for stock-based compensation plans. Companies
are encouraged to adopt all provisions of SFAS No. 123 and are required to
comply with the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, which was effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. The Company will continue to
account for stock based compensation under the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25
and will provide the pro forma disclosures required by SFAS 123.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at July 31, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................  $1,155,370
Furniture and office equipment..............................     119,973
Leasehold improvements......................................       6,668
                                                              ----------
                                                               1,282,011
Less accumulated depreciation...............................    (414,623)
                                                              ----------
                                                              $  867,388
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
(3) DEBT
 
     Debt as of July 31, 1996 consists of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Note payable bearing interest at 18%, monthly principal and
  interest payments of $7,020 through April 1, 1998.........  $113,695
  Less current portion......................................   (55,003)
                                                              --------
                                                              $ 58,692
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
(4) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     Future minimum annual lease payments under operating leases for each of the
years ending July 31, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
1997........................................................  $129,377
1998........................................................   326,781
1999........................................................   324,755
2000........................................................   211,920
                                                              --------
                                                              $992,833
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the nine months ended July 31, 1996 totaled $90,999.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     The Company provides unsecured credit to customers in the normal course of
business. Failure of the customers to pay could result in losses up to the
recorded receivable balances. The Company does not have any customers that
represent greater than 5% of total revenue at July 31, 1996.
 
     The Company conducts business in Texas and Georgia. Customers who operate
in Texas represent approximately 97% of the Company's customer base and accounts
receivable.
 
     At July 31, 1996, the fair values of the Company's financial instruments
approximate their carrying values based on their terms and interest rates.
 
                                      F-41
<PAGE>   188
                           ON-RAMP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(5) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
   
     Effective August 1, 1996, the Company issued 1,250,000 shares of newly
authorized redeemable, convertible preferred stock to Verio Inc. (Verio) for
cash consideration of $2,336,816, cancellation of indebtedness in the amount of
$1,663,184, and a note receivable of $4,175,000. The preferred shares are
convertible into common shares on a one for one basis and represent a 50.82%
interest in the Company upon conversion. The preferred shares are redeemable at
the option of the holder at any time, vote on an as-converted basis, and have a
liquidation preference equal to the issuance price. On October 4, 1996, Verio
purchased 100,000 shares of common stock from two Company shareholders for cash
consideration of $600,000, representing an additional 4.07% interest in the
Company. In addition, Verio acquired an option to acquire a 100% common stock
ownership in the Company in the future upon the occurrence of certain events,
including an initial public offering of Verio common stock.
    
 
     The Company established a stock option plan (the Plan) which provides that
salaried officers or key employees, non-employee directors, and consultants who
provide services to the Company may, at the discretion of the Board of
Directors, be granted options to purchase shares of common stock. 130,560 shares
of the Company's Common Stock have been authorized for issuance under the Plan,
of which 59,878 shares were granted during the nine months ended July 31, 1996,
with an exercise price of $6.34 per share. There were no options exercised or
canceled during the nine months ended July 31, 1996. As of July 31, 1996, 11,976
options were exercisable.
 
     Generally, options vest 20% or 25% on the date of grant of the option and
the balance vests thereafter over a 4 or 3 year period.
 
     During the nine months ended July 31, 1996, the per share weighted-average
fair values of stock options granted was $.71 on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions; expected dividend yield 0%, risk-free interest rate of 6%, and
expected life of four years. If the Company determined compensation expense for
the nine months ended July 31, 1996 based on the fair value of the options at
the grant date under SFAS No. 123, net loss would have been approximately
$468,000.
 
(6) INCOME TAXES
 
     At December 31, 1995, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward for
federal income tax purposes of $534,000 which is available to offset future
federal taxable income, if any, through 2010. Management believes the Company
has undergone an ownership change under section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code
and, accordingly, the utilization of the net operating loss carryforward
incurred prior to this ownership change is limited. Due to this limitation and
the uncertainty regarding the ultimate utilization of the net operating loss
carryforward a valuation allowance has been recorded for the full amount of the
deferred tax asset related to the net operating loss carryforward, which
represents the only significant temporary difference as of December 31, 1996.
 
                                      F-42
<PAGE>   189
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Global Enterprise
Services -- Network Division (a Division of Global Enterprise Services, Inc.) as
of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the related statements of operations and
owners' deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1996 and the period ended January 17, 1997. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Global Enterprise
Services -- Network Division (a Division of Global Enterprises Services, Inc.)
as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996 and
for the period ended January 17, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 25, 1998
 
                                      F-43
<PAGE>   190
 
                 GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES -- NETWORK DIVISION
                (A DIVISION OF GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES, INC.)
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995           1996
                                                              -----------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $    31,072         33,018
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $67,247 in 1995 and $84,510 in 1996........      843,980        822,823
  Prepaid expenses and other assets.........................       26,286         10,424
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total current assets..............................      901,338        866,265
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................    1,672,045      2,388,509
Other assets................................................       43,487        118,888
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total assets......................................  $ 2,616,870      3,373,662
                                                              ===========    ===========
                            LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $ 1,223,510      2,450,316
  Accrued expenses..........................................      378,400        449,270
  Deferred revenue..........................................    1,293,360      1,545,884
  Current portion of capital lease obligations (note 6).....      213,041        548,608
  Due to related party (note 3).............................      866,840      2,183,256
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total current liabilities.........................    3,975,151      7,177,334
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 6)....      454,122        824,034
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total liabilities.................................    4,429,273      8,001,368
Owner's deficit.............................................   (1,812,403)    (4,627,706)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total liabilities and owner's deficit.............  $ 2,616,870      3,373,662
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-44
<PAGE>   191
 
                 GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES -- NETWORK DIVISION
                (A DIVISION OF GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES, INC.)
 
                  STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OWNER'S DEFICIT
 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1995 AND 1996 AND PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 17, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      PERIOD ENDED
                                              1994         1995          1996       JANUARY 17, 1997
                                           ----------   -----------   -----------   ----------------
<S>                                        <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
Internet services revenue, net...........  $3,386,621     3,642,063     3,958,049         155,170
Costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating costs......   1,965,110     2,484,276     3,227,766         163,076
  Selling, general and administrative....   1,716,853     1,953,712     2,847,300         107,179
  Depreciation and amortization..........     191,983       291,541       556,112          33,126
                                           ----------   -----------   -----------     -----------
          Total operating costs and
            expenses.....................   3,873,946     4,729,529     6,631,178         303,381
                                           ----------   -----------   -----------     -----------
          Loss from operations...........    (487,325)   (1,087,466)   (2,673,129)       (148,211)
Interest expense, net....................      (6,479)      (39,960)     (142,174)         (6,622)
                                           ----------   -----------   -----------     -----------
          Net loss.......................    (493,804)   (1,127,426)   (2,815,303)       (154,833)
Owner's deficit at beginning of period...    (191,173)     (684,977)   (1,812,403)     (4,627,706)
                                           ----------   -----------   -----------     -----------
Owner's deficit at end of period.........  $ (684,977)   (1,812,403)   (4,627,706)     (4,782,539)
                                           ==========   ===========   ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-45
<PAGE>   192
 
                 GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES -- NETWORK DIVISION
                (A DIVISION OF GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES, INC.)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994, 1995 AND 1996 AND PERIOD ENDED JANUARY 17, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   PERIOD ENDED
                                                                                   JANUARY 17,
                                            1994         1995          1996            1997
                                          --------    ----------    -----------    ------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..............................  (493,804)   (1,127,426)    (2,815,303)    $(154,833)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
     net cash provided (used) by
     operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization......   191,983       291,541        556,112        33,126
     Provision for doubtful accounts....    30,644        31,714         25,993            --
     Changes in operating assets and
       liabilities:
       Accounts receivable..............   170,528      (291,457)        (4,836)      148,984
       Prepaid expenses and other
          current assets................   (26,819)       11,404         15,862        (9,636)
       Other assets.....................   (27,258)        3,771        (75,401)       60,000
       Accounts payable.................   286,981       766,581      1,226,806       (52,610)
       Accrued expenses.................    63,273        (3,735)        70,870       116,785
       Deferred revenue.................   297,900      (387,288)       252,524      (155,171)
                                          --------    ----------    -----------     ---------
          Net cash provided (used) by
            operating activities........   493,428      (704,895)      (747,373)      (13,355)
                                          --------    ----------    -----------     ---------
Cash flows from investing
  activities -- purchases of
  equipment.............................  (321,399)     (497,168)      (345,436)           --
                                          --------    ----------    -----------     ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net change in due to related party....  (142,215)    1,318,772      1,316,416      (153,663)
  Proceeds from debt....................        --            --             --       134,000
  Principal repayments on capital lease
     obligations........................   (22,739)      (93,738)      (221,661)           --
                                          --------    ----------    -----------     ---------
          Net cash provided (used) by
            financing activities........  (164,954)    1,225,034      1,094,755       (19,663)
                                          --------    ----------    -----------     ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash.........     7,075        22,971          1,946       (33,018)
Cash at beginning of period.............     1,026         8,101         31,072        33,018
                                          --------    ----------    -----------     ---------
Cash at end of period...................     8,101        31,072         33,018     $      --
                                          ========    ==========    ===========     =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
  information:
  Cash paid during the year for
     interest...........................     6,073        35,249         70,535     $   6,622
                                          ========    ==========    ===========     =========
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash
  investing activities -- equipment
  acquired through capital leases.......    10,908       735,088        927,140     $      --
                                          ========    ==========    ===========     =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-46
<PAGE>   193
 
                 GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES -- NETWORK DIVISION
                (A DIVISION OF GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES, INC.)
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
  Business and Basis of Presentation
 
     Global Enterprise Services, Inc. (GES) was formed in August 1992 to provide
internet services to subscribers on a national and international basis through a
high performance telecommunications network. The accompanying financial
statements include the accounts of the domestic operations (Network Division),
assuming that the Network Division had been operated separately as of January 1,
1994 and thereafter.
 
     In preparing the accompanying financial statements, management has
allocated certain assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses based upon the
characteristics of the accounts and the business divisions to which they relate.
Expenses which are not directly related to a particular division are allocated
based upon revenue or payroll expense of the division which, in the opinion of
management, represents a reasonable and appropriate method of allocation.
 
     Effective January 17, 1997, the net assets of the Network Division were
acquired by Verio Inc.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Network
Division records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in
advance.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including any assets under capital leases, is stated at cost,
less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is
recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
related assets or the lease term, which range from five to seven years. Costs
for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The operations of the Network Division are included in the income tax
returns of GES, which was treated as a subchapter S Corporation in 1994 and
through August 14, 1995, and a C Corporation beginning on August 15, 1995.
 
     Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax
consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and
their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and
statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected
to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary,
to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
     No tax benefit has been allocated to the Network Division in 1994, 1995 and
1996 or for the period ended January 17, 1997, due to losses at the GES level
for which no tax benefit has been provided for financial statement purposes.
 
                                      F-47
<PAGE>   194
                 GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES -- NETWORK DIVISION
                (A DIVISION OF GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES, INC.)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     The Network Division provides unsecured credit to customers in the normal
course of business. Failure of the customers to pay could result in losses up to
the recorded receivable balances. The Network Division does not have any
customers that represent greater than 5% of total revenue for the years ended
December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 or for the period ended January 17, 1997.
 
     At December 31, 1996, the fair values of the Network Division's financial
instruments approximate their carrying values based on their terms and interest
rates.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of (SFAS 121). This
statement was effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the
amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value less costs to sell. The adoption of SFAS 121 effective
January 1, 1996 did not have a significant effect on the Network Division's
financial position or results of operations.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1995         1996
                                                              ----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................  $2,277,949     3,286,929
Furniture and office equipment..............................       5,889        64,709
Leasehold improvements......................................      27,165       204,624
                                                              ----------   -----------
                                                               2,311,003     3,556,262
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............    (638,958)   (1,167,753)
                                                              ----------   -----------
                                                              $1,672,045     2,388,509
                                                              ==========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
(3) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     Amounts due to related party represent net cash transfers between the
Network Division and the other divisions of GES, and are non interest bearing.
 
(4) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
     GES has established a defined contribution savings plan which provides for
eligible employees who have met certain age and service requirements to
participate by electing to contribute up to 15% of their gross salary to the
plan, as defined, with GES and the Network Division matching 25% of a
participant's contribution up to a maximum of 10% of gross salary, as defined.
Employee contributions are immediately vested. Contributions to the savings plan
on behalf of the Network Division employees for the years ended December 31,
1994, 1995 and 1996 were $3,253, $1,697 and $6,838, respectively.
 
                                      F-48
<PAGE>   195
                 GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES -- NETWORK DIVISION
                (A DIVISION OF GLOBAL ENTERPRISE SERVICES, INC.)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(5) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANTS
 
     The Network Division receives grant revenue from the National Science
Foundation (NSF) to provide network connections to certain not-for-profit
educational institutions. Funding is received on a per entity basis. The grant
revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the contract with the
not-for-profit educational institution, which is generally twelve months. Grant
revenue amounted to $131,166, $99,487 and $47,112, in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. Total amounts receivable at December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 were
$34,990, $72,199 and $23,243, respectively.
 
     In September 1994, GES and the Network Division entered into a four year
cooperative agreement with the NSF to provide for interregional connectivity for
the Network Division's United States research and educational customers in the
aggregate amount of $625,115. Pursuant to the agreement, the Network Division
will be reimbursed by the NSF for costs associated with upgrading the Network
Division's existing telecommunications network. The level of funding for each
year will be determined based upon a progress review of the Network Division by
the NSF and the availability of NSF funds. The Network Division is required to
submit an annual plan to the NSF. For the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1996, respectively, the Network Division recognized $154,344 and $196,169 as a
reduction to internet services operating costs. No amounts were recognized for
the year ended December 31, 1994. Total amounts receivable were $30,904 and
$10,326 as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
(6) LEASES
 
     The Network Division has entered into capital and operating leases for
telecommunications equipment and office space. Future minimum lease commitments
under all leases at December 31, 1996 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CAPITAL      OPERATING
                 YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,                        LEASES       LEASES
                 ------------------------                      ----------    ---------
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>
                    1997...................................    $  650,731      344,562
                    1998...................................       468,940      360,623
                    1999...................................       392,382      360,830
                    2000...................................        89,056      372,295
                    2001...................................            --      191,466
                                                               ----------    ---------
  Total minimum lease payments.............................     1,601,109    1,629,776
                                                                             =========
Less amount representing interest..........................      (228,467)
                                                               ----------
  Present value of minimum lease payments..................    $1,372,642
Less current portion.......................................      (548,608)
                                                               ----------
                                                               $  824,034
                                                               ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 was
$193,904, $218,408 and $455,936, respectively.
 
     The Network Division has guaranteed monthly usage levels with its primary
communications vendors at December 31, 1996 as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          YEAR ENDING
                                                          DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ------------
<S>                                                       <C>
1997....................................................    $205,000
1998....................................................     205,000
1999....................................................      51,250
                                                            --------
     Total..............................................    $461,250
                                                            ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-49
<PAGE>   196
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Compute Intensive, Inc.
as of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the two
year period ended December 31, 1996 and for the period ended February 18, 1997.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Compute Intensive, Inc. as
of December 31, 1995 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for each of the years in the two year period ended December 31, 1996 and
for the period ended February 18, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 25, 1998
 
                                      F-50
<PAGE>   197
 
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1995       1996
                                                              --------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $ 20,335      44,328
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $35,033 and $105,858 in 1995 and 1996,
     respectively...........................................   455,148     506,017
  Income taxes receivable...................................     9,612      15,510
  Deferred income taxes (note 7)............................    16,362          --
  Prepaid expenses and other................................     5,937     183,834
                                                              --------   ---------
          Total current assets..............................   507,394     749,689
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................   344,988     604,358
Other assets................................................    15,408      48,587
                                                              --------   ---------
          Total assets......................................  $867,790   1,402,634
                                                              ========   =========
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
Current liabilities:
  Revolving lines of credit (note 3)........................  $ 28,193     207,115
  Current portion of note payable to related party (note
     3).....................................................    18,341          --
  Current portion of obligations under capital leases (note
     4).....................................................    60,220     121,535
  Accounts payable..........................................   373,146     809,791
  Accrued liabilities.......................................   113,218     142,235
  Deferred revenue..........................................    43,343      53,295
                                                              --------   ---------
          Total current liabilities.........................   636,461   1,333,971
Note payable to related party, less current portion (note
  3)........................................................    70,384          --
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....   104,048     169,476
Deferred income taxes (note 7)..............................    27,790          --
                                                              --------   ---------
          Total liabilities.................................   838,683   1,503,447
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Common stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,
     900,000 shares issued and outstanding..................       900         900
  Additional paid-in capital................................    41,112     106,266
  Accumulated deficit.......................................   (12,905)   (207,979)
                                                              --------   ---------
          Total stockholders' equity (deficit)..............    29,107    (100,813)
                                                              --------   ---------
Commitments and contingencies (note 4)
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
            (deficit).......................................  $867,790   1,402,634
                                                              ========   =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-51
<PAGE>   198
 
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 AND PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 18, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         PERIOD
                                                                                         ENDED
                                                                                      FEBRUARY 18,
                                                               1995        1996           1997
                                                            ----------   ---------    ------------
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>          <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.......................................  $  584,174   2,013,098       519,127
  Consulting services.....................................   1,562,814   1,878,336       187,812
  Computer hardware sales.................................     263,924     387,215        44,540
  Computer software sales.................................       5,345      37,881        17,375
  Other...................................................      69,145      60,037        24,736
                                                            ----------   ---------      --------
          Total revenue...................................   2,485,402   4,376,567       793,590
                                                            ----------   ---------      --------
Operating expenses:
  Cost of consulting services.............................     503,454     537,000       107,604
  Cost of internet services...............................     317,768     670,158       144,457
  Cost of hardware sales..................................     227,913     292,941        26,394
  Cost of software sales..................................       5,859      28,043        15,032
  Marketing and selling...................................     348,006     541,426       137,449
  General and administrative..............................   1,001,736   2,331,945       544,350
  Depreciation and amortization...........................      46,174     133,280        15,954
                                                            ----------   ---------      --------
          Total operating expenses........................   2,450,910   4,534,793       991,240
                                                            ----------   ---------      --------
          Earnings (loss) from operations.................      34,492    (158,226)     (197,650)
Interest expense..........................................     (23,319)    (54,174)       (7,254)
                                                            ----------   ---------      --------
          Earnings (loss) before income taxes.............      11,173    (212,400)     (204,904)
Income tax benefit (expense) (note 7).....................      (7,308)     17,326            --
                                                            ----------   ---------      --------
          Net earnings (loss).............................  $    3,865    (195,074)     (204,904)
                                                            ==========   =========      ========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-52
<PAGE>   199
 
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                  STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 AND PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 18, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              TOTAL
                                                 COMMON      ADDITIONAL                   STOCKHOLDERS'
                                     COMMON      STOCK        PAID-IN      ACCUMULATED       EQUITY
                                     STOCK     SUBSCRIBED     CAPITAL        DEFICIT        (DEFICIT)
                                     ------    ----------    ----------    -----------    -------------
<S>                                  <C>       <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
BALANCES AT JANUARY 1, 1995........   $ --         900         41,112        (16,770)          25,242
Issuance of common stock...........    900        (900)            --             --               --
Net earnings.......................     --          --             --          3,865            3,865
                                      ----        ----        -------       --------        ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1995......    900          --         41,112        (12,905)          29,107
Capital contribution (note 3)......     --          --         65,154             --           65,154
Net loss...........................     --          --             --       (195,074)        (195,074)
                                      ----        ----        -------       --------        ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996......    900          --        106,266       (207,979)        (100,813)
Net loss...........................     --          --             --       (204,904)        (204,904)
                                      ----        ----        -------       --------        ---------
BALANCES AT FEBRUARY 18, 1997......   $900          --        106,266       (412,883)        (305,717)
                                      ====        ====        =======       ========        =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-53
<PAGE>   200
 
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996 AND PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 18, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PERIOD
                                                                                       ENDED
                                                                                    FEBRUARY 18,
                                                             1995         1996          1997
                                                           ---------    --------    ------------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings (loss)....................................  $   3,865    (195,074)     (204,904)
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net
     cash provided (used) by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization.......................     46,174     133,280        15,954
     Deferred income tax expense (benefit)...............     11,972     (11,428)           --
     Provision for bad debts.............................     35,015     135,593         5,580
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Increase in receivables...........................   (306,539)   (186,462)      (64,719)
       Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and
          other..........................................      4,463    (117,897)      (33,368)
       Increase in other assets..........................     (7,678)    (35,191)       (2,251)
       Increase in accounts payable......................    306,005     372,637        78,036
       Increase in accrued liabilities...................     22,478      29,017        49,219
       Increase in income tax receivable.................    (17,064)     (5,898)       15,510
       Increase in deferred revenue......................     34,358       9,952       (18,215)
                                                           ---------    --------     ---------
          Net cash provided (used) by operating
            activities...................................    133,049     128,529      (159,428)
                                                           ---------    --------     ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- Purchases of
  equipment..............................................   (131,193)   (158,549)     (119,999)
                                                           ---------    --------     ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Borrowings under revolving lines of credit.............     19,000     305,258        66,057
  Repayments of revolving lines of credit................     (1,808)   (126,336)      (98,225)
  Borrowings (payments) on note payable to related
     party...............................................    (11,275)    (19,563)      200,000
  Principal payments on capital lease obligations........    (24,880)   (105,346)      (12,717)
  Cash overdraft.........................................         --          --        79,984
                                                           ---------    --------     ---------
          Net cash provided (used) by financing
            activities...................................    (18,963)     54,013       235,099
                                                           ---------    --------     ---------
          Increase (decrease) in cash....................    (17,107)     23,993       (44,328)
Cash, beginning of period................................     37,442      20,335        44,328
                                                           ---------    --------     ---------
Cash, end of period......................................  $  20,335      44,328            --
                                                           =========    ========     =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the year for:
     Income taxes........................................  $  10,800          --     $      --
                                                           =========    ========     =========
     Interest............................................  $  21,571      54,175     $   7,253
                                                           =========    ========     =========
Noncash investing and financing activities -- Equipment
  acquired through capital lease obligations.............  $ 158,006     232,089     $      --
                                                           =========    ========     =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-54
<PAGE>   201
 
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1996
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Compute Intensive, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in the State of
California on December 31, 1993. The Company has three distinct areas of
business; providing regional internet access services to customers in California
and New Mexico, software and hardware consulting and sales, and software
development and implementation.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from consulting services is recognized when services have been
rendered. On fixed price contracts, revenue is recognized over the course of the
contract using the percentage-of-completion method. The Company provides for any
anticipated losses on such contracts in the period in which such losses are
first determinable.
 
     Revenue from hardware and software sales is recognized upon shipment of the
respective products if the Company has no significant future obligations and
collectibility is probable.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including any assets under capital leases, is stated at cost,
less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is
recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
related assets on the lease term, which range from five to seven years. Costs
for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax
consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and
their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and
statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected
to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary,
to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
  Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 approximate their
carrying values based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different
market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect
on the estimated fair values.
 
                                      F-55
<PAGE>   202
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of (SFAS 121). This
statement was effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the
amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at lower of the carrying amount or
fair value less costs to sell. The adoption of SFAS 121 in 1996 did not have a
significant effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
  Stock Based Compensation
 
     In October 1996, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, (SFAS No. 123), which establishes a fair value-based method of
accounting for stock-based compensation plans. Companies are encouraged to adopt
all provisions of SFAS No. 123 and are required to comply with the disclosure
requirements of SFAS No. 123, which was effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. The Company will continue to account for stock based
compensation under the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and will provide the pro
forma disclosures required by SFAS 123.
 
  Reclassifications
 
     Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1995 financial statements
to conform with the 1996 presentation.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1995        1996
                                                              --------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................  $342,407     730,143
Furniture and office equipment..............................    55,016      57,718
Leasehold improvements......................................     1,892       2,092
                                                              --------    --------
                                                               399,315     789,953
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............   (54,327)   (185,595)
                                                              --------    --------
                                                              $344,988     604,358
                                                              ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment includes assets owned under capital leases with a net book value
of $173,607 and $315,303 at December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
(3) DEBT
 
     At December 31, 1995 and 1996, the Company had an $100,000 unsecured
revolving line of credit agreement with a bank, under which $28,193 and $32,167
was outstanding, respectively. Borrowings under the line bear interest at the
bank's prime lending rate plus 4.75% or 4.5%, based on an average daily balance,
payable monthly (12.75% at December 31, 1996) and are due in 1997.
 
                                      F-56
<PAGE>   203
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     On October 16, 1996, the Company entered into an additional $200,000
revolving line of credit agreement with a bank, under which $174,948 was
outstanding at December 31, 1996. Borrowings under the line bear interest at the
bank's prime lending rate plus 2%, based on an average daily balance, payable
monthly (10.25% at December 31, 1996) and are due in 1997.
 
     Note payable to related party at December 31, 1995 bore interest at 7.5%
and was due in monthly installments through 2000. During 1996, the unpaid
balance of $65,154 was assumed by the Company's majority stockholder and was
forgiven and recorded as a capital contribution. The Company borrowed $200,000
from Verio Inc. (Verio) (See note 6), during the period ended February 18, 1997.
Such amount was non interest bearing and was repaid in connection with Verio's
investment in the Company.
 
(4) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  Leases
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable operating
leases expiring at various dates through 1997.
 
     Future minimum annual lease payments under capital and noncancelable
operating leases for each of the years ending December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                               LEASES       LEASES
                                                              ---------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
1997........................................................  $ 166,477      200,490
1998........................................................    123,363      269,220
1999........................................................     50,815      281,820
2000........................................................     24,352      307,020
2001........................................................     11,823      313,320
                                                              ---------    ---------
  Total minimum payments....................................    376,830    1,371,870
                                                                           =========
Less amount representing interest...........................    (85,819)
                                                              ---------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...............    291,011
Less current portion........................................   (121,535)
                                                              ---------
                                                              $ 169,476
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the period
ended February 18, 1997 was $83,148, $128,130 and $27,800, respectively.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     The Company provides unsecured credit to customers in the normal course of
business. Failure of the customers to pay could result in losses up to the
recorded receivable balances. The Company's largest customer represented
approximately 32% and 20% of total revenues for the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
     The Company conducts business in California and New Mexico. Customers who
operate in California represent at least 75% of the Company's customer base and
accounts receivable.
 
(5) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
     The Company has a Simplified Employee Pension Plan (the Plan) covering all
employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. The Company may make
discretionary contributions to the Plan on behalf of
 
                                      F-57
<PAGE>   204
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
employees that meet certain contribution eligibility requirements defined under
the terms of the Plan. The Company did not make any contributions to the Plan
during 1995 or 1996.
 
(6) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     On February 18, 1997, the Company issued 770,234 shares of newly authorized
redeemable, convertible preferred stock to Verio for cash consideration of
$4,899,998. The preferred shares are convertible into common shares on a 1.000
for 1.0017 basis and represent a 55% ownership interest in the Company upon
conversion. The preferred shares are redeemable at the option of the holder at
any time, vote on an as-converted basis, and include a liquidation preference
equal to the issuance price. In addition, Verio acquired an option to acquire a
100% common stock ownership in the Company which it may exercise at any time on
or after one year following the issuance date of the preferred shares. Upon the
initial public offering of Verio common stock or a significant strategic
investor in Verio, Verio is required to exercise the option.
 
     The Company's 1995 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (the Plan) was adopted
by the Board of Directors and approved by the shareholders of the Company in
March 1995. The Plan provides that salaried officers or key employees,
non-employee directors, and consultants who provide services to the Company may,
at the discretion of the plan administrator, be granted options to purchase
shares of common stock. 250,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock have been
authorized for issuance under the Plan, of which 131,000 and 29,500 nonqualified
options were granted in 1995 and 1996, respectively, with an exercise price of
$.05 and $.001 per share, respectively. All options were granted at fair value
at the date of grant, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors. There
were no options exercised and 18,176 were canceled during 1996.
 
     Generally, options vest 25% on the first anniversary of the option grant
date and the balance vests thereafter in equal successive monthly installments
over the next 36 months of service. Option grants to nonemployee directors must
be approved by the Board.
 
     During 1995 and 1996, the per share weighted-average fair values of stock
options granted was $.01 and $.65, respectively, on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions for both years; expected dividend yield 0%, risk-free interest rate
of 6%, and expected life of three years. If the Company determined compensation
expense in 1995 and 1996 based on the fair value of the options at the grant
date under SFAS No. 123, net loss and net earnings would not have been
significantly different than the historical results of operations.
 
(7) INCOME TAXES
 
     Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the years ended
December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1995      1996
                                                             -------   -------
<S>                                                          <C>       <C>
Current:
  Federal..................................................  $(3,838)   (6,698)
  State....................................................     (826)      800
                                                             -------   -------
                                                              (4,664)   (5,898)
                                                             -------   -------
Deferred:
  Federal..................................................    9,261    (8,717)
  State....................................................    2,711    (2,711)
                                                             -------   -------
                                                              11,972   (11,428)
                                                             -------   -------
                                                             $ 7,308   (17,326)
                                                             =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
     No tax benefit was recorded for the period ended February 18, 1997 due to
uncertainty as to realization of the net operating loss for the period.
 
                                      F-58
<PAGE>   205
                             COMPUTE INTENSIVE INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Income taxes expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 differs from
the amounts that would result from applying the federal statutory rate of 34% as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1995      1996
                                                              ------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Expected tax expense (benefit)..............................  $3,798    (72,216)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit..................     335     (6,373)
Nondeductible expenses......................................   3,175      7,142
Increase in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.....      --     41,066
Other.......................................................      --     13,055
                                                              ------    -------
     Actual income tax expense (benefit)....................  $7,308    (17,326)
                                                              ======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     Temporary differences that give rise to the components of deferred tax
assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1995       1996
                                                              --------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforwards..........................  $     --     50,231
  Accounts receivable, due to allowance for doubtful
     accounts for financial statement purposes only.........    15,169     37,983
  Other.....................................................     1,193         --
                                                              --------    -------
          Gross deferred tax asset..........................    16,362     88,214
Valuation allowance.........................................        --    (41,066)
                                                              --------    -------
          Net deferred tax asset............................    16,362     47,148
                                                              --------    -------
Deferred tax liability:
  Equipment, due to differences in depreciation for
     financial statement and tax purposes...................   (23,696)   (43,054)
  Other.....................................................    (4,094)    (4,094)
                                                              --------    -------
          Total deferred tax liability......................   (27,790)   (47,148)
                                                              --------    -------
          Net deferred tax liability........................  $ 11,428         --
                                                              ========    =======
</TABLE>
 
     As of December 31, 1996, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward
of approximately $132,000 for federal income tax purposes which will expire in
2011, if not utilized. A valuation allowance has been recorded for a portion of
the related deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty relating to the
realization of the entire net operating loss carryforward in the future.
 
                                      F-59
<PAGE>   206
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
NorthWestNet, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of NorthWestNet, Inc. as of
June 30, 1996, and the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity,
and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and the eight months ended
February 28, 1997. We have also audited the accompanying balance sheet of
Northwest Academic Computing Consortium, Inc. (Predecessor Company) as of June
30, 1995 and the related statements of operations, fund balance and cash flows
for the year ended June 30, 1995 and the six months ended December 31, 1995.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of NorthWestNet, Inc. as of
June 30, 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the six
months ended June 30, 1996, and the eight months ended February 28, 1997 and the
financial position of Northwest Academic Computing Consortium, Inc. as of June
30, 1995 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended
June 30, 1995 and the six months ended December 31, 1995 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Seattle, Washington
January 31, 1998
 
                                      F-60
<PAGE>   207
 
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PREDECESSOR
                                                                COMPANY      NORTHWESTNET, INC.
                                                              -----------    ------------------
                                                               JUNE 30,           JUNE 30,
                                                                 1995               1996
                                                              -----------    ------------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $  563,952           277,284
Accounts receivable, net....................................     842,753         1,243,981
Prepaids and other assets...................................      29,605            32,505
                                                              ----------         ---------
          Total current assets..............................   1,436,310         1,553,770
Equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements, net........   1,246,180         1,613,981
Deferred income taxes.......................................          --            46,000
                                                              ----------         ---------
          Total assets......................................  $2,682,490         3,213,751
                                                              ==========         =========
 
                      LIABILITIES, STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND FUND BALANCE
 
Accounts payable............................................  $  108,297           165,606
Accrued liabilities.........................................     102,010           340,677
Deferred revenues and customer advances.....................     965,589         1,374,708
                                                              ----------         ---------
          Total current liabilities.........................   1,175,896         1,880,991
                                                              ----------         ---------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 10,000,000
     shares; issued and outstanding 4,000,000 shares and
     4,000,100 shares at June 30, 1995 and June 30, 1996,
     respectively...........................................          --            40,000
  Additional paid-in capital................................          --         1,193,402
  Retained earnings.........................................          --            99,358
                                                              ----------         ---------
          Total stockholders' equity........................          --         1,332,760
                                                              ----------         ---------
Fund balance................................................   1,506,594                --
                                                              ----------         ---------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........  $2,682,490         3,213,751
                                                              ==========         =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-61
<PAGE>   208
 
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               PREDECESSOR COMPANY            NORTHWESTNET, INC.
                                            --------------------------    --------------------------
                                                           SIX MONTHS     SIX MONTHS    EIGHT MONTHS
                                            YEAR ENDED       ENDED          ENDED          ENDED
                                             JUNE 30,     DECEMBER 31,     JUNE 30,     FEBRUARY 28,
                                               1995           1995           1996           1997
                                            ----------    ------------    ----------    ------------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet access and connection fees.....  $2,218,354     1,197,690      1,655,211      2,572,917
  Online information service fees.........     430,031       310,430        380,522        976,404
  Grants..................................      10,000       146,734         78,342         85,795
  Other...................................     117,835        15,407         16,949         47,019
                                            ----------     ---------      ---------      ---------
          Total revenue...................   2,776,220     1,670,261      2,131,024      3,682,135
Operating expenses:
  Salaries and employee benefits..........   1,145,224       770,215        886,958      2,728,589
  Network operations and circuits.........     225,570       356,711        320,396        547,031
  Professional fees.......................     254,982       126,789         39,307         61,047
  Marketing and advertising...............      55,222        32,460         66,209        114,544
  General and administrative..............     624,314       309,961        364,418        673,541
  Depreciation and amortization...........     507,693       248,770        311,261        509,122
                                            ----------     ---------      ---------      ---------
          Total operating expenses........   2,813,005     1,844,906      1,988,549      4,633,874
                                            ----------     ---------      ---------      ---------
Operating income (loss)...................     (36,785)     (174,645)       142,475       (951,739)
Interest income...........................      46,108        25,639         15,883         25,083
                                            ----------     ---------      ---------      ---------
          Earnings (loss) before income
            taxes.........................       9,323      (149,006)       158,358       (926,656)
                                            ----------     ---------      ---------      ---------
Income tax expense (benefit)..............          --            --         59,000       (135,000)
                                            ----------     ---------      ---------      ---------
          Net earnings (loss).............  $    9,323      (149,006)        99,358       (791,656)
                                            ==========     =========      =========      =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-62
<PAGE>   209
 
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
              STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND FUND BALANCE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 RETAINED
                                                                  ADDITIONAL     EARNINGS         TOTAL
                                             FUND       COMMON     PAID-IN     (ACCUMULATED   STOCKHOLDERS'
                                            BALANCE      STOCK     CAPITAL       DEFICIT)        EQUITY
                                          -----------   -------   ----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>       <C>          <C>            <C>
BALANCES AT JUNE 30, 1994...............  $ 1,497,271       --           --            --              --
Net earnings............................        9,323       --           --            --              --
                                          -----------   ------    ---------      --------       ---------
BALANCES AT JUNE 30, 1995...............    1,506,594       --           --            --              --
Net loss for the six months ended
  December 31, 1995.....................     (149,006)      --           --            --              --
Distribution to stockholder.............     (124,186)      --           --            --              --
                                          -----------   ------    ---------      --------       ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1995...........    1,233,402       --           --            --              --
Issuance of common stock to effect
  corporate reorganization..............   (1,233,402)  40,000    1,193,402            --       1,233,402
Net earnings for the six months ended
  June 30, 1996.........................           --       --           --        99,358          99,358
                                          -----------   ------    ---------      --------       ---------
BALANCES AT JUNE 30, 1996...............           --   40,000    1,193,402        99,358       1,332,760
Exercise of stock options...............           --        1           86            --              87
Contingent stock compensation expense...           --       --      451,696            --         451,696
Net loss for the eight months ended
  February 28, 1997.....................           --       --           --      (791,656)       (791,656)
                                          -----------   ------    ---------      --------       ---------
BALANCES AT FEBRUARY 28, 1997...........  $        --   40,001    1,645,184      (692,298)        992,887
                                          ===========   ======    =========      ========       =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-63
<PAGE>   210
 
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                  JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 AND DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             PREDECESSOR COMPANY         NORTHWESTNET, INC.
                                          -------------------------   -------------------------
                                                        SIX MONTHS    SIX MONTHS   EIGHT MONTHS
                                          YEAR ENDED      ENDED         ENDED         ENDED
                                           JUNE 30,    DECEMBER 31,    JUNE 30,    FEBRUARY 28,
                                             1995          1995          1996          1997
                                          ----------   ------------   ----------   ------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings (loss)...................  $   9,323       (149,006)      99,358       (791,656)
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
     (loss) to net cash provided by
     operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization......    507,693        248,770      311,261        509,122
     Contingent stock option
       compensation.....................         --             --           --        451,696
     Loss on disposition of equipment...         --             --           --         10,526
     Deferred tax benefit...............         --             --      (46,000)       (74,000)
     Increases and decreases in:
       Accounts receivable..............   (272,151)       418,635     (819,863)       624,707
       Prepaids and other assets........    (18,841)       (28,347)      25,447     (1,396,570)
       Accounts payable.................    (73,064)       (48,302)     (37,056)       304,296
       Accrued liabilities..............     (9,079)       110,275      128,392      1,069,605
       Deferred revenue.................    331,904         76,759      332,360       (599,775)
                                          ---------     ----------    ---------    -----------
          Net cash provided by (used in)
            operating activities........    475,785        628,784       (6,101)       107,951
                                          ---------     ----------    ---------    -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of equipment, furniture and
     leasehold improvements.............   (760,922)      (260,850)    (524,315)    (1,047,283)
  Disposition of equipment..............         --             --           --         22,678
                                          ---------     ----------    ---------    -----------
          Net cash used in investing
            activities..................   (760,922)      (260,850)    (524,315)    (1,024,605)
                                          ---------     ----------    ---------    -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Advances from Verio, Inc. ............         --             --           --      2,560,294
  Distribution to stockholder...........         --             --     (124,186)            --
  Exercise of stock options.............         --             --           --             87
                                          ---------     ----------    ---------    -----------
          Net cash provided by (used in)
            financing activities........         --             --     (124,186)     2,560,381
                                          ---------     ----------    ---------    -----------
          Increase (decrease) in cash
            and cash equivalents........   (285,137)       367,934     (654,602)     1,643,727
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
  of period.............................    849,089        563,952      931,886        277,284
                                          ---------     ----------    ---------    -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
  period................................  $ 563,952        931,886      277,284      1,921,011
                                          =========     ==========    =========    ===========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
  information -- cash paid during the
  period for income taxes...............  $     900             --       82,000        118,000
                                          =========     ==========    =========    ===========
Supplemental schedule of noncash
  financing and investing activities:
  Accounts payable related to purchase
     of equipment.......................  $  15,140         13,523      129,144             --
                                          =========     ==========    =========    ===========
  Issuance of common stock to effect
     corporate reorganization...........  $      --      1,233,402           --             --
                                          =========     ==========    =========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-64
<PAGE>   211
 
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                  JUNE 30, 1995 AND 1996 AND FEBRUARY 28, 1997
 
(1) DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  (a) Description of Business
 
     NorthWestNet, Inc. (NorthWestNet), a for-profit corporation incorporated in
the state of Oregon, is a subsidiary of Northwest Academic Computing Consortium,
Inc. (NWACC). NorthWestNet provides Internet access and related on-line
information services to businesses, educational institutions and other
organizations located principally in the Northwest.
 
  (b) Corporate Reorganization
 
     NWACC, a nonprofit corporation organized to promote research, education and
economic development in the Northwest, had been providing Internet access to
businesses and organizations in the Northwest since 1991.
 
     On January 1, 1996, NWACC completed a transaction that included the
creation of NorthWestNet. The transaction consisted of the transfer of
substantially all of NWACC's operating assets and liabilities to NorthWestNet in
exchange for 4,000,000 shares of common stock, which represented all of the
outstanding common stock of NorthWestNet. This transaction represented a
tax-free transfer pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 351. In
connection with the transaction, all NWACC employees became NorthWestNet
employees.
 
     NWACC's relationship to NorthWestNet, is now that of a stockholder,
currently the majority stockholder. NWACC intends to maintain its tax-exempt
status under IRC section 501(c)(3); however, its activities are independent of
NorthWestNet and its employees.
 
  (c) Basis of Presentation
 
     There was no change in the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
transferred from NWACC to NorthWestNet effective January 1, 1996. The
accompanying financial statements include the accounts of NWACC through December
31, 1995, presented as Predecessor Company.
 
     The carrying amounts of net assets transferred from NWACC to NorthWestNet
effective January 1, 1996 are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $  807,700
Accounts receivable, net....................................     424,118
Prepaids and other assets...................................      57,952
Equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements, net........   1,271,783
                                                              ----------
          Total assets......................................   2,561,553
                                                              ----------
Accounts payable............................................      73,518
Accrued expenses............................................     212,285
Deferred revenue............................................   1,042,348
                                                              ----------
          Total liabilities.................................   1,328,151
                                                              ----------
          Net assets........................................  $1,233,402
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
  (d) Cash Equivalents
 
     All short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less
at date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents.
 
                                      F-65
<PAGE>   212
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (e) Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
     Financial instruments that potentially subject NorthWestNet to
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents and
accounts receivable. NorthWestNet's cash equivalents represent investments in
money market funds which are readily convertible to cash. Accounts receivable
are principally from NorthWestNet's customers located throughout the Northwest.
 
  (f) Long-Lived Assets
 
     In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of (SFAS 121). This
statement was effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the
amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value less costs to sell. The adoption of SFAS 121 effective July
1, 1996 did not have a significant effect on the NorthWestNet's financial
position or results of operations.
 
  (g) Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenues consist primarily of Internet access fees, connection fees and
on-line information service fees. Internet access fees consist of fixed monthly
amounts and are recognized ratably over the terms of the service contracts.
Connection fees, representing customer site equipment and installation charges,
are recognized upon installation of a customer's Internet connectivity. Fixed
on-line information service fees are recognized ratably over the terms of the
service contracts. Volume-based on-line information service fees are recognized
as such services are delivered. Payments received in advance of providing
services are deferred until the period such services are provided.
 
  (h) Advertising Costs
 
     Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
 
  (i) Depreciation and Amortization
 
     Equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements are stated at cost.
Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets, or the lease term, if shorter. The
estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                           <C>
Network equipment...........................................  3 - 4 years
Computer and office equipment...............................  2 - 3 years
Furniture and fixtures......................................      7 years
Leasehold improvements......................................      5 years
</TABLE>
 
  (j) Use of Estimates
 
     NorthWestNet management has made a number of estimates and assumptions
relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
 
                                      F-66
<PAGE>   213
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  (k) Income Taxes
 
     NorthWestNet accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability
method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities.
 
     NWACC was exempt from the payment of Federal income taxes under IRC section
501(c)(3). Therefore, no provision for income taxes was required through
December 31, 1995.
 
  (l) Stock-Based Compensation
 
     Prior to July 1, 1996, NorthWestNet accounted for its stock option plan in
accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No.
25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. As
such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the
current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. On
July 1, 1996, NorthWestNet adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which permits entities
to recognize as expense over the vesting period the fair value of all
stock-based awards on the date of grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 allows
entities to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 for
transactions with employees and provide pro forma net income and pro forma
earnings per share disclosures for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and
future years as if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been
applied to these transactions. NorthWestNet has elected to continue to apply the
provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosure provisions
of SFAS No. 123.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS
 
     Equipment, furniture and leasehold improvements and related accumulated
depreciation and amortization consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      JUNE 30
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                 1995          1996
                                                              -----------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Network equipment...........................................  $ 1,645,558    1,878,787
Computer and office equipment...............................      603,051      586,653
Furniture and fixtures......................................      102,010       77,011
Leasehold improvements......................................       50,301       50,301
                                                              -----------    ---------
          Total cost........................................    2,400,920    2,592,752
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............   (1,154,740)    (978,771)
                                                              -----------    ---------
                                                              $ 1,246,180    1,613,981
                                                              ===========    =========
</TABLE>
 
(3) ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
     Accrued liabilities consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    JUNE 30
                                                              -------------------
                                                                1995       1996
                                                              --------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Accrued compensation and benefits...........................  $102,010    153,447
Network operations and circuits.............................        --    129,080
Other.......................................................        --     58,150
                                                              --------    -------
                                                              $102,010    340,677
                                                              ========    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-67
<PAGE>   214
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(4) BORROWING AGREEMENT
 
     NorthWestNet had a borrowing agreement with a commercial bank, which
expired in June 1997, that provided for a $400,000 operating line of credit
(Line of Credit) and a $600,000 equipment term loan (Term Loan). Borrowings
under the Line of Credit were limited to 75% of eligible accounts receivable and
bear interest at the bank's prime rate plus 1.75%. The Term Loan bore interest
at the bank's prime rate plus 2%. Borrowings under this agreement were secured
by substantially all of NorthWestNet's assets. There were no borrowings under
the Line of Credit or Term Loan as of June 30, 1996.
 
(5) INCOME TAXES
 
     The components of NorthWestNet's income tax expense (benefit) for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 and the eight months ended February 28, 1997 are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SIX          EIGHT
                                                               MONTHS        MONTHS
                                                               ENDED         ENDED
                                                              JUNE 30,    FEBRUARY 28,
                                                                1996          1997
                                                              --------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Current:
Federal.....................................................  $100,000       (66,000)
State.......................................................     5,000         5,000
Deferred -- Federal.........................................   (46,000)      (74,000)
                                                              --------      --------
                                                              $ 59,000      (135,000)
                                                              ========      ========
</TABLE>
 
     Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the recognition
of income and expense between financial statement and income tax reporting.
Temporary differences at June 30, 1996 are primarily attributable to
depreciation and amortization of equipment, furniture and leasehold
improvements. The tax effects of these temporary differences result in deferred
tax assets which are classified as noncurrent on the accompanying June 30, 1996
balance sheet. Actual tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 1996
approximates the amount calculated using the Federal statutory rate of 34%, plus
the provision for state taxes. The tax benefit for the eight months ended
February 28, 1997 differs from the expected benefit, calculated using the
Federal statutory rate of 34%, primarily due to non-deductible stock option
compensation.
 
(6) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY -- EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     NorthWestNet adopted a stock option plan (Plan) in January 1996 to
compensate its employees for future services and has reserved 1.5 million shares
of common stock for option grants under the Plan. Of the reserved shares,
500,000 are for options which are exercisable, upon reaching defined corporate
objectives (Contingent Options), at an exercise price of $.875 per share. The
date the defined corporate objectives are met, any excess of fair market value
per share over the exercise price per share of the outstanding options would be
charged to salaries and benefits expense in the statement of operations with a
corresponding increase in stockholder's equity. As of December 31, 1996, 370,000
contingent shares were outstanding. The remaining 1 million reserved shares are
for options which generally vest, based on continued employment, over periods
ranging from three to four years in equal monthly increments beginning the month
after the grant (Noncontingent Options). All options expire ten years from the
date of grant and are exercisable at the fair market value of the common stock
at the grant date.
 
                                      F-68
<PAGE>   215
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     A summary of stock option activity under the Plan follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     OUTSTANDING OPTIONS
                                                             -----------------------------------
                                                                                       WEIGHTED-
                                                  SHARES                                AVERAGE
                                                 AVAILABLE      NON-                   EXERCISE
                                                 FOR GRANT   CONTINGENT   CONTINGENT     PRICE
                                                 ---------   ----------   ----------   ---------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
Authorization of Plan..........................  1,500,000          --          --      $   --
Options granted................................   (988,000)    583,000     405,000       0.875
Options relinquished...........................     76,771     (41,771)    (35,000)      0.875
Balances at June 30, 1996......................    588,771     541,229     370,000       0.875
Options granted................................    (54,000)     54,000          --       1.956
Options exercised..............................         --        (100)         --       0.875
Options relinquished...........................      3,229      (3,229)         --       0.875
Options surrendered for cash...................         --    (192,265)         --       0.875
Balances at February 28, 1997..................    538,000     399,635     370,000      $0.951
</TABLE>
 
     NorthWestNet applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its Plans, and,
because the Company grants options at fair value, as determined by the Company's
Board of Directors, no compensation cost has been recognized for its employee
stock options in the financial statements. Had NorthWestNet determined
compensation cost of employee stock options based on the fair value at the grant
date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, NorthWestNet's net earnings would
have been reported as the pro forma amounts indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                SIX          EIGHT
                                                               MONTHS        MONTHS
                                                               ENDED         ENDED
                                                              JUNE 30,    FEBRUARY 28,
                                                                1996          1997
                                                              --------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Net earnings (loss):
  As reported...............................................  $99,359       (791,656)
  Pro forma.................................................   26,469       (892,205)
</TABLE>
 
     The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during
the six months ended June 30, 1996 and the eight months ended February 28, 1997
was $0.28 and $0.70 respectively, on the date of grant using the Black Scholes
option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: six months
ended June 30, 1996 -- expected dividend yield 0%, risk-free interest rate of
5.51% and an expected life of 7 years; eight months ended February 28,
1997 -- expected dividend yield 0%, risk-free interest rate of 6.55%, and an
expected life of 7 years.
 
                                      F-69
<PAGE>   216
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
under the Plan at June 30, 1996 and February 28, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
                                                         ------------------------------------
                                                                          WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
                                                           NUMBER             REMAINING
                    EXERCISE PRICES                      OUTSTANDING      CONTRACTUAL LIFE
                    ---------------                      -----------    ---------------------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>
June 30, 1996:
  $0.875...............................................    911,229            9.5 years
                                                           -------
February 28, 1997:
  $0.875...............................................    715,635
   1.375...............................................      6,000
   2.000...............................................     34,500
  $2.10................................................     13,500
                                                           -------
  $0.875-2.000.........................................    769,635            9.5 years
                                                           -------
</TABLE>
 
     All options became vested and exercisable upon completion of the ownership
change described in note 10.
 
(7) LEASES
 
     NorthWestNet leases its office and certain network operations facilities
under operating leases which expire in 2002. NorthWestNet subleases a portion of
its office space as sublessor under operating leases which expire in 1996 and
1997. Rental expense, net of sublease income, is included in general and
administrative expenses and is comprised of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          MINIMUM     SUBLEASE
                                                          RENTALS      INCOME     TOTAL
                                                          --------    --------   -------
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>        <C>
Year ended June 30, 1995................................  $142,318     34,665    107,653
Six months ended December 31, 1995......................    88,960     28,623     60,337
Six months ended June 30, 1996..........................    88,795     24,423     64,372
Eight months ended February 28, 1997....................   119,696     25,455     94,241
</TABLE>
 
     NorthWestNet leases circuit lines from various vendors under month-to-month
operating leases. Rent expense on these circuit line leases amounted to
$225,570, $316,712, $270,395, and $413,697 for fiscal year ended 1995, the six
months ended December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996, and the eight months ended
February 28, 1997, respectively, and is included in network operations and
circuits in the statements of operations.
 
     In November 1996, NorthWestNet amended its existing operating lease for its
office facilities. The amendment increased the space leased by NorthWestNet by
approximately 9,000 square feet, beginning in February 1997, and extended the
lease term of existing space to February 2002. Additionally, in December 1996,
NorthWestNet entered into an operating lease for network operations facilities.
The initial term of the lease is five years, beginning in March 1997, with two
three-year extensions available at NorthWestNet's option.
 
(8) DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN
 
     NorthWestNet and NWACC both sponsor defined contribution plans. For the
NorthWestNet plan, employees who have worked a minimum of three months and
attained age 20 are eligible to participate and employee contributions are
matched by NorthWestNet up to certain limits. Sponsor contributions to the plans
 
                                      F-70
<PAGE>   217
                               NORTHWESTNET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
totaled $35,765, $17,589, $26,781, and $68,855 for the year ended June 30, 1995
and the six months ended December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996, and the eight
months ended February 28, 1997, respectively.
 
(9) BUSINESS CONCENTRATION
 
     One customer accounted for approximately 25%, 23%, 27%, and 23% of revenues
for the year ended June 30, 1995, the six months ended December 31, 1995 and
June 30, 1996, and the eight months ended February 28, 1997, respectively. Such
customer had account receivable balance of $227,662 at June 30, 1996.
 
     Additionally, another customer accounted for approximately 14% of revenues
for the eight months ended February 28, 1997.
 
(10) OWNERSHIP CHANGE
 
     On January 22, 1997, NorthWestNet, NWACC and Verio Inc. (Verio) executed a
Stock Purchase Agreement (Agreement) pursuant to which Verio acquired all of the
common stock of NorthWestNet owned by NWACC. Under the Agreement, Verio also
agreed to contribute at least $3.4 million to NorthWestNet, of which
approximately $2.3 million was funded in February 1997. The transaction closed
on February 28, 1997.
 
     In connection with the sale to Verio, 370,000 contingent options became
exercisable and $451,696 of compensation expense was recorded by NorthWestNet in
February 1997 which was funded by Verio in addition to the $3.4 million. (See
note 6). In addition, the Plan was amended to provide for Verio's right to
acquire all of the securities outstanding under that plan.
 
                                      F-71
<PAGE>   218
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
VERIO INC.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Aimnet Corporation
(wholly-owned by Aimquest Corporation) as of March 31, 1997 and the related
statements of operations, stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year
ended March 31, 1997 and the period ended May 19, 1997. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Aimnet Corporation as of
March 31, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
year ended March 31, 1997 and the period ended May 19, 1997 in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 25, 1998
 
                                      F-72
<PAGE>   219
 
                               AIMNET CORPORATION
                     (WHOLLY-OWNED BY AIMQUEST CORPORATION)
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                                 MARCH 31, 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $   201,074
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $52,770.............................................      460,611
  Inventory.................................................       39,344
  Prepaid expenses and other................................       44,867
                                                              -----------
          Total current assets..............................      745,896
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................      880,224
                                                              -----------
          Total assets......................................  $ 1,626,120
                                                              ===========
                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $   141,680
  Accrued expenses..........................................       31,260
  Deferred revenue..........................................       19,251
  Due to parent (note 3)....................................      514,122
  Current portion of obligations under capital lease
     obligations (note 4)...................................        8,153
                                                              -----------
          Total current liabilities.........................      714,466
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....       17,409
                                                              -----------
          Total liabilities.................................      731,875
Stockholder's equity (note 6):
  Common stock, no par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 100
     shares issued and outstanding..........................    2,307,640
  Accumulated deficit.......................................   (1,413,395)
                                                              -----------
          Total stockholder's equity........................      894,245
Commitments (note 4)
                                                              -----------
          Total liabilities and stockholder's equity........  $ 1,626,120
                                                              ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-73
<PAGE>   220
 
                               AIMNET CORPORATION
                     (WHOLLY-OWNED BY AIMQUEST CORPORATION)
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
            YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND PERIOD ENDED MAY 19, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PERIOD ENDED
                                                                              MAY 19,
                                                                 1997           1997
                                                              -----------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $ 2,649,839      303,600
  Other (note 3)............................................      215,279       87,788
                                                              -----------     --------
          Total revenue.....................................    2,865,118      391,388
                                                              -----------     --------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services and other operating costs...............    1,225,329      124,275
  Selling, general and administrative.......................    2,098,958      437,292
  Provision for bad debts...................................      425,295           --
  Depreciation..............................................      528,931       94,801
                                                              -----------     --------
          Total operating expenses..........................    4,278,513      656,368
                                                              -----------     --------
          Net loss..........................................  $(1,413,395)    (264,980)
                                                              ===========     ========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-74
<PAGE>   221
 
                               AIMNET CORPORATION
                     (WHOLLY-OWNED BY AIMQUEST CORPORATION)
 
                       STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
            YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND PERIOD ENDED MAY 19, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           INTERCOMPANY
                                                COMMON       ACCOUNT      ACCUMULATED
                                                STOCK      WITH PARENT      DEFICIT       TOTAL
                                              ----------   ------------   -----------   ----------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>
Balance as of March 31, 1996................  $       --     1,592,490            --     1,592,490
Incorporation as wholly owned subsidiary and
  additional capital contribution by
  parent....................................   2,307,640    (1,592,490)           --       715,150
Net loss....................................          --            --    (1,413,395)   (1,413,395)
                                              ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Balances as of March 31, 1997...............  $2,307,640            --    (1,413,395)      894,245
Net loss....................................          --            --      (264,980)     (264,980)
                                              ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Balances as of May 19, 1997.................  $2,307,640            --    (1,678,375)      629,265
                                              ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-75
<PAGE>   222
 
                               AIMNET CORPORATION
                     (WHOLLY-OWNED BY AIMQUEST CORPORATION)
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
            YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND PERIOD ENDED MAY 19, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             PERIOD ENDED
                                                                               MAY 19,
                                                                 1997            1997
                                                              -----------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(1,413,395)     (264,980)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by
     operating activities:
     Depreciation...........................................      528,931        94,801
     Provision for bad debts................................      425,295            --
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Decrease (increase) in trade receivables.............     (375,042)       40,670
       Decrease (increase) in inventory.....................       (5,423)       13,107
       Decrease in prepaid expenses and other...............        7,047         4,416
       Decrease in accounts payable.........................      (44,692)       (7,459)
       Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses..............      (15,248)       18,522
       Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue..............       10,968        (5,171)
                                                              -----------      --------
          Net cash used by operating activities.............     (881,559)     (106,094)
                                                              -----------      --------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchases of
  equipment.................................................     (320,809)      (54,458)
                                                              -----------      --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Cash capital contribution by parent.......................      715,150            --
  Increase in due to related party..........................      514,122        55,264
  Principal payments on capital lease obligations...........       (3,255)       (1,548)
                                                              -----------      --------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........    1,226,017        53,716
                                                              -----------      --------
          Increase (decrease) in cash.......................       23,649      (106,836)
Cash, beginning of period...................................      177,425       201,074
                                                              -----------      --------
Cash, end of period.........................................  $   201,074        94,238
                                                              ===========      ========
Noncash investing and financing activities --
  Equipment acquired through capital lease obligations......  $    28,817            --
                                                              ===========      ========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-76
<PAGE>   223
 
                               AIMNET CORPORATION
                     (WHOLLY-OWNED BY AIMQUEST CORPORATION)
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 MARCH 31, 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Aimnet Corporation (the Company) was incorporated in the State of
California on September 26, 1996 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Aimquest
Corporation (Aimquest). Prior to incorporation, the Company's assets,
liabilities, and operations were included in the financial statements of
Aimquest. The Company provides regional internet access services, and hardware
and software sales to customers in California. The accompanying financial
statements include the operations of the Company assuming that the Company had
been operated separately as of April 1, 1996 and thereafter.
 
     Effective May 19, 1997, Verio Inc. acquired a 55% ownership interest in the
Company (see note 6).
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance. Revenue
from hardware and software sales is recognized upon shipment of the respective
products.
 
  Inventory
 
     Inventory, consisting of systems hardware and software and maintenance
parts and supplies is recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or
market.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including assets held under capital leases, is stated at cost,
less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is
recorded using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful
lives of the related assets or the lease term, which are two or three years.
Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The Company is included in the tax returns of Aimquest. Income taxes are
accounted for under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, (SFAS 109). Under SFAS 109,
deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences of
differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial
reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and statutory rates
applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect
taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce
deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
     No tax benefit has been allocated to the Company due to the Company's net
loss and the uncertainty regarding the ultimate utilization of such loss in the
consolidated income tax returns of Aimquest. A valuation allowance has been
recorded for the entire balance of the deferred tax asset related to the
Company's net loss.
 
                                      F-77
<PAGE>   224
                               AIMNET CORPORATION
                     (WHOLLY-OWNED BY AIMQUEST CORPORATION)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of March 31, 1997 approximate their carrying values
based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different market assumptions
and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect on the estimated
fair values.
 
     Customers who operate in California represent substantially all of the
Company's customer base and accounts receivable. However, no single customer
comprised more than 5% of accounts receivable or total revenue as of or for the
year ended March 31, 1997 or the period ended May 19, 1997.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of (SFAS 121). This
statement was effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the
amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value, less costs to sell. The adoption of SFAS 121 effective
April 1, 1996 did not have a significant effect on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at March 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
Internet and computer equipment..........................  $1,712,000
Furniture................................................      29,144
                                                           ----------
                                                            1,741,144
Less accumulated depreciation............................    (860,920)
                                                           ----------
                                                           $  880,224
                                                           ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment includes assets owned under capital leases with a net book value
of $25,562 at March 31, 1997.
 
(3) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     The Company provides internet services to Aimquest which totaled $5,924 for
the year ended March 31, 1997 and $20,386 for the period ended May 19, 1997.
 
     Amounts due to parent represent cash transfers from Aimquest which are
noninterest bearing.
 
                                      F-78
<PAGE>   225
                               AIMNET CORPORATION
                     (WHOLLY-OWNED BY AIMQUEST CORPORATION)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(4) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  Leases
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable operating
leases expiring at various dates through 2001. Future minimum annual lease
payments under capital and noncancelable operating leases for each of the years
ending March 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          CAPITAL    OPERATING
                                                          LEASES       LEASES
                                                          -------    ----------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
1998....................................................  $12,396     327,146
1999....................................................   12,396     283,916
2000....................................................    8,780     279,810
2001....................................................       --     109,488
Less future minimum payments to be received under
  noncancelable subleases...............................       --     (31,059)
                                                          -------     -------
  Total minimum payments................................   33,572     969,301
                                                                      =======
Less amount representing interest.......................   (8,010)
                                                          -------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...........   25,562
Less current portion....................................   (8,153)
                                                          -------
                                                          $17,409
                                                          =======
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the year ended March 31, 1997 and the period ended May 19,
1997 totaled $314,890 and $38,203, respectively.
 
(5) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
     Aimquest has a 401(k) (the Plan) covering all employees of the Company who
meet certain eligibility requirements. Employer contributions are not required
and the Company did not make any contributions to the Plan during the year ended
March 31, 1997 or the period ended May 19, 1997.
 
(6) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
     Effective May 19, 1997, Verio Inc. (Verio) acquired 77 shares of the
Company's series A preferred stock for cash consideration of approximately
$4,171,000. The preferred shares represent a 55% ownership interest in the
Company, on a fully diluted basis, and are convertible into common shares on a
one for one basis. In addition, the preferred shares have a liquidation
preference equal to the issuance price. Verio also acquired an option to acquire
a 100% ownership in the Company in the future upon the occurrence of certain
events, including an initial public offering of Verio common stock.
 
                                      F-79
<PAGE>   226
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of West Coast Online, Inc.
as of September 30, 1997 and the related statements of operations and
accumulated deficit, and cash flows for the nine months then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of West Coast Online, Inc. as
of September 30, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
the nine months then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
November 21, 1997
 
                                      F-80
<PAGE>   227
 
                            WEST COAST ONLINE, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $  25,907
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $3,588..............................................     96,659
  Prepaid expenses and other................................      4,933
                                                              ---------
          Total current assets..............................    127,499
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................    524,474
Other assets................................................      7,148
                                                              ---------
          Total assets......................................  $ 659,121
                                                              =========
                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable:
     Trade..................................................  $  41,270
     Related party (note 5).................................     27,009
  Accrued liabilities.......................................    105,487
  Deferred revenue..........................................     99,679
  Current portion of capital lease obligations (note 3).....     57,874
                                                              ---------
          Total current liabilities.........................    331,319
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 3)....     69,994
          Total liabilities.................................    401,313
                                                              ---------
Redeemable preferred stock, 2,000,000 shares authorized
  (note 4):
  Series A, 60,000 shares issued and outstanding............    225,000
  Series B, 50,710 shares issued and outstanding............    250,000
                                                              ---------
          Total redeemable preferred stock..................    475,000
                                                              ---------
Stockholders' deficit (note 4):
  Common stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,
     246,000 shares issued and outstanding..................     79,775
  Accumulated deficit.......................................   (296,967)
                                                              ---------
          Total stockholders' deficit.......................   (217,192)
Commitments (note 3)
          Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit.......  $ 659,121
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-81
<PAGE>   228
 
                            WEST COAST ONLINE, INC.
 
                STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $1,354,911
  Computer hardware sales...................................     171,818
  Other.....................................................     126,394
                                                              ----------
          Total revenue.....................................   1,653,123
                                                              ----------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.........................     641,106
  Cost of hardware sales....................................     136,978
  Selling, general and administrative.......................     913,743
  Depreciation..............................................     106,185
                                                              ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   1,798,012
                                                              ----------
          Loss from operations..............................    (144,889)
Interest expense............................................     (22,772)
                                                              ----------
          Net loss..........................................    (167,661)
Accumulated deficit at beginning of period..................    (129,306)
                                                              ----------
Accumulated deficit at end of period........................  $ (296,967)
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-82
<PAGE>   229
 
                            WEST COAST ONLINE, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(167,661)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by
     operating activities:
     Depreciation...........................................    106,185
     Provision for bad debts................................      3,588
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Receivables..........................................    (39,945)
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets............      5,197
       Other assets.........................................     (7,148)
       Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............     12,802
       Deferred revenue.....................................     35,944
                                                              ---------
          Net cash used by operating activities.............    (51,038)
                                                              ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchase of
  equipment.................................................   (154,301)
                                                              ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of redeemable preferred stock......    250,000
  Principal payments under capital lease obligations........    (36,541)
                                                              ---------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........    213,459
                                                              ---------
          Net increase in cash..............................      8,120
Cash at beginning of period.................................     17,787
                                                              ---------
Cash at end of period.......................................  $  25,907
                                                              =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information -- cash
  paid during the year for interest.........................  $  22,772
                                                              =========
Noncash investing and finance activities -- equipment
  acquired through capital lease obligations................  $  67,064
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-83
<PAGE>   230
 
                            WEST COAST ONLINE, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     West Coast Online, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in the State of
California on January 30, 1996. The Company provides internet access services
and computer hardware sales to customers primarily in California.
 
     As of September 30, 1997, Verio Inc. (Verio) acquired all of the
outstanding common stock of the Company, resulting in 100% ownership.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is
recorded using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful
lives of the related assets or the lease term, which range from three to five
years. Costs of normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations, including goodwill, when indications of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.
Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value or fair
value, less costs to sell.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from hardware sales is recognized upon shipment of the respective
products if the Company's future obligations are not significant and
collectibility is probable.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax
consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and
their financial reporting amounts at September 30, 1997 based on enacted tax
laws and statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are
expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when
necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The Company has a net operating loss carryforward of approximately $181,000
which expires in 2012. No tax benefit has been recorded by the Company for the
nine months ended September 30, 1997 due to the Company's net loss and the
uncertainty regarding the ultimate utilization of such loss carryforward. A
valuation allowance has been
 
                                      F-84
<PAGE>   231
                            WEST COAST ONLINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
recorded for the entire balance of the deferred tax asset related to the
carryforward. Other temporary differences between financial statement and income
tax bases of assets and liabilities are not significant.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of December 31, 1997 approximate their carrying values
based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different market assumptions
and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect on the estimated
fair values.
 
     Customers who operate in California represent substantially all of the
Company's customer base. However, no single customer comprised more than 10% of
accounts receivable or total revenue for the nine months ended September 30,
1997.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................   $ 733,411
Furniture and office equipment..............................      21,312
                                                               ---------
                                                                 754,723
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............    (230,249)
                                                               ---------
                                                               $ 524,474
                                                               =========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment includes assets held under capital leases with a net book value
of $134,362 at September 30, 1997.
 
(3) COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable leases expiring
at various dates through 2001. Future minimum annual lease payments under
noncancelable operating leases for each of the years ending September 30 are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                          LEASES      LEASES
                                                         --------    ---------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
1998...................................................  $ 70,104    $ 72,160
1999...................................................    63,728      36,342
2000...................................................    18,974      10,743
2001...................................................        --       7,162
                                                         --------    --------
  Total minimum payments...............................  $152,806    $126,407
                                                                     ========
Less amount representing interest......................   (24,938)
                                                         --------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments..........   127,868
Less current portion...................................   (57,874)
                                                         --------
                                                         $ 69,994
                                                         ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 totaled $64,820.
 
                                      F-85
<PAGE>   232
                            WEST COAST ONLINE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(4) REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company issued 60,000 Series A and 50,710 Series B shares of
redeemable, convertible preferred stock in 1996 and 1997, respectively, to
Verio. The preferred shares were convertible into common shares on a one for one
basis and were mandatorily redeemable in 2000. On September 30, 1997, in
connection with the Verio Acquisition, as described in Note 1, Verio converted
these preferred shares to common stock.
 
(5) TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTY
 
     During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company received
certain network services from Verio Inc. The entire cost of these services
remain in Accounts Payable-Related Party at September 30, 1997 and is included
in internet services and network operating costs.
 
                                      F-86
<PAGE>   233
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Clark Internet Services,
Inc. as of September 30, 1997, and the related statements of operations and
retained earnings, and cash flows for the year ended September 30, 1997 and the
period ended October 17, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Clark Internet Services,
Inc. as of September 30, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the year ended September 30, 1997 and the period ended October 17,
1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 25, 1998
 
                                      F-87
<PAGE>   234
 
                         CLARK INTERNET SERVICES, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $   54,293
  Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $28,154....................................     438,186
  Related party receivable (note 5).........................      42,104
  Prepaid expenses and other................................     122,894
                                                              ----------
          Total current assets..............................     657,477
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................     650,001
Other assets, net...........................................     112,475
                                                              ----------
          Total assets......................................  $1,419,953
                                                              ==========
 
                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $  261,194
  Accrued liabilities.......................................      91,474
  Salaries and commissions payable..........................      98,220
  Deferred revenue and customer advances....................     514,555
  Current portion of long-term debt (note 3)................     175,800
                                                              ----------
          Total current liabilities.........................   1,141,243
Long-term debt, net of current portion (note 3).............     264,950
          Total liabilities.................................   1,406,193
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,
     860,000 shares issued and outstanding..................       4,000
  Retained earnings.........................................       9,760
                                                              ----------
          Total stockholders' equity........................      13,760
                                                              ----------
Commitments (note 4)
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........  $1,419,953
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-88
<PAGE>   235
 
                         CLARK INTERNET SERVICES, INC.
 
                 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED EARNINGS
        YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 17, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PERIOD ENDED
                                                                           OCTOBER 17,
                                                                 1997          1997
                                                              ----------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $3,601,491     159,079
  Other.....................................................     114,193      48,917
                                                              ----------     -------
          Total revenue.....................................   3,715,684     207,996
                                                              ----------     -------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services.........................................   1,672,046      48,346
  Selling, general and administrative.......................   2,053,619     195,610
  Depreciation and amortization.............................     139,379       9,547
                                                              ----------     -------
          Total operating expenses..........................   3,865,044     253,503
                                                              ----------     -------
          Loss from operations..............................    (149,360)    (45,507)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income...........................................       2,702      (1,054)
  Interest expense..........................................     (26,929)         --
                                                              ----------     -------
          Net loss..........................................    (173,587)    (46,561)
Retained earnings (deficit):
  Beginning of period.......................................     183,347       9,760
                                                              ----------     -------
  End of period.............................................  $    9,760     (36,801)
                                                              ==========     =======
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-89
<PAGE>   236
 
                         CLARK INTERNET SERVICES, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
        YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 17, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          PERIOD ENDED
                                                                          OCTOBER 17,
                                                                1997          1997
                                                              ---------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(173,587)    (46,561)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
     operating activities -- depreciation and
     amortization...........................................    139,379       9,547
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Trade and related party accounts receivable, net.......   (362,396)      2,483
     Prepaid expenses and other.............................    (19,671)     32,793
     Accounts payable.......................................    157,360     (78,954)
     Accrued liabilities, and salaries and commissions
      payable...............................................     92,849      30,677
     Deferred revenue and customer advances.................    245,114      30,809
     Other assets, net......................................    (61,263)     12,179
                                                              ---------     -------
          Net cash provided (used) by operating
            activities......................................     17,785      (7,027)
Cash flows used by investing activities --
  purchases of equipment....................................   (425,477)         --
                                                              ---------     -------
Cash flows used by financing activities:
  Proceeds from bank lines of credit........................     90,000          --
  Proceeds from bank loan...................................    375,000          --
  Repayment of bank loan....................................    (51,929)         --
                                                              ---------     -------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........    413,071          --
                                                              ---------     -------
          Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
            equivalents.....................................      5,379      (7,027)
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period...........     48,914      54,293
                                                              ---------     -------
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of period.................  $  54,293      47,266
                                                              =========     =======
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information --
  cash paid during year for interest........................  $  26,929       1,053
                                                              =========     =======
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-90
<PAGE>   237
 
                         CLARK INTERNET SERVICES, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Clark Internet Services, Inc. (the Company) is a provider of internet
access services to businesses and individuals, primarily in the Maryland,
Washington DC, and Northern Virginia regions.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
 
     Effective October 17, 1997, Verio Inc. acquired 51% of the outstanding
common stock of the Company.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided over the estimated
useful lives of the assets ranging from 3 to 5 years using the straight-line
method.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed
Of (Statement No. 121). Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations, including goodwill, when
indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted future cash flows
estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying
amount. If such assets are impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured
by the amounts by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value
of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the
carrying value or fair value, less costs to sell.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services revenue is recognized as the services are provided.
Installation charges and set-up fees are recognized when installation is
completed. The Company records deferred revenue for accounts billed and/or
collected in advance.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109).
SFAS 109 requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the
expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the
financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities
and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial
statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in
effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
 
     At December 31, 1997, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward for
federal income tax purposes of $235,000 which is available to offset future
federal taxable income, if any, through 2012. Due to the uncertainty regarding
the ultimate utilization of the net operating loss carryforward a valuation
allowance
 
                                      F-91
<PAGE>   238
                         CLARK INTERNET SERVICES, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
has been recorded for the full amount of the deferred tax asset related to the
net operating loss carryforward, which represents the only significant temporary
difference as of September 30, 1997.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statements purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of September 30, 1997 approximate their carrying values
based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different market assumptions
and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect on the estimated
fair values.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                                           <C>
Furniture and fixtures......................................  $ 337,163
Computer and equipment......................................    656,496
                                                              ---------
                                                                993,659
Less accumulated depreciation...............................   (343,658)
                                                              ---------
                                                              $ 650,001
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
     Depreciation expense for the year ended September 30, 1997 and the period
ended October 17, 1997 totaled $138,054 and $9,547, respectively.
 
(3) BANK LINE OF CREDIT AND NOTES PAYABLE
 
     In April 1997, the Company entered into a $200,000 line of credit agreement
with a bank, with interest at the prime rate plus 1.5% (10.0% at September 30,
1997). Borrowings under the line of credit are due in April 1998.
 
     In addition, the Company also borrowed $375,000 from a bank under a loan
secured by the Small Business Administration with interest at the prime rate
plus 2% (10.5% at September 30, 1997). Monthly principal payments of $6,250 are
due through April 2002.
 
(4) LEASES
 
     The Company leases its facilities under long-term operating leases expiring
at various dates through 2002. Future minimum lease payments consist of the
following at September 30:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                                           <C>
1998........................................................  $363,000
1999........................................................   182,155
2000........................................................    42,926
2001........................................................    25,320
2002........................................................    13,811
                                                              --------
          Total minimum lease payments......................  $627,212
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense totaled $484,162 for the year ended September 30, 1997.
 
(5) TRANSACTION WITH RELATED PARTY
 
     The related party receivable at September 30, 1997 is due from an entity
owned by the Company's Chief Executive Officer, for whom the Company provides
general accounting and administrative services. These amounts were repaid
subsequent to September 30, 1997.
 
                                      F-92
<PAGE>   239
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of ATMnet as of October 31,
1996 and 1997, and the related statements of operations, stockholders' deficit,
and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of ATMnet as of October 31,
1996 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
December 13, 1997
 
                                      F-93
<PAGE>   240
 
                                     ATMNET
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996           1997
                                                              -----------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $    76,037         11,739
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $30,000 and $25,981.................................      279,871        192,726
  Other receivables.........................................       13,646             --
  Other.....................................................       56,607         65,886
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total current assets..............................      426,161        270,351
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net (note 2)..........    1,404,863      1,120,396
Investment in affiliate (note 3)............................       87,500             --
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of
  $99,758 and $52,952.......................................      181,081        134,273
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total assets......................................  $ 2,099,605      1,525,020
                                                              ===========    ===========
 
                          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $ 1,736,880      2,738,070
  Accrued liabilities.......................................      162,381        589,794
  Due to related parties (note 6)...........................       16,235         41,209
  Deferred revenue..........................................      176,481        115,393
  Subordinated notes payable to stockholders and related
     parties (note 4).......................................           --        908,979
  Current portion of capital lease obligations (note 7).....      140,223        150,134
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total current liabilities.........................    2,232,200      4,543,579
Capital lease obligations, less current portion.............      164,514         14,379
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total liabilities.................................    2,396,714      4,557,958
Stockholders' deficit (note 5):
  Common stock, no par value, 83,000,000 shares authorized;
     29,100,000 shares issued and outstanding...............    1,158,532      1,158,532
  Accumulated deficit.......................................   (1,455,641)    (4,191,470)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total stockholders' deficit.......................     (297,109)    (3,032,938)
Commitments (note 7)........................................
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit.......  $ 2,099,605      1,525,020
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-94
<PAGE>   241
 
                                     ATMNET
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996           1997
                                                              -----------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services (note 6)................................  $ 1,236,478    $ 2,730,732
  Equipment sales...........................................      440,315        513,941
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total revenue.....................................    1,676,793      3,244,673
                                                              -----------    -----------
Operating expenses:
  Cost of internet services.................................      845,465      1,963,858
  Cost of equipment sold....................................      258,517        381,043
  Other operating expenses..................................      645,710        721,012
  Selling, general and administrative.......................      957,253      1,927,589
  Depreciation and amortization.............................      343,682        649,510
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Total operating expenses..........................    3,050,627      5,643,012
                                                              -----------    -----------
  Loss from operations......................................   (1,373,834)    (2,398,339)
Other expenses:
  Interest expense..........................................      (36,203)      (167,864)
  Other.....................................................      (21,000)      (169,626)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net loss..........................................  $(1,431,037)   $(2,735,829)
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-95
<PAGE>   242
 
                                     ATMNET
 
                      STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
                     YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         COMMON      ACCUMULATED
                                                         STOCK         DEFICIT         TOTAL
                                                       ----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>            <C>
BALANCE AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 1995.......................  $  458,200    $   (24,604)   $   433,596
Issuance of common stock for cash....................     700,332             --        700,332
Net loss.............................................          --     (1,431,037)    (1,431,037)
                                                       ----------    -----------    -----------
BALANCES AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1996......................   1,158,532     (1,455,641)      (297,109)
Net loss.............................................          --     (2,735,829)    (2,735,829)
                                                       ----------    -----------    -----------
BALANCES AS OF OCTOBER 31, 1997......................  $1,158,532    $(4,191,470)   $(3,032,938)
                                                       ==========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-96
<PAGE>   243
 
                                     ATMNET
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                     YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996           1997
                                                              -----------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(1,431,037)   $(2,735,829)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided
     (used) by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................      343,682        649,510
     Provision for doubtful accounts........................       62,000         58,686
     Loss on write-off of investment........................           --         87,500
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Trade receivables....................................     (302,792)        28,459
       Other receivables....................................       46,354         13,646
       Other current assets.................................      (51,943)        (9,279)
       Accounts payable.....................................    1,710,981      1,001,190
       Accrued liabilities and due to related parties.......      172,852        452,387
       Deferred revenue.....................................      171,898        (61,088)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net cash provided (used) by operating
             activities.....................................      721,995       (514,818)
                                                              -----------    -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements..........   (1,235,719)      (318,235)
  Investment in affiliates, at cost.........................      (87,500)            --
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net cash used by investing activities.............   (1,323,219)      (318,235)
                                                              -----------    -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt...............           --      1,018,979
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock....................      700,332             --
  Principal payments on subordinated debt...................           --       (110,000)
  Principal payments on capital lease obligations...........     (114,166)      (140,224)
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........      586,166        768,755
                                                              -----------    -----------
          Net decrease in cash..............................      (15,058)       (64,298)
Cash, beginning of year.....................................       91,095         76,037
                                                              -----------    -----------
Cash, end of year...........................................  $    76,037    $    11,739
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the year for:
     Interest...............................................  $    36,203    $    25,765
                                                              ===========    ===========
Noncash investing and financing activities -- equipment
  acquired through capital lease obligations................  $   345,046    $        --
                                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-97
<PAGE>   244
 
                                     ATMNET
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     ATMnet (the Company) was incorporated in the State of California on
February 26, 1997. The Company provides regional internet access services, and
hardware sales to customers mainly in California.
 
     Effective November 5, 1997, Verio Inc. acquired substantially all of the
net assets of the Company.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance. Revenue
from hardware sales is recognized upon shipment of the respective products.
 
  Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
 
     Equipment and leasehold improvements, including assets held under capital
leases, is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization.
Depreciation and amortization is recorded using the straight-line method over
the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the related assets or the lease
term, which are two or three years. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are
expensed as incurred.
 
  Investment in Affiliates
 
     Investment in affiliate represents common stock of an affiliate
representing less than a 20% ownership interest which is accounted for using the
cost method.
 
  Intangible Assets
 
     The excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired, or goodwill,
and organization costs are amortized using the straight-line method over five
years.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax
consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and
their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and
statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected
to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary,
to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
     The Company has a net operating loss carryforward for income tax purposes
of approximately $3,883,000 which expires in 2012. No tax benefit has been
recorded by the Company in fiscal 1996 and 1997 due to the Company's net loss
and the uncertainty regarding the ultimate utilization of such loss
carryforward. A valuation allowance has been recorded for the entire balance of
the deferred tax asset related to the carryforward. Other temporary differences
between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities are
not significant.
 
                                      F-98
<PAGE>   245
                                     ATMNET
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                           OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of October 31, 1997 and 1996 approximate their carrying
values based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different market
assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect on the
estimated fair values.
 
     Customers who operate in California represent substantially all of the
Company's customer base and accounts receivable. However, no single customer
comprised more than 5% of accounts receivable or total revenue as of or for the
year ended October 31, 1997 or 1996.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company accounts for long-lived assets under the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of
(SFAS 121). Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on
long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present
and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets
are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are considered to be
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be
disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less
costs to sell.
 
  Stock-Based Compensation
 
     The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for its stock compensation plan. Accordingly, since the Company
grants stock options with exercise prices equal to fair value at the date of
grant, no compensation expense has been recognized in 1996 or 1997. Under
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation (SFAS 123), entities are permitted to adopt the fair value method
of accounting for employee stock-based compensation plans. However, SFAS 123
allows an entity to continue using the intrinsic value method under APB Opinion
No. 25, but requires the entity to make pro forma disclosures of net income or
loss as if the fair value method of accounting had been applied.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at October 31, 1996 and 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996         1997
                                                              ----------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................  $1,613,305    1,786,575
Furniture and fixtures......................................      77,668      133,730
Leasehold improvements......................................      12,080      100,983
                                                              ----------    ---------
                                                               1,703,053    2,021,288
Less accumulated depreciation...............................    (298,190)    (900,892)
                                                              ----------    ---------
                                                              $1,404,863    1,120,396
                                                              ==========    =========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment and leasehold improvements includes assets owned under capital
leases with a net book value of $195,294 and $333,079 at October 31, 1996 and
1997, respectively.
 
                                      F-99
<PAGE>   246
                                     ATMNET
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                           OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
(3) INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE
 
     During fiscal 1996, the Company acquired a 10% interest in Turpike
Corporation for a purchase price of $87,500. The investment was written off in
fiscal 1997.
 
(4) SUBORDINATED NOTES PAYABLE
 
     Subordinated notes payable as of October 31, 1997 consists of notes payable
to stockholders and related parties, with interest at rates varying from prime
plus 2% (10.5% at October 31, 1997) to 18%, due in June 1998. The notes are
subordinate to all other senior indebtedness of the Company. Interest expense
related to the subordinated notes totaled $104,130 in 1997.
 
(5) STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS
 
     The Company established a Stock Option Plan in March 1996, whereby. at the
discretion of the Board of Directors (the Board), the Company may grant stock
options to certain key employees of the Company. The option price is determined
by the Board at the time the option is granted, but in no event is less than the
fair market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant, as
determined by the Board. The options vest over a five year period or, in certain
circumstances, earlier based on the fair value of the Company's common shares,
as defined, and expire ten years from the date of grant. As of October 31, 1997,
no options had been exercised or are exercisable. The weighted-average
contractual life of outstanding options as of October 31, 1997 is approximately
two years.
 
     The following table summarizes option activity for two years ended October
31, 1997:
 
     Options granted during fiscal 1996 at the following exercise price:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                             <C>
Options granted during fiscal 1996 at the following exercise
  price:
  $0.30 per share...........................................     4,410,000
  $0.33 per share...........................................     1,000,000
                                                                ----------
Options outstanding at October 31, 1996.....................     5,410,000
  Options cancelled.........................................    (1,545,000)
                                                                ----------
Options outstanding at October 31, 1997.....................     3,865,000
                                                                ==========
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options......          $.31
                                                                ==========
</TABLE>
 
     During the years ended October 31, 1996 and 1997, the per share
weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $.03 on the date of
grant using the Black-Scholes opinion-pricing model with the following
weighted-average assumptions; no dividends or volatility, risk-free interest
rate of 6%, and expected life of two years. If the Company had determined
compensation expense for the years ended October 31, 1996 and 1997 based on the
fair value of the options at the grant dates under SFAS No. 123, net loss would
increase to $1,595,000 and $2,854,000, respectively.
 
(6) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     The Company provides internet services to a company whose founder and CEO
is a shareholder of ATMnet. Revenue earned by ATMnet from this company totaled
$15,523 and $22,581 during the years ended October 31, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.
 
     Amounts due to related parties are for services provided, are non-interest
bearing and are due within one year.
 
                                      F-100
<PAGE>   247
                                     ATMNET
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                           OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
(7) LEASES
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable operating
leases expiring at various dates through 2000. Future minimum annual lease
payments under capital and noncancelable operating leases for each of the years
ending October 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                               LEASES       LEASES
                                                              ---------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
1998........................................................  $ 161,028     173,868
1999........................................................     22,524     142,068
2000........................................................         --      26,209
                                                              ---------     -------
  Total minimum payments....................................    183,552     342,145
                                                                            =======
Less amount representing interest...........................    (19,039)
                                                              ---------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...............    164,513
Less current portion........................................   (150,134)
                                                              ---------
                                                              $  14,379
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended October 31, 1996 and 1997 totaled $72,686
and $168,410, respectively.
 
                                      F-101
<PAGE>   248
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Global Internet Network
Services, Inc. (wholly-owned by Global Internet.Com Inc.) as of December 31,
1996 and November 26, 1997, and the related statements of operations,
stockholder's equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year ended December 31,
1996 and the period ended November 26, 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Global Internet Network
Services, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and November 26, 1997 and, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31,
1996 and the period ended November 26, 1997 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 20, 1998
 
                                      F-102
<PAGE>   249
 
                     GLOBAL INTERNET NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
                   (WHOLLY-OWNED BY GLOBAL INTERNET.COM INC.)
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                    DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND NOVEMBER 26, 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996         1997
                                                              ----------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $  132,118       30,681
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $59,777 in 1996 and $86,166 in 1997.................     935,979      449,959
  Receivables from affiliates (note 3)......................      40,497       53,542
  Inventory.................................................     126,020      102,801
  Prepaid expenses and other................................      60,869       83,323
                                                              ----------    ---------
          Total current assets..............................   1,295,483      720,306
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................     557,142      799,179
Other assets................................................       3,864        3,723
                                                              ----------    ---------
          Total assets......................................  $1,856,489    1,523,208
                                                              ==========    =========
 
                   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $  631,660      109,651
  Accrued liabilities.......................................      17,996       18,168
  Deferred revenue..........................................     486,167      418,885
  Current portion of obligations under capital leases (note
     4).....................................................      37,828      106,720
  Due to parent (note 3)....................................     942,098           --
                                                              ----------    ---------
          Total current liabilities.........................   2,115,749      653,424
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....      31,687      193,630
                                                              ----------    ---------
          Total liabilities.................................   2,147,436      847,054
                                                              ----------    ---------
Stockholder's equity (deficit):
  Common stock, $1.00 par value, 10,000 shares authorized,
     5,000 shares issued and outstanding....................       5,000        5,000
  Additional paid-in capital................................     245,000    1,412,849
  Accumulated deficit.......................................    (540,947)    (741,695)
                                                              ----------    ---------
     Total stockholder's equity (deficit)...................    (290,947)     676,154
                                                              ----------    ---------
Commitments (note 4)
     Total liabilities and stockholder's equity (deficit)...  $1,856,489    1,523,208
                                                              ==========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-103
<PAGE>   250
 
                     GLOBAL INTERNET NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
                   (WHOLLY-OWNED BY GLOBAL INTERNET.COM INC.)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
                         PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 26, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996          1997
                                                              ----------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $1,979,201     2,501,037
  Consulting services (note 3)..............................     344,233       564,150
  Computer hardware and software sales (note 3).............     853,396       355,731
  National Science Foundation revenue (note 7)..............     440,119       114,982
  Other.....................................................      80,401       248,816
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total revenue.....................................   3,697,350     3,784,716
                                                              ----------    ----------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.........................   1,530,020     1,960,653
  Cost of hardware and software sales.......................     591,227       292,874
  Engineering and network...................................     507,843       425,430
  Marketing and selling.....................................     248,986       238,982
  General and administrative................................     956,052       785,960
  Depreciation and amortization.............................     259,956       280,445
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   4,094,084     3,984,344
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Loss from operations..............................    (396,734)     (199,628)
Other income (expense):
  Interest expense..........................................      (9,897)       (8,229)
  Other, net................................................      43,577         7,109
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Net loss..........................................  $ (363,054)     (200,748)
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-104
<PAGE>   251
 
                     GLOBAL INTERNET NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
                   (WHOLLY-OWNED BY GLOBAL INTERNET.COM INC.)
 
                  STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
                         PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 26, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          TOTAL
                                                           ADDITIONAL                 STOCKHOLDER'S
                                                  COMMON    PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED      EQUITY
                                                  STOCK     CAPITAL       DEFICIT       (DEFICIT)
                                                  ------   ----------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                               <C>      <C>          <C>           <C>
BALANCES AT JANUARY 1, 1996.....................  $5,000     245,000     (177,893)        72,107
Net loss........................................     --           --     (363,054)      (363,054)
                                                  ------   ---------     --------       --------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996...................  5,000      245,000     (540,947)      (290,947)
Transfer of net assets to parent (note 6).......     --     (101,088)          --       (101,088)
Conversion of note payable to parent to equity
  (note 6)......................................     --    1,156,437           --      1,156,437
Capital contribution by parent (note 6).........     --      112,500           --        112,500
Net loss........................................     --           --     (200,748)      (200,748)
                                                  ------   ---------     --------       --------
BALANCES AT NOVEMBER 26, 1997...................  $5,000   1,412,849     (741,695)       676,154
                                                  ======   =========     ========       ========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-105
<PAGE>   252
 
                     GLOBAL INTERNET NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
                   (WHOLLY-OWNED BY GLOBAL INTERNET.COM INC.)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND
                         PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 26, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996        1997
                                                              ---------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(363,054)   (200,748)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by
     operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................    259,956     280,445
     Provision for bad debts................................     70,445      95,913
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Trade receivables....................................   (231,005)    377,062
       Inventory............................................    (43,335)     23,219
       Other current assets.................................    (26,954)    (22,454)
       Accounts payable.....................................    575,188    (522,009)
       Accrued liabilities..................................   (382,897)        172
       Deferred revenue.....................................     58,277     (67,282)
       Other................................................     (3,241)         --
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Net cash used by operating activities.............    (86,620)    (35,682)
                                                              ---------   ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchases of
  equipment.................................................   (336,795)   (334,161)
                                                              ---------   ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Capital contribution by parent............................         --     112,500
  Advances by parent........................................    544,707     214,339
  Principal payments made under capital lease obligations...    (39,720)    (58,433)
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........    504,987     268,406
                                                              ---------   ---------
          Increase (decrease) in cash.......................     81,572    (101,437)
Cash, beginning of year.....................................     50,546     132,118
                                                              ---------   ---------
Cash, end of year...........................................  $ 132,118      30,681
                                                              =========   =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the year for interest....................  $  10,095      15,681
                                                              =========   =========
  Noncash investing and financing activities:
     Equipment acquired through capital lease obligations...  $      --     299,940
                                                              =========   =========
     Transfer of assets to parent...........................  $      --     101,088
                                                              =========   =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-106
<PAGE>   253
 
                     GLOBAL INTERNET NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
                   (WHOLLY-OWNED BY GLOBAL INTERNET.COM INC.)
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                    DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND NOVEMBER 26, 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Global Internet Network Services, Inc. (the Company) is engaged in
providing regional internet access services, software and hardware consulting
and sales to customers in a ten state region. The Company was incorporated in
Nebraska in September 1987, as Midnet Inc., a nonprofit corporation organized to
promote research, education and economic development. On July 15, 1994, Midnet
Inc. became a for profit corporation and was purchased by Global Internet.Com
Inc. (Parent) on August 8, 1994. On March 12, 1997, the Company changed its
corporate name from Midnet Inc. to Global Internet Network Services, Inc.
 
     Effective November 26, 1997, Verio Inc. (Verio) acquired a 100% ownership
interest in the Company. (see note 6).
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance. Revenue
from consulting services is recognized when services have been rendered. Revenue
from hardware and software sales is recognized upon shipment of the respective
products.
 
  Inventory
 
     Inventory, consisting of systems hardware and software and maintenance
parts and supplies is recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or
market.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including any assets held under capital leases, is recorded at
cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the related assets or the lease term, which range from three to
five years. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The Company is included in the tax returns of the Parent. Income taxes are
accounted for under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109). Under SFAS 109,
deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax consequences of
differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial
reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and statutory rates
applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect
taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce
deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
     The Company has a net operating loss carryforward of approximately
$518,000, which expires in 2012. No tax benefit has been recorded by the Company
for 1996 or 1997 due to the Company's net loss and the uncertainty regarding the
ultimate utilization of such loss in the consolidated income tax returns of the
Parent. A valuation allowance has been recorded for the entire balance of the
deferred tax asset related to the
 
                                      F-107
<PAGE>   254
                     GLOBAL INTERNET NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
                   (WHOLLY-OWNED BY GLOBAL INTERNET.COM INC.)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Company's net loss. Other temporary differences between financial statement and
income tax bases of assets and liabilities are not significant.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     The Company provides unsecured credit to customers in the normal course of
business. Failure of the customers to pay could result in losses up to the
recorded receivable balances. The Company did not have any customers that
represent greater than 5% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 1996
and the period ended November 26, 1997, respectively.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     In March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of (SFAS 121). This
statement was effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1995. Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be
recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the
amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at lower of the carrying amount or
fair value less costs to sell. SFAS 121 did not have a significant effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations in 1997 and 1996.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment is comprised of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31,    NOVEMBER 26,
                                                                 1996            1997
                                                             ------------    ------------
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>
Internet and computer equipment............................    $821,921       1,342,321
Furniture and office equipment.............................     137,847         150,254
Leasehold improvements.....................................       1,228           2,001
                                                               --------       ---------
                                                                960,996       1,494,576
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.............    (403,854)       (695,397)
                                                               --------       ---------
                                                               $557,142         799,179
                                                               ========       =========
</TABLE>
 
(3) TRANSACTIONS WITH PARENT
 
     Amounts due to Parent represent noninterest bearing cash transfers from the
Parent (see note 6).
 
     Hardware and software sales and consulting revenue from affiliates of the
Parent for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the period ended November 27,
1997 were $92,273 and $561,438, respectively.
 
(4) LEASES
 
     The Company leases certain internet and computer equipment under capital
leases. At December 31, 1996 and November 26, 1997, leased equipment was
included in internet and computer equipment with net book values of $80,117 and
$367,003, respectively. The Company also leases office space under a
noncancelable operating lease expiring in November 2002.
 
                                      F-108
<PAGE>   255
                     GLOBAL INTERNET NETWORK SERVICES, INC.
                   (WHOLLY-OWNED BY GLOBAL INTERNET.COM INC.)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Future minimum annual lease payments under capital and noncancelable
operating leases for years ending November 30 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                               LEASES       LEASES
                                                              ---------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
1998........................................................  $ 131,748      47,634
1999........................................................    116,448      50,016
2000........................................................     95,435      52,516
2001........................................................         --      55,142
2002........................................................         --      57,899
                                                              ---------     -------
  Total minimum payments....................................    343,631     263,207
                                                                            =======
Less amount representing interest...........................    (43,281)
                                                              ---------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...............    300,350
Less current portion........................................   (106,720)
                                                              ---------
                                                              $ 193,630
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the period ended
November 26, 1997 was $71,738 and $63,724, respectively.
 
(5) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
     The Parent has a 401(k) (the Plan) covering all employees of the Company
who meet certain eligibility requirements. Employer contributions are not
required and the Parent did not make any contributions to the Plan during the
year ended December 31, 1996 and the period ended November 26, 1997.
 
(6) STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
     In connection with the acquisition of common stock of the Company by Verio
Inc. (Verio) amounts due to parent totaling $1,156,437 were converted to equity
and the Parent made a cash contribution to the Company in the amount of
$112,500.
 
     Prior to the Verio acquisition in November 1997, the Company transferred
certain net assets of a division to the Parent in the amount of $101,088, which
division was not acquired by Verio.
 
(7) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANTS
 
     The Company receives grant revenue under contracts with the National
Science Foundation (NSF) to provide network connections to certain
not-for-profit educational institutions. Grant revenue is recognized ratably
over the term of the contract, which is generally twelve months. Grant revenue
amounted to $440,119 and $114,982 for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the
period ended November 26, 1997, respectively. Total amounts receivable at
December 31, 1996 and November 26, 1997 were $65,858 and $16,439, respectively.
 
                                      F-109
<PAGE>   256
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of the Pennsylvania
Research Partnership Network (PREPnet) as of November 30, 1996 and 1997, and the
related statements of operations and owners' deficit, and cash flows for the
years then ended and the period ended December 24, 1997. These financial
statements are the responsibility of PREPnet's management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Pennsylvania Research
Partnership Network (PREPnet) as of November 30, 1996 and 1997, and the results
of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended and for the period
ended December 24, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 20, 1998
 
                                      F-110
<PAGE>   257
 
                 THE PENNSYLVANIA RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
                                   (PREPNET)
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           NOVEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996          1997
                                                              -----------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Current assets:
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $14,631 and $13,313, respectively...................  $    73,943    $ 102,041
  Prepaid expenses and other................................        1,769       15,409
                                                              -----------    ---------
          Total current assets..............................       75,712      117,450
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................      200,538      138,008
                                                              -----------    ---------
          Total assets......................................  $   276,250    $ 255,458
                                                              ===========    =========
 
                           LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S DEFICIT
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $    88,639    $ 132,039
  Accrued liabilities.......................................       44,555        3,020
  Current portion of obligations under capital leases (note
     3).....................................................       57,468       56,262
  Deferred revenue..........................................    1,084,501      683,371
                                                              -----------    ---------
          Total current liabilities.........................    1,275,163      874,692
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 3)....       55,502           --
                                                              -----------    ---------
          Total liabilities.................................    1,330,665      874,692
Owners' deficit.............................................   (1,054,415)    (619,234)
Commitments (note 3)
                                                              -----------    ---------
          Total liabilities and owner's deficit.............  $   276,250    $ 255,458
                                                              ===========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-111
<PAGE>   258
 
                 THE PENNSYLVANIA RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
                                   (PREPNET)
 
                  STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OWNERS' DEFICIT
   YEARS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997 AND PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 24, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     PERIOD ENDED
                                                                                     DECEMBER 24,
                                                            1996          1997           1997
                                                         -----------   -----------   ------------
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services....................................  $ 2,027,682   $ 2,026,439    $  156,459
  Grant revenue (note 4)...............................      194,343        98,711            --
  Other................................................        6,309        22,477            --
                                                         -----------   -----------    ----------
          Total revenue................................    2,228,334     2,147,627       156,459
                                                         -----------   -----------    ----------
Costs and expenses:
  Internet services operating costs....................      588,543       792,684        80,972
  Selling, general and administrative (note 5).........      831,230       773,174        64,625
  Depreciation.........................................       92,251       121,192         8,285
                                                         -----------   -----------    ----------
          Total costs and expenses.....................    1,512,024     1,687,050       153,882
                                                         -----------   -----------    ----------
          Earnings from operations.....................      716,310       460,577         2,577
Interest expense, net..................................      (18,331)      (11,261)         (938)
                                                         -----------   -----------    ----------
          Net earnings.................................      697,979       449,316         1,639
Owners' deficit at beginning of period.................     (726,569)   (1,054,415)     (619,234)
Net advances to owners.................................   (1,025,825)      (14,135)      (23,911)
                                                         -----------   -----------    ----------
Owners' deficit at end of period.......................  $(1,054,415)  $  (619,234)   $ (641,506)
                                                         ===========   ===========    ==========
Pro forma information:
  Historical net earnings..............................  $   697,979   $   449,316    $    1,639
  Pro forma adjustment for income tax expense..........     (265,000)     (171,000)         (600)
                                                         -----------   -----------    ----------
          Pro forma net earnings.......................  $   432,979   $   278,316    $    1,039
                                                         ===========   ===========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-112
<PAGE>   259
 
                 THE PENNSYLVANIA RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
                                   (PREPNET)
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
   YEARS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997 AND PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 24, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PERIOD ENDED
                                                                                    DECEMBER 24,
                                                           1996          1997           1997
                                                        -----------    ---------    ------------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings........................................  $   697,979    $ 449,316     $   1,639
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation.....................................       92,251      121,192         8,285
     Provision for bad debts..........................       14,631       13,313            --
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Trade receivables..............................       58,406      (41,411)      (38,747)
       Prepaid expenses and other assets..............           --      (13,640)        6,294
       Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.......      100,318        1,865        (5,400)
       Deferred revenue...............................      178,313     (401,130)       57,131
                                                        -----------    ---------     ---------
          Net cash provided by operating activities...    1,141,898      129,505        29,202
                                                        -----------    ---------     ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchase of
  equipment...........................................      (61,987)     (58,662)           --
                                                        -----------    ---------     ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Repayments of capital lease obligations.............      (54,086)     (56,708)       (5,291)
  Net advances to owners..............................   (1,025,825)     (14,135)      (23,911)
                                                        -----------    ---------     ---------
          Net cash used by financing activities.......   (1,079,911)     (70,843)      (29,202)
                                                        -----------    ---------     ---------
          Net change in cash and cash at beginning and
            end of period.............................  $        --    $      --     $      --
                                                        ===========    =========     =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow
  information -- cash paid for interest...............  $    18,331    $  11,261     $     938
                                                        ===========    =========     =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-113
<PAGE>   260
 
                 THE PENNSYLVANIA RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
                                   (PREPNET)
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           NOVEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the
Pennsylvania Research Partnership Network (PREPnet), the data communications
network of a consortium of research institutions in Pennsylvania. A joint
venture between Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh
serves as the legal entity and coordinator of the consortium. The accompanying
financial statements have been prepared assuming that PREPnet had been operated
separately as of December 1, 1995 and thereafter. PREPnet provides internet
services to businesses, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations,
and individual subscribers.
 
     Effective December 24, 1997, the net assets of PREPnet were acquired by
Verio Inc. in a purchase business combination.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. PREPnet
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including any assets held under capital leases, is stated at
cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets or
the lease term, which is 3 years. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are
expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     PREPnet evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on
long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present
and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets
are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are impaired, the
impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying
amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed
of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to
sell.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The operations of PREPnet are included in the income tax returns of the
joint venture, which is a non-profit entity and is exempt from income taxes.
However, pro forma information has been included in the accompanying statement
of operations to reflect a pro forma adjustment for income tax expense as if
PREPnet had been a separate taxable entity subject to federal and state income
taxes for all periods presented.
 
                                      F-114
<PAGE>   261
                 THE PENNSYLVANIA RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
                                   (PREPNET)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statements purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of November 30, 1996 and 1997 approximate their
carrying values based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different
market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect
on the estimated fair values.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at November 30:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996         1997
                                                               ---------    ---------
<S>                                                            <C>          <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................   $ 321,434    $ 376,014
Furniture and office equipment..............................       5,854        9,936
                                                               ---------    ---------
                                                                 327,288      385,950
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............    (126,750)    (247,942)
                                                               ---------    ---------
                                                               $ 200,538    $ 138,008
                                                               =========    =========
</TABLE>
 
(3) COMMITMENTS
 
     PREPnet leases certain computer and office equipment under capital leases.
PREPnet also leases office space under noncancelable operating leases expiring
at various dates through 2001.
 
     Future minimum annual lease payments under capital and noncancelable
operating leases for each of the years ending November 30 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                               LEASES      LEASES
                                                              --------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
1998........................................................  $ 58,810    $ 50,731
1999........................................................        --      50,341
2000........................................................        --      27,867
2001........................................................        --      49,171
                                                              --------    --------
  Total minimum payments....................................    58,810    $178,110
                                                                          ========
Less amount representing interest...........................    (2,548)
                                                              --------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...............    56,262
Less current portion........................................   (56,262)
                                                              --------
                                                              $     --
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended November 30, 1996 and 1997 and the period
ended December 24, 1997 was $47,674, $73,218 and $6,102, respectively.
 
(4) GRANT REVENUE
 
     PREPnet receives grant revenue from the National Science Foundation and
other government agencies to provide network connections to certain
not-for-profit educational institutions. Grant revenue is recognized ratably
over the term of the contract, which is generally twelve months. Total deferred
grant revenue at November 30, 1996 was $71,667.
 
                                      F-115
<PAGE>   262
                 THE PENNSYLVANIA RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
                                   (PREPNET)
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(5) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     Carnegie Mellon University provides administrative support and use of
facilities to PREPnet and allocates the cost of these services to the entity.
Such allocations totalled approximately $69,188 and $81,886 for the years ended
November 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
                                      F-116
<PAGE>   263
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Monumental Network
Systems, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the related statements of
operations, stockholders' deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Monumental Network Systems,
Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 25, 1998
 
                                      F-117
<PAGE>   264
 
                        MONUMENTAL NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996          1997
                                                              ---------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $  63,693    $        --
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $15,363 and $41,207.................................    138,263        214,440
                                                              ---------    -----------
          Total current assets..............................    201,956        214,440
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................    359,327        440,406
Other assets, net...........................................     17,664         66,562
                                                              ---------    -----------
          Total assets......................................  $ 578,947    $   721,408
                                                              =========    ===========
 
                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $ 186,526    $   258,319
  Accrued liabilities.......................................     23,052        163,436
  Current portion of notes payable (note 3):
     Related party..........................................     30,025        132,954
     Other..................................................      9,789         49,694
  Current portion of obligations under capital lease (note
     4).....................................................     70,736         82,194
  Deferred revenue..........................................    326,924        573,057
  Cash overdraft............................................         --        166,157
                                                              ---------    -----------
          Total current liabilities.........................    647,052      1,425,811
Notes payable, less current portion (note 3)................      8,915         21,067
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....    114,764         97,208
                                                              ---------    -----------
          Total liabilities.................................    770,731      1,544,086
Stockholders' deficit:
  Common stock, $1.00 par value, 500,000 shares authorized,
     300,944 and 302,779 shares issued and outstanding as of
     December 31, 1996 and 1997.............................    300,944        302,779
  Additional paid-in capital................................    197,494        199,329
  Accumulated deficit.......................................   (690,222)    (1,324,786)
                                                              ---------    -----------
          Total stockholders' deficit.......................   (191,784)      (822,678)
Commitments (note 4)
                                                              ---------    -----------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit.......  $ 578,947    $   721,408
                                                              =========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-118
<PAGE>   265
 
                        MONUMENTAL NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996          1997
                                                              ----------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $1,250,789    $2,425,121
  Computer hardware and software sales......................      95,557        41,733
  Other.....................................................      24,197         4,653
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total revenue.....................................   1,370,543     2,471,507
                                                              ----------    ----------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.........................     385,439       743,524
  Cost of hardware and software sales.......................     198,486       417,559
  Selling, general and administrative.......................   1,246,716     1,756,956
  Depreciation..............................................      74,607       172,092
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   1,905,248     3,090,131
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Loss from operations..............................    (534,705)     (618,624)
Interest expense, net.......................................      18,448        15,940
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Net loss..........................................  $ (553,153)   $ (634,564)
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-119
<PAGE>   266
 
                        MONUMENTAL NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                      STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               TOTAL
                                              COMMON STOCK      ADDITIONAL                 STOCKHOLDERS'
                                           ------------------    PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED      EQUITY
                                           SHARES     AMOUNT     CAPITAL       DEFICIT       (DEFICIT)
                                           -------   --------   ----------   -----------   -------------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
BALANCES AT JANUARY 1, 1996..............  114,015   $114,015    $     --    $  (137,069)    $ (23,054)
Issuance of common shares for cash.......  100,000    100,000     100,000             --       200,000
Issuance of common shares for services or
  equipment..............................   86,929     86,929      97,494             --       184,423
Net loss.................................       --         --          --       (553,153)     (553,153)
                                           -------   --------    --------    -----------     ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996............  300,944    300,944     197,494       (690,222)     (191,784)
Issuance of common shares for cash.......    1,000      1,000       1,000             --         2,000
Issuance of common shares for services...      835        835         835             --         1,670
Net loss.................................       --         --          --       (634,564)     (634,564)
                                           -------   --------    --------    -----------     ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1997............  302,779   $302,779    $199,329    $(1,324,786)    $(822,678)
                                           =======   ========    ========    ===========     =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-120
<PAGE>   267
 
                        MONUMENTAL NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996         1997
                                                              ---------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(553,153)   $(634,564)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used by
     operating activities:
     Depreciation...........................................     74,607      172,092
     Provision for bad debts................................     15,363      170,634
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Trade receivables....................................   (127,442)    (246,811)
       Other assets.........................................    (15,691)     (48,898)
       Accounts payable.....................................    120,414       71,793
       Accrued liabilities..................................     13,704      140,384
       Deferred revenue.....................................    278,172      246,133
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Net cash used by operating activities.............   (194,026)    (129,237)
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchases of
  equipment.................................................   (142,367)    (178,377)
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net change in cash overdraft..............................         --      166,157
  Borrowings under note payable to related parties..........     30,848      130,000
  Principal payments on note payable to related parties.....       (823)     (27,071)
  Borrowings under notes payable............................     18,704       66,229
  Repayments of notes payable...............................         --      (14,172)
  Principal payments on capital lease obligations...........    (36,824)     (80,892)
  Issuance of common stock..................................    384,423        3,670
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........    396,328      243,921
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Increase (decrease) in cash.......................     59,935      (63,693)
Cash at beginning of year...................................      3,758       63,693
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash at end of year.........................................  $  63,693    $      --
                                                              =========    =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information -- cash
  paid during the year for interest.........................  $  18,739    $  16,508
                                                              =========    =========
Noncash investing and financing activities -- equipment
  acquired through capital lease obligations................  $ 219,242    $  74,794
                                                              =========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-121
<PAGE>   268
 
                        MONUMENTAL NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Monumental Network Systems, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in the
State of Virginia on April 13, 1994. The Company's business consists of
providing regional internet access services, hardware and software sales, and
consulting to customers in Virginia, Maryland and the Washington D.C. area.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
     Effective December 31, 1997, Verio Inc. acquired all of the outstanding
common stock of the Company.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including any assets held under capital leases, is stated at
cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, or
over the lease term, which range from three to seven years. Costs for normal
repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on
long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present
and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets
are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are considered to be
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be
disposed of are reported at lower of the carrying amount or fair value less
costs to sell.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from consulting services is recognized when services have been
rendered.
 
     Revenue from hardware and software sales is recognized upon shipment of the
respective products, if significant future vendor obligations do not exist and
collectibility is probable.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax
consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and
their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and
statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected
to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary,
to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
                                      F-122
<PAGE>   269
                        MONUMENTAL NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 approximate their
carrying values based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different
market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect
on the estimated fair values.
 
     Customers who operate in Virginia, Maryland and the Washington D.C. area
represent substantially all of the Company's customer base. No single customer
comprised more than 10% of accounts receivable or total revenue as of or for the
years ended December 31, 1996 or 1997.
 
  Stock-Based Compensation
 
     The Company accounts for its stock-based employee compensation plan using
the intrinsic value based method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related
interpretations (APB 25). The Company has provided pro forma disclosures of net
loss as if the fair value based method of accounting for the plan, as prescribed
by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123), had been applied. Pro forma disclosures
include the effects of employee stock options granted during the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1997.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996        1997
                                                              --------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Equipment...................................................  $413,615    $ 642,498
Furniture and office equipment..............................    39,310       55,505
Leasehold improvements......................................        --        8,093
                                                              --------    ---------
                                                               452,925      706,096
Less accumulated depreciation...............................   (93,598)    (265,690)
                                                              --------    ---------
                                                              $359,327    $ 440,406
                                                              ========    =========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment includes assets held under capital leases with a net book value
of $198,445 and $201,745 at December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Depreciation expense totaled $74,607 and $172,092 for the years ended December
31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
(3) DEBT
 
     Notes payable consists of the following as of December 31, 1996 and 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1996        1997
                                                              -------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Notes payable with interest rates ranging from 8.25% to
  8.39%, secured by vehicles due through 2002...............  $14,319    $ 34,625
Unsecured notes payable to vendors with interest at 15% due
  in 1998...................................................    4,385      36,136
                                                              -------    --------
                                                               18,704      70,761
Less current portion........................................   (9,789)    (49,694)
                                                              -------    --------
                                                              $ 8,915    $ 21,067
                                                              =======    ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-123
<PAGE>   270
                        MONUMENTAL NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     During 1996, the Company issued notes payable to stockholders of the
Company in the amount of $30,848, with interest at 6%, and monthly payments of
principal and interest due in various dates through 1998. The total unpaid
balance as of December 31, 1997 was $30,025.
 
     During 1997, the Company issued additional notes payable to stockholders of
the Company totaling $130,000, which bear interest at 9%, with interest payable
annually, and are due on demand.
 
(4) COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable operating
leases expiring at various dates through 2001. Future minimum annual lease
payments under capital and noncancelable operating leases for each of the years
ending December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CAPITAL    OPERATING
                                                               LEASES     LEASES
                                                              --------   ---------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
1998........................................................  $103,978    $29,132
1999........................................................    66,919      5,736
2000........................................................    39,031      1,710
2001........................................................     3,818         --
                                                              --------    -------
  Total minimum payments....................................   213,746    $36,578
                                                                          =======
Less amount representing interest...........................   (34,344)
                                                              --------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...............   179,402
Less current portion........................................   (82,194)
                                                              --------
                                                              $ 97,208
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 was $38,967 and
$53,084, respectively.
 
(5) INCOME TAXES
 
     As of December 31, 1997, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward
of approximately $470,000 which will expire in 2012, if not utilized. A
valuation allowance has been recorded for the entire deferred tax asset related
primarily to the net operating loss carryforward due to the uncertainty relating
to the realization of the benefit of the deferred tax asset in the future.
 
(6) STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
     The Company's 1997 Option Plan (the Plan) was adopted by the Board of
Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Company on January 1, 1997.
The Plan provides that salaried officers or key employees, non-employee
directors, and consultants who provide services to the Company may, at the
discretion of the plan administrator, be granted Incentive or Non-statutory
stock options to purchase shares of common stock. 200,000 shares of the
Company's common stock have been authorized for issuance under the Plan, of
which 11,872 incentive stock options were granted in 1997, with an exercise
price of $2.00 per share. None of the options were exercised or canceled during
1997.
 
     Options vest 25% on the first anniversary of the option grant date and 25%
on each of the following three anniversary dates. As of December 31, 1997, no
options were vested or exercisable. The weighted average contractual term of
outstanding options was approximately 9 years at December 31, 1997.
 
     The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $.33
on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the
following weighted-average assumptions; expected dividend yield
 
                                      F-124
<PAGE>   271
                        MONUMENTAL NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
0%, risk-free interest rate of 6%, and expected life of three years. If the
Company determined compensation expense in 1997 based on the fair value of the
options at the grant date under SFAS No. 123, net loss would not have been
significantly different from the historical results of operations other than for
compensation expense recognized for options granted at less than fair value, as
discussed below.
 
     None of the incentive stock option shares were exercisable or vested as of
December 31, 1997. However, in accordance with the acquisition agreement between
the Company and Verio Inc., Monumental Network Systems, Inc. purchased the
11,872 options outstanding as of December 31,1997 at fair market value, less the
exercise price per share, and recorded a charge to operations of $84,152.
 
                                      F-125
<PAGE>   272
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Internet Servers, Inc.
as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the period from inception (August 23,
1995) to December 31, 1995 and the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Internet Servers, Inc. as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the period from inception (August 23, 1995) to December 31, 1995 and the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
March 2, 1998
 
                                      F-126
<PAGE>   273
 
                             INTERNET SERVERS, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996         1997
                                                              --------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $ 18,021    $1,161,510
  Receivables:
     Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
      $11,029 in 1997.......................................    98,675       220,571
     Employees..............................................        --        67,000
  Prepaid expenses and other................................        --        85,478
                                                              --------    ----------
          Total current assets..............................   116,696     1,534,559
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................   484,240       714,205
                                                              --------    ----------
          Total assets......................................  $600,936    $2,248,764
                                                              ========    ==========
 
                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $ 35,061    $  118,241
  Accrued liabilities.......................................    11,731       159,366
  Income taxes payable......................................   111,314       316,456
  Deferred revenue..........................................        --        14,388
                                                              --------    ----------
          Total current liabilities.........................   158,106       608,451
Stockholders' equity (note 5):
  Common stock, no par value, 100,000 shares authorized,
     10,895 and 11,092 shares issued and outstanding........    70,918       426,129
  Retained earnings.........................................   371,912     1,214,184
                                                              --------    ----------
          Total stockholders' equity........................   442,830     1,640,313
Commitments (note 4)
                                                              --------    ----------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........  $600,936    $2,248,764
                                                              ========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-127
<PAGE>   274
 
                             INTERNET SERVERS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
        PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (AUGUST 23, 1995) TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        PERIOD FROM
                                                         INCEPTION
                                                        (AUGUST 23,
                                                          1995) TO
                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                            1995           1996          1997
                                                        ------------    ----------    ----------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Enhanced services...................................    $48,380       $1,507,875    $3,476,045
  Internet services...................................         --               --       704,187
  Other...............................................      2,520               --       211,962
                                                          -------       ----------    ----------
          Total revenue...............................     50,900        1,507,875     4,392,194
                                                          =======       ==========    ==========
Operating costs and expenses:
  Enhanced and internet services operating costs......      8,240          631,111     1,820,757
  Selling, general and administrative.................     35,698          166,751       721,337
  Depreciation........................................      5,728           90,343       259,984
                                                          -------       ----------    ----------
          Total costs and expenses....................     49,666          888,205     2,802,078
                                                          -------       ----------    ----------
          Earnings from operations....................      1,234          619,670     1,590,116
Other income, net.....................................         --              322        26,215
                                                          -------       ----------    ----------
          Earnings before income taxes................      1,234          619,992     1,616,331
Income tax expense (note 3)...........................         --         (111,314)     (602,059)
                                                          -------       ----------    ----------
          Net earnings................................    $ 1,234       $  508,678    $1,014,272
                                                          =======       ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-128
<PAGE>   275
 
                             INTERNET SERVERS, INC.
 
                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
        PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (AUGUST 23, 1995) TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    COMMON STOCK
                                                 ------------------     RETAINED
                                                 SHARES     AMOUNT      EARNINGS       TOTAL
                                                 ------    --------    ----------    ----------
<S>                                              <C>       <C>         <C>           <C>
BALANCES AT INCEPTION.........................       --    $     --    $       --    $       --
Issuances of common stock for cash............    9,800      13,000            --        13,000
Net earnings..................................       --          --         1,234         1,234
                                                 ------    --------    ----------    ----------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1995.................    9,800      13,000         1,234        14,234
Issuance of common stock for services.........    1,095      57,918            --        57,918
Dividends paid in cash........................       --          --      (138,000)     (138,000)
Net earnings..................................       --          --       508,678       508,678
                                                 ------    --------    ----------    ----------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996.................   10,895      70,918       371,912       442,830
Issuance of common stock for services.........      197     355,211            --       355,211
Dividends paid in cash........................       --          --      (172,000)     (172,000)
Net earnings..................................       --          --     1,014,272     1,014,272
                                                 ------    --------    ----------    ----------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1997.................   11,092    $426,129    $1,214,184    $1,640,313
                                                 ======    ========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-129
<PAGE>   276
 
                             INTERNET SERVERS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
        PERIOD FROM INCEPTION (AUGUST 23, 1995) TO DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         PERIOD FROM
                                                          INCEPTION
                                                         (AUGUST 23,
                                                           1995) TO
                                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                                             1995          1996          1997
                                                         ------------    ---------    ----------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings.........................................    $  1,234      $ 508,678    $1,014,272
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation......................................       5,728         90,343       259,984
     Provision for bad debts...........................          --             --        58,371
     Common stock issued for services..................          --         57,918       355,211
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Receivables.....................................     (12,611)       (86,064)     (247,267)
       Prepaid expenses and other......................          --             --       (85,478)
       Accounts payable................................      13,224         21,837        83,180
       Accrued liabilities.............................       4,896          6,835       147,635
       Income taxes payable............................          --        111,314       205,142
       Deferred revenue................................          --             --        14,388
                                                           --------      ---------    ----------
          Net cash provided by operating activities....      12,471        710,861     1,805,438
                                                           --------      ---------    ----------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchases of
  equipment............................................     (35,144)      (545,167)     (489,949)
                                                           --------      ---------    ----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Borrowings on debt...................................       7,000             --            --
  Repayments of debt...................................          --         (7,000)           --
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock...............      13,000             --            --
  Dividends............................................          --       (138,000)     (172,000)
  Net change in cash overdraft.........................       2,673         (2,673)           --
                                                           --------      ---------    ----------
          Net cash provided (used) by financing
            activities.................................      22,673       (147,673)     (172,000)
                                                           --------      ---------    ----------
          Increase in cash and cash equivalents........          --         18,021     1,143,489
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.......          --             --        18,021
                                                           --------      ---------    ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.............    $     --      $  18,021    $1,161,510
                                                           ========      =========    ==========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information --
  cash paid during the year for income taxes...........    $     --      $  40,000    $  349,743
                                                           ========      =========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-130
<PAGE>   277
 
                             INTERNET SERVERS, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Internet Servers, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in the State of Utah
on August 23, 1995. The Company's business consists of providing regional
internet enhanced services and consulting to customers in Utah and throughout
the Western states.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
     Effective December 31, 1997, Verio Inc. acquired 100% of the outstanding
common stock of the Company.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Revenue related to enhanced and internet services is recognized as the
services are provided. Enhanced services consists primarily of web hosting
services to customers. The Company records deferred revenue for accounts billed
and/or collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from hardware and software sales is recognized upon shipment of the
respective products if the Company's future obligations are not significant and
collectibility is probable.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is
provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from three to
seven years using the straight-line method. Costs for normal repairs and
maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations including goodwill when indications of impairment are
present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
impaired the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.
Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value or fair
value less costs to sell.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     From inception to September 1, 1996, the Company elected to be treated as a
subchapter S Corporation for income tax purposes. Accordingly, taxable income
through September 1, 1996 was included in the income tax returns of the
shareholders. On September 1, 1996, the Company converted to a C Corporation.
 
                                      F-131
<PAGE>   278
                             INTERNET SERVERS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109).
SFAS 109 requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the
expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the
financial statements or tax returns. Under this method deferred tax liabilities
and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial
statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in
effect for the year in which the difference is expected to reverse.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 approximate their
carrying values based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different
market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect
on the estimated fair values.
 
     Customers who operate in Utah represent substantially all of the Company's
customer base and accounts receivable. However, no single customer comprised
more than 10% of accounts receivable or total revenue as of or for the years
ended December 31, 1995, 1996 or 1997.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996         1997
                                                              --------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................  $561,296    $1,044,691
Furniture and office equipment..............................    19,015        25,569
                                                              --------    ----------
                                                               580,311     1,070,260
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............   (96,071)     (356,055)
                                                              --------    ----------
                                                              $484,240    $  714,205
                                                              ========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
(3) INCOME TAXES
 
     Income tax expense consists of the following for the years ended December
31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996        1997
                                                 --------    --------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>
Current:
  Federal......................................  $ 91,314    $548,794
  State........................................    20,000      53,265
                                                 --------    --------
                                                 $111,314    $602,059
                                                 ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
     Income tax expense for the years ended December 31 differs from the amounts
computed using the federal statutory tax rate of 34% to earnings before income
taxes as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996         1997
                                                              ---------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Expected tax expense........................................  $ 210,797    $549,553
State income taxes, net of federal benefit..................     20,460      53,341
S Corporation taxable income................................   (120,693)         --
Other.......................................................        750        (835)
                                                              ---------    --------
          Actual income tax expense.........................  $ 111,314    $602,059
                                                              =========    ========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-132
<PAGE>   279
                             INTERNET SERVERS, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Temporary differences in the bases of assets and liabilities for financial
statement and income tax purposes are not significant as of December 31, 1996
and 1997.
 
(4) COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases certain computer equipment and office space under
noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2000. Future
minimum annual lease payments under noncancelable operating leases for each of
the years ending December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
1998..............................................  $359,139
1999..............................................   345,684
2000..............................................   148,654
                                                    --------
Total minimum payments............................  $853,477
                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 was $14,500 and
$241,402, respectively.
 
(5) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     On October 21, 1996, the Company entered into an employment agreement with
an officer. The agreement included a compensation and benefit package which also
included a long-term incentive provision consisting of the granting of shares of
the Company's common stock equal to two percent of the total common shares
outstanding. As of December 31, 1996, 25 shares had been issued resulting in
compensation expense of $45,078 based on the estimated fair value of the stock,
as determined by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
     In accordance with the acquisition agreement between the Company and Verio
Inc., the unvested shares under the employment agreement were fully vested at
December 31, 1997. An additional 197 shares were issued as of December 31, 1997
and compensation expense of $355,211 was recognized by the Company based on the
estimated fair value of the stock using the acquisition price in the Verio Inc.
transaction.
 
                                      F-133
<PAGE>   280
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of NSNet, Inc. as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the related statements of operations, owner's
and stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of NSNet, Inc. as of December
31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
March 13, 1998
 
                                      F-134
<PAGE>   281
 
                                  NSNET, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
                                ASSETS (NOTE 3)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996        1997
                                                              --------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $  4,188    $ 20,169
  Receivables:
     Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,133
      and $12,158 in 1996 and 1997, respectively............    27,494      85,881
     Other..................................................        --      20,377
  Prepaid expenses and other................................   124,829     333,130
                                                              --------    --------
          Total current assets..............................   156,511     459,557
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................   177,410     378,874
Other assets................................................        --      67,665
                                                              --------    --------
          Total assets......................................  $333,921    $906,096
                                                              ========    ========
 
LIABILITIES AND OWNER'S AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Cash overdraft............................................  $ 41,057    $     --
  Accounts payable..........................................     7,614      94,252
  Accrued liabilities.......................................    37,778      44,866
  Revolving lines of credit (note 3)........................        --     200,000
  Current portion of capital lease obligations (note 4).....        --      34,231
  Deferred revenue and customer advances....................    42,827      82,699
                                                              --------    --------
          Total current liabilities.........................   129,276     456,048
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....        --      61,636
                                                              --------    --------
          Total liabilities.................................   129,276     517,684
Owner's and Stockholder's equity:
  Owner's equity............................................   204,645          --
  Common stock, no par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized,
     100,000 shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
     1997...................................................        --     204,645
  Retained earnings.........................................        --     183,767
                                                              --------    --------
          Total owner's and stockholder's equity............   204,645     388,412
Commitments (note 4)
                                                              --------    --------
          Total liabilities and owner's and stockholder's
            equity..........................................  $333,921    $906,096
                                                              ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-135
<PAGE>   282
 
                                  NSNET, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996         1997
                                                               --------    ----------
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................   $887,939    $1,832,374
  Other.....................................................         --        14,550
                                                               --------    ----------
          Total revenue.....................................    887,939     1,846,924
                                                               --------    ----------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.........................    210,517       471,247
  Selling, general and administrative.......................    485,128       938,523
  Depreciation..............................................     61,106       126,301
                                                               --------    ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................    756,751     1,536,071
                                                               --------    ----------
          Earnings from operations..........................    131,188       310,853
Other income (expense), net.................................      1,885        (5,508)
                                                               --------    ----------
          Net earnings......................................   $133,073       305,345
                                                               ========    ==========
Pro forma information:
  Historical net earnings...................................    133,073       305,345
  Pro forma adjustment for income tax expense...............    (51,000)     (116,000)
                                                               --------    ----------
          Pro forma net earnings............................   $ 82,073    $  189,345
                                                               ========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-136
<PAGE>   283
 
                                  NSNET, INC.
 
                 STATEMENTS OF OWNER'S AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         TOTAL
                                                   OWNER'S     COMMON    RETAINED    STOCKHOLDER'S
                                                   EQUITY      STOCK     EARNINGS       EQUITY
                                                  ---------   --------   ---------   -------------
<S>                                               <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
BALANCES AT JANUARY 1, 1996.....................  $  75,037   $     --   $      --     $  75,037
  Distributions.................................     (3,465)        --          --        (3,465)
  Net earnings..................................    133,073         --          --       133,073
                                                  ---------   --------   ---------     ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996...................    204,645         --          --       204,645
  Issuance of common stock upon incorporation
     (note 1)...................................   (204,645)   204,645          --            --
  Distributions.................................         --         --    (121,578)     (121,578)
  Net earnings..................................         --         --     305,345       305,345
                                                  ---------   --------   ---------     ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1997...................  $      --   $204,645   $ 183,767     $ 388,412
                                                  =========   ========   =========     =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-137
<PAGE>   284
 
                                  NSNET, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996         1997
                                                              ---------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings..............................................  $ 133,073    $ 305,345
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
     Depreciation...........................................     61,106      126,301
     Provision for bad debts................................      3,133       24,334
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Receivables..........................................    (17,073)    (103,098)
       Prepaid expenses and other...........................   (124,829)    (208,301)
       Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............     26,911       93,726
       Deferred revenue and customer advances...............     25,647       39,872
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.........    107,968      278,179
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of equipment....................................   (141,372)    (217,958)
  Increase in other assets..................................         --      (67,665)
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Net cash used by investing activities.............   (141,372)    (285,623)
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Cash overdraft............................................     41,057      (41,057)
  Borrowings under revolving lines of credit................         --      240,000
  Repayments under revolving lines of credit................         --      (40,000)
  Principal payments under capital lease obligations........         --      (13,940)
  Distributions.............................................     (3,465)    (121,578)
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........     37,592       23,425
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Increase in cash..................................      4,188       15,981
Cash at beginning of year...................................         --        4,188
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash at end of year.........................................  $   4,188    $  20,169
                                                              =========    =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information -- cash
  paid during the year for interest.........................  $      --    $   5,508
                                                              =========    =========
Noncash investing and financing activities -- equipment
  acquired through capital lease obligations................  $      --    $ 109,807
                                                              =========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-138
<PAGE>   285
 
                                  NSNET, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     NSNet, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated as a subchapter S Corporation in
the State of California on January 1, 1997. Prior to incorporation, the Company
was operating as NextGen Systems Internet Services, a sole proprietorship formed
in 1992. All assets and liabilities of the sole proprietorship were contributed
to the Company upon incorporation and recorded at historical cost. The Company
provides internet access services to customers in California.
 
     Effective February 27, 1998, Verio Inc. acquired 100% of the outstanding
common stock of the Company.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for accounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including assets held under capital leases, is stated at cost,
less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line
method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the related assets or
the lease term, which is three years. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance
are expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations, including goodwill, when indications of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.
Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value or fair
value, less costs to sell.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     No provision for income taxes has been included in the accompanying
financial statement for 1996 or 1997 due to the Company's status as a sole
proprietorship and subchapter S Corporation. Accordingly, net earnings as of
December 31, 1996 were included in owner's equity and taxable income has been
included in the tax returns of the owner and stockholder. However, pro forma
information has been included in the accompanying statements of operations to
reflect a pro forma adjustment for income tax expense as if the Company had been
a separate taxable entity subject to federal and state income taxes for both
years presented.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair
 
                                      F-139
<PAGE>   286
                                  NSNET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
values of all financial instruments as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 approximate
their carrying values based on their terms and interest rates. The use of
different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a
significant effect on the estimated fair values.
 
     Customers who operate in California represent substantially all of the
Company's customer base. No single customer comprised more than 10% of accounts
receivable or total revenue as of or for the years ended December 31, 1996 or
1997.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996        1997
                                                              --------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................  $255,112    $ 568,239
Furniture...................................................    10,000       24,638
                                                              --------    ---------
                                                               265,112      592,877
Less accumulated depreciation...............................   (87,702)    (214,003)
                                                              --------    ---------
                                                              $177,410    $ 378,874
                                                              ========    =========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment includes assets held under capital leases with a net book value
of $94,248 at December 31, 1997.
 
(3) DEBT
 
     At December 31, 1997, the Company had a $150,000 unsecured revolving line
of credit agreement with a bank, under which $100,000 was outstanding.
Borrowings under the line bear interest at the bank's prime rate plus 2.975%
(11.475% at December 31, 1997), and are due in 1998. The agreement included
various restrictive covenants including limitations on indebtedness and payment
of dividends. As of December 31, 1997, the Company was not in compliance with
the restrictions on additional indebtedness. All borrowings under this line were
paid in full subsequent to the acquisition by Verio, Inc.
 
     At December 31, 1997, the Company had an additional $125,000 revolving line
of credit agreement with a second bank, secured by substantially all of the
assets of the Company, under which $100,000 was outstanding. Borrowings under
the line bear interest at the bank's prime rate plus 1.5% (10% at December 31,
1997), and are due in 1998.
 
(4) COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable operating
leases expiring at various dates through 2002. Future
 
                                      F-140
<PAGE>   287
                                  NSNET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
minimum annual lease payments under capital and noncancelable operating leases
for each of the years ending December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                               LEASES      LEASES
                                                              --------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
1998........................................................  $ 43,434    $ 95,767
1999........................................................    43,434     110,092
2000........................................................    23,227     114,004
2001........................................................        --     118,862
2002........................................................        --     108,956
                                                              --------    --------
  Total minimum payments....................................   110,095    $547,681
                                                                          ========
Less amount representing interest...........................   (14,228)
                                                              --------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...............    95,867
Less current portion........................................   (34,231)
                                                              --------
                                                              $ 61,636
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 totaled $19,801
and $34,082, respectively.
 
                                      F-141
<PAGE>   288
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Access One, Inc. as of
December 31, 1997 and the related statements of operations and accumulated
deficit, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Access One, Inc. as of
December 31, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
April 9, 1998
 
                                      F-142
<PAGE>   289
 
                                ACCESS ONE, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $  259,144
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $148,040 (note 3)...................................     344,773
  Inventory.................................................      40,635
  Prepaid expenses and other................................     105,365
                                                              ----------
          Total current assets..............................     749,917
Equipment, net (notes 2 and 3)..............................     678,752
Other assets................................................       9,853
                                                              ----------
          Total assets......................................  $1,438,522
                                                              ==========
                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
  Revolving line of credit..................................  $  110,000
  Accounts payable:
     Trade..................................................     144,297
     Related party (note 5).................................     273,306
  Accrued liabilities.......................................     376,330
  Notes payable (note 3)....................................      88,550
  Current portion of capital lease obligations (note 4).....       8,858
  Note payable to related party (note 5)....................      32,194
  Deferred revenue..........................................     294,266
                                                              ----------
          Total current liabilities.........................   1,327,801
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....       6,812
                                                              ----------
          Total liabilities.................................   1,334,613
Redeemable preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 500,000 shares
  authorized, 200,000 shares issued and outstanding (note
  6)........................................................     508,748
Stockholders' deficit (note 6):
  Common stock, $0.01 par value, 2,000,000 shares
     authorized, 800,000 shares issued and outstanding......       8,000
  Additional paid-in capital................................      85,476
  Accumulated deficit.......................................    (498,315)
                                                              ----------
          Total stockholders' deficit.......................    (404,839)
Commitments (note 4)
                                                              ----------
          Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit.......  $1,438,522
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-143
<PAGE>   290
 
                                ACCESS ONE, INC.
 
                STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $2,485,583
  Enhanced services.........................................     702,639
  Computer hardware and software sales......................     303,465
  Other.....................................................      27,019
                                                              ----------
          Total revenue.....................................   3,518,706
                                                              ----------
Operating expenses:
  Internet and enhanced services operating costs (note 5)...     613,084
  Cost of hardware and software sales.......................     226,205
  Selling, general and administrative (note 5)..............   2,922,073
  Depreciation..............................................     245,003
                                                              ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   4,006,365
                                                              ----------
          Loss from operations..............................    (487,659)
Other expense:
  Interest expense..........................................     (21,833)
  Other, net................................................      (3,808)
                                                              ----------
          Net loss..........................................  $ (513,300)
                                                              ==========
Retained earnings at beginning of year......................      14,985
Accumulated deficit at end of year..........................    (498,315)
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-144
<PAGE>   291
 
                                ACCESS ONE, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(513,300)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
     operating activities:
       Depreciation.........................................    245,003
       Provision for bad debts..............................    386,983
       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
          Receivables.......................................   (445,284)
          Inventory.........................................    (40,635)
          Prepaid expenses and other current assets.........    (96,000)
          Other assets......................................     (9,708)
          Accounts payable and accrued liabilities..........    541,280
          Deferred revenue..................................    148,798
                                                              ---------
               Net cash provided by operating activities....    217,137
                                                              ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchase of
  equipment.................................................   (559,530)
                                                              ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Borrowings under revolving line of credit.................    110,000
  Borrowings under note payable.............................    127,916
  Principal payments on note payable........................    (39,366)
  Borrowings under notes to related parties.................      6,965
  Principal payments under capital lease obligations........    (15,501)
                                                              ---------
               Net cash provided by financing activities....    190,014
                                                              ---------
               Net decrease in cash.........................   (152,379)
Cash at beginning of year...................................    411,523
                                                              ---------
Cash at end of year.........................................  $ 259,144
                                                              =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information -- cash
  paid during the year for interest.........................  $  21,822
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-145
<PAGE>   292
 
                                ACCESS ONE, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Access One, Inc. (the Company) was originally organized as a limited
liability company on July 1, 1994. The Company reincorporated on December 9,
1996 as a C corporation in the state of Washington. The Company provides
internet access and enhanced services and computer hardware and software sales
to customers primarily in Washington.
 
     Effective February 27, 1998, Verio Inc. (Verio) acquired all of the
outstanding common stock of the Company, resulting in 100% ownership (see Note
6).
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is
recorded using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful
lives of the related assets or the lease terms, which range from three to five
years. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations, including goodwill, when indications of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.
Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value or fair
value, less costs to sell.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet and enhanced services are recognized as the services are provided.
Enhanced services consist primarily of web hosting and collocation services to
customers. The Company records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or
collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from hardware sales is recognized upon shipment of the respective
products if the Company's future obligations are not significant and
collectibility is probable.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax
consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and
their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and
statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected
to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary,
to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
                                      F-146
<PAGE>   293
                                ACCESS ONE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The Company has a net operating loss carryforward for income tax purposes
of approximately $337,000 which expires in 2012. No tax benefit has been
recorded by the Company in 1997 due to the Company's net loss and the
uncertainty regarding the ultimate utilization of such loss carryforward. The
Company also has a deferred tax asset related to the allowance for doubtful
accounts of approximately $56,000. A valuation allowance has been recorded for
the entire balance of the deferred tax asset related to the carryforward and the
allowance for doubtful accounts. Other temporary differences between financial
statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities are not significant.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of December 31, 1997 approximate their carrying values
based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different market assumptions
and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect on the estimated
fair values.
 
     Customers who operate in Washington represent substantially all of the
Company's customer base. No single customer comprised more than 10% of revenue
or accounts receivable as of or for the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
  Internet and computer equipment...........................   $ 926,175
  Furniture and office equipment............................     120,657
                                                               ---------
                                                               1,046,832
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............    (368,080)
                                                               ---------
                                                               $ 678,752
                                                               =========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment includes assets held under capital lease with a net book value of
$12,990 at December 31, 1997.
 
(3) DEBT
 
     Lines of credit and notes payable consist of the following as of December
31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Revolving line of credit, maximum credit available of
  $300,000, bearing interest at 1.5% above the bank's prime
  lending rate, (10% at December 31, 1997), due in 1998, and
  secured by accounts receivable............................  $ 110,000
Notes payable, bearing interest at 10.25%, due on demand, or
  if no demand is made, in monthly payments of principal and
  interest of $5,945 through April, 1999, and secured by
  certain equipment of the Company..........................     88,550
                                                              ---------
                                                                198,550
Less current portion........................................   (198,550)
                                                              ---------
  Long-term debt, less current portion......................  $      --
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company's revolving line of credit includes various restrictive
covenants including limitations on indebtedness and maintaining a specified debt
to equity ratio. As of December 31, 1997, the Company was not
 
                                      F-147
<PAGE>   294
                                ACCESS ONE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
in compliance with limitations placed by the debt to equity ratio. All
borrowings under the line were repaid upon completion of the buyout by Verio
Inc. in February 1998.
 
(4) COMMITMENTS
 
  Leases
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable operating
leases expiring at various dates through 1999. Future minimum annual lease
payments under noncancelable capital and operating leases for each of the years
ending December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          CAPITAL    OPERATING
                                          LEASES      LEASES
                                          -------    ---------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>
1998....................................  $ 8,280     $80,808
1999....................................    7,589       1,512
                                          -------     -------
  Total minimum payments................  $15,869     $82,320
                                          =======     =======
Less amount representing interest.......     (199)
                                          -------
  Present value of net minimum lease
  payments..............................   15,670
Less current portion....................   (8,858)
                                          -------
                                          $ 6,812
                                          =======
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the year ended December 31, 1997 totaled $219,500.
 
     The Company has commitments with two different telecommunications companies
to receive future services from such companies. Future payments under these
agreements total $8,200 per month through September 1999.
 
(5) TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
 
     During 1997, the Company received customer service, technical support, and
backbone transport services provided by Verio. Total amounts charged to the
Company by Verio in this manner were $79,421 included in internet and enhanced
services operating costs and $178,969 included in selling, general, and
administrative expenses. Verio also purchased approximately $14,916 of equipment
on behalf of the Company. Amounts due to related party at December 31, 1997
relate to these services and purchases of equipment and are non interest
bearing.
 
     Note payable to related party is a non interest bearing, unsecured note
payable to the majority stockholder of the Company.
 
(6) REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     During 1996, the Company issued 200,000 shares of redeemable, convertible
Series A preferred stock to Verio. The preferred shares are convertible into
common shares on a one for one basis and are mandatorily redeemable in 2002. In
connection with the Verio acquisition disclosed in note 1, the preferred shares
were converted to common stock.
 
                                      F-148
<PAGE>   295
                                ACCESS ONE, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
(7) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
 
     The Company sponsors a 401(k) Plan (the Plan) for all full time employees.
The Company makes matching contributions of 25% of employee contributions up to
6% of the respective employee's salary. During 1997 the Company made
contributions to the Plan totaling $11,876.
 
                                      F-149
<PAGE>   296
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of STARnet, L.L.C. as of
December 31, 1997 and the related statements of operations, members' equity and
cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of STARnet, L.L.C. as of
December 31, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
March 27, 1998
 
                                      F-150
<PAGE>   297
 
                                STARNET, L.L.C.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $210,089
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $22,944.............................................   111,541
  Inventory.................................................    69,089
  Prepaid expenses and other................................    18,779
                                                              --------
          Total current assets..............................   409,498
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................   208,336
Other assets................................................     4,583
                                                              --------
          Total assets......................................  $622,417
                                                              ========
                   LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $ 31,371
  Accrued liabilities.......................................    12,895
  Deferred revenue..........................................   371,608
                                                              --------
          Total current liabilities.........................   415,874
Members' equity.............................................   206,543
Commitments (note 3)
                                                              --------
          Total liabilities and members' equity.............  $622,417
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-151
<PAGE>   298
 
                                STARNET, L.L.C.
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $1,201,504
  Computer hardware sales...................................     386,376
  Other.....................................................      13,094
                                                              ----------
          Total revenue.....................................   1,600,974
                                                              ----------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.........................     397,019
  Cost of hardware sales....................................     319,486
  Selling, general and administrative.......................     570,461
  Depreciation..............................................     155,968
                                                              ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   1,442,934
                                                              ----------
          Earnings from operations..........................     158,040
Other income (expense):
  Interest income...........................................       9,411
  Other, net................................................      (6,282)
                                                              ----------
          Net earnings......................................  $  161,169
                                                              ==========
Pro forma information:
  Historical net earnings...................................     161,169
  Pro forma adjustment for income tax expense...............     (61,000)
                                                              ----------
          Pro forma net earnings............................  $  100,169
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-152
<PAGE>   299
 
                                STARNET, L.L.C.
 
                          STATEMENT OF MEMBERS' EQUITY
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Balance at January 1, 1997..................................  $ 290,109
Distributions to members....................................   (244,735)
Net earnings................................................    161,169
                                                              ---------
Balance at December 31, 1997................................  $ 206,543
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-153
<PAGE>   300
 
                                STARNET, L.L.C.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings..............................................  $ 161,169
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
     Depreciation...........................................    155,968
     Provision for bad debts................................     44,484
     Loss on sale of assets.................................      6,282
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Receivables..........................................    (40,725)
       Inventory............................................     50,205
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets............    (13,944)
       Other assets.........................................        834
       Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............    (54,304)
       Deferred revenue.....................................     (3,346)
                                                              ---------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.........    306,623
                                                              ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchase of
  equipment.................................................   (117,202)
                                                              ---------
Cash flows from financing activities -- distributions to
  members...................................................   (244,735)
                                                              ---------
          Net decrease in cash..............................    (55,314)
Cash at beginning of year...................................    265,403
                                                              ---------
Cash at end of year.........................................  $ 210,089
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-154
<PAGE>   301
 
                                STARNET, L.L.C.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     STARnet, L.L.C. (the Company) was originally organized as a limited
liability company in the State of Missouri as Internetix, L.L.C. on June 21,
1994. On August 18, 1997, the Company changed its name to STARnet, L.L.C. The
Company provides internet access services and computer hardware sales to
customers primarily in Missouri and Illinois.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is
recorded using a method that estimates the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the related assets, which is three years. Costs for
normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations, including goodwill, when indications of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.
Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value or fair
value, less costs to sell.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from hardware sales is recognized upon shipment of the respective
products if the Company's future obligations are not significant and
collectibility is probable.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     No provision for income taxes has been included in the accompanying
financial statements due to the Company's status as a limited liability
corporation. Accordingly, taxable income has been included in the tax returns of
the members. However, pro forma information has been included in the
accompanying statement of operations to reflect a pro forma adjustment for
income tax expense as if the Company had been a separate taxable entity subject
to federal and state income taxes for the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of December 31, 1997 approximate their carrying values
based on their
 
                                      F-155
<PAGE>   302
                                STARNET, L.L.C.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
terms and interest rates. The use of different market assumptions and/or
estimation methodologies may have a significant effect on the estimated fair
values.
 
     Customers who operate in Missouri and Illinois represent substantially all
of the Company's customer base. Three customers comprised approximately 38% of
accounts receivable as of December 31, 1997. However, no single customer
comprised more than 10% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 1997.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................   $ 503,324
Furniture and office equipment..............................       2,750
                                                               ---------
                                                                 506,074
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............    (297,738)
                                                               ---------
                                                               $ 208,336
                                                               =========
</TABLE>
 
(3) COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases office space and equipment under noncancelable leases
expiring at various dates through 2002. Future minimum annual lease payments
under noncancelable operating leases for each of the years ending December 31
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>
1998...............................................  $32,873
1999...............................................   26,236
2000...............................................    2,716
2001...............................................      870
2002...............................................      400
                                                     -------
          Total minimum payments...................  $63,095
                                                     =======
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the year ended December 31, 1997 totaled $39,630.
 
     In addition, the Company has a verbal agreement to guarantee certain
obligations of a related party with a telecommunications company for one year in
the amount of $250,000.
 
                                      F-156
<PAGE>   303
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Computing Engineers Inc.
as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Computing Engineers Inc. as
of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the years then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
March 27, 1998
 
                                      F-157
<PAGE>   304
 
                            COMPUTING ENGINEERS INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
                                ASSETS (NOTE 3)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996          1997
                                                              ----------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $       --    $   15,995
  Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
     of $133,739 and $62,085 in 1996 and 1997,
     respectively...........................................     340,799       429,171
  Inventory.................................................          --        37,411
  Prepaid expenses and other................................       2,014         2,014
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total current assets..............................     342,813       484,591
Equipment, net (note 2).....................................     821,637     1,049,662
Other assets, net...........................................          --        20,420
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total assets......................................  $1,164,450    $1,554,673
                                                              ==========    ==========
 
                         LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
  Cash overdraft............................................  $   54,352    $       --
  Accounts payable..........................................     355,223       225,153
  Accrued liabilities.......................................       5,252        33,373
  Current portion of note payable (note 3)..................          --        84,352
  Current portion of obligations under capital leases (note
     4).....................................................     193,873       223,826
  Deferred revenue..........................................     146,010       249,817
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total current liabilities.........................     754,710       816,521
Note payable, less current portion (note 3).................          --       585,002
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....      49,776        28,811
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total liabilities.................................     804,486     1,430,334
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $10 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 100
     shares issued and outstanding..........................       1,000         1,000
  Additional paid-in capital................................       5,000         5,000
  Retained earnings.........................................     353,964       118,339
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total stockholders' equity........................     359,964       124,339
                                                              ----------    ----------
Commitments (note 4)
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........  $1,164,450    $1,554,673
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-158
<PAGE>   305
 
                            COMPUTING ENGINEERS INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996          1997
                                                              ----------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.........................................  $2,326,898    $3,321,562
  Consulting services.......................................          --       162,683
  Computer hardware and software sales......................      88,664       537,057
  Other.....................................................          --        58,176
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total revenue.....................................   2,415,562     4,079,478
                                                              ----------    ----------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.........................     606,522       632,653
  Costs of hardware and software sales......................     148,770       392,676
  Marketing and selling.....................................      47,155       299,990
  General and administrative................................   1,179,149     2,041,265
  Depreciation and amortization.............................     144,953       329,296
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   2,126,549     3,695,880
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Earnings from operations..........................     289,013       383,598
Interest expense............................................     (19,254)      (95,223)
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Net earnings......................................  $  269,759    $  288,375
                                                              ==========    ==========
Pro forma information:
  Historical net earnings...................................  $  269,759    $  288,375
  Pro forma adjustment for income tax expense...............    (103,000)     (110,000)
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Pro forma net earnings............................  $  166,759    $  178,375
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-159
<PAGE>   306
 
                            COMPUTING ENGINEERS INC.
 
                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           COMMON STOCK      ADDITIONAL                     TOTAL
                                         ----------------     PAID-IN      RETAINED     STOCKHOLDERS'
                                         SHARES    AMOUNT     CAPITAL      EARNINGS        EQUITY
                                         ------    ------    ----------    ---------    -------------
<S>                                      <C>       <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>
BALANCES AT JANUARY 1, 1996............   100      $1,000      $5,000      $ 207,104      $ 213,104
Distributions to stockholders..........    --          --          --       (122,899)      (122,899)
Net earnings...........................    --          --          --        269,759        269,759
                                          ---      ------      ------      ---------      ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1996..........   100       1,000       5,000        353,964        359,964
Distributions to stockholders..........    --          --          --       (524,000)      (524,000)
Net earnings...........................    --          --          --        288,375        288,375
                                          ---      ------      ------      ---------      ---------
BALANCES AT DECEMBER 31, 1997..........   100      $1,000      $5,000      $ 118,339      $ 124,339
                                          ===      ======      ======      =========      =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-160
<PAGE>   307
 
                            COMPUTING ENGINEERS INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1996         1997
                                                              ---------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings..............................................  $ 269,759    $ 288,375
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................    144,953      329,296
     Provision for bad debts................................    133,739      165,153
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Trade receivables....................................   (472,524)    (253,525)
       Inventory............................................         --      (37,411)
       Prepaid expenses and other...........................        142           --
       Accounts payable.....................................    355,223     (130,070)
       Accrued liabilities..................................        238       28,121
       Deferred revenue.....................................    146,010      103,807
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.........    577,540      493,746
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchases of
  equipment.................................................   (336,776)    (228,892)
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Net change in cash overdraft..............................    (15,314)     (54,352)
  Borrowings under note payable.............................         --      700,000
  Debt issuance costs.......................................         --      (20,420)
  Principal payments on note payable........................         --      (30,646)
  Principal payments on capital lease obligations...........   (102,551)    (319,441)
  Distributions to shareholders.............................   (122,899)    (524,000)
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Net cash used by financing activities.............   (240,764)    (248,859)
                                                              ---------    ---------
          Increase in cash..................................         --       15,995
Cash at beginning of year...................................         --           --
                                                              ---------    ---------
Cash at end of year.........................................  $      --    $  15,995
                                                              =========    =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information -- cash
  paid during the year for interest.........................  $  19,254    $  95,223
                                                              =========    =========
Noncash investing and financing activities -- equipment
  acquired through capital lease obligations................  $ 346,200    $ 328,429
                                                              =========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-161
<PAGE>   308
 
                            COMPUTING ENGINEERS INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1997
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     Computing Engineers Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in the State of
Illinois on November 1, 1993. The Company is a provider of internet access
services to businesses and individuals, primarily in Illinois.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including any assets held under capital leases, is stated at
cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization is recorded using the straight-line method over the shorter of the
estimated useful lives of the related assets or the lease term, which is three
years. Costs for normal repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). Statement No. 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on
long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present
and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets
are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are considered to be
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be
disposed of are reported at lower of the carrying amount or fair value less
costs to sell.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from consulting services is recognized when services have been
rendered.
 
     Revenue from hardware and software sales is recognized upon shipment of the
respective products if the Company's future obligations are not significant and
collectibility is probable.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     No provision for income taxes has been included in the accompanying
financial statements for 1996 or 1997 due to the Company's status as a
subchapter S corporation. Accordingly, taxable income has been included in the
tax returns of the stockholders. However, pro forma information has been
included in the accompanying statements of operations to reflect a pro forma
adjustment for income tax expense as if the Company had been a separate taxable
entity subject to federal and state income taxes for all periods presented.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 approximate their
carrying values based
 
                                      F-162
<PAGE>   309
                            COMPUTING ENGINEERS INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
on their terms and interest rates. The use of different market assumptions
and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect on the estimated
fair values.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1996           1997
                                                             ---------     ----------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>
Internet and computer equipment............................  $ 973,392     $1,522,201
Furniture and office equipment.............................     22,048         30,560
                                                             ---------     ----------
                                                               995,440      1,552,761
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.............   (173,803)      (503,099)
                                                             ---------     ----------
                                                             $ 821,637     $1,049,662
                                                             =========     ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment includes assets owned under capital leases with a net book value
of $305,530 and $474,893 at December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
(3) DEBT
 
     Debt consists of the following as of December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Note payable bearing interest at prime plus 2.75% (11.25% at
  December 31, 1997), monthly principal and interest
  payments of $11,986 through May 12, 2004, secured by
  substantially all the assets of the Company...............  $669,354
Less current portion........................................   (84,352)
                                                              --------
                                                              $585,002
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
(4) COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable operating
leases expiring at various dates through 2005. Future minimum annual lease
payments under capital and noncancelable operating leases for each of the years
ending December 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                               LEASES        LEASES
                                                              ---------    ----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
1998........................................................  $ 252,242    $  234,353
1999........................................................     29,695       219,153
2000........................................................         --       192,161
2001........................................................         --       197,120
2002........................................................         --       202,079
Thereafter..................................................         --       472,345
                                                              ---------    ----------
  Total minimum payments....................................    281,937    $1,517,211
                                                                           ==========
Less amount representing interest...........................    (29,300)
                                                              ---------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...............    252,637
Less current portion........................................   (223,826)
                                                              ---------
                                                              $  28,811
                                                              =========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 was $93,501 and
$134,777, respectively.
 
                                      F-163
<PAGE>   310
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
LI Net, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of LI Net, Inc. as of April
30, 1997 and January 31, 1998, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for the years ended April 30,
1996 and 1997 and the nine months ended January 31, 1998. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of LI Net, Inc. as of April 30,
1997 and January 31, 1998, and the results of its operations and its cash flows
for the years ended April 30, 1996 and 1997 and the nine months ended January
31, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                            KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
March 27, 1998
 
                                      F-164
<PAGE>   311
 
                                  LI NET, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                      APRIL 30, 1997 AND JANUARY 31, 1998
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997        1998
                                                              --------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Current assets:
  Cash......................................................  $ 49,036    $  24,575
  Receivables (note 3):
     Trade, net of all allowance for doubtful accounts of
      $28,948 and $50,000, respectively.....................   157,643      225,148
     Other..................................................        --        6,000
  Prepaid expenses and other................................     3,850        3,850
                                                              --------    ---------
          Total current assets..............................   210,529      259,573
Equipment, net (notes 2 and 3)..............................   355,906      500,654
Other assets................................................    25,057       28,708
                                                              --------    ---------
          Total assets......................................  $591,492    $ 788,935
                                                              ========    =========
                  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $171,038    $ 245,777
  Accrued liabilities.......................................    13,942       22,521
  Current portion of notes payable (note 3):
     Bank...................................................        --       22,476
     Related party (note 6).................................     9,038        8,885
  Revolving line of credit (note 3).........................    15,265       39,993
  Current portion of obligations under capital leases (note
     4).....................................................    52,090       81,652
  Deferred revenue..........................................    77,766      158,740
                                                              --------    ---------
          Total current liabilities.........................   339,139      580,044
Notes payable, less current portion (note 3):
  Bank......................................................        --       93,542
  Related party (note 6)....................................   126,052      114,029
Capital lease obligations, less current portion (note 4)....    87,826       62,453
                                                              --------    ---------
          Total liabilities.................................   553,017      850,068
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Common stock, no par value, 100 shares authorized and
     issued.................................................    44,000       44,000
  Additional paid-in capital................................        --      273,100
  Retained earnings (deficit)...............................     6,375     (378,233)
  Treasury stock -- 5 shares at April 30, 1997, at cost.....   (11,900)          --
                                                              --------    ---------
          Total stockholders' equity (deficit)..............    38,475      (61,133)
                                                              --------    ---------
Commitments (note 4)
          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
            (deficit).......................................  $591,492    $ 788,935
                                                              ========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-165
<PAGE>   312
 
                                  LI NET, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
   YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 AND 1997 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1996         1997          1998
                                                          --------    ----------    ----------
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Internet services.....................................  $608,714    $1,033,595    $1,430,480
  Computer hardware sales...............................   152,854       325,723        90,233
                                                          --------    ----------    ----------
          Total revenue.................................   761,568     1,359,318     1,520,713
                                                          --------    ----------    ----------
Operating expenses:
  Internet services operating costs.....................   197,025       317,225       551,993
  Costs of hardware sold................................    73,370       156,347        42,987
  Selling, general and administrative expenses(note
     7).................................................   358,627       769,898     1,180,146
  Depreciation..........................................    64,470        77,762       100,902
                                                          --------    ----------    ----------
          Total operating expenses......................   693,492     1,321,232     1,876,028
          Earnings (loss) from operations...............    68,076        38,086      (355,315)
Interest expense........................................   (10,596)      (55,325)      (29,293)
                                                          --------    ----------    ----------
          Earnings (loss) before income taxes...........    57,480       (17,239)     (384,608)
Income tax expense (note 5).............................    (7,600)           --            --
                                                          --------    ----------    ----------
          Net earnings (loss)...........................  $ 49,880    $  (17,239)   $ (384,608)
                                                          ========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-166
<PAGE>   313
 
                                  LI NET, INC.
 
                  STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
   YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 AND 1997 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           TOTAL
                                                ADDITIONAL    RETAINED                 STOCKHOLDERS'
                                     COMMON      PAID-IN      EARNINGS     TREASURY       EQUITY
                                      STOCK      CAPITAL      (DEFICIT)     STOCK        (DEFICIT)
                                     -------    ----------    ---------    --------    -------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>
BALANCES AT MAY 1, 1995............  $44,000     $     --     $ (26,266)   $     --      $  17,734
Purchase of treasury stock.........       --           --            --     (10,000)       (10,000)
Net earnings.......................       --           --        49,880          --         49,880
                                     -------     --------     ---------    --------      ---------
BALANCES AT APRIL 30, 1996.........   44,000           --        23,614     (10,000)        57,614
Purchase of treasury stock.........       --           --            --     (13,800)       (13,800)
Issuance of treasury stock for
  services (note 7)................       --           --            --      11,900         11,900
Net loss...........................       --           --       (17,239)         --        (17,239)
                                     -------     --------     ---------    --------      ---------
BALANCES AT APRIL 30, 1997.........   44,000           --         6,375     (11,900)        38,475
Issuance of treasury stock for
  services (note 7)................       --      273,100            --      11,900        285,000
Net loss...........................       --           --      (384,608)         --       (384,608)
                                     -------     --------     ---------    --------      ---------
BALANCES AT JANUARY 31, 1998.......  $44,000     $273,100     $(378,233)   $     --      $ (61,133)
                                     =======     ========     =========    ========      =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-167
<PAGE>   314
 
                                  LI NET, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
   YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 AND 1997 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996        1997        1998
                                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net earnings (loss).....................................  $  49,880   $ (17,239)  $(384,608)
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation.........................................     64,470      77,762     100,902
     Provision for bad debts..............................         --      28,948      50,000
     Issuance of treasury stock for services..............         --      11,900     285,000
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Receivables........................................    (66,218)   (103,079)   (123,505)
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets..........         --      (3,850)         --
       Other assets.......................................    (13,602)     (6,580)     (3,651)
       Accounts payable and accrued liabilities...........     88,042      67,313      83,318
       Deferred revenue...................................         --      77,766      80,974
                                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
          Net cash provided by operating activities.......    122,572     132,941      88,430
                                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- purchases of
  equipment...............................................   (149,667)    (94,633)   (182,471)
                                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Borrowings under revolving lines of credit..............         --      15,265      24,728
  Proceeds from borrowings from bank......................         --          --     130,000
  Principal payments on notes payable to bank.............         --          --     (13,982)
  Proceeds from borrowings from related parties...........    107,713          --          --
  Principal payments on notes payable to related party....    (21,128)    (13,677)    (12,176)
  Principal payments on capital lease obligations.........         --     (39,872)    (58,990)
  Purchase of treasury stock..............................    (10,000)    (13,800)         --
                                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
          Net cash provided (used) by financing
            activities....................................     76,585     (52,084)     69,580
                                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
          Net increase (decrease) in cash.................     49,490     (13,776)    (24,461)
Cash at beginning of year.................................     13,322      62,812      49,036
                                                            ---------   ---------   ---------
Cash at end of year.......................................  $  62,812   $  49,036   $  24,575
                                                            =========   =========   =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information -- cash
  paid during the year for interest.......................  $  10,596   $  39,621   $  22,593
                                                            =========   =========   =========
Noncash investing and financing activities -- equipment
  acquired through capital lease obligations..............  $  32,876   $ 146,912   $  63,179
                                                            =========   =========   =========
</TABLE>
 
                See accompanying notes to financial statements.
 
                                      F-168
<PAGE>   315
 
                                  LI NET, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
   YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 1996 AND 1997 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998
 
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization and Basis of Presentation
 
     LI Net, Inc. (the Company) was incorporated in the State of New York and
provides regional internet access services to customers in New York.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
 
  Equipment
 
     Equipment, including assets held under capital leases, is stated at cost,
less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line
method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the related assets or
the lease terms, which range from three to five years. Costs for normal repairs
and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
 
  Long-Lived Assets
 
     The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets under the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, Accounting
for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
Of (SFAS 121). SFAS 121 requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations, including goodwill, when indications of impairment
are present and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by
those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. If such assets are
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the assets.
Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying value or fair
value, less costs to sell.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     Internet services are recognized as the services are provided. The Company
records deferred revenue for amounts billed and/or collected in advance.
 
     Revenue from hardware sales is recognized upon shipment of the respective
products if the Company's future obligations are not significant and
collectibility is probable.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     Income taxes are accounted for under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, (SFAS 109).
Under SFAS 109, deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax
consequences of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and
their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and
statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected
to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary,
to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk and Financial Instruments
 
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107 requires disclosure
about fair value for all financial instruments whether or not recognized for
financial statement purposes. Management estimates that the fair values of all
financial instruments as of April 30, 1997 and January 31, 1998, approximate
their carrying values
 
                                      F-169
<PAGE>   316
                                  LI NET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
based on their terms and interest rates. The use of different market assumptions
and/or estimation methodologies may have a significant effect on the estimated
fair values.
 
(2) EQUIPMENT
 
     Equipment consisted of the following at April 30, 1997 and January 31,
1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997          1998
                                                              ---------     ---------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Internet and computer equipment.............................  $ 409,376     $ 641,881
Furniture and office equipment..............................     67,532        80,677
Leasehold improvements......................................     32,297        32,297
                                                              ---------     ---------
                                                                509,205       754,855
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..............   (153,299)     (254,201)
                                                              ---------     ---------
                                                              $ 355,906     $ 500,654
                                                              =========     =========
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment includes assets held under capital leases with a net book value
of approximately $139,000 and $155,000 at April 30, 1997 and January 31, 1998,
respectively.
 
(3) DEBT
 
     During fiscal 1998, the Company entered into a loan agreement with a bank
and borrowed $130,000. The loan is secured by the Company's equipment, and bears
interest at 8.75%. Principal and interest payments of $2,683 are due monthly
through 2002. At January 31, 1998, the outstanding balance was $116,018.
 
     At April 30, 1997 and January 31, 1998, the Company had a $50,000 revolving
line of credit agreement with a bank, secured by receivables, under which
$15,265 and $39,993 was outstanding, respectively. Borrowings under the line
bear interest at the bank's prime lending rate plus 2% (10.5% at January 31,
1997) and are due in 1998.
 
     Maturities of the line of credit and note payable for each of the years
ending January 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
1999..............................................  $ 62,469
2000..............................................    25,384
2001..............................................    27,247
2002..............................................    29,732
2003..............................................    11,179
                                                    --------
                                                    $156,011
                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
(4) COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company leases certain computer and office equipment under capital
leases. The Company also leases office space under noncancelable operating
leases expiring at various dates through 2002.
 
                                      F-170
<PAGE>   317
                                  LI NET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Future minimum annual lease payments under capital and noncancelable
operating leases for each of the years ending January 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CAPITAL     OPERATING
                                                               LEASES      LEASES
                                                              --------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
1999........................................................  $100,042    $ 63,879
2000........................................................    53,085      47,121
2001........................................................    17,937      23,386
2002........................................................    10,060       5,459
                                                              --------    --------
  Total minimum payments....................................   181,124    $139,845
                                                                          ========
Less amount representing interest...........................   (37,019)
                                                              --------
  Present value of net minimum lease payments...............   144,105
Less current portion........................................   (81,652)
                                                              --------
                                                              $ 62,453
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense for the years ended April 30, 1996 and 1997 and nine months
ended January 31, 1998, was $25,335, $35,353, and $52,779 respectively.
 
(5) INCOME TAXES
 
     Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended April 30, 1996 and 1997
and nine months ended January 31, 1998 differs from the amounts that would
result from applying the federal statutory rate of 34% as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1996       1997        1998
                                                      -------    -------    ---------
<S>                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
Expected tax expense (benefit)......................  $19,543    $(5,861)   $(130,777)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit..........    2,300       (690)     (15,374)
Nondeductible expenses..............................       --        622        1,653
Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax
  assets............................................  (14,243)     5,929      144,498
                                                      -------    -------    ---------
          Actual income tax expense.................  $ 7,600    $    --    $      --
                                                      =======    =======    =========
</TABLE>
 
     Temporary differences that give rise to the components of deferred tax
assets and liabilities as of April 30, 1997 and January 31, 1998 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1997        1998
                                                              --------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforwards..........................  $ 12,738    $ 148,824
  Accounts receivable, due to allowance for doubtful
     accounts for financial statement purposes only.........    11,000       30,000
  Other.....................................................       173          140
                                                              --------    ---------
          Total deferred tax assets.........................    23,911      178,964
  Valuation allowance.......................................    (5,929)    (150,427)
                                                              --------    ---------
          Net deferred tax assets...........................    17,982       28,537
                                                              --------    ---------
Deferred tax liability:
  Equipment, due to differences in depreciation for
     financial statement and tax purposes...................   (17,982)     (28,537)
                                                              --------    ---------
          Net deferred tax asset (liability)................  $     --    $      --
                                                              ========    =========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-171
<PAGE>   318
                                  LI NET, INC.
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     As of January 31, 1998, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward
of approximately $392,000 for federal income tax purposes which will expire in
2013, if not utilized. A valuation allowance has been recorded for a portion of
the related deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty relating to the
realization of the net operating loss carryforward in the future.
 
(6) TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
 
     Notes payable to related party at April 30, 1997 and January 31, 1998
included $93,917 and $89,334, respectively, of unsecured notes due to
stockholders of the Company. The loans bear interest at 10% with the principal
and interest due in total on July 1, 1999 or upon sale of 50% or more of the
stock of the stockholders.
 
     Also included in notes payable to related party at April 30, 1997 and
January 31, 1998 was an unsecured note due to a relative of a stockholder of the
Company. Principal outstanding on the note was $41,176 and $33,580 at April 30,
1997 and January 31, 1998, respectively. The note bears interest at 10% and is
payable in monthly principal and interest payments of $1,062 until 2001.
 
     Maturities of notes payable to related parties for each of the years ending
January 31 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
1999..............................................  $  8,885
2000..............................................   100,087
2001..............................................    11,878
2002..............................................     2,064
                                                    --------
                                                    $122,914
                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
(7) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     During the year ended April 30, 1997 and the nine months ended January 31,
1998, the Company issued treasury shares to an officer as compensation for
services. The Company recorded compensation expense of $11,900 and $285,000,
respectively, which, in the opinion of the Company's Board of Directors,
represented fair value of the shares at the date of issuance.
 
                                      F-172
<PAGE>   319
 
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
     ALL TENDERED OLD NOTES, EXECUTED LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER RELATED
DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR
ASSISTANCE AND REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS, THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER RELATED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT AS FOLLOWS:
 
                 The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offers is:
 
                      U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                             180 East Fifth Street
                               St. Paul, MN 55101
                      Attn: Specialized Finance Department
 
                            Facsimile Transmissions
                          (Eligible Institutions Only)
   
                                 (612) 244-1537
    
 
                            To confirm by telephone
                            or for information call:
   
                                 (612) 244-1197
    
 
                                    By mail
                      U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                             180 East Fifth Street
                               St. Paul, MN 55101
                      Attn: Specialized Finance Department
 
(ORIGINALS OF ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY FACSIMILE SHOULD BE SENT PROMPTLY BY
HAND, OVERNIGHT COURIER, OR REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL.)
                             ---------------------
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE HEREBY. IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY PERSON TO
WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY
SINCE THE DATE AS OF WHICH INFORMATION IS GIVEN IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
                             ---------------------
 
     UNTIL             , 1998, ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE NEW
NOTES, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THESE EXCHANGE OFFERS, MAY BE REQUIRED TO
DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
 
                       OFFER TO EXCHANGE ALL OUTSTANDING
 
                                 13 1/2% SENIOR
                                 NOTES DUE 2004
                                      FOR
                                 13 1/2% SENIOR
                                 NOTES DUE 2004
 
                                      AND
 
                       OFFER TO EXCHANGE ALL OUTSTANDING
 
                                 10 3/8% SENIOR
                                 NOTES DUE 2005
                                      FOR
                                 10 3/8% SENIOR
                                 NOTES DUE 2005
 
                                  [VERIO LOGO]
                            ------------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                            ------------------------
                         Dated                  , 1998
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   320
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Reference is made to Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), which provides for indemnification of directors,
officers and other employees in certain circumstances, and to Section 102(b)(7)
of the DGCL, which provides for the elimination or limitation of the personal
liability for monetary damages of directors under certain circumstances. Article
Eight of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant eliminates the
personal liability for monetary damages of directors under certain circumstances
and provides indemnification to directors and officers of the Registrant to the
fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Among other things, these provisions
provide indemnification for officers and directors against liabilities for
judgments in and settlements of lawsuits and other proceedings and for the
advance and payment of fees and expenses reasonably incurred by the director or
officer in defense of any such lawsuit or proceeding.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
EXHIBITS:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                                -----------
<C>                      <S>
          3.1**          -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant,
                            as amended.
          3.2**          -- Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
                            of the Registrant.
          3.3**          -- Certificate of Designation Establishing Series D
                            Preferred Stock of the Registrant.
          3.4**          -- Bylaws of the Registrant.
          4.1***         -- Form of Old 1997 Note.
          4.2***         -- Form of New 1997 Note.
          4.3***         -- Escrow Agreement, dated as of June 24, 1997, among First
                            Trust National Association (as escrow agent and trustee)
                            and the Registrant.
          4.4**          -- 1997 Indenture (See Exhibit 10.1).
          4.5**          -- 1997 Notes Registration Rights Agreement (See Exhibit
                            10.4).
          4.6***         -- Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1997, by and
                            among Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
                            & Smith Incorporated, and Lazard Freres & Co. LLC
                            (collectively, the "Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers"), and
                            the Registrant.
          4.7***         -- Form of Old 1998 Note.
          4.8***         -- Form of New 1998 Note.
          4.9**          -- 1998 Indenture (See Exhibit 10.23).
          4.10**         -- 1998 Notes Registration Rights Agreement (See Exhibit
                            10.24).
          4.11***        -- Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 19, 1998, by and
                            among Salomon Brothers Inc, Lazard Freres & Co. LLC,
                            Chase Securities, Inc., and BancBoston Securities Inc.
                            (collectively, the "Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers"), and
                            the Registrant.
          5.1***         -- Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP.
         10.1**          -- Indenture, dated as of June 24, 1997, by and among the
                            Registrant and First Trust National Association (as
                            trustee).
         10.2**          -- Warrant Agreement, dated as of June 24, 1997, by and
                            between First Trust National Association and the
                            Registrant.
         10.3**          -- Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
                            June 17, 1997, by and among the Registrant, Brooks Fiber
                            Properties, Inc., Norwest Equity Partners V, Providence
                            Equity Partners, Centennial Fund V, L.P., Centennial Fund
                            IV, L.P. (as investors), and the Initial Purchasers.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   321
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                                -----------
<C>                      <S>
         10.4**          -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1997,
                            by and among the Registrant and the Initial Purchasers.
         10.5**          -- Lease Agreement, dated as of June 20, 1997, by and
                            between the Registrant and Highland Park Ventures, LLC,
                            with respect to the property in Englewood, Colorado,
                            including the First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated
                            as of December 16, 1997.
         10.6**          -- Lease Agreement, dated as of May 24, 1997, by and between
                            the Registrant and IM Joint Venture, with respect to the
                            property in Dallas, Texas, as amended.
         10.7**          -- Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant
                            and each of its officers and directors.
         10.8**          -- Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of
                            May 20, 1997, by and between the Registrant, the Series A
                            Purchasers, the Series B Purchasers, the Series C
                            Purchasers and members of the Registrant's management.
         10.9**          -- The Registrant's 1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended.
         10.10**         -- The Registrant's 1997 California Stock Option Plan, as
                            amended.
         10.11**         -- The Registrant's 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as
                            amended.
         10.12**         -- The Registrant's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.
         10.13**         -- Form of Compensation Protection Agreement between the
                            Registrant and each of its officers.
         10.14**         -- Master Service Agreement, dated as of August 23, 1996, by
                            and between the Registrant and MFS Datanet, Inc.
         10.15**         -- Agreement for Terminal Facility Collocation Space, dated
                            August 8, 1996, by and between MFS Telecom, Inc. and the
                            Registrant.
         10.16**         -- Bilateral Peering Agreement, dated May 19, 1997, between
                            AT&T Corp. and the Registrant.
         10.17**         -- Master Lease Agreement, dated November 17, 1997, by and
                            between Insight Investments Corp. and the Registrant.
         10.18**         -- Master Lease Agreement, dated October 27, 1997, by and
                            between Cisco Capital Systems Corporation and the
                            Registrant.
         10.19**+        -- Lateral Exchange Networks Interconnection Agreement,
                            dated as of February 3, 1997, by and between the
                            Registrant and Sprint Communications Company L.P.
                            ("Sprint").
         10.20**+        -- Cover Agreement, dated September 30, 1996, by and between
                            the Registrant and Sprint.
         10.21**+        -- Amendment One to Cover Agreement, dated November 7, 1996,
                            by and between the Registrant and Sprint.
         10.22**+        -- Amendment Two to Cover Agreement, dated March 2, 1998, by
                            and between the Registrant and Sprint.
         10.23**         -- Indenture, dated as of March 25, 1998, by and among the
                            Registrant and First Trust National Association (as
                            trustee).
         10.24**         -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 25,
                            1998, by and among the Registrant, and the Initial 1998
                            Notes Purchasers.
         10.25**+        -- Capacity and Services Agreement, dated as of March 31,
                            1998, by and among the Registrant and Qwest
                            Communications Corporation.
         10.26**         -- Credit Agreement, dated as of April 6, 1998, by and among
                            the Registrant, The Chase Manhattan Bank (as
                            administrative agent) and Fleet National Bank (as
                            documentation agent).
         10.27**         -- Stock Purchase and Master Strategic Relationship
                            Agreement, dated as of April 7, 1998, by and among the
                            Registrant and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
                            ("NTT"), a Japanese corporation.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   322
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                                -----------
<C>                      <S>
         10.28**+        -- Investment Agreement, dated as of April 7, 1998, by and
                            among the Registrant and NTT.
         10.29**+        -- Outside Service Provider Agreement, dated as of April 7,
                            1998, by and among the Registrant and NTT America, Inc.
         10.30**+        -- Master Services Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1997, by
                            and between the Registrant and MCI Telecommunications
                            Corporation ("MCI").
         10.31**+        -- MCI Domestic (US) Public Interconnection Agreement dated
                            as of June 12, 1997, by and between the Registrant and
                            MCI, as amended.
         10.32**         -- The Registrant's 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock
                            Incentive Plan.
         11.1            -- Not applicable.
         21.1**          -- List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
         23.1            -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (Denver).
         23.2            -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (Seattle).
         23.3***         -- Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP (contained in Exhibit
                            5.1).
         24.1***         -- Power of Attorney.
         25.1***         -- Form of T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification
                            under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of First Trust
                            National Association.
         27.1**          -- Financial Data Schedule.
         99.1***         -- Form of Letter of Transmittal with respect to the
                            Exchange Offers.
         99.2***         -- Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
</TABLE>
    
 
---------------
 
  *  To be filed by amendment.
 
 **  Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of
     the Registrant (Registration No. 333-47099) filed with the Commission on
     February 27, 1998, as amended.
 
***  Exhibit previously filed.
 
  +  Document for which confidential treatment has been requested.
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE:
 
  Financial Statements:
 
     Financial Statements filed as a part of this Registration Statement are
listed in the Index to Financial Statements on page F-1.
 
  Financial Statement Schedules:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    SCHEDULE NO.                          DESCRIPTION
    ------------                          -----------
    <C>             <S>
         II         Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     (a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in
Item 20 above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion
of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   323
 
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     (2) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Act, the
     information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
     Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
     of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
     497(h) under the Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration
     Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (3) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each
     post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (c) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the
date of responding to the request.
 
     (d) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the Registration Statement when it became effective.
 
     (e) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
        in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement;
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in this Registration
        Statement.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   324
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
Englewood, Colorado on July 7, 1998.
    
 
                                          VERIO INC.
 
                                          By:   /s/ CARLA HAMRE DONELSON
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                    Carla Hamre Donelson
                                            Vice President, General Counsel and
                                                          Secretary
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                    DATE
                      ---------                                       -----                    ----
<C>                                                      <S>                               <C>
 
               /s/ STEVEN C. HALSTEDT*                   Chairman of the Board             July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------
                 Steven C. Halstedt
 
               /s/ JUSTIN L. JASCHKE*                    Chief Executive Officer and       July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------      Director
                  Justin L. Jaschke
 
                 /s/ JAMES C. ALLEN*                     Director                          July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------
                   James C. Allen
 
                /s/ TRYGVE E. MYHREN*                    Director                          July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------
                  Trygve E. Myhren
 
                 /s/ PAUL J. SALEM*                      Director                          July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------
                    Paul J. Salem
 
               /s/ STEVEN W. SCHOVEE*                    Director                          July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------
                  Steven W. Schovee
 
              /s/ GEORGE J. STILL, JR.*                  Director                          July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------
                George J. Still, Jr.
 
              /s/ PETER B. FRITZINGER*                   Chief Financial Officer           July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------
                 Peter B. Fritzinger
 
               /s/ DEB MAYFIELD GAHAN*                   Vice President of Finance and     July 7, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------      Administration (Principal
                 Deb Mayfield Gahan                        Accounting Officer)
 
            *By: /s/ CARLA HAMRE DONELSON
  ------------------------------------------------
                Carla Hamre Donelson
                  Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   325
 
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Verio Inc.:
 
     Under date of February 25, 1998, we reported on the consolidated balance
sheets of Verio Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' deficit, and cash
flows for the period from inception (March 1, 1996) to December 31, 1996 and the
year ended December 31, 1997, which are included in the prospectus. In
connection with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial
statements, we also audited the related consolidated financial statement
schedule in the registration statement. This financial statement schedule is the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
     In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in
relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Denver, Colorado
February 25, 1998
 
                                       S-1
<PAGE>   326
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                          VERIO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 BALANCE AT     CHARGED TO                  BALANCE AT
                                                BEGINNING OF    COSTS AND                     END OF
                 DESCRIPTION                       PERIOD        EXPENSES     DEDUCTIONS      PERIOD
                 -----------                    ------------    ----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                                             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>
Period from Inception (March 1, 1996) to
  December 31, 1996:
  Allowance for doubtful Accounts.............     $   --            117            --           117
Year ended December 31, 1997:
  Allowance for doubtful Accounts.............     $  117          1,116            --         1,233
</TABLE>
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   327
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                                -----------
<C>                      <S>
          3.1**          -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant,
                            as amended.
          3.2**          -- Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
                            of the Registrant.
          3.3**          -- Certificate of Designation Establishing Series D
                            Preferred Stock of the Registrant.
          3.4**          -- Bylaws of the Registrant.
          4.1***         -- Form of Old 1997 Note.
          4.2***         -- Form of New 1997 Note.
          4.3***         -- Escrow Agreement, dated as of June 24, 1997, among First
                            Trust National Association (as escrow agent and trustee)
                            and the Registrant.
          4.4**          -- 1997 Indenture (See Exhibit 10.1).
          4.5**          -- 1997 Notes Registration Rights Agreement (See Exhibit
                            10.4).
          4.6***         -- Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1997, by and
                            among Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner
                            & Smith Incorporated, and Lazard Freres & Co. LLC
                            (collectively, the "Initial 1997 Notes Purchasers"), and
                            the Registrant.
          4.7***         -- Form of Old 1998 Note.
          4.8***         -- Form of New 1998 Note.
          4.9**          -- 1998 Indenture (See Exhibit 10.23).
          4.10**         -- 1998 Notes Registration Rights Agreement (See Exhibit
                            10.24).
          4.11***        -- Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 19, 1998, by and
                            among Salomon Brothers Inc, Lazard Freres & Co. LLC,
                            Chase Securities, Inc., and BancBoston Securities Inc.
                            (collectively, the "Initial 1998 Notes Purchasers"), and
                            the Registrant.
          5.1***         -- Opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP.
         10.1**          -- Indenture, dated as of June 24, 1997, by and among the
                            Registrant and First Trust National Association (as
                            trustee).
         10.2**          -- Warrant Agreement, dated as of June 24, 1997, by and
                            between First Trust National Association and the
                            Registrant.
         10.3**          -- Common Stock Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
                            June 17, 1997, by and among the Registrant, Brooks Fiber
                            Properties, Inc., Norwest Equity Partners V, Providence
                            Equity Partners, Centennial Fund V, L.P., Centennial Fund
                            IV, L.P. (as investors), and the Initial Purchasers.
         10.4**          -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1997,
                            by and among the Registrant and the Initial Purchasers.
         10.5**          -- Lease Agreement, dated as of June 20, 1997, by and
                            between the Registrant and Highland Park Ventures, LLC,
                            with respect to the property in Englewood, Colorado,
                            including the First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated
                            as of December 16, 1997.
         10.6**          -- Lease Agreement, dated as of May 24, 1997, by and between
                            the Registrant and IM Joint Venture, with respect to the
                            property in Dallas, Texas, as amended.
         10.7**          -- Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant
                            and each of its officers and directors.
         10.8**          -- Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of
                            May 20, 1997, by and between the Registrant, the Series A
                            Purchasers, the Series B Purchasers, the Series C
                            Purchasers and members of the Registrant's management.
         10.9**          -- The Registrant's 1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended.
         10.10**         -- The Registrant's 1997 California Stock Option Plan, as
                            amended.
         10.11**         -- The Registrant's 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as
                            amended.
         10.12**         -- The Registrant's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   328
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                                -----------
<C>                      <S>
         10.13**         -- Form of Compensation Protection Agreement between the
                            Registrant and each of its officers.
         10.14**         -- Master Service Agreement, dated as of August 23, 1996, by
                            and between the Registrant and MFS Datanet, Inc.
         10.15**         -- Agreement for Terminal Facility Collocation Space, dated
                            August 8, 1996, by and between MFS Telecom, Inc. and the
                            Registrant.
         10.16**         -- Bilateral Peering Agreement, dated May 19, 1997, between
                            AT&T Corp. and the Registrant.
         10.17**         -- Master Lease Agreement, dated November 17, 1997, by and
                            between Insight Investments Corp. and the Registrant.
         10.18**         -- Master Lease Agreement, dated October 27, 1997, by and
                            between Cisco Capital Systems Corporation and the
                            Registrant.
         10.19**+        -- Lateral Exchange Networks Interconnection Agreement,
                            dated as of February 3, 1997, by and between the
                            Registrant and Sprint Communications Company L.P.
                            ("Sprint").
         10.20**+        -- Cover Agreement, dated September 30, 1996, by and between
                            the Registrant and Sprint.
         10.21**+        -- Amendment One to Cover Agreement, dated November 7, 1996,
                            by and between the Registrant and Sprint.
         10.22**+        -- Amendment Two to Cover Agreement, dated March 2, 1998, by
                            and between the Registrant and Sprint.
         10.23**         -- Indenture, dated as of March 25, 1998, by and among the
                            Registrant and First Trust National Association (as
                            trustee).
         10.24**         -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 25,
                            1998, by and among the Registrant, and the Initial 1998
                            Notes Purchasers.
         10.25**+        -- Capacity and Services Agreement, dated as of March 31,
                            1998, by and among the Registrant and Qwest
                            Communications Corporation.
         10.26**         -- Credit Agreement, dated as of April 6, 1998, by and among
                            the Registrant, The Chase Manhattan Bank (as
                            administrative agent) and Fleet National Bank (as
                            documentation agent).
         10.27**         -- Stock Purchase and Master Strategic Relationship
                            Agreement, dated as of April 7, 1998, by and among the
                            Registrant and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
                            ("NTT"), a Japanese corporation.
         10.28**+        -- Investment Agreement, dated as of April 7, 1998, by and
                            among the Registrant and NTT.
         10.29**+        -- Outside Service Provider Agreement, dated as of April 7,
                            1998, by and among the Registrant and NTT America, Inc.
         10.30**+        -- Master Services Agreement, dated as of June 13, 1997, by
                            and between the Registrant and MCI Telecommunications
                            Corporation ("MCI").
         10.31**+        -- MCI Domestic (US) Public Interconnection Agreement dated
                            as of June 12, 1997, by and between the Registrant and
                            MCI, as amended.
         10.32**         -- The Registrant's 1998 Non-Employee Director Stock
                            Incentive Plan.
         11.1            -- Not applicable.
         21.1**          -- List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
         23.1            -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (Denver).
         23.2            -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (Seattle).
         23.3***         -- Consent of Morrison & Foerster LLP (contained in Exhibit
                            5.1).
         24.1***         -- Power of Attorney.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   329
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      EXHIBIT NO.                                DESCRIPTION
      -----------                                -----------
<C>                      <S>
         25.1***         -- Form of T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification
                            under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of First Trust
                            National Association.
         27.1**          -- Financial Data Schedule.
         99.1***         -- Form of Letter of Transmittal with respect to the
                            Exchange Offers.
         99.2***         -- Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
</TABLE>
 
---------------
 
  *  To be filed by amendment.
 
 **  Incorporated by reference from the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of
     the Registrant (Registration No. 333-47099) filed with the Commission on
     February 27, 1998, as amended.
 
***  Exhibit previously filed.
 
  +  Document for which confidential treatment has been requested.