Diba, Inc., a leading supplier of Information Appliance technology, today announced that over 25 of the largest Internet service providers (ISPs) worldwide have joined the Diba ISP Certification Program.

The program, launched June 9, 1997, tests Internet services and verifies them as compatible with Diba's open, standards-based Information Appliance software platform.

The goal of the growing program is to ensure that manufacturers of Information Appliances and consumers of Diba-enabled devices can choose among a wide range of Internet service providers, and that ISPs can deliver value-added services to consumers through a variety of new Internet-enabled devices.

The Diba ISP Certification Program is open to all ISPs interested in delivering their Internet services to Information Appliances, including Internet-enabled TVs, set tops, cable and satellite boxes, smart phones, and other appliances.

New members of the program include Ameritech, BC TEL Interactive's Sympatico(TM), Epoch Internet, MCI, MindSpring Enterprises, Inc., Prodigy Internet, Sprint Internet Passport(SM), US WEST !NTERPRISE Networking Services and UUNet Technologies, Inc.

Many of the largest ISPs in Europe have also joined the program, including I-Way of the UK; Superonline of Turkey; Telenordia Internet and Net-TV and Telia Internet of Sweden; Telecom Finland; and Tele Danmark. Together, these companies currently provide direct Internet access to more than 10 million subscribers.

"We are pleased by the rapid membership growth of our ISP Program," said Greg Wolff, Vice President Business Development of Diba. "This program's popularity endorses Diba's strategy of creating an open platform that doesn't lock anyone in or out. It also demonstrates that the ISP community views Information Appliances as a huge new market for their services."

"Our relationship with Diba will help Sprint Internet Passport deliver easy, reliable Internet access through a variety of exciting new devices," said Douglas Hartung, Sprint Business Development Manager. "This is the type of technology that will enable more people than ever before to take advantage of the Internet - even without a traditional computer connection."

"We are pleased to join Diba's ISP certification program," said Mark Schnarr, Vice President and General Manager of BC TEL Interactive of British Columbia, Canada. "The Information Appliance market is a significant business opportunity for all ISPs. In BC, consumers of these new devices want highly accessible and affordable Internet access that supports a variety of different appliances, and we fully intend to provide them with the flexibility and consolidated service they want."

About Information Appliances

Information Appliances are a new class of consumer device that combine the power of computers with the ease of use, convenience, and affordability of traditional consumer appliances. With their push-button design and easy-to-use interfaces, Information Appliances will offer average consumers a wide range of devices and services that will let them tap into the Information Age for the first time.

About Diba

Diba is a leading software technology provider for the Information Appliance marketplace. Dedicated to making information more accessible to more people, Diba has created an open, end-to-end architecture for the development and delivery of Information Appliances and services. Diba licenses its technologies to consumer electronics companies, appliance manufacturers and service providers. Using Diba's technologies, these companies can quickly and affordably create a wide range of Information Appliances for homes, schools and offices. Diba is headquartered in Menlo Park, California with a sales office in London.

Sun Microsystems signed a definitive agreement on July 25, 1997, to acquire Diba, Inc. The consummation of this transaction is subject to various conditions to closing, including approval by Diba's shareholders.