Exhibit (a)(1)(Q)
CONTACT:
Mona Peloquin
Verio Inc.
(303) 645-1961
mpeloquin@verio.net
Andy Katell
For NTT Communications
(212) 453-2217
INVESTORS:
Morrow and Co., Inc.
(800) 566-9061
Verio and NTT Communications Continue to Cooperate with
CFIUS in Its Investigation
Tokyo, Japan, and Englewood, Colorado, August 3, 2000--Verio Inc. (Nasdaq: VRIO)
and NTT Communications Corporation today have issued the following joint
statement concerning the status of their pending merger agreement:
"NTT Communications and Verio are continuing to cooperate with the Committee on
Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) during its ongoing investigation
of the proposed transaction under the Exon-Florio Amendment to the Defense
Production Act of 1950. While the confidential nature of that process precludes
us from reporting or commenting in detail on the status of and developments in
the course of that investigation, we are issuing this statement to address the
recent volatility in Verio's stock price that appears to be related to rumors
concerning the status of the merger transaction.
In particular, the companies wish to confirm that they are continuing their
cooperation and discussions with CFIUS member agencies in connection with the
Exon-Florio investigation process. By the terms of the Exon-Florio statute, the
CFIUS process will expire on or prior to August 29, 2000. By the terms of the
merger agreement between NTT Communications and Verio, and as permitted under
the Exon-Florio provisions, NTT Communications may elect to waive the Exon-
Florio closing condition and proceed with consummation of the offer prior to
completion of the Exon-Florio investigation process. Verio and NTT
Communications continue to believe that the proposed transaction will be found
to raise no national security concerns under the Exon-Florio law and that the
Exon-Florio process will not prevent the parties from closing this transaction."
-more-
Page 2 NTT and Verio Statement
Separately, Verio also confirmed that it expects to file its quarterly report on
Form 10-Q with respect to the second calendar quarter of 2000 in a timely manner
on or prior to August 14, 2000. As a result of management's focus on the
completion of closing requirements and strategic planning initiatives with NTT
Communications, the company's second quarter financial results have not yet been
finalized.
About Verio
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Verio Inc. is the world's largest operator of Web sites for businesses and a
leading provider of comprehensive Internet services, with an emphasis on serving
the small and mid-sized business market. The company offers customers a broad
range of Internet solutions, including high-speed access, Web hosting,
eCommerce, virtual private networks and other enhanced services. Verio supports
its operations with highly reliable and scalable national infrastructure and
systems including a Tier One national network. Verio delivers locally-based
sales and engineering support in markets across the United States under the
Verio brand name and provides Web-hosting services to customers in more than 170
countries.
For more information about Verio, visit www.verio.com. Verio's corporate
headquarters are located in Englewood, Colorado at 8005 S. Chester St., Suite
200, 80112, phone number (303) 645-1900.
About NTT Communications
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NTT Communications, a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation,
provides long distance and international telecommunications reaching over 200
countries worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, NTT Communications' Arcstar
services operate in about 50 countries and have significant presence in Asia
Pacific, North America and Europe. Arcstar global services provide managed data,
multimedia and Internet services to some of the largest companies in the world.
NTT Communications' investment in its Managed Services, IP Infrastructure and
Internet Portal will meet the growing demand for electronic commerce-based
services from its business customers and home users. NTT Communications, with
the OCN brand, is already one of the largest ISPs in Japan.
For more information about NTT Communications, visit the company's Web site at
http://www.ntt.com/index-e.html
Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters set
forth in this press release concerning Verio are forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to fluctuations in operating
results, additional capital requirements, competition, integration of
acquisitions, and implementation of network infrastructure. Readers are also
encouraged to refer to Verio's reports from time to time filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Current Quarterly
Report on Form 10-K/A-1 filed on March 27, 2000, for a further discussion of
Verio's business and risk factors that may affect operating and financial
results.