Gaithersburg, MD (September 3, 2002) - AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc., which owns and operates the world's largest private network of automated weather observation systems, today unveiled a new partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) that bolsters the service's ability to protect coastal residents and boaters from severe weather.

"This partnership benefits everyone that lives, works or visits our nation's shorelines," said Capt. D.A. Goward, Chief, Office of Boat Forces, U.S. Coast Guard. "Working with AWS and installing these new systems will help us save lives and property in a couple ways. Automating the collection of weather information improves the accuracy and timeliness of the data. This will make for better forecasts and advisories, particularly for severe coastal weather like hurricanes and tropical storms, to keep the public safer. Automation also relieves our Coast Guard crews of manually collecting and transmitting weather data so they can focus on other important duties. My goal is to automate weather collection at all of our stations within the next five to ten years."

The USCG is currently planning to install AWS weather systems at 15 boat stations along the U.S. coast. AWS systems are already in operation along the eastern seaboard at Coast Guard stations, Hatteras, Oregon Inlet, Wrightsville Beach, Charleston, Georgetown and Tybee Island. Additional sites in Florida, Texas, California, Oregon, New York and Maine will be installed by the end of this year.

All of the AWS systems installed at Coast Guard installations will become part of the AWS WeatherNet network, which includes more than 6,000 weather stations based primarily at schools. The public can access this weather data through AWS' network of local broadcast partners or by downloading WeatherBug, a free Internet software application (www.weatherbug.com). The WeatherBug application also provides live camera images from the Coast Guard weather stations.

The Coast Guard relationship is the second major partnership that AWS announced this quarter that is designed to enhance public safety and well-being. Last month, AWS and the National Weather Service unveiled a major new homeland security initiative that helps protect residents in major metropolitan areas. In the event of a homeland security incident, such as a bio-terror or chemical attack, the National Weather Service now has access to real-time weather data from the AWS WeatherNet network, which will put critical weather information in the hands of emergency response officials making important decisions.

"The Coast Guard and the National Weather Service both recognize the value of our live weather data to their core operations. We applaud these government agencies for working with us in the public's best interest," said Bob Marshall, CEO of AWS Convergence Technologies.

About the U.S. Coast Guard

Every day, the military, multimission, maritime Coast Guard conducts a wide range of missions to preserve the security, safety, and economic well-being of America. The Coast Guard recently celebrated 212 years of continuous service to our nation. As America's Lifesaver & Guardian of the Seas the Coast Guard is committed to protecting our waterways and those who use them.

About AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc.

AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. (www.aws.com) owns and operates the largest private network of weather stations in the world. This real-time network gathers comprehensive, up-to-the-second weather information from more than 6,000 communities and powers the company's various products and services, including: WeatherBug™, an online weather service that provides live neighborhood conditions to more than 12 million PC users; WeatherNet for Broadcast, which delivers real-time weather information to more than 80 million U.S. households through partnerships with 96 local television stations; WeatherNet for Education, which provides engaging weather information and educational tools to schools and colleges, including an innovative set of online lesson plans and software called WeatherNet Classroom; and AWS Data Services which uses AWS' unique weather network and software to provide high-value solutions for vertical industries such as energy, retail, and transportation.