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10.04.2004 - Waterman Broadcasting and Synergy Networks Deliver Record Online News Coverage of Florida Hurricanes to Thousands in Florida and Around the World.
A Leader in Business-Class Internet Solutions Supports Coverage of Hurricanes via Waterman Broadcasting Corp.'s WBBH-TV/NBC-2.com & WZVN-TV/ABC-7.com Web Sites

FT. MYERS, FL., – October 4, 2004 – Ft. Myers-based Synergy Networks, one of Florida's fastest-growing Internet Service Providers, announced that it supported serving the public interest during the summer of 2004 hurricanes while helping to deliver record-setting traffic of coverage produced by Waterman Broadcasting Corp. for Hurricanes Charley, Ivan, Frances and Jeanne.

“Synergy Networks has been our reliable partner since 1999. They have consistently supported past increased viewer demand for our breaking news stories and severe weather coverage, especially during hurricane season. Yet it was not until this season, when for the first time in our state's history we were impacted by four hurricanes, that Synergy Networks helped us serve the public interest at absolutely incredible levels,” reports Keith Norman, Internet director for Ft. Myers-based Waterman Broadcasting

Month-end data for August alone showed a record 1.5 million unique visitors viewed Waterman Broadcasting's web sites NBC-2.com and ABC-7.com. Data transferred during the coverage of the four hurricanes was at times 3,000% greater than historical summer averages. And even after the hurricanes left, traffic to the Waterman Broadcasting web sites have remained at least 50% higher than before the summer of 2004.

Waterman Broadcasting received hundreds of emails and letters from viewers expressing their appreciation for their online coverage, including one from this fellow broadcaster: “ I had
(NBC-2.com) up in our newsroom for several hours on Friday ( August 13- Charley hits SW Florida ), and was very impressed at the quality and you stayed up the whole time. I would love to know…what kind of equipment powers your back end”- Jason Crundwell, Kris Communications, Corpus Christi , TX .

“Synergy Networks experienced technical team was constantly monitoring our ever-increasing traffic during our hurricane coverage. At times, they implemented additional hardware and auxiliary power to keep us up 100% of the time. Their superior service helped us deliver life-saving information to thousands of viewers during some of the most important news coverage in our history,” continued Keith Norman.

With uninterrupted power and redundant network connectivity, customers utilizing Synergy Networks data center and Internet access maintained 100% up time during Hurricanes Charley, Ivan , Frances and Jeanne and their aftermath. “This Hurricane season has been unprecedented on its impact to the State of Florida; businesses still must have the peace of mind that the potential catastrophic consequences of storms like this will not affect their Internet and data services”, said Chris Patrick, Vice President of Operations. “There is no margin of error of downtime in today's business world, and that is why customers like Waterman broadcasting depend on Synergy Networks to maintain their mission critical data and Internet systems 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

About Waterman Broadcasting Corp.

Ft. Myers -based Waterman Broadcasting Corp. is a privately-held organization which owns and operates NBC network affiliate WBBH-TV and companion web site NBC-2.com. The company also operates through a local marketing agreement with Ft. Myers, Florida-based Montclair Communications ABC7 network affiliate WZVN-TV and companion web site ABC-7.com. Proud of its long history of journalism excellence and the recipient of numerous Edward R. Murrow and Associated Press on-air and online awards, Waterman Broadcasting is the largest electronic news organization between Miami and Tampa . For more information, visit: http://www.water.net

About Synergy Networks

Synergy Networks is a leading broadband service provider headquartered in Fort Myers , Florida , with offices in Sarasota , Melbourne and Fort Lauderdale . The company combines its state-of-the-art facilities and nationwide network infrastructure powered by the industry's best to provide business class Internet and data solutions to businesses throughout the state of Florida . Synergy Networks portfolio of solutions includes broadband Internet and data connectivity, a full range of web hosting and collocation solutions, web design and integrated voice and data offerings in select markets. For more information, visit http://www.snworks.com