EARTHLINK NETWORK INC /DE/
S-1, 1998-12-18
TELEGRAPH & OTHER MESSAGE COMMUNICATIONS
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<PAGE>
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON DECEMBER 18, 1998.
 
                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ----------------
 
                                    FORM S-1
 
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ----------------
 
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
               (Exact Name of Issuer as Specified in its Charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                            <C>
           DELAWARE                          7391                  58-2389244
 (State or other Jurisdiction        (Primary Industrial        (I.R.S. Employer
              of                     Classification Code)        Identification
Incorporation or Organization)                                        No.)
</TABLE>
 
        3100 NEW YORK DRIVE, PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91107, (626) 296-2400
         (Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices)
                                ----------------
 
                               GRAYSON L. HOBERG
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
                              3100 NEW YORK DRIVE
                           PASADENA, CALIFORNIA 91107
                                 (626) 296-2400
 
           (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)
                                ----------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
    W. TINLEY ANDERSON, III, ESQ.                HERBERT P. FOCKLER, ESQ.
       DANIEL O. KENNEDY, ESQ.                    JON C. GONZALES, ESQ.
          Hunton & Williams                       DON S. WILLIAMS, ESQ.
    NationsBank Plaza, Suite 4100            Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
       600 Peachtree Street, NE                     650 Page Mill Road
        Atlanta, Georgia 30308                 Palo Alto, California 94304
            (404) 888-4000                            (650) 493-9300
 
                                ----------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
                                ----------------
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), 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, please 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(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier 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 registration statement for the same
offering. / /
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. / /
                                ----------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                              PROPOSED MAXIMUM                AMOUNT OF
                  SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED                      AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE (1)       REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                                                               <C>                             <C>
Common Stock, $0.01 par value...................................           $167,468,750                  $46,556.31
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933. Pursuant to Rule
    457(c) under the Securities Act, the Proposed Maximum Offering Price was
    calculated as follows: (a) $58.25, the average of the high and low sales
    prices per share of our common stock on December 14, 1998, as reported on
    the Nasdaq National Market, multiplied by (b) 2,875,000, the total number of
    shares proposed to be registered hereunder, which amount includes 375,000
    shares subject to an over-allotment option granted by the Company to the
    underwriters.
                                ----------------
 
    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 THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8 OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8, MAY
DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 18, 1998
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
<PAGE>
                                2,500,000 Shares
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                            EarthLink Network, Inc.
 
                                  Common Stock
 
                                   ---------
 
Of the shares of common stock offered, 2,000,000 shares are being sold by
EarthLink and
      500,000 shares are being sold by the selling stockholders named
      under "Principal and
             Selling Stockholders." EarthLink will not receive any
             of the proceeds from
                          shares sold by the selling
                                 stockholders.
 
Our shares are listed for trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market
under the symbol "ELNK."
           On December 16, 1998, the last reported sales price of our
           common stock
                         on the Nasdaq National Market
                                  was $61.00.
 
Investing in common stock involves certain risks. See "Risk Factors" on page 4.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission
 
   has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is
 
       truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Underwriting                    Proceeds to
                                                           Price to      Discount and    Proceeds to       Selling
                                                            Public       Commissions      EarthLink      Stockholders
                                                        --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Per Share.............................................        $               $               $               $
Total(1)..............................................        $               $               $               $
</TABLE>
 
(1) We have granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the
    date of this Prospectus, to purchase a maximum of 375,000 additional shares
    from us to cover over-allotments of shares.
 
    Delivery of the shares of common stock will be made on or about January   ,
1999, against payment in immediately available funds.
 
                                 --------------
 
Credit Suisse First Boston
 
            Invemed Associates
 
                         ING Baring Furman Selz LLC
 
                                      Cruttenden Roth Incorporated
 
                       Prospectus dated            ,
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                    -----
<S>                                              <C>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY.............................           2
RISK FACTORS...................................           4
USE OF PROCEEDS................................          10
DIVIDEND POLICY................................          10
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK....................          10
CAPITALIZATION.................................          11
DILUTION.......................................          12
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH SPRINT.................          12
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION......          14
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF                  16
  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
  OPERATIONS...................................
 
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                    -----
<S>                                              <C>
BUSINESS.......................................          29
MANAGEMENT.....................................          39
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.............          49
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK...................          51
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE................          62
UNDERWRITING...................................          64
NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS...................          66
LEGAL MATTERS..................................          67
EXPERTS........................................          67
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.........................          67
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..................         F-1
</TABLE>
 
                                 --------------
 
    YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT OR TO WHICH WE
HAVE REFERRED YOU. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION
THAT IS DIFFERENT. THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE USED ONLY WHERE IT IS LEGAL TO SELL
THESE SECURITIES. THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE ACCURATE ONLY AS OF
THE DATE OF THIS DOCUMENT.
 
              CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
    This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that have been made
pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are
based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about EarthLink's
industry, our beliefs and assumptions. Words such as "anticipates," "expects,"
"intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties
and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are difficult to
predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed
or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties
are described in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus. We caution you
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect
our management's view only as of the date of this prospectus. We are not
obligated to update these statements or publicly release the result of any
revisions to them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this
prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    YOU SHOULD READ THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY TOGETHER WITH THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION REGARDING OUR COMPANY AND THE COMMON STOCK BEING SOLD IN THIS
OFFERING AND OUR CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES APPEARING
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. BECAUSE THIS IS ONLY A SUMMARY, YOU SHOULD READ
THE REST OF THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE YOU INVEST IN OUR COMMON STOCK. READ THE
ENTIRE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY, ESPECIALLY THE RISKS DESCRIBED UNDER "RISK
FACTORS."
 
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
    EarthLink is a leading Internet service provider, or ISP, providing reliable
nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to our individual
and business members. Our member base has grown from approximately 420,000
members on December 31, 1997 to approximately 815,000 on September 30, 1998,
making us one of the world's leading ISPs. We believe our growth has resulted
from our efforts to enhance our members' Internet experience through simple,
rapid and reliable access to the Internet, high quality service, and member
education and support. As a result, we believe we have a high member retention
rate for our industry. We receive significant benefits from the size of our
member base, including bargaining power with Internet content providers, online
advertisers and retailers, and network providers.
 
    We generate our members through a combination of innovative and
cost-conscious marketing programs. We market our services and products through
referrals, online advertising and magazine, radio and television advertisements.
Our affinity marketing and membership referral programs are also valuable
components of our marketing strategy. We have over 500 affinity marketing
partners, including prominent retailers, print publishers, and software and
hardware companies. Leading affinity marketing partners include CompUSA, Novus
Service's Discover Card, MacMillan Digital Publishing USA, SAM's Club, Sony
Entertainment and Warner Bros. We recently added Apple and Packard Bell to our
family of distribution partners.
 
    In June 1998, we entered into a strategic alliance with Sprint, which is
another important driver of our member growth. As a part of this alliance,
Sprint transferred approximately 130,000 members to us and is committed to
generating at least 150,000 new members for us during each of the next 5 years.
Additionally, we are now co-branded as Sprint's exclusive consumer Internet
access provider, and we have exclusive access to certain dial-up modem ports in
Sprint's network. We also have access to Sprint's marketing and distribution
channels and the right to use Sprint's widely recognized brand name. As a result
of this relationship, we recently added Sprint PCS and Radio Shack as affinity
partners.
 
    EarthLink provides highly reliable Internet access through a nationwide
telecommunications network of leased, high-speed, dedicated data lines and over
1,700 dial-up access sites, or POPs. We own and operate POPs in Southern
California and lease POPs from UUNET, Sprint, and PSINet nationwide. Over 90% of
the U.S. population can access our Internet service through a local telephone
call. We also provide Internet connections by cable modem, ADSL, ISDN, frame
relay and other high-speed access technologies.
 
    Our standard $19.95 per month dial-up Internet service provides our members
with unlimited access to the Internet, email, a Web browser, six megabytes
available for a personal web site, a Personal Start Page, BLINK (our member news
magazine), toll-free 24-hour technical support and access to Internet
newsgroups. We also offer premium services to consumers and small businesses,
including electronic commerce solutions, Web hosting and high-speed Internet
connections.
 
    Our address is 3100 New York Drive, Pasadena, California 91107, and our
telephone number is (626) 296-2400.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Common Stock Offered..............  2,500,000 shares (comprised of 2,000,000 shares offered
                                    by EarthLink and 500,000 shares offered by selling
                                    stockholders)
 
Common Stock Outstanding after
  this Offering...................  30,904,457 shares (1)
 
Use of Proceeds...................  General corporate purposes including working capital and
                                    potential acquisitions
 
Nasdaq National Market Symbol.....  ELNK
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1)  Based on shares of common stock outstanding on November 30, 1998, excluding
     (i) 4,924,611 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options and
     warrants, (ii) 2,021,001 shares of common stock available for future grant
     of options under employee and director stock option plans, (iii) 8,205,882
     shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A convertible
     preferred stock owned by Sprint (assuming the acceleration of certain
     rights) and (iv) 770,083 common stock equivalent shares Sprint may purchase
     upon the closing of this offering pursuant to its rights to maintain its
     ownership interest in us of approximately 27% on a fully diluted basis.
 
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                   ----------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------
                                                                    PRO FORMA (3)                        PRO FORMA (3)
                                     1995       1996       1997         1997         1997       1998         1998
                                   ---------  ---------  ---------  -------------  ---------  ---------  -------------
<S>                                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total revenues...................  $   3,028  $  33,230  $  80,888   $    95,377   $  56,427  $ 117,640   $   128,762
Loss from operations.............     (6,018)   (30,258)   (28,454)     (152,473)    (22,276)   (38,155)      (59,535)
Net loss.........................     (6,120)   (31,149)   (29,916)     (153,935)    (23,327)   (37,248)      (58,628)
Deductions for accretion
  dividends (1)..................                                         (9,355)                (4,330)       (6,064)
Net loss attributable to common
  stockholders...................     (6,120)   (31,149)   (29,916)     (163,290)    (23,327)   (41,578)      (64,692)
Basic and diluted net loss per
  share (2)......................  $   (0.80) $   (2.57) $   (1.50)  $     (8.16)  $   (1.22) $   (1.64)  $     (2.56)
Weighted average shares
  outstanding (2)................      7,674     12,138     20,002        20,002      19,186     25,292        25,292
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                                                                        -------------------------
                                                                                                    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                         ACTUAL         (4)
                                                                                        ---------  --------------
<S>                                                                                     <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents.............................................................  $ 134,397    $  250,407
Total assets..........................................................................    273,342       389,352
Total liabilities.....................................................................     54,487        54,487
Accumulated deficit...................................................................   (107,650)     (107,650)
Stockholders' equity..................................................................    218,855       334,865
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) Reflects the accretion of liquidation dividends on Series A convertible
    preferred stock at 3% compounded quarterly and the accretion of a dividend
    related to the beneficial conversion feature in accordance with EITF D-60.
 
(2) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation
    of the determination of the number of weighted average shares outstanding
    used in the net loss per share computation.
 
(3) Pro forma financial data give effect to the Sprint transaction. The
    unaudited pro forma statement of operations data are based on our
    consolidated statements of operations and the statements of revenues and
    direct expenses of the Sprint Internet Passport business as if the
    transaction occurred on January 1, 1997.
 
(4) As adjusted to reflect the sale of 2.0 million shares of common stock by us
    at an assumed price to the public of $61.00 per share.
 
    EXCEPT AS NOTED, ALL OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUMES THAT THE
UNDERWRITER'S OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION IS NOT EXERCISED. ALL SHARE DATA REFLECTS A
2-FOR-1 STOCK SPLIT EFFECTED ON JULY 21, 1998.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE RISKS DESCRIBED BELOW BEFORE MAKING A
DECISION TO INVEST IN EARTHLINK. IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING RISKS ACTUALLY OCCUR,
OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION OR RESULTS OF FUTURE OPERATIONS COULD BE
MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN SUCH CASE, THE TRADING PRICE OF OUR COMMON
STOCK COULD DECLINE, AND YOU MAY LOSE ALL OR PART OF YOUR INVESTMENT. THIS
PROSPECTUS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES. OUR ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE ANTICIPATED
IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF MANY FACTORS, INCLUDING THE
RISKS FACED BY US DESCRIBED BELOW AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
    WE HAVE A SHORT OPERATING HISTORY, HAVE INCURRED NET LOSSES SINCE INCEPTION
AND EXPECT FUTURE LOSSES.  We began offering Internet access services in July
1994. As a result, we have only a limited operating history upon which you may
evaluate our business and prospects. We incurred net losses of approximately
$66.1 million from inception through 1997 and approximately $41.6 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 1998. As of September 30, 1998, we had an
accumulated deficit of approximately $107.7 million. We expect to continue to
incur net losses as we expend substantial resources on sales, marketing and
administration; expand our network systems; develop new service offerings; and
improve our management information systems. We cannot assure you that we will
achieve or sustain profitability.
 
    OUR BUSINESS IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE.  We operate in the Internet services
market, which is extremely competitive. Our current and prospective competitors
include many large companies that have substantially greater market presence,
financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we have. We compete
directly or indirectly with the following categories of companies:
 
    - established online services, such as America Online, the Microsoft Network
      and Prodigy;
 
    - local, regional and national ISPs, such as MindSpring, Rocky Mountain
      Internet and Internet America;
 
    - national telecommunications companies, such as AT&T and GTE;
 
    - regional Bell operating companies, such as BellSouth and SBC
      Communications; and,
 
    - online cable services, such as At Home and Roadrunner.
 
    Our competition is likely to increase. We believe this will probably happen
as large diversified telecommunications and media companies acquire ISPs and as
ISPs consolidate into larger, more competitive companies. Diversified
competitors may bundle other services and products with Internet connectivity
services, potentially placing us at a significant competitive disadvantage. In
addition, competitors may charge less than we do for Internet services, causing
us to reduce (or preventing us from raising) our fees. As a result, our business
may suffer.
 
    OUR RAPID GROWTH MAY STRAIN OUR OPERATIONS.  Our rapid growth will continue
to cause a significant strain on our managerial, operational, financial and
information systems resources. To accommodate our increasing size and manage our
growth, we must continue to implement and improve these systems and expand,
train and manage our employees. Although we are taking steps to manage our
growth effectively, we may not succeed. If we fail to successfully manage our
growth, our ability to maintain and increase our member base will be impaired,
and as a result our business may suffer.
 
    SPRINT'S SIGNIFICANT OWNERSHIP OF OUR STOCK LIMITS OUR FLEXIBILITY.  Sprint
owns approximately 27% of our capital stock on a fully diluted basis, of which
approximately 10% is voting stock. Sprint is currently entitled to designate,
and has designated, two members of our Board of Directors. As a result, Sprint
can exercise considerable influence over our operations and business strategy.
Our business goals and those of Sprint may not always remain aligned, and,
therefore, Sprint may limit our ability to act in our self interest. This could
ultimately harm us.
 
    Also, without Sprint's consent, we cannot enter into certain commercial
relationships with
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
competitors of Sprint such as AT&T and MCI WorldCom. This may reduce or
eliminate opportunities for revenue growth. Further, Sprint's competitors may
choose not to engage in commercial relationships with us because of our close
relationship with Sprint, potentially significantly reducing our opportunities
for revenue growth.
 
    Our contractual relationship with Sprint substantially reduces the
likelihood that a party other than Sprint will acquire us. Until September 5,
2000, we are prohibited from soliciting acquisition proposals; however, we do
have the right to consider unsolicited third party offers. Thereafter, we can
solicit acquisition proposals, but, if we do, Sprint will then have the right to
make an offer to acquire us at fair market value. However, beginning September
5, 2001 through September 5, 2003, Sprint has the right to acquire us for fair
market value (including a control premium) regardless of whether we have
initiated the solicitation of third party acquisition proposals. These
provisions may force our stockholders to sell their shares at a time when they
do not wish to do so, or at a price they do not want.
 
    WE MUST KEEP PACE WITH TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.  The
Internet services market is characterized by rapidly changing technology,
evolving industry standards, changes in member needs and frequent new service
and product introductions. Our future success depends, in part, on our ability
to use leading technologies effectively, to develop our technical expertise, to
enhance our existing services and to develop new services that meet changing
member needs on a timely and cost-effective basis. In particular, we must
provide subscribers with the appropriate products, services and guidance to best
take advantage of the rapidly evolving Internet. Our failure to respond in a
timely and effective manner to new and evolving technologies (such as those
offering greater bandwidth services, among others) could have a negative impact
on our business and financial results.
 
    Our business may also be affected by problems caused by computer viruses,
security breaches and other inappropriate uses of our network (e.g., email
"spamming"). Alleviating these problems may cause interruptions, delays or
cessation in service to our members, which could cause them to terminate their
membership or assert claims against us.
 
    OUR BUSINESS DEPENDS ON CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE INTERNET.  Our future
success substantially depends on continued growth in the use of the Internet.
Although we believe that Internet usage and popularity will continue to grow as
it has in the past, we cannot be certain that this growth will continue or that
it will continue in its present form. If Internet usage declines or evolves away
from our business, our growth will slow or stop and our financial results will
suffer.
 
    OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE.  Our financial results may fluctuate
significantly because of several factors, many of which are beyond our control.
These factors include:
 
    - costs associated with gaining and retaining members and capital
      expenditures for upgrading our systems and infrastructure;
 
    - increased competition;
 
    - changes in our pricing policies and those of our competitors;
 
    - changes in our operating expenses (including telecommunications costs);
 
    - timing and market acceptance of new and upgraded Internet service
      introductions by us and our competitors;
 
    - seasonal fluctuations in demand for our services;
 
    - introduction of alternative technologies;
 
    - effect of potential acquisitions; and
 
    - other general economic factors.
 
    Fluctuations caused by these and other factors could cause our business to
suffer.
 
    OUR BUSINESS IS DEPENDENT UPON OUR INTERNAL AND LEASED NETWORK.  Our success
depends, in part, on the capacity, reliability and security of our network
infrastructure. Network capacity constraints have occurred in the past and may
occur in the future, both at the level of particular dial-up points of presence,
or POPs,
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
(affecting only members attempting to use that particular POP) and in connection
with system-wide services (such as email and news services, which can affect all
members). These capacity constraints result in slow downs, delays or
inaccessibility when members try to use a particular service. Poor network
performance could cause members to terminate their membership with us. To reduce
the probability of such problems, we will be required to expand and improve our
infrastructure. Such expansion and improvement will be very costly and time
consuming.
 
    We must also protect our infrastructure against fire, earthquakes, power
loss, telecommunications failure, computer viruses, security breaches and
similar events. We do not currently maintain a redundant or backup network hub.
A natural disaster or other unanticipated problem at our headquarters and sole
network hub in Pasadena, California, at POPs through which members connect to
the Internet, or in the nation's telecommunications network in general could
cause interruptions in our services.
 
    Currently 43% of our active members access our service through UUNET POPs,
21% through PSINet POPs, 13% through Sprint POPs and 23% through our POPs. UUNET
and PSINet POPs are non-exclusive to our members, but our members have exclusive
access to Sprint's and to our POPs. Because we depend on UUNET, PSINet and
Sprint for crucial portions of our network infrastructure, we do not have direct
control over network reliability and other service quality concerns. Our
agreements with UUNET, PSINet and Sprint can be terminated starting in March
1999 (subject to earlier required reductions in usage at UUNET's option),
November 2000 and June 2002, respectively. Moreover, UUNET and PSINet provide
network access to some of our competitors. Either UUNET or PSINet could choose
to grant these competitors preferential network access, potentially limiting our
members' ability to access the Internet. Even without such preferential
treatment, increased usage of UUNET's and PSINet's POPs by other ISPs and online
service providers may negatively affect access system performance.
 
    WE ARE DEPENDENT ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS AND OTHER SUPPLIERS.  We
rely on traditional telecommunications carriers to transmit our traffic over
local and long distance networks. These networks may experience disruptions that
are not easily remedied. In addition, we depend on certain suppliers of hardware
and software. If our suppliers fail to provide us with network services,
equipment or software in the quantities, at the quality levels or at the times
we require, or if we cannot develop alternative sources of supply, it will be
difficult, if not impossible, for us to provide our services.
 
    YEAR 2000 RISK MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR COMPANY.  Many existing computer
programs use only two digits to identify a year. These programs were designed
and developed without addressing the impact of the upcoming change in the
century. If not corrected, many computer software applications could fail or
create erroneous results by, at or beyond the year 2000. We utilize software,
computer technology and other services internally developed and provided by
third-party vendors that may fail due to the year 2000 phenomenon. For example,
we are dependent on the institutions involved in processing our members' credit
card payments for Internet services. We are also dependent on telecommunications
vendors and leased POP vendors to maintain network reliability.
 
    We are currently assessing the year 2000 readiness of our third-party
supplied software, computer technology and other services. Based upon the
results of this assessment, the Company will develop and implement, if
necessary, a remediation plan with respect to third-party software, computer
technology and services that may fail to be year 2000 compliant. We have
assessed our proprietary software and internal systems and determined them to be
year 2000 compliant. We anticipate that our systems, including components
thereof provided by third-party vendors, will be year 2000 compliant by 2000. At
this time, the expenses associated with this assessment and potential
remediation plan cannot be determined. The failure of our software
and computing systems and of our third-party vendors to be year 2000 compliant
could have a material adverse effect on us.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    ANY DECLINE IN OUR MEMBER RETENTION LEVELS WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT US.  Our
new member acquisition costs are substantial relative to the monthly fees we
charge. Accordingly, our long-term success largely depends on our retention of
existing members. While we continue to invest significant resources in our
infrastructure and technical and member support capabilities, it is relatively
easy for Internet users to switch to competing providers. Consequently, our
investments may not help member retention. Any significant loss of members will
substantially decrease our revenue and cause our business to suffer.
 
    WE ARE DEPENDENT ON KEY EXECUTIVES AND PERSONNEL.  EarthLink greatly depends
on key technical, sales, marketing, information systems, financial and executive
personnel. We must hire additional personnel to accommodate anticipated growth.
Competition for these employees, especially those with technical expertise, is
intense. We may not be able to retain existing employees or identify or hire new
employees because of that competition. We are highly dependent on the continued
services of our senior management team. Our President and Chief Executive
Officer, Charles G. Betty, is our only executive with an employment agreement.
However, this agreement does not prevent Mr. Betty from terminating his
employment. We maintain key-man life insurance on Mr. Sky Dayton, our founder
and Chairman, Mr. Betty and Mr. David Beckemeyer, our Chief Technical Officer.
These policies may not be sufficient to compensate us for the loss of their
services. If we fail to attract, hire or retain the necessary personnel, or if
we lose the services of any member of our senior management team, our business
could suffer.
 
    WE MAY BECOME SUBJECT TO BURDENSOME GOVERNMENT REGULATION.  We provide
Internet services through data transmissions over public telephone lines and
cable networks. These transmissions are governed by the Federal Communications
Commission (the "FCC"). As an Internet access provider, we are not subject to
direct regulation by the FCC or any other governmental agency, other than
regulations applicable to businesses generally. However, we could become subject
to FCC or other regulatory agency regulation especially as Internet services and
telecommunication services converge. Changes in the regulatory environment could
decrease our revenues and increase our costs.
 
    The Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 imposed fines on Internet service
providers, in part, for providing access to indecent and obscene services. This
part of the Act was found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the United
States in June of 1997. However, on March 12, 1998, the Senate Commerce
Committee approved two bills that attempt to reconstruct these unconstitutional
provisions. Although it is too early to determine the ultimate course of these
bills, and to evaluate the constitutionality of the proposals, these provisions,
if enacted and upheld, could expose ISPs such as EarthLink to liabilities.
 
    Additional laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet,
covering issues such as Universal Service Fund support payments, content, user
privacy, pricing, libel, obscene material, indecency, gambling, intellectual
property protection and infringement and technology export and other controls.
Other federal Internet-related legislation has been introduced which may limit
commerce and discourse on the Internet. The FCC currently is considering:
 
    - whether ISPs are regulated telecommunications providers;
 
    - whether ISPs are required to contribute to the Universal Service Fund;
      and,
 
    - how various companies in the Internet and telecommunications industries
      should be classified.
 
    WE MAY NEED ADDITIONAL CAPITAL IN THE FUTURE.  We have funded operations
primarily through operating funds, private and public sales of equity
securities, borrowings from third parties and capitalized leases. Our capital
requirements depend on numerous factors, including the rate of market acceptance
of our services, our ability to maintain and expand our member base, the rate of
expansion of our network infrastructure and potential acquisitions. We cannot
accurately predict the timing and amount of our capital requirements. If our
capital requirements vary
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
materially from our plans, we may require additional financing sooner than
anticipated. We have no commitments for any additional financing other than a
$25 million (increasing to $100 million over a three year period) line of credit
from Sprint. Any additional equity financing may be dilutive to our
stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictions on our
financing and operating activities. If we are unable to obtain additional
financing as needed, we may be required to reduce the scope of our operations or
anticipated expansion.
 
    WE ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS.  We continually
evaluate strategic acquisitions of businesses and subscriber accounts.
Acquisitions often involve risks, including that:
 
    - we may experience difficulty in assimilating the acquired operations and
      personnel;
 
    - we may be unable to retain the acquired subscribers;
 
    - the acquisition may disrupt our ongoing business;
 
    - we may not be able to successfully incorporate acquired technology and
      rights into our service offerings and maintain uniform standards,
      controls, procedures, and policies; and,
 
    - we may lack the necessary experience to enter new markets.
 
    We may not successfully overcome problems encountered in connection with
potential future acquisitions. In addition, an acquisition could materially
adversely affect our operating results by diluting our shareholders' equity,
causing us to incur additional debt, or requiring us to amortize acquisition
expenses and acquired assets.
 
    WE MAY NOT SUCCESSFULLY PROTECT OUR PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.  Our success is
dependent in part on our technology and other proprietary rights. To protect our
rights, we rely on a combination of copyright, trademark, patent and trade
secret laws and contractual restrictions. We cannot be sure that these steps
will be adequate to prevent misappropriation or infringement of our intellectual
property. Nor can we be sure that competitors will not independently develop
technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our proprietary
property and technology.
 
    INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CLAIMS AGAINST US CAN BE COSTLY AND RESULT IN THE LOSS
OF SIGNIFICANT RIGHTS.  From time to time, other parties allege that we infringe
on their intellectual property rights. To date, none of those claims have had a
significant adverse effect on us. However, existing or future claims may have an
adverse effect on our business. Such claims could result in substantial costs
and diversion of resources, even if ultimately decided in our favor. If a claim
is asserted alleging that we infringed the proprietary technology or information
of a third party, we may be required to seek licenses for such intellectual
property. We cannot be sure that such licenses would be offered or obtained on
commercially reasonable terms, if at all. The failure to obtain the necessary
licenses or other rights could have a material adverse effect on our business.
 
    MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS CAN EXERCISE SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE OVER
EARTHLINK. Based on stock ownership as of November 30, 1998, our executive
officers, directors and 5% stockholders (including Sprint) (and their
affiliates) will own an aggregate of approximately 35.0% of our outstanding
shares after this offering (approximately 34.6% if the underwriters' over-
allotment option is exercised in full). However, assuming the acceleration of
certain rights relating to Sprint's shares of our Series A convertible preferred
stock and that it exercises certain other rights, Sprint will own approximately
30% of our voting stock and approximately 26.7% of our capital stock on a fully
diluted basis (assuming Sprint buys 770,083 shares of common stock equivalent
shares pursuant to its contractual rights following this offering). These
stockholders, if acting together, would be able to significantly influence all
matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of
directors and the approval of mergers or other business combinations.
 
    OUR STOCK PRICE IS HIGHLY VOLATILE.  The market price of our common stock is
subject to significant fluctuations in response to various
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
factors and events which may or may not be related to our performance.
 
    In addition, the stock market has from time to time experienced significant
price and volume fluctuations, which have particularly affected the market
prices of the stocks of Internet-sector companies and which may be unrelated to
the operating performance of such companies. Furthermore, our operating results
and prospects from time to time may be below the expectations of public market
analysts and investors. Any such event could result in a material decline in the
price of our common stock.
 
    WE DO NOT PLAN TO PAY CASH DIVIDENDS ON OUR COMMON STOCK.  We have never
declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate
paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
 
    NEW INVESTORS WILL INCUR IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION.  Stock
purchased in this offering will incur immediate and substantial dilution in net
tangible book value of $54.88 per share. To the extent that currently
outstanding options and warrants are exercised or converted, there will be
further dilution in your shares.
 
    WE HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED SPECIFIC USES OF THE OFFERING PROCEEDS.  We have not
designated any specific use for the net proceeds from the sale of our common
stock in this offering and accordingly, our management will have significant
flexibility in applying the net proceeds of this offering. We expect to use the
net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the funding of
anticipated operating losses and capital expenditures. We may, when the
opportunity arises, use a portion, or all, of the net proceeds to acquire or
invest in businesses, products and technologies. From time to time, in the
ordinary course of business, the Company expects to evaluate potential
acquisitions of such businesses, products or technologies. Our management's
failure to apply such funds effectively could cause our business to suffer.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $116.0
million (approximately $137.9 million if the underwriters fully exercise their
over-allotment option) from our sale of the 2,000,000 shares of common stock
offered by us with this prospectus based on an assumed offering price of $61.00
per share. This estimate is after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and
commissions and other fees and expenses payable by us. We will not receive any
portion of the proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling
stockholders.
 
    We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate
purposes, including working capital. We may use a portion, or all, of the net
proceeds to acquire complementary businesses, members, products or technologies.
From time to time we evaluate such potential acquisitions and anticipate
continuing to make such evaluations. In this regard, we are currently evaluating
certain acquisition opportunities; however, we cannot assure you that we will
identify suitable acquisition candidates or that we will, in fact, complete any
acquisition. Until we use the net proceeds for a particular purpose, we will
invest them in short-term interest bearing securities.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    We have never paid or declared any cash dividends. We currently expect to
retain future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our
business, including potential acquisitions. Therefore, we do not anticipate
paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future, except as required pursuant to
the terms of the Series A convertible preferred stock owned by Sprint.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
    Our common stock has been traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the
symbol "ELNK" since our initial public offering on January 22, 1997. The
following table shows the high and low closing sales price as reported by the
Nasdaq National Market for each quarter since we have been public (as adjusted
for our 2-for-1 stock split effected on July 21, 1998).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     HIGH        LOW
                                                                                   ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                <C>        <C>
1997
 
  First Quarter (from January 22, 1997)..........................................  $      101/8 $       51/16
 
  Second Quarter.................................................................          63/4         45/16
 
  Third Quarter..................................................................          93/4         51/8
 
  Fourth Quarter.................................................................         127/8         8
 
1998
 
  First Quarter..................................................................  $      28 /32 $      121/4
 
  Second Quarter.................................................................         383/8        25
 
  Third Quarter..................................................................         441/8        261/2
 
  Fourth Quarter (through December 16, 1998).....................................         717/8        337/8
</TABLE>
 
    On December 16, 1998, the last reported sale price of common stock on the
Nasdaq National Market was $61.00 per share, and there were approximately 262
holders of record of our common stock.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 1998, (i) our
capitalization, and (ii) our capitalization as adjusted to reflect the sale of
the common stock offered by this prospectus, after deduction of estimated
offering expenses and underwriting discounts, and assuming an offering price of
$61.00 per share.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                                                                           -----------------------
                                                                                             ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
                                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                        <C>         <C>
Long-term debt...........................................................................  $    7,288   $   7,288
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 4,102,941 shares
    outstanding actual and as adjusted(1)................................................          41          41
  Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 28,521,321 shares
    outstanding actual and 30,521,321 shares as adjusted(2)..............................         285         305
 
Additional paid-in capital...............................................................     324,855     440,845
 
Warrants to purchase common stock........................................................       1,324       1,324
 
Accumulated deficit......................................................................    (107,650)   (107,650)
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
 
    Total stockholders' equity...........................................................     218,855     334,865
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
 
    Total capitalization.................................................................  $  226,143   $ 342,153
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
                                                                                           ----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Convertible into a maximum of 8,205,882 shares of common stock, assuming
    acceleration of certain dividend rights by Sprint.
 
(2) Based on shares of common stock outstanding on September 30, 1998, excluding
    (i) 4,941,826 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options and
    warrants, (ii) 2,102,150 shares of common stock available for future grant
    of options under employee and director stock option plans, (iii) 8,205,882
    shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of Sprint's Series A
    convertible preferred stock (assuming the acceleration of certain rights)
    and (iv) 770,083 common stock equivalent shares Sprint may purchase upon the
    closing of this offering pursuant to its rights to maintain its ownership
    interest in us of approximately 27% on a fully diluted basis.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                                    DILUTION
 
    The net tangible book value of our common stock on September 30, 1998 was
$121.1 million, or approximately $3.30 per share. Net tangible book value per
share represents the amount of our tangible assets less the amount of total
liabilities divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding
(assuming conversion into common stock of the Series A convertible preferred
stock held by Sprint on a 2-for-1 basis and the acceleration of certain rights).
 
    After giving effect to our sale of the 2,000,000 shares of common stock
offered by this prospectus and after deducting our estimated underwriting
discounts and expenses related to this offering, our net tangible book value on
September 30, 1998 would have been $237.1 million, or approximately $6.12 per
share. This represents an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of
$2.82 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $54.88 per
share to new investors.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                            <C>        <C>
Assumed offering price per share.............................................             $   61.00
 
  Net tangible book per share value as of September 30, 1998.................  $    3.30
 
  Increase per share attributable to the Offering............................       2.82
 
Net tangible book value after the Offering...................................                  6.12
 
Dilution per share to new investors..........................................             $   54.88
</TABLE>
 
    The table excludes all options and warrants that will remain outstanding
upon completion of the offering. See Notes 8 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements. The exercise of outstanding options and warrants having an
exercise price less than the offering price would increase the dilutive effect
to new investors. The table also excludes 770,083 common stock equivalent shares
that Sprint is entitled to purchase upon closing of the offering.
 
                         STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH SPRINT
 
    On June 5, 1998, we entered into a very important strategic alliance with
Sprint in the area of consumer Internet access and related services. In
connection with the formation of that alliance, Sprint tendered for and
purchased 2.5 million shares of our common stock for $22.50 per share. At the
close of the tender offer, we issued Sprint approximately 4.1 million shares of
our newly created Series A convertible preferred stock, convertible into 8.2
million shares of common stock (assuming the acceleration of certain rights). In
return, Sprint:
 
        (1) transferred approximately 130,000 members to us;
 
        (2) paid us approximately $24 million in cash; and
 
        (3) granted us the exclusive right to use certain dial-up modem ports in
    their high-speed data network for four years.
 
    Additionally, we entered into a five-year marketing and distribution
agreement with Sprint. The following are highlights from that agreement:
 
        (a) Sprint must deliver a minimum of 150,000 new members per year for
    five years through its own marketing channels;
 
        (b) we are Sprint's exclusive provider of consumer Internet access
    services for at least ten years; and,
 
        (c) we can use Sprint's brand and distribution network for at least ten
    years.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    Sprint also provided us with a $25 million line of credit (increasing to
$100 million over three years) in the form of senior debt that is convertible
into our common stock.
 
    We also entered into a governance agreement with Sprint. This agreement
establishes certain terms and conditions concerning our corporate governance,
the acquisition and disposition of our equity securities by Sprint (including
certain preemptive rights in favor of Sprint), the rights of Sprint to make
offers to purchase all outstanding shares of our common stock and rights of our
Board of Directors to receive and entertain offers to effect certain business
combinations. EarthLink, and certain of our stockholders, have also entered into
an agreement with Sprint which obligates such stockholders, under certain terms
and conditions, to take action in support of our obligations to Sprint under the
governance agreement.
 
    Sprint can appoint (1) one person to our Board so long as Sprint owns at
least 10% of our capital stock on a fully diluted basis, and (2) a second person
to our Board of Directors so long as Sprint owns at least 20% of our capital
stock on a fully diluted basis. William T. Esrey, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Sprint, and Patti S. Manuel, President of Sprint's Long Distance
Division, are Sprint's currently appointed members to our Board of Directors.
 
    As a result of these transactions, Sprint now owns approximately 27% of our
capital stock on a fully diluted basis (this assumes the conversion of Sprint's
Series A convertible preferred stock into common stock and assumes acceleration
of certain dividend rights and the exercise by Sprint of certain preemptive
rights) of which approximately 10% is voting stock. Sprint has the right to
maintain (but not exceed) these ownership levels by purchasing from us
additional common stock equivalent shares, with up to 75% of these common stock
equivalents being in the form of Series A convertible preferred stock.
 
    The Series A convertible preferred stock accrues dividends for the first
five years by increasing its liquidation value at a rate of 3% annually.
Thereafter the Series A convertible preferred stock will pay a cash dividend of
3% of the liquidation value during years six through 20. The cash dividend will
increase to 8% in year 21 and increase to 12% by year 23.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                   SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
    The following selected historical financial information was derived from our
historical consolidated financial statements. You should read this information
in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and their
notes and the discussion in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus. The
selected historical financial information for the period from inception on May
26, 1994 through December 31, 1994 and the three years ended December 31, 1997
is derived from our consolidated financial statements, which were audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The selected historical financial information for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998 is derived from our unaudited
consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the unaudited consolidated
financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the
periods presented.
 
    The pro forma statement of operations data give effect to the Sprint
transaction as if it had occurred on January 1, 1997. The pro forma financial
information does not purport to represent what the Company's results of
operations would have been if the Sprint transaction had in fact occurred on
such date, nor does it purport to indicate the future financial position or
results of future operations of the Company. The pro forma adjustments are based
on currently available information and certain assumptions that management
believes to be reasonable.
 
    You should read the following selected historical and pro forma financial
and operating data in conjunction with the discussion in "Use of Proceeds,"
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes thereto,
and other financial and operating data included elsewhere in this prospectus.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                             EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        NINE
                                                                                                                       MONTHS
                                                                                                                        ENDED
                                                                                                                      SEPTEMBER
                                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 30,
                                                   INCEPTION (MAY    -----------------------------------------------  ---------
                                                  26, 1994) THROUGH                                   PRO FORMA (5)
                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1994    1995       1996       1997          1997         1997
                                                  -----------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                               <C>                <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  Recurring revenues............................      $      53      $   2,422  $  27,606  $  74,657    $   74,657    $  51,869
  Other revenues................................             58            606      5,624      6,231         6,231        4,558
  Incremental revenues..........................         --             --         --         --            --           --
  SIP net operating revenues....................         --             --         --         --            14,489       --
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
      Total revenues............................            111          3,028     33,230     80,888        95,377       56,427
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of recurring revenues....................              4          1,024     17,717     36,854        36,854       25,828
  Cost of other revenues........................             12            328      2,235      1,649         1,649        1,326
  SIP cost of services..........................         --             --         --         --            51,313       --
  Sales and marketing...........................             37          3,763     17,194     25,606        25,606       18,904
  General and administrative....................            168          2,062     10,534     14,333        14,333       10,462
  Operations and member support.................             38          1,869     15,808     30,900        30,900       22,183
  Amortization and transaction costs (1)........         --             --         --         --            70,692       --
  SIP selling, general administrative...........         --             --         --         --            13,099       --
  SIP other.....................................         --             --         --         --             3,404       --
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
      Total operating costs and expenses........            259          9,046     63,488    109,342       247,850       78,703
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
Loss from operations............................           (148)        (6,018)   (30,258)   (28,454)     (152,473)     (22,276)
Interest income.................................             --             34        150        637           637          416
Interest expense................................             --           (136)    (1,041)    (2,099)       (2,099)      (1,467)
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
      Net loss..................................           (148)        (6,120)   (31,149)   (29,916)     (153,935)     (23,327)
Deductions for accretion dividends (2)..........         --             --         --         --            (9,355)      --
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
Net loss attributable to common stockholders....      $    (148)     $  (6,120) $ (31,149) $ (29,916)   $ (163,290)   $ (23,327)
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
Basic and diluted net loss per share (3)........      $   (0.05)     $   (0.80) $   (2.57) $   (1.50)   $    (8.16)   $   (1.22)
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
Weighted average shares (3).....................          3,100          7,674     12,138     20,002        20,002       19,186
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
                                                         ------      ---------  ---------  ---------  --------------  ---------
Other operating data:
  EBITDA (4)....................................      $    (141)     $  (5,713) $ (26,105) $ (19,077)                 $ (15,705)
  Cash flows from
    Operating activities........................           (146)        (3,643)   (16,222)   (21,290)                   (20,252)
    Investing activities........................            (97)        (4,266)   (18,361)   (16,095)                   (13,056)
    Financing activities........................            243          8,199     38,286     49,842                     46,404
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                             PRO FORMA (5)
                                                    1998          1998
                                                  ---------  --------------
 
<S>                                               <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
  Recurring revenues............................  $ 109,957    $  109,957
  Other revenues................................      4,897         4,897
  Incremental revenues..........................      2,786         2,786
  SIP net operating revenues....................     --            11,122
                                                  ---------  --------------
      Total revenues............................    117,640       128,762
                                                  ---------  --------------
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of recurring revenues....................     53,163        53,163
  Cost of other revenues........................        730           730
  SIP cost of services..........................     --            17,881
  Sales and marketing...........................     25,348        25,348
  General and administrative....................     15,344        15,344
  Operations and member support.................     36,248        36,248
  Amortization and transaction costs (1)........     24,962        36,160
  SIP selling, general administrative...........     --             3,070
  SIP other.....................................     --               353
                                                  ---------  --------------
      Total operating costs and expenses........    155,795       188,297
                                                  ---------  --------------
Loss from operations............................    (38,155)      (59,535)
Interest income.................................      2,568         2,568
Interest expense................................     (1,661)       (1,661)
                                                  ---------  --------------
      Net loss..................................    (37,248)      (58,628)
Deductions for accretion dividends (2)..........     (4,330)       (6,064)
                                                  ---------  --------------
Net loss attributable to common stockholders....  $ (41,578)   $  (64,692)
                                                  ---------  --------------
                                                  ---------  --------------
Basic and diluted net loss per share (3)........  $   (1.64)   $    (2.56)
                                                  ---------  --------------
                                                  ---------  --------------
Weighted average shares (3).....................     25,292        25,292
                                                  ---------  --------------
                                                  ---------  --------------
Other operating data:
  EBITDA (4)....................................  $  (4,759)
  Cash flows from
    Operating activities........................     14,398
    Investing activities........................     (1,031)
    Financing activities........................    104,580
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                         ------------------------------------------
                                                                                           1994       1995       1996       1997
                                                                                         ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..............................................................  $  --      $     290  $   3,993  $  16,450
Total assets...........................................................................        186      4,874     27,119     46,887
Long-term debt.........................................................................     --            355      6,088      8,218
Total liabilities......................................................................         89      4,584     34,367     40,812
Accumulated deficit....................................................................       (148)    (5,007)   (36,156)   (66,072)
Stockholders' equity (deficit).........................................................         97        290    (21,261)     6,075
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                         --------------
                                                                                              1998
                                                                                         --------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents..............................................................    $  134,397
Total assets...........................................................................       273,342
Long-term debt.........................................................................         7,288
Total liabilities......................................................................        54,487
Accumulated deficit....................................................................      (107,650)
Stockholders' equity (deficit).........................................................       218,855
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------
 
NOTE--"SIP" AS USED IN THIS SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION REFERS TO
THE SPRINT INTERNET PASSPORT BUSINESS WE ACQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SPRINT
TRANSACTION.
 
(1) Amortization and transaction costs represent $23,565,000 in amortization of
    intangible assets acquired and a one time transaction cost of $1,397,000
    resulting from the strategic alliance with Sprint in June 1998.
 
(2) Reflects the accretion of liquidation dividends on Series A convertible
    preferred stock at 3% compounded quarterly and the accretion of a dividend
    related to the beneficial conversion feature in accordance with EITF D-60.
 
(3) See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation
    of the determination of the number of weighted average shares outstanding in
    the net loss per share computation.
 
(4) Represents earnings (loss) before depreciation and amortization, interest
    income and expense and income tax expense. EBITDA is not determined in
    accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, is not indicative
    of cash used by operating activities and should not be considered in
    isolation from, as an alternative to, or more meaningful than measures of
    performance determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
    principles.
 
(5) Pro forma financial data give effect to the Sprint transaction. The
    unaudited pro forma statement of operations data are based on our
    consolidated statements of operations and the statements of revenues and
    direct expenses of the Sprint Internet Passport business as if the Sprint
    transaction occurred on January 1, 1997. See "Strategic Alliance with
    Sprint" and "Pro Forma Financial Information" appearing in the Consolidated
    Financial Statements.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    READ THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION TOGETHER WITH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
RELATED NOTES INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THE RESULTS DISCUSSED BELOW
ARE NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF THE RESULTS TO BE EXPECTED IN ANY FUTURE
PERIODS. THIS DISCUSSION CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS BASED ON CURRENT
EXPECTATIONS AND WHICH INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. ACTUAL RESULTS AND THE
TIMING OF CERTAIN EVENTS MAY DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED IN SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DUE TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH
HEREIN, IN THE SECTION ENTITLED "RISK FACTORS" AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    We are a leading Internet service provider, or ISP, providing reliable
nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to our individual
and business members. Our member base has grown rapidly, making us one of the
world's leading ISPs. We believe this growth is the result of our efforts to
enhance our members' Internet experience through simple, rapid and reliable
access to the Internet, high quality service and member support and enhanced
services.
 
    We provide our members with a core set of features through our standard
Internet service, which provides unlimited Internet access and several related
services for a $19.95 monthly fee. We also offer a variety of premium services
to both our individual and business members. Recurring revenues, which are
generally paid for in advance with credit cards, consist of monthly fees charged
to members for Internet access and other ongoing services including business Web
site hosting, national ISDN, LAN ISDN, and frame relay connections and, in
certain areas, cable modem access. We derive incremental revenues by leveraging
the value of our member base and user traffic through promotional and content
partnerships, online advertising, and electronic commerce. We recognize access
fees and certain incremental revenues ratably over the period services are
provided. Other revenues generally represent one-time, non-refundable set up
fees and are recorded as earned.
 
    Cost of recurring revenues principally includes telecommunications costs and
depreciation expense on equipment used in network operations for ongoing member
services. Fees paid to UUNET, PSINet and Sprint for local dial-up access to
their respective nationwide systems of POPs are included in telecommunications
costs. Cost of other revenues principally includes expenses associated with new
member registration and cost of products sold.
 
    We have experienced net losses since we began operations. As of September
30, 1998, we had an accumulated deficit of $107.7 million (exclusive of $1.3
million in losses incurred from inception through June 19, 1995 which have been
reclassified from accumulated deficit to common stock as a result of the
Company's conversion from S Corporation to C Corporation status and inclusive of
$4.3 million representing dividends on Series A convertible preferred stock).
 
    We believe that a key to our success in the competitive ISP market is to
rapidly expand our member base. This will allow us to amortize our assets over a
larger revenue base and enhance our ability to enter into favorable arrangements
with network service providers, affinity marketing partners, online advertisers
and content providers. While we have experienced a trend of continuing
improvement in our net loss and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization ("EBITDA") we anticipate investing heavily in obtaining new
members and expect to have negative EBITDA for the foreseeable future including
the quarter ending December 31, 1998.
 
    EBITDA is not determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and is not indicative of cash used by operating activities. You
should not consider EBITDA in isolation from, as an alternative to, or more
meaningful than measures of performance determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. We expect we will continue to incur net losses
as we continue to expend substantial resources on sales and marketing to rapidly
increase our member base. We may
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
not be successful in attaining or, if attained, sustaining profitability or
positive cash flow from our operating activities.
 
    On June 5, 1998, we entered into a very important strategic alliance with
Sprint in the area of consumer Internet access and related services. In
connection with the formation of that relationship, Sprint tendered for and
purchased 2.5 million shares of our common stock for $22.50 per share. At the
close of the tender offer, we issued Sprint approximately 4.1 million shares of
our newly created Series A convertible preferred stock, convertible into
approximately 8.2 million shares of our common stock (assuming the acceleration
of certain rights). In return, Sprint:
 
        (1) transferred approximately 130,000 members to us;
 
        (2) paid us approximately $24 million in cash; and
 
        (3) granted us the exclusive right to use certain dial-up modem ports in
    their high-speed data network for four years.
 
    Additionally, we entered into a five-year marketing and distribution
agreement with Sprint. The following are highlights from that agreement:
 
        (a) Sprint must deliver a minimum of 150,000 new members per year for
    five years through its own marketing channels;
 
        (b) we are Sprint's exclusive provider of consumer Internet access
    services for at least ten years; and,
 
        (c) we can use Sprint's brand and distribution network for at least ten
    years.
 
    Sprint also provided us with a $25 million line of credit (increasing to
$100 million over three years) in the form of convertible senior debt.
 
    We also entered into a governance agreement with Sprint. This agreement
establishes certain terms and conditions concerning our corporate governance,
the acquisition and disposition of our equity securities by Sprint (including
certain preemptive rights in favor of Sprint), the rights of Sprint to make
offers to purchase all outstanding shares of our common stock and rights of our
Board of Directors to receive and entertain offers to effect certain business
combinations. EarthLink, and certain of our stockholders, have also entered into
an agreement with Sprint which obligates such stockholders, under certain terms
and conditions, to take action in support of our obligations to Sprint under the
governance agreement.
 
    Sprint can appoint (1) one person to our Board of Directors so long as
Sprint owns at least 10% of our capital stock on a fully diluted basis, and (2)
an additional person to our Board of Directors so long as Sprint owns at least
20% of our capital stock on a fully diluted basis. William T. Esrey, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Sprint, and Patti S. Manuel, President of
Sprint's Long Distance Division, are Sprint's currently appointed members to our
Board of Directors.
 
    As a result of these transactions, Sprint now owns approximately 27% of our
capital stock on a fully diluted basis (this assumes the conversion of Sprint's
Series A convertible preferred stock into common stock and assumes acceleration
of certain dividend rights and the exercise by Sprint of certain preemptive
rights), of which approximately 10% is voting stock. Sprint has the right to
maintain (but not exceed) these ownership levels by purchasing from us
additional common stock equivalent shares, with up to 75% of these common stock
equivalents being in the form of Series A convertible preferred stock.
 
    The Series A convertible preferred stock accrues dividends for the first
five years by increasing its liquidation value at a rate of 3% annually.
Thereafter the Series A convertible preferred stock will pay
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
a cash dividend of 3% of the liquidation value during years six through 20. The
cash dividend will increase to 8% in year 21 and increase to 12% by year 23.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth the percentage of total revenues represented
by certain items in our statements of operations for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     NINE MONTHS
                                                                                        ENDED
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                -------------------------------  --------------------
                                                  1995       1996       1997       1997       1998
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues:
  Recurring revenues..........................        80%        83%        92%        92%        94%
  Other revenues..............................         20         17          8          8          4
  Incremental revenues........................     --         --         --         --              2
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total revenues............................       100%       100%       100%       100%       100%
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of recurring revenues..................         34         53         46         46         45
  Cost of other revenues......................         11          7          2          2          1
  Sales and marketing.........................        124         52         32         34         21
  General and administrative..................         68         32         18         18         13
  Operations and member support...............         62         48         38         39         31
  Amortization and transaction costs (1)......     --         --         --         --             21
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total operating costs and expenses........        299        191        136        139        132
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Loss from operations..........................      (199)       (91)       (36)       (39)       (32)
Interest income...............................          1     --              1          1          2
Interest expense..............................        (4)        (3)        (3)        (3)        (1)
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net loss..................................     (202%)      (94%)      (38%)      (41%)      (31%)
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Amortization and transaction costs represent $23,565,000 in amortization of
    intangible assets acquired and a one time transaction cost of $1,397,000
    resulting from the strategic alliance with Sprint in June 1998.
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
 
RECURRING REVENUES
 
    We experienced substantial growth in revenues for the nine month period
ended September 30, 1998 as compared to the corresponding period of 1997. The
increase in recurring revenues of 112% from $51.9 million in the nine month
period ended September 30, 1997 to $110.0 million in the nine month period ended
September 30, 1998 was primarily due to an increase in our member base from
approximately 362,000 at September 30, 1997 to approximately 815,000 at
September 30, 1998.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
OTHER REVENUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        NINE MONTHS
                                                                                    ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                    --------------------   INCREASE
                                                                                      1997       1998     (DECREASE)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Dial-up set up fees...............................................................  $   2,736  $   2,310   $    (426)
Non-dial-up set up fees...........................................................      1,822      2,587         765
                                                                                    ---------  ---------       -----
Total other revenues..............................................................  $   4,558  $   4,897   $     339
                                                                                    ---------  ---------       -----
                                                                                    ---------  ---------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    The decrease in dial-up set up fees is primarily due to our increased
willingness to waive set up fees for dial-up members acquired through certain
marketing programs in response to competitive pressures. We expect this trend to
continue for dial-up set up revenues. We have continued to expand our sales of
premium services such as business Web site hosting, national ISDN, LAN ISDN,
frame relay connections and cable modem connections. Set up fees for these
services are generally not waived, and, as such, one-time fees for the set up of
non-dial-up accounts has increased.
 
INCREMENTAL REVENUES
 
    In the first quarter of 1998 EarthLink began reporting incremental revenues
derived from advertising, content and electronic commerce fees that leverage the
value of our growing member base and user traffic. The principal component of
our strategy is our Premiere Partnership Program, through which we offer and
sell promotional packages that provide advertisers with access to the multiple
points of contact we have with our members. We also sell advertising and content
space on our various online properties such as the Personal Start Page and the
Mall, and through our news magazine, BLINK. We generally charge transaction fees
on electronic commerce activities we facilitate. Incremental revenues were $2.8
million during the nine months ended September 30, 1998.
 
COST OF RECURRING REVENUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                     ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 PERCENT OF                 PERCENT OF
                                                                                  RECURRING                  RECURRING
                                                                       1997       REVENUES        1998       REVENUES
                                                                     ---------  -------------  ----------  -------------
                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PERCENTAGES)
<S>                                                                  <C>        <C>            <C>         <C>
Recurring revenues.................................................  $  51,869          100%   $  109,957          100%
Cost of recurring revenues.........................................     25,828           50        53,163           48
</TABLE>
 
    Cost of recurring revenues increased 106% during the nine month period ended
September 30, 1998 as compared to the corresponding period of 1997, primarily
due to the increase in our member base. The decrease in the cost of recurring
revenues as a percentage of recurring revenues are attributable to: (a) more
effective management of our network, (b) the addition of Sprint to our family of
POP providers, and (c) our increasing ability to negotiate more favorable
commercial arrangements with our telecommunications service providers as we
leverage our growing member base.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
COST OF OTHER REVENUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                      ---------------------------------
                                                                                                             INCREASE
                                                                                        1997       1998     (DECREASE)
                                                                                      ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
Royalties...........................................................................  $     873  $     108   $    (765)
Other...............................................................................        453        622         169
                                                                                      ---------  ---------       -----
Total cost of other revenues........................................................  $   1,326  $     730   $    (596)
                                                                                      ---------  ---------       -----
                                                                                      ---------  ---------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    Cost of other revenues decreased 45% for the nine months ended September 30,
1998 as compared to the corresponding period of 1997. The decrease was primarily
due to a reduction in royalty expense. The increase in the remaining components
of cost of other revenues is primarily due to the increase in the rate of member
growth during the nine month period ended September 30, 1998 as compared to the
corresponding period of 1997.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
    Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of third-party bounties,
advertising, sales commissions, salaries, referral credits and the cost of
promotional material. Sales and marketing expenses increased from $18.9 million
to $25.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. The increase was primarily due to increased third-party bounty
payments, increased emphasis on marketing, including expanded sales and
marketing efforts on a nationwide basis, increased sales commissions and
increased marketing personnel headcount. We do not defer sales, marketing or
other direct costs associated with the acquisition of members. We expense these
costs as incurred.
 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
 
    General and administrative expenses consist primarily of costs associated
with the accounting and human resources departments, professional expenses,
rent, bad debt and compensation. General and administrative expenses increased
46% from $10.5 million to $15.3 million during the nine months ended September
30, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The increase was primarily due to increases in
accounting and human resources headcount, rent, depreciation expenses and credit
card processing fees. In October 1997, we added 45,000 square feet to our
corporate headquarters facility, and monthly rent increased from $46,000 to
$73,000. The increase in depreciation expense was due to the acquisition of
office equipment and the build-out of leasehold improvements. The increase in
credit card processing fees was due to the increase in our member base.
 
OPERATIONS AND MEMBER SUPPORT
 
    Operations and member support expenses consist primarily of costs associated
with technical support and member service, as well as customer information
systems. Operations and member support expenses increased 64% from $22.2 million
to $36.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. We focus on retaining existing members by providing superior
services and devoting significant resources to expanding technical support staff
and network operations capabilities. We had 518 employees engaged in operations
and member support activities on September 30, 1997 and 893 on September 30,
1998. We continue to improve member service functions by investing in training
programs, hardware and software.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
    Interest expense increased from $1.5 million to $1.7 million during the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 as compared to the corresponding periods of
1997. This increase was primarily due to increases in capital lease activities,
which were partially offset by repayment of a note payable and conversion into
common stock of another note payable during the first six months of 1998.
 
INTEREST INCOME
 
    Interest income increased from $416,000 to $2.6 million during the nine
months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The increase was
primarily due to an increase in average cash balances available for investment
as a result of our public follow-on common stock offering completed in June
1998.
 
1997 COMPARED TO 1996
 
RECURRING REVENUES
 
    Recurring revenues increased $47.1 million or 171% from $27.6 million in
1996 to $74.7 million in 1997 due to the significant increase in our member base
during 1997.
 
OTHER REVENUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    ---------------------------------
                                                                                                           INCREASE
                                                                                      1996       1997     (DECREASE)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Dial-up set up fees...............................................................  $   4,563  $   3,478   $  (1,085)
Other set up fees and revenues....................................................      1,061      2,753       1,692
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  -----------
Total other revenues..............................................................  $   5,624  $   6,231   $     607
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    Other revenues increased $607,000 or 11% from 1996 to 1997. Due to
competitive pricing and other pressures, we waived set up fees for dial-up
members acquired through certain marketing partnerships. This caused a decrease
in dial-up set up fees earned during 1997. We expect this trend to continue for
dial-up set up fees. During 1997, we began to aggressively promote Web hosting
and nationwide high speed access services. The decline in dial-up set up fees
was offset by increases in the other set up fees and revenues attributable to
our Web hosting, high speed access services and cost of products sold.
 
COST OF RECURRING REVENUES
 
    Cost of recurring revenues increased from $17.7 million in 1996 to $36.9
million in 1997 because our member base increased, but decreased from 64% of
recurring revenues in 1996 to 49% of recurring revenues in 1997. The decrease
from 1996 to 1997 was primarily due to our ability to effectively manage
communications costs and economies of scale to reduce per member costs as the
total member base expanded. Until October 1996, we paid UUNET a fixed monthly
fee per member plus a variable amount based on member usage in excess of a
threshold number of hours per month. Our network services agreement with UUNET
was amended as of October 1996 to change the cost basis from per member to peak
port hours. In June 1997, UUNET agreed to waive monthly revenue minimums, excess
hours fees and peak service user targets for the remaining six months of 1997.
In return, EarthLink agreed not to invoke its early termination right prior to
September 1998. If usage becomes more concentrated during peak times, the fees
we pay to UUNET will increase, thereby adversely affecting our operating
margins. Under our agreement with PSINet, we pay PSINet a fixed monthly fee for
each member accessing our services through a PSINet POP.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
COST OF OTHER REVENUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                    ---------------------------------
                                                                                                           INCREASE
                                                                                      1996       1997     (DECREASE)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
Royalties.........................................................................  $   1,907  $     930   $    (977)
Other.............................................................................        328        719         391
                                                                                    ---------  ---------       -----
Total cost of other revenues......................................................  $   2,235  $   1,649   $    (586)
                                                                                    ---------  ---------       -----
                                                                                    ---------  ---------       -----
</TABLE>
 
    Cost of other revenues decreased $586,000 or 26% from $2.2 million in 1996
to $1.6 million in 1997. The decrease was due to the renewal of various
contracts under more favorable terms.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
    Sales and marketing expenses increased $8.4 million or 49% from $17.2
million in 1996 to $25.6 million 1997. The increase was primarily due to our
emphasis on marketing services, expanding sales and marketing efforts
nationwide, increased sales commissions, marketing personnel headcount,
third-party bounties and referral credits. We do not defer sales, marketing or
other direct costs associated with the acquisition of members; rather, we
expense these costs as they are incurred.
 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
 
    General and administrative expenses increased $3.8 million or 36% from $10.5
million in 1996 to $14.3 million in 1997 due to increases in bad debt, payroll,
rent, depreciation expenses and credit card fees. Bad debt expense was $2.5
million or 7.5% of total revenues in 1996 due to difficulties in billing and in
disconnecting late-paying members on a timely basis. Bad debt expense was $3.5
million or 4.3% of total revenues in 1997. Bad debt decreases were due to our
review and elimination of accounts with questionable payment history and the
compression of our collection cycle. The rise in payroll costs was primarily due
to growth in headcount. Personnel engaged in general and administrative
activities increased from 92 to 110 during 1997. Depreciation expense rose
because of the acquisition of office equipment and the build-out of leasehold
improvements. Credit card processing fees increased primarily because our member
base increased.
 
OPERATIONS AND MEMBER SUPPORT
 
    Operations and member support expenses increased $15.1 million or 96% from
$15.8 million in 1996 to $30.9 million in 1997 reflecting our efforts to retain
existing members by devoting significant resources to expanding technical
support and network operations capabilities. Employees engaged in operations and
member support activities increased from 401 to 565 during 1997. During 1997, we
created a new call center and invested in training programs and hardware and
software to solve member problems.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
    Interest expense increased from $1.0 million in 1996 to $2.1 million in 1997
primarily due to our increased borrowings and capital lease obligations to
finance our expansion of network infrastructure and capital equipment
acquisitions.
 
INTEREST INCOME
 
    Interest income increased from $150,000 in 1996 to $637,000 in 1997
primarily because of the increase in average cash balances available for
investment.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
1996 COMPARED TO 1995
 
REVENUES
 
    Recurring revenues increased $25.2 million or more than 1,000% from $2.4
million in 1995 to $27.6 million in 1996 as a result of an increase in member
count. The increase in other revenues from $606,000 in 1995 to $5.6 million in
1996 was primarily due to the increase in the number of new members during the
latter period and one-time set up fees collected from those new members.
 
COST OF REVENUES
 
    Cost of recurring revenues increased from 42% of recurring revenues or $1.0
million in 1995 to 64% of recurring revenues or $17.7 million in 1996 due to our
expansion to nationwide service through our relationship with UUNET. We paid
UUNET a fixed monthly fee per member plus a variable amount based on customer
usage in excess of a threshold number of hours per month. Our UUNET contract was
amended as of October 1996 so that the key variable component is peak usage
rather than hourly usage.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
    Sales and marketing expense increased from $3.8 million in 1995 to $17.2
million in 1996. Our principal strategy during 1995 and 1996 was to rapidly
expand our customer base and increase our market share of the under-penetrated
market for Internet access services. To realize this strategy, we aggressively
invested in sales and marketing. This strategy required substantial initial cash
outlays which outpaced the resultant growth in revenues. In the latter part of
1996, our marketing efforts emphasized the variety of services available to
business members, including business Web sites, high-speed ISDN communications
capability, high-speed frame relay connections and Internet access through
corporate networks.
 
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
 
    Since our inception, general and administrative expenses have increased as a
result of increased employee headcount, rent, depreciation and credit card fees.
During 1996, we hired a number of senior management personnel, moved into a new
headquarters building and engaged professional consultants to assist in the
development of an administrative infrastructure to accommodate anticipated
increases in the number of members and employees, which resulted in a
significant increase in general and administrative expenses as compared to 1995.
General and administrative expenses for 1996 included bad debt expense of $2.5
million which resulted from difficulties in billing and in disconnecting late-
paying members on a timely basis. In addition, in September 1996, we issued
75,000 shares of Common Stock as consideration for the termination of a
consulting agreement. The value of the stock, $413,000, was included in general
and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
OPERATIONS AND MEMBER SUPPORT
 
    Operations and member support expenses increased from $1.9 million in 1995
to $15.8 million in 1996. This trend reflected the costs associated with
building a member service organization to support our member base and
anticipated member growth. Employees engaged in operations and member support
activities increased from 112 to 444 during 1996.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
    Interest expense increased from $136,000 in 1995 to $1.0 million in 1996
primarily because of increased borrowings and capital lease obligations we
incurred to finance the expansion of network infrastructure and capital
equipment acquisitions.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
INTEREST INCOME
 
    Interest income increased from $34,000 in 1995 to $150,000 in 1996 primarily
because to the increase in average cash balances available for investment.
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS
 
    Revenues and operating expenses have increased in each of the seven quarters
ended September 30, 1998, primarily due to increases in our member base and
associated costs. Loss from operations (excluding amortization and transaction
costs) as a percent of revenue over this period has declined reflecting our
increasing economies of scale.
 
    Our financial results may fluctuate significantly because of several
factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include: the costs
associated with gaining and retaining members and capital expenditures for
upgrading our systems and infrastructure; the timing and market acceptance of
new and upgraded Internet service introductions by us and our competitors;
increased competition; changes in our pricing policies and those of our
competitors; changes in our operating expenses (including telecommunications
costs); seasonal fluctuations in demand for our services; the introduction of
alternative technologies; the effect of potential acquisitions; and, other
general economic factors.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly financial data
for the seven quarters ended September 30, 1998. This unaudited information has
been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements
contained elsewhere in this prospectus and, in the opinion of our management,
includes all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary
to present fairly the information set forth when read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and the related notes. The operating results
for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                MAR. 31    JUN. 30   SEPT. 30    DEC. 31    MAR. 31    JUN. 30     SEPT. 30
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:       1997       1997       1997       1997       1998        1998        1998
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Revenues:
 
  Recurring revenues.........................  $  14,540  $  17,880  $  19,450  $  22,787  $  27,856  $   35,224  $   46,877
  Other revenues.............................      1,632      1,367      1,559      1,673      1,578       1,620       1,699
  Incremental revenues (1)...................     --         --         --         --            392       1,146       1,248
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
    Total revenues...........................     16,172     19,247     21,009     24,460     29,826      37,990      49,824
 
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of recurring revenues.................      7,623      8,902      9,304     11,025     14,208      17,781      21,174
  Cost of other revenues.....................        479        495        352        323        115         221         394
  Sales and marketing........................      6,183      6,051      6,670      6,702      7,390       7,983       9,975
  General and administrative.................      3,502      3,449      3,511      3,871      4,513       4,988       5,843
  Operations and member support..............      6,422      7,791      7,970      8,717      9,540      11,630      15,078
  Amortization and transaction
    costs (2)................................     --         --         --         --         --           7,208      17,754
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
    Total operating costs and expenses.......     24,209     26,688     27,807     30,638     35,766      49,811      70,218
 
Loss from operations.........................     (8,037)    (7,441)    (6,798)    (6,178)    (5,940)    (11,821)    (20,394)
Interest expense.............................       (507)      (444)      (516)      (632)      (687)       (621)       (353)
Interest income..............................        165        135        116        221        223         426       1,919
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
    Net loss.................................     (8,379)    (7,750)    (7,198)    (6,589)    (6,404)    (12,016)    (18,828)
Deductions for accretion
  dividends (3)..............................     --         --         --         --         --          (1,054)     (3,276)
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Net loss attributable to common
  stockholders...............................  $  (8,379) $  (7,750) $  (7,198) $  (6,589) $  (6,404) $  (13,070) $  (22,104)
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Basic and diluted net loss per
  share (4)..................................  $   (0.46) $   (0.40) $   (0.36) $   (0.29) $   (0.28) $    (0.53) $    (0.78)
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Weighted average shares
  outstanding (4)............................     18,188     19,476     19,864     22,482     22,746      24,586      28,458
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
                                               ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                               -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                MAR. 31    JUN. 30    SEPT. 30     DEC. 31    MAR. 31    JUN. 30    SEPT. 30
AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL REVENUES:               1997       1997        1997        1997       1998       1998        1998
                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                            <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues:
Recurring revenues...........................        90%        93%         93%         93%        94%        93%         94%
Other revenues...............................         10          7           7           7          5          4           3
Incremental revenues (1).....................     --         --          --          --              1          3           3
                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Total revenues.............................        100        100         100         100        100        100         100
 
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues.............................         47         46          44          45         48         47          42
Cost of other revenues.......................          3          3           2           1     --              1           1
Sales and marketing..........................         38         31          32          27         25         21          20
General and administrative...................         22         18          17          16         15         13          12
Operations and member support................         40         41          38          36         32         30          30
Amortization and transaction costs (2).......     --         --          --          --         --             19          36
                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Total operating costs and expenses.........        150        139         133         125        120        131         141
 
Loss from operations.........................        (50)       (39)        (33)        (25)       (20)       (31)        (41)
Interest expense.............................         (3)        (2)         (2)         (3)        (2)        (2)         (1)
Interest income..............................          1          1           1           1          1          1           4
                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
  Net loss...................................       (52%)      (40%)       (34%)       (27%)      (21%)      (32%)       (38%)
Deductions for accretion dividends (3).......     --         --          --          --         --             (3)         (6)
                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
Net loss attributable to common
  stockholders...............................       (52%)      (40%)       (34%)       (27%)      (21%)      (35%)       (44%)
                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
                                               ---------  ---------  -----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) We began reporting incremental revenues in the first quarter of 1998.
 
(2) Amortization and transaction costs represent $23,565,000 in amortization of
    intangible assets acquired and a one time transaction cost of $1,397,000
    resulting from the strategic alliance with Sprint in June 1998.
 
(3) Represents the accretion of liquidation dividends on Series A convertible
    preferred stock at 3% compounded quarterly and the accretion of a dividend
    related to the beneficial conversion feature in accordance with EITF D-60.
 
(4) SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share ("EPS"), and Staff Accounting Bulletin No.
    98 require companies, such as EarthLink, that incorporated the SAB 83
    concept of "cheap stock" in determining pre-initial public offering EPS data
    to restate EPS data to conform to SFAS No. 128. Basic EPS now represents the
    weighted average number of shares divided into net income during a given
    period. Potential common stock items, options, warrants or convertible
    instruments are not included in the calculation of EPS due to their
    anti-dilutive effect.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    Our operating activities used $3.6 million, $16.2 million and $21.3 million
in cash during the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
Our operating activities provided $14.4 million of cash during the nine months
ended September 30, 1998, primarily because of the increase in accrued
liabilities of $13.8 million.
 
    Our investing activities, consisting primarily of capital equipment
purchases for expansion, used cash of approximately $4.3 million, $18.4 million
and $16.1 million in 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. During 1997, we
purchased the rights to subscribers and related assets of Internet in a Mall,
Inc., a Tarzana, California based ISP, at a cost of approximately $1.4 million.
Investing activities used $1.0 million in cash during the nine months ended
September 30, 1998. Net cash received in the Sprint transaction of $23.8 million
was partially offset by Sprint transaction costs of $8.9 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 1998. Capital equipment purchases were $15.9 million
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998.
 
    Financing activities provided approximately $8.2 million, $38.3 million and
$49.8 million in cash during 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Financing
activities provided cash of approximately $104.6 million during the nine months
ended September 30, 1998. We raised $6.3 million, $8.7 million and $15.4 million
in private sales of equity securities during 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively.
In the first quarter of 1997, we sold 4,569,500 shares of common stock in our
initial public offering. The offering generated approximately $26.2 million in
net proceeds. We completed a follow on public offering in June 1998 of 5.5
million shares of common stock at $30 per share of which we sold 3.7 million
shares and selling stockholders sold 1.8 million shares. Our net proceeds were
approximately $105 million. During 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, we
financed the acquisition of data processing and office equipment amounting to
approximately $556,000, $11.3 million and $10.5 million, respectively, through
equipment sale leaseback agreements. Proceeds from capital lease transactions
for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 were $6.2 million. We record sale
leaseback transactions at cost, which approximates the fair market value of the
property, and, therefore, no gains or losses are recorded. We continue to
depreciate the property and record a financing obligation representing the
proceeds based upon payments under the lease agreement.
 
    On September 30, 1998, we had approximately $134.4 million in cash and cash
equivalents. We believe our available cash is sufficient to meet our operating
expenses and capital requirements for the next 12 months. We also have a $25
million credit facility from Sprint in the form of convertible senior debt,
increasing to $100 million over a three-year period, at an interest rate of 6%
per annum. Our capital requirements depend on numerous factors, including the
rate of market acceptance of our services, our ability to maintain and expand
our member base, the rate of expansion of our network infrastructure, the size
and types of acquisitions in which we may engage and the level of resources
required to expand our marketing and sales programs. We cannot accurately
predict the timing and amount of capital requirements. We may require additional
financing sooner than anticipated if capital requirements vary materially from
those currently planned. We have no commitments for any additional financing
other than the line of credit from Sprint, and we cannot be sure that we can
obtain additional commitments on favorable terms, if at all. Additional equity
financing may dilute our stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may
restrict our ability to declare and pay dividends and raise future capital. If
we are unable to obtain additional needed financing, we may be required to
reduce the scope of operations or anticipated expansion, which could materially
and adversely affect us.
 
YEAR 2000 RISK MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR COMPANY.
 
    Many existing computer programs use only two digits to identify a year.
These programs were designed and developed without addressing the impact of the
upcoming change in the century. If not corrected, many computer software
applications could fail or create erroneous results by, at or beyond
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
the year 2000. We utilize software, computer technology and other services
internally developed and provided by third-party vendors that may fail due to
the year 2000 phenomenon. For example, we are dependent on the institutions
involved in processing our members' credit card payments for Internet services.
We are also dependent on telecommunications vendors and leased POP vendors to
maintain network reliability.
 
    We are currently assessing the year 2000 readiness of our third-party
supplied software, computer technology and other services. Based upon the
results of this assessment, the Company will develop and implement, if
necessary, a remediation plan with respect to third-party software, computer
technology and services which may fail to be year 2000 compliant. We have
assessed our proprietary software and internal systems and determined them to be
year 2000 compliant. We anticipate that our systems, including components
thereof provided by third-party vendors, will be year 2000 compliant by 2000. At
this time, the expenses associated with this assessment and potential
remediation plan cannot be determined. The failure of our software and computing
systems and our third-party vendors to be year 2000 compliant could have a
material adverse effect on us.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW OF EARTHLINK
 
    We are a leading Internet service provider, or ISP, providing reliable
nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to our individual
and business members. Our member base has grown from approximately 420,000
members on December 31, 1997 to approximately 815,000 on September 30, 1998,
making us one of the world's leading ISPs. We believe our growth has resulted
from our efforts to enhance our members' Internet experience through simple,
rapid and reliable access to the Internet, high quality service, and member
education and support. As a result, we believe we have a high member retention
rate for our industry. We receive significant benefits from the size of our
member base, including bargaining power with providers of Internet content,
online advertisers and retailers, and network providers.
 
    We generate our members through a combination of innovative and
cost-conscious marketing programs. We market our services and products through
referrals, online advertising and magazine, radio and television advertisements.
Our affinity marketing and membership referral programs are also valuable
components of our marketing strategy. We have over 500 affinity marketing
partners, including prominent retailers, print publishers, and software and
hardware companies. Leading affinity marketing partners include CompUSA, Novus
Service's Discover Card, Gateway, MacMillan Digital Publishing USA, SAM's Club,
Sony Entertainment and Warner Bros. We recently added Apple and Packard Bell to
our family of distribution partners.
 
    Our strategic alliance with Sprint Corporation is also important to our
member generation activities. As a part of this alliance, Sprint is committed to
generate at least 150,000 new members for us during each of the next 5 years
through their channels. Additionally, we are now co-branded with Sprint as
Sprint's exclusive consumer Internet access provider, and we have exclusive
access to certain dial-up modem ports in Sprint's network. We also have access
to Sprint's marketing and distribution channels and the right to use Sprint's
widely recognized brand. As a result of this relationship we recently added
Sprint PCS and Radio Shack as affinity partners.
 
    We provide highly reliable Internet access through a nationwide
telecommunications network of leased, high-speed, dedicated data lines and over
1,700 dial-up access sites, or POPs. We own and operate POPs in Southern
California and lease POPs from UUNET, Sprint, and PSINet nationwide. Over 90% of
the U.S. population can access our Internet service through a local telephone
call. We also provide Internet connections by cable modem, ADSL, ISDN, frame
relay and other high-speed access technologies.
 
    Our standard $19.95 per month dial-up Internet service provides our members
with unlimited access to the Internet, email, a Web browser, six megabytes
available for a personal web site, a Personal Start Page, BLINK (our member news
magazine), toll-free 24-hour technical support and access to Internet
newsgroups. We also offer premium services to consumers and small businesses,
including Web hosting and high-speed Internet connections.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
    The Internet is an increasingly significant global medium for
communications, information and online commerce. Industry analyst IDC estimates
that the number of Internet users was 81 million in 1997 and will reach 177
million by 2000. In addition, IDC projects that ISP revenues in the United
States will grow from $4.6 billion in 1997 to $18.3 billion in 2000, implying a
compound annual growth rate of 58.5% per year. Continued growth in Internet
usage is expected to be fueled by several factors, including the large and
growing installed base of personal computers in the workplace and home, advances
in the performance and speed of personal computers and modems, improvements in
network infrastructure, easier and cheaper access to the Internet, and increased
general awareness of the Internet.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    Potential Internet users, particularly non-technical users, may find the
size and complexity of the Internet difficult and intimidating. These users
generally place a premium on products and services that are easy to use.
Experienced users increasingly view the Internet as mission critical. They
generally focus on network quality, reliability, customer service quality and
cost. We believe the requirements of both inexperienced and experienced users
create a significant market opportunity for vendors that can serve both user
groups.
 
EARTHLINK'S STRATEGY
 
    EarthLink's objectives are to be the leading nationwide ISP and to provide
its members with a high-quality Internet experience. Key elements of our
strategy include:
 
    MAXIMIZE MEMBERS' OVERALL EXPERIENCE.  We want to provide our members with a
superior online experience. The following points illustrate our efforts to do
so:
 
    - Superior Member Service: We believe that an integral part of the EarthLink
      experience is fast, polite, and helpful member service. Accordingly, we
      invest significant resources in supporting our members. We view member
      support as another opportunity to interface directly with our members to
      educate them on how to get the most out of the Internet. We have scaled
      our highly-trained member support staff in line with member growth to
      minimize member hold times and solve each individual problem in the most
      expeditious manner. Our member care center is available seven days a week,
      24 hours a day via a toll free call.
 
    - Reliable Access: We currently use UUNET, PSINet and Sprint, as well as our
      own facilities, to provide dial-up access and network telecommunications
      services. Our members can access our service through over 1,700 POPs. As a
      result, our members are able to navigate the Internet with few delays,
      timeouts and disruptions.
 
    - Easy to Use Solution: Users may encounter numerous difficulties using the
      Internet because of its size and complexity. Therefore, we focus
      significant resources on retaining members by providing them with reliable
      and easy to use Internet access. We designed our TotalAccess software
      (which includes software and documentation for both Windows and Macintosh
      users) to make it easy for members to register and configure their system
      for Internet access. We constantly work to develop new services, content
      and features to enhance that user experience.
 
    - Broad Service Offering: Our members receive six megabytes of space on our
      Web server and special tools to create their own Web page. We recently
      introduced a "Click-N-Build" Web construction tool, an e-commerce solution
      and cable modem access. Going forward, we will continue to offer our
      members leading Internet and communication products and services.
 
    - Personal Start Page: We provide a customizable personal start page user
      interface that allows members to closely match their needs. Members may
      select from a number of browsers, navigation engines and sources of news
      headlines.
 
    - Member sign-up: From marketing and promotional materials to registration
      and access software, we have carefully crafted the sign-up process to be
      easy-to-use and to engender loyalty.
 
    RAPIDLY EXPAND OUR MEMBER BASE.  We believe that a key to our success in the
competitive ISP market is to rapidly expand our member base. This will allow us
to amortize our assets over a larger revenue base and enhance our ability to
enter into favorable arrangements with network service providers, affinity
marketing partners, online advertisers and content providers. We have
accelerated efforts and financial commitments to attract new members, while
continuing to provide high-quality service to ensure member retention.
Historically, we have capitalized on our reputation for high-quality service and
have obtained a significant portion of our new members from existing member
referrals. We recently added Apple and Packard Bell to our family of over 500
affinity partners plus numerous other channel partners. We plan to continue to
expand our marketing program, to maintain a presence at national, regional and
local trade shows, and to offer economic incentives to members who refer new
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
members. Our access to Sprint's high-speed data network and marketing channels
further enhances our ability to add new members.
 
    CAPITALIZE ON SPRINT ALLIANCE.  We intend to maximize the opportunities
presented by our alliance with Sprint to attract new members nationwide and to
further enhance our position as a leading ISP. We believe that the substantial
increase in members and other financial and operational resources resulting from
the Sprint alliance will enable us to achieve our strategic objectives on a
cost-effective and accelerated basis. We also believe that new members will be
generated by the Sprint relationship at a lower cost than we would spend to add
these members on our own. Therefore, we intend to take full advantage of
Sprint's recognized brand image, extensive distribution channels (including
Radio Shack and Sprint PCS) and approximately 16 million long-distance and local
telephone customers. To that end, our brand is jointly marketed with Sprint's
widely-recognized brand in connection with consumer Internet services.
Additionally, we expect to further benefit from our exclusive access to certain
dial-up modem ports in Sprint's high-speed data network.
 
    INCREASE MARKETING AND EXPAND DISTRIBUTION.  We continue to expand our
targeted marketing programs and distribution efforts to increase our member
base, nationwide presence and brand recognition. To achieve these objectives, we
continue to increase our investments in a wide-ranging marketing and
distribution program, including expanded affinity partners, print publications,
radio, television, billboards and direct mail. We closely monitor the results of
these marketing programs as part of our ongoing effort to increase the
cost-effectiveness of our marketing efforts.
 
    LEVERAGE THIRD PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS.  We leverage the infrastructure of
others by leasing POP capacity from UUNET, PSINet and Sprint. This allows us to
maintain focus on our members' needs while benefiting from the continuing
decrease in telecommunications services costs. Not only does this approach lower
our required capital expenditures, it also gives us flexibility to rapidly
expand service coverage. Moreover, access to multiple networks provides members
with increased service quality resulting from redundant network access. We will
continue pursuing this strategy so that we can devote our principal resources to
sales and marketing efforts and to improving members' Internet experience.
 
    DERIVE INCREMENTAL REVENUES.  We leverage our growing member base and user
traffic to increase revenues from sources other than those that are access
related such as advertising and electronic commerce. Our Premiere Partnership
Program is the principal component of this strategy. Through the Premiere
Partnership Program we sell promotional packages that provide advertisers,
retailers and content providers with access to the multiple points of contact we
have with our members. We also sell advertising space on our various online
properties like the Personal Start Page and our news magazine, BLINK. The
EarthLink Mall and branded Personal Start Pages are further sources of
incremental revenues.
 
    MANAGE INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET MEMBER GROWTH.  Our membership has grown
rapidly since inception. To continue to effectively add new members and continue
to offer high-quality service, we have made significant capital investments,
including expansion of our network hub, accounting and billing systems and
customer care systems. We believe our current infrastructure is adequate to
manage a significant increase in our member base.
 
EARTHLINK'S SERVICES
 
    We provide a wide variety of competitively priced Internet services. Our
TotalAccess software incorporates a telephone dialer and email program with
several leading third-party Internet access tools, including the latest browsers
from Netscape and Microsoft. This software provides a functional, easy-to-use
Internet access solution for Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and Macintosh platforms.
The TotalAccess software automatically installs these and other software
applications on member computers. The simple point-and-click functionality of
TotalAccess, combined with its easy-to-use multimedia
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
registration system, permits online credit card registration, allowing both our
novice and experienced members to quickly set up access to the Internet.
 
    Our service offerings include:
 
STANDARD INTERNET SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
EMAIL                                 PUBLICATIONS
WEB BROWSER                           MEMBER AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
6MB WEB SPACE FOR A PERSONAL WEB      EARTHLINK WEB SITE
  SITE                                NEWSGROUPS
PERSONAL START PAGE                   THE EARTHLINK ONLINE MALL
NATIONWIDE POPS
</TABLE>
 
PREMIUM SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
BUSINESS WEB SITE HOSTING             DOMAIN NAME SERVICE
NATIONAL ISDN                         STAR EMAIL ADDRESSING
NATIONAL LAN ISDN                     INTERNATIONAL ROAMING SERVICE
NATIONAL FRAME RELAY                  800 SERVICE
TOTALACCESS GOLD                      INTERNET ROOMS
ADDITIONAL MAILBOXES                  ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SOLUTION
</TABLE>
 
EMERGING ACCESS SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
CABLE MODEM                           FIBER TO THE CURB
                                      SATELLITE/WIRELESS ACCESS (IN
ADSL                                    DEVELOPMENT)
</TABLE>
 
    EARTHLINK'S STANDARD INTERNET SERVICES.  We provide our members with a core
set of features through our standard Internet service. This standard service
allows unlimited access to the Internet and the World Wide Web as well as other
features and services for a monthly fee of $19.95 and a one-time set up fee
(which is frequently waived). We include the following features in our standard
Internet service:
 
    EMAIL.  Each member receives an electronic mailbox which enables members to
    exchange an unlimited number of multimedia, text, graphics, audio and video
    messages with other online and Internet users.
 
    WEB BROWSER.  We provide members with a free Web browser. Currently, we
    offer Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Members may also
    use any other browser of their choice.
 
    6MB WEB SPACE FOR A PERSONAL WEB SITE.  We provide each member with six free
    megabytes of space on our Web server to create a personal Web site. We
    recently introduced our "Click-N-Build" web site creation tool which enables
    members to build their sites without having to learn complex programming
    languages. We also provide tutorials and tools to help members develop their
    sites. This enables members to participate in the Internet community by
    personally adding content to the World Wide Web.
 
    PERSONAL START PAGE.  Each member receives a Personal Start Page, an
    enhanced default start page for members that first appears when they log on
    to the EarthLink Network. Members can customize their start page. For
    example, a member may select from a number of browsers, navigation engines
    and sources of news headline. Members also have the option to view stock
    quotes, and weather reports and are provided with a personal reminder
    system, as well as a place to list their own personal Web links and links to
    EarthLink member and technical support resources. Our Premiere Partners on
    our member's Personal Start Page include ABCNews.com,
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    American Greetings, AccuWeather, CNN Interactive, Excite, GoTo.com,
    Infoseek, Lycos, MiningCo.com, Snap, PC Quote, Travelscape.com and Wired
    Digital.
 
    NATIONWIDE POPS.  EarthLink members can access their accounts through a
    nationwide network of over 1,700 POPs.
 
    PUBLICATIONS.  We mail our bi-monthly printed news magazine, BLINK, to each
    member. BLINK provides useful information, such as tips on how to search for
    certain categories of information on the Internet, information regarding new
    EarthLink service offerings, pointers to new Internet sites and other items
    of interest. BLINK is also available online on the EarthLink home page.
    Additionally, we provide new members with an orientation booklet called
    "Getting the Most Out of the Internet," written by our founder, Sky Dayton.
 
    MEMBER AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT.  We currently provide the following member and
    technical support services: (i) toll-free, live telephone assistance
    available seven days a week, 24 hours a day; (ii) email-based assistance
    available seven days a week, 24 hours a day; (iii) help sites and Internet
    guide files on the EarthLink Web site; and, (iv) automated "fax back" and
    "fax on demand" assistance; and (v) printed reference material.
    Additionally, we provide dedicated support for business members through
    dedicated member care support personnel who are specially trained for
    business products and services such as business Web sites and local area
    network ISDN.
 
    EARTHLINK WEB SITE.  We maintain a Web site at www.earthlink.net that
    contains content and links to third-party content and services. Our in-house
    staff actively seeks out interesting content from across the World Wide Web
    and organizes it into areas of interest on our Web site under topics such as
    "Arts & Entertainment," "Sports," "Travel," "News," "Finance" and "Games."
    Our Web site provides a road map to the abundant information and services
    available on the Internet. The site also contains Web pages dedicated to
    online member assistance including technical support, account maintenance
    and service updates.
 
    NEWSGROUPS.  "Newsgroups," one of the most popular areas of the Internet,
    facilitate ongoing online discussions of specific areas of interest.
    EarthLink aggregates and provides access to thousands of these newsgroups,
    enabling its members to participate in realtime public discussions of a
    myriad of topics.
 
    THE EARTHLINK ONLINE MALL.  Our online electronic shopping mall provides
    users with a one-stop gateway to some of the top retailers on the Web, using
    a familiar mall map interface. Retailers such as The Disney Store,
    BarnesandNoble.com and 1-800-FLOWERS "lease" space in the Mall.
 
    EARTHLINK'S PREMIUM SERVICES.  In addition to our standard service, we offer
a variety of premium services, including the following:
 
    BUSINESS WEB SITE HOSTING.  We provide a Web hosting service for business
    members. Monthly fees for business Web sites range from $89 to $455, plus
    one-time set up fees of $179 to $479, depending on the size of the site and
    whether the site is a shared or unique address. A wide variety of options is
    available for an extra fee. Additional charges may apply for excess site
    traffic. We also offer an introductory service for small businesses,
    STARTERSITE, which is a ten megabyte, unique-domain Web site priced at
    $19.95 per month, plus a one-time set up fee of $25.
 
    NATIONAL ISDN.  Our nationwide high-speed ISDN access service provides
    significantly higher access speeds than conventional analog modems. The
    monthly charge for ISDN is $34.95 for the first 100 channel hours and $0.99
    for each additional channel hour, plus a one-time set up fee of $50.
 
    NATIONAL LAN ISDN.  Small to medium-sized businesses can connect their
    existing LAN to the Internet at ISDN speed with LAN ISDN. This nationwide
    service costs $99.95 per month for 160
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    channel hours and four email boxes. The set up fee of $149 is waived for
    current EarthLink members, and additional channel hours cost $0.85 per hour.
 
    NATIONAL FRAME RELAY.  Frame relay enables companies to connect their LANs
    to the Internet via a direct, continuous connection at speeds ranging from
    56 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps. Frame relay connections, available nationwide, range
    from $240 to $1,460 per month depending on access speeds, data throughput,
    etc. One-time set up fees range from $495 to $1,995.
 
    TOTALACCESS GOLD.  TotalAccess Gold is a value-added package, which includes
    an additional email box, priority technical support with a guaranteed
    5-minute maximum wait time, and a quarterly CD-ROM containing software tools
    and plug-ins. The package adds $9.95 to the monthly price of a standard
    dialup or ISDN account.
 
    ADDITIONAL MAILBOXES.  Additional electronic mailboxes are available for a
    per-mailbox fee of $4.95 per month and a $9.95 set up fee.
 
    DOMAIN NAME SERVICE.  We provide unique domain names for those members who
    prefer an individualized address or plan to establish a business Web site.
    These unique domain names allow consumers and businesses to customize their
    email and Web site addresses. EarthLink charges a one-time fee of $75 to set
    up domain name service and assist members in establishing their unique
    domain names. Members then pay an annual renewal fee to an Internet domain
    registration agency.
 
    STAR EMAIL ADDRESSING.  EarthLink members desiring an unlimited choice of
    email addresses (for example "[email protected]" or "[email protected]")
    can purchase star addressing. With star addressing, all email goes into a
    central mailbox, for easy processing to individual addresses at the same
    domain. There is a one-time set up fee of $125, but no monthly fee for
    maintaining the service.
 
    INTERNATIONAL ROAMING SERVICE.  We offer international roaming services so
    that members who travel outside the United States can access their EarthLink
    accounts and the Internet. The fee for international roaming is $0.15 per
    minute plus applicable fees, if any, charged by local and long distance
    carriers.
 
    800 SERVICE.  EarthLink provides 800 number dial-up service for members who
    do not have access to a local POP. EarthLink charges members $24.95 per
    month for five hours of 800 number service plus a one-time set up fee of
    $25.00. Additional hours are $4.95 per hour.
 
    INTERNET ROOMS.  The Internet Room is an easy to use communications tool
    enabling members to use email, online chat and other advanced tools for
    communication. The Internet Rooms provide members with a powerful and easy
    way to establish Web sites without having to rely on complicated programming
    languages such as HTML or FTP. There is an annual fee of $29.95 for each
    Internet Room.
 
    ELECTRONIC COMMERCE SOLUTION.  We recently introduced our electronic
    commerce solution for businesses. The software components allow businesses
    to build and operate an online "storefront" and process online credit card
    transactions. In conjunction with our hosting services, businesses can
    conveniently establish their electronic commerce presence.
 
    EARTHLINK'S EMERGING ACCESS SERVICES.  In response to feedback from our
members, we are developing the next generation of Internet access services
targeted at consumers and small businesses. These services offer access speeds
several times faster than ISDN connections utilizing a variety of emerging
connectivity technologies.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
    CABLE MODEM.  We currently offer high-speed cable modem connections to the
    Internet for consumers and small businesses in selected service areas,
    through partnerships with cable providers such as Charter Communications.
 
    ADSL.  We are testing Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line, or ADSL, service
    that provides a continuous high-speed connection through existing telephone
    lines. This service is in the pilot phase and has not yet been priced.
 
    FIBER TO THE CURB.  We are conducting a technology trial utilizing "fiber to
    the curb" technology, an emerging broadband-capable technology alternative
    to both twisted pair copper lines and coaxial cable. This service is in the
    pilot phase and has not yet been priced.
 
    SATELLITE/WIRELESS ACCESS.  EarthLink is currently evaluating opportunities
    to offer Internet access service delivery through both satellite and
    ground-based wireless technologies.
 
MEMBER AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
 
    We believe that reliable member and technical support is critical to
retaining existing members and attracting new members. We currently provide the
following member and technical support services: (i) toll-free, live telephone
assistance available seven days a week, 24 hours a day; (ii) email-based
assistance available seven days a week, 24 hours a day; (iii) help sites and
Internet guide files on the EarthLink Web site; (iv) automated "fax back" and
"fax on demand" assistance; and (v) printed reference material. Additionally, we
provide dedicated support for business members.
 
    Our call center currently handles an average of over 130,000 member and
technical support calls a week. We also contract with a vendor of call center
services whose EarthLink-trained employees provide additional technical support
assistance. We believe the center's technology and systems are scaleable to
accommodate call volume growth. We actively evaluate our call center facilities
in order to deliver more effective and efficient services to our members.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
    Our sales and marketing efforts consist of the following programs:
 
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER CHANNELS.  EarthLink has marketing arrangements
with a number of leading hardware and software manufacturers to include our
TotalAccess software pre-installed on or included with their products. Our OEM
partners include, among numerous others, Apple, Packard Bell and Gateway.
 
AFFINITY MARKETING PROGRAM.  Affinity marketing partners typically bundle our
TotalAccess software with their own goods or services to create a package that
promotes EarthLink to potential members. Our affinity marketing partners
include, among numerous others:
 
    COMPUSA.  CompUSA includes TotalAccess software pre-loaded on each of its
    private-label computer systems, as well as offering TotalAccess software to
    its customers through in-store displays.
 
    DISCOVER CARD.  EarthLink and NOVUS Services' Discover Card division offer
    the Discover Connection, an Internet access package, with exclusive features
    and awards for Discover Cardmembers.
 
    MACMILLAN DIGITAL PUBLISHING USA.  EarthLink is the exclusive national
    Internet access provider included in the Internet Starter Kit CD-Rom which
    MacMillan publishes.
 
    SAM'S CLUB.  SAM's Club co-brands and co-offers TotalAccess software through
    direct mail and catalog promotions to SAM's Club members.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    SONY ENTERTAINMENT.  Sony bundles TotalAccess software on its enhanced music
    CDs.
 
SPRINT ALLIANCE.  Our alliance with Sprint includes a marketing agreement and
distribution arrangement that provides us access to Sprint's branded marketing
and distribution channels in the United States, the right to use Sprint's brand
for a minimum of ten years and a five-year commitment from Sprint to deliver a
minimum of 150,000 new members annually through Sprint's channels. Additionally,
Sprint promotes EarthLink as Sprint's exclusive consumer Internet access
provider.
 
MEMBER REFERRAL PROGRAM.  We believe that our existing members are among our
most important marketing tools. We currently waive one month of standard access
service fees for each member who refers a new member to our service. These
referrals generate a significant percentage of our new membership.
 
ADVERTISING.  We advertise our services in print, electronic and broadcast
media. We also maintain a presence at national trade shows such as Internet
World and MacWorld, as well as numerous local and regional trade shows.
Additionally, we market through computer, Internet and related publications and
bundle our TotalAccess software with certain of these publications.
 
PREMIERE PARTNERSHIPS.  As part of our strategy to generate incremental revenue
through third party electronic commerce, advertising and content, we leverage
our current properties (such as our Web site and Personal Start Page) through
our Premiere Partnership Program. The Premiere Partnership Program focuses on
third parties having a natural affinity to and benefit for our member base. The
program generates revenues through (1) sales of banner and other online ads; (2)
fees generated through revenue sharing arrangements with online retailers who
are accessed through our properties; and, (3) payments for placing links from
our properties to third-party content.
 
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE ENHANCEMENT
 
    We place significant emphasis on expanding and refining our services to
enhance member Internet experience. Our technical staff is engaged in a variety
of technical development and service enhancement activities and continuously
reviews new third-party software products and technology for potential
incorporation into our systems and services. The redesigned and enhanced version
of TotalAccess, version 2.2, is a recent product of these efforts. The new
version places a premium on ease of use, and incorporates a variety of powerful
features that reduce the number and types of challenges faced by new members
using the Internet for the first time. We also regularly update and expand the
online services provided through the EarthLink Web site, organize Web content
and develop online guides, help screens and other user services and resources.
 
POPS AND NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
 
    We provide our members with Internet access primarily through third-party
network POPs. Our use of third parties to provide Internet connectivity enables
us to increase port capacity without the significant capital requirements
necessary to build and maintain a network. It also gives us the flexibility
necessary to adapt to changing technology such as cable modems. Over 90% of the
U.S. population can access our Internet service through a local telephone call.
 
    Members located in a geographic area not currently serviced by a local POP
can access the Internet through an 800 service. Our POP sites are connected to
the Internet primarily through our Pasadena network hub. That hub is in turn
connected directly to the Internet by redundant high-speed fiber optic data
lines obtained from various vendors. We have invested in measures to minimize
the effects of damage from fire, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications
failure, computer viruses, security breaches and similar events or backup
Internet services or backbone facilities or other redundant computing or
telecommunications facilities. We do not currently maintain redundant network
hub facilities.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
COMPETITION
 
    We operate in the Internet services market, which is extremely competitive.
Our current and prospective competitors include many large companies that have
substantially greater market presence, financial, technical, marketing and other
resources than we have. We compete directly or indirectly with the following
categories of companies:
 
    - established online services, such as America Online, the Microsoft Network
      and Prodigy;
 
    - local, regional and national ISPs, such as MindSpring, Rocky Mountain
      Internet and Internet America Inc.;
 
    - national telecommunications companies, such as AT&T and GTE;
 
    - regional Bell operating companies, such as BellSouth and SBC
      Communications Corp; and
 
    - online cable services, such as At Home and Roadrunner.
 
    Our competition is likely to increase. We believe this will probably happen
as large diversified telecommunications and media companies acquire ISPs and as
ISPs consolidate into larger, more competitive companies. Diversified
competitors may bundle other services and products with Internet connectivity
services, potentially placing us at a significant competitive disadvantage. In
addition, competitors may charge less than we do for Internet services, causing
us to reduce (or preventing us from raising) our fees. As a result, our business
may suffer.
 
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
    GENERAL.  We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark, patent and trade
secret laws and contractual restrictions to establish and protect our technology
and proprietary rights and information. We require employees and consultants
and, when possible, suppliers and distributors, to sign confidentiality
agreements. However, we cannot assure you that our steps will be sufficient to
prevent misappropriation of our technology and proprietary rights and
information or that our competitors will not independently develop technologies
that are substantially equivalent or superior to ours.
 
    From time to time, third parties have alleged that certain of our trademarks
infringe their trademarks. None of these claims has had an adverse effect on our
ability to market and sell its services. However, we cannot assure you that
those claims will not have an adverse effect in the future or that others will
not assert infringement claims against us in the future.
 
    LICENSES.  We have licenses to distribute third-party software incorporated
in our TotalAccess software. Applications which we license for distribution
include Netscape Communicator (this license automatically renews each December
for additional one-year terms unless either party terminates the license on 120
days notice), Microsoft Internet Explorer (this license expires in August 1999
and thereafter automatically renews for additional one-year terms, although
either party may terminate the license at any time on 30 days notice), and
MacTCP software from Apple (this license renews each December for additional
one-year terms unless either party terminates the license on twelve-month
notice). The only software in the TotalAccess package that we developed is the
front-end and installation/registration program. We intend to maintain or
negotiate renewals of existing software licenses and authorizations. We may also
want or need to license other applications in the future. Our inability to renew
existing software licenses or to license additional applications could have a
material adverse effect on us.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As of September 30, 1998, we employed 1,195 people, including 183 sales and
marketing personnel, 893 operations and member and technical support
representatives and 119 administrative
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
personnel. None of our employees are represented by a labor union, and we have
no collective bargaining agreement.
 
FACILITIES
 
    Our corporate headquarters and call center are located in a 92,000
square-foot facility in Pasadena, California. Base rent is currently $73,000 per
month. We have an option to extend this lease for an additional five years at
the then-prevailing market rate following its expiration September 2007. Our
data center and primary data hub are housed in a 110,000 square foot facility
adjacent to our headquarters with rent of $92,000 per month, subject to yearly
increases. The lease for this space expires February 2007, with an option to
extend for an additional ten year term.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
    The following table contains certain information about our executive
officers and directors:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                                     AGE                             POSITION
- ---------------------------------------------------      ---      ------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>
Sky D. Dayton......................................          27   Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Charles G. Betty...................................          41   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Dr. Richard D. Edmiston............................          55   Vice President, Research and Development
Grayson L. Hoberg..................................          40   Sr. Vice President, Finance and Administration and
                                                                  Chief Financial Officer
David R. Tommela...................................          59   Sr. Vice President, Operations
Brinton O.C. Young.................................          47   Sr. Vice President, Marketing
William S. Heys....................................          48   Sr. Vice President, Sales
Sidney Azeez (1)...................................          66   Director
William T. Esrey...................................          58   Director
Robert M. Kavner (1)...............................          55   Director
Linwood A. Lacy, Jr. (2)...........................          53   Director
Patti S. Manuel....................................          42   Director
Paul McNulty.......................................          37   Director
Kevin M. O'Donnell (2).............................          48   Director
Reed E. Slatkin (1)(2).............................          49   Director
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Member of Audit Committee.
 
(2) Member of Compensation Committee.
 
    SKY D. DAYTON, our founder, has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors
since our inception in May 1994 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from
May 1994 until May 1996. From 1992 to 1993, he was co-owner of a computer-based
digital imaging firm, Dayton Walker Design. From 1991 to 1992, he served as
Director of Marketing for new products at Executive Software, a software
company. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Dayton co-owned Cafe Mocha, a coffee house in
Los Angeles, which he co-founded, and was a co-owner of Joe Cafe, a coffee house
in Studio City, California.
 
    CHARLES G. BETTY has served as President and as a director since January
1996, and in May 1996 was named Chief Executive Officer. From February 1994 to
January 1996, Mr. Betty was a strategic planning consultant, advising Reply
Corp., Perot Systems Corporation and Microdyne, Inc. From September 1989 to
February 1994, Mr. Betty served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of Digital Communications Associates, Inc., a publicly traded network
connectivity provider. Mr. Betty is a member of the Board of Directors of DBT
ONLINE, Inc.
 
    DR. RICHARD D. EDMISTON has served as Vice President, Research and
Development from January 1997 through December 1998. From December 1992 to
January 1997, Dr. Edmiston was Vice President of Network Planning and
Architecture at BBN Corporation, a leading Internet research and development
organization, and the founder of BBN Planet, a leading provider of Internet
services to businesses. From September 1990 to November 1992, Dr. Edmiston
managed distributed computer and information systems research at GTE
Laboratories.
 
    GRAYSON L. HOBERG has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer since August 1998 and served as Vice
President, Finance and Administration and
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
Chief Financial Officer since December 1997. From September 1993 to December
1997, he served in various capacities for, and ultimately as, the Vice President
of Business Operations for TCI.NET, the Internet Division of TCI Cable. From
December 1991 to September 1993, he was Manager of Information Systems at Coors
Brewing Company. From January 1988 to December 1991, he was a Consulting Manager
at Price Waterhouse LLP.
 
    DAVID R. TOMMELA has served as Senior Vice President, Operations since
August 1998 and was Vice President, Operations from December 1995 through August
1998. From 1973 to August 1995, he served in various capacities for, and
ultimately as the Chief Information Officer of, Southern California Edison
Company, an electric power utility.
 
    BRINTON O. C. YOUNG has served as Senior Vice President, Marketing since
August 1998 and was Vice President, Strategic Planning from March 1996 through
August 1998. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Young was President of Young & Associates, a
consulting firm specializing in strategic planning for high growth companies.
 
    WILLIAM S. HEYS has served as Senior Vice President, Sales since August
1998, and was Vice President of EarthLink's relationship with Sprint from
January 1998 through August 1998. Prior to joining EarthLink, Mr. Heys founded
the high-tech industry consulting firm BHC & Associates. Before starting BHC,
Mr. Heys served in a variety of executive sales and marketing management
positions at IBM, Wang, Hayes Microcomputer Products and Digital Communications
Associates, Inc.
 
    SIDNEY AZEEZ has been a director since June 1996. During the past five
years, Mr. Azeez has been a private investor. Mr. Azeez founded Ultronic Systems
Corp., which produced a stock and commodity quotation system. He also founded
American Cellular Network, Inc. and Universal Telecell, Inc., cellular telephone
companies, PCS, Inc., a wireless communications company, and several banks in
Colorado and New Jersey. Mr. Azeez is a director of Universal Telecell, Inc. and
Thermal Tech Development, Inc.
 
    WILLIAM T. ESREY has served as a director since June 1998. He has been
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sprint Corporation since 1990, Chief
Executive Officer of Sprint since 1985 and a Director of Sprint since 1985. Mr.
Esrey is the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of
Sprint. He is also a director of Duke Energy Corporation, Exxon Corporation,
Everen Capital Corporation, and General Mills, Inc.
 
    ROBERT M. KAVNER has been a director since June 1996. Since September 1996,
he has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of On Command
Corporation, a provider of on demand video for the hospitality industry. From
1994 through August 1995, he was director of business advisory services for
Creative Artists Agency. From 1984 to 1994, Mr. Kavner held several senior
management positions at AT&T, including Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, Executive Vice President of the Communications Products
Group, Chief Executive Officer of the Multimedia Products and Services Group,
President of the Computer Division, Chairman of the UNIX Systems Laboratory,
Chairman of AT&T Capital Corporation, Chairman of AT&T Paradyne Corporation and
Chairman of AT&T Venture Capital Group. Mr. Kavner also served as a member of
AT&T's Executive Committee. Mr. Kavner serves as a director of Fleet Financial
Group, Ascent Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch, Inc.
 
    LINWOOD A. LACY, JR. has been a director since June 1998. From October 1996
to October 1997, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Micro
Warehouse Incorporated. From 1989 to May 1996, he served as the Co-Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Ingram Micro, Inc., a microcomputer products
distributor and a then wholly-owned subsidiary of Ingram Industries Inc. From
December 1993 to June 1995, Mr. Lacy was also President of Ingram Industries
Inc. From June 1995 until April 1996, he was President and CEO of Ingram
Industries Inc., and from April 1996 to
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
May 1996 served as its Vice Chairman. Mr. Lacy serves as a director of Ingram
Industries Inc. and Entex Information Services, Inc.
 
    PATTI S. MANUEL has been a director since June 1998. Ms. Manuel has served
as President and Chief Operating Officer--Long Distance Division of Sprint
Corporation since February 1998. She has also served as President and Chief
Operating Officer of Sprint L.P. since February 1998. Since May 1997, she has
served as President of Sprint Business, a division of Sprint L.P. From 1994 to
1997, she was President of Sales and Marketing for Sprint Business. She was
named President of Marketing for Sprint Business in 1993.
 
    PAUL MCNULTY has been a director since November 1996. Mr. McNulty has been a
Managing Director of Soros Fund Management LLC ("SFM"), a New York-based
investment firm, since January 1996, and was a Securities Analyst at SFM from
January 1993 until January 1996. Prior to joining SFM, Mr. McNulty was employed
as an Associate at MVP Ventures, a venture capital firm in Boston,
Massachusetts.
 
    KEVIN M. O'DONNELL, one of our co-founders, has been a director since our
inception. Mr. O'Donnell is President of O'Donnell & Associates, a venture
capital firm specializing in emerging high technology companies. In 1982, Mr.
O'Donnell founded Government Technology Services, Inc., a reseller of computer
equipment to the federal government, and from 1982 to 1990 served as its
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President.
 
    REED E. SLATKIN, one of our co-founders, has been a director since its
inception. Mr. Slatkin is a private investor and money manager who has invested
in public and private companies for the last 15 years.
 
    Pursuant to the terms of our Series A convertible preferred stock and the
governance agreement with Sprint, Sprint has the right to elect two individuals
to our Board of Directors for so long as Sprint's equity interest does not
decrease below 20% for three consecutive months. Sprint may also designate one
director to any strategic business planning committee, finance committee and,
subject to certain exceptions, all other committees, if any exist. Sprint has
designated Mr. Esrey and Ms. Manuel as its initial two director representatives.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
 
    Currently, all directors hold office until the next annual meeting of
stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
Our Board of Directors has an audit committee and a compensation committee.
Messrs. Azeez, Kavner and Slatkin are members of the audit committee. Our audit
committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the selection of
independent auditors, reviews the results and scope of audits and other services
provided by our independent auditors and reviews and evaluates our internal
audit and control functions. Messrs. Lacy, O'Donnell and Slatkin are members of
the compensation committee. The compensation committee sets cash and long-term
incentive compensation for executive officers and other key employees of the
Company. The compensation committee also administers the 1995 Stock Option Plan.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    We do not compensate directors for serving on the Board, but we do reimburse
them for the expenses they incur in attending Board and committee meetings. In
addition, non-employee directors are eligible to receive options to purchase
common stock under the Directors Stock Option Plan.
 
TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COUNCIL
 
    Our Technology Advisory Council assists us in predicting and overcoming
long-range technology barriers and helps in attracting talented engineers and
technology executives. Mr. Dayton chairs the
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
Council, which meets quarterly. The following five members, in addition to Mr.
Dayton, currently serve on the Council:
 
    STEWART ALSOP is a partner of New Enterprise Associates, a leading venture
capital firm. In addition, Mr. Alsop writes a column, Alsop's Fables, for Forbes
Magazine. He is also executive producer of Agenda, the annual conference for
senior executives in the computer industry. Previously, Mr. Alsop was the
executive vice president of Infoworld Publishing Company and the former
editor-in-chief of Infoworld. He also founded "PC Letter" and started the Agenda
and Demo conferences.
 
    DAVID FARBER is an Alfred Fitler Moore Professor of Telecommunications
Systems holding appointments in the Computer and Information Science and
Electrical Engineering Departments at the University of Pennsylvania and is the
Director of the Center for Communications and Information Science and Policy.
Mr. Farber is a member of the boards of trustees of the Internet Society and the
Electronic Frontier Foundation.
 
    DR. PHILIP M. NECHES recently retired as Group Technical Officer, Multimedia
Products Group, of Lucent Technologies, Inc. He served as Senior Vice President
and Chief Scientist of NCR Corp. and was Group Technical Officer for NCR Corp.
after its acquisition by AT&T in 1991. Dr. Neches co-founded Teradata
Corporation, a company engaged in commercial parallel computing and large-scale
relational database management systems, and served as its Vice President and
Chief Scientist.
 
    DR. ARNO PENZIAS, a 1978 Nobel Prize recipient, is a partner of New
Enterprise Associates, a leading venture capital firm. Mr. Penzias formerly
served as Chief Scientist at Lucent Technologies, Inc., and previously was head
of research at Bell Laboratories.
 
    CHRISTINE VARNEY, former Federal Trade Commissioner and White House Cabinet
Secretary, specializes in Internet law at the firm of Hogan & Hartson LLP. Ms.
Varney was a key participant in formulating the Clinton administration's
Internet strategies.
 
    Except for Mr. Dayton, we granted Mr. Alsop, Mr. Farber, Mr. Neches and Mr.
Penzias warrants to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock. These warrants vest
in equal quarterly increments over two years and have an exercise price of $5.50
per share except Mr. Alsop's warrants have an exercise price of $5.25 per
share.We granted Ms. Varney warrants to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock
which vest in equal quarterly increments over two years and have an exercise
price of $8.875 per share.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table presents certain information relating to compensation
awarded to, earned by or paid to EarthLink's Chief Executive Officer and each of
the six most highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief
Executive Officer during fiscal 1998 (each of whom we believe will be serving at
the end of fiscal 1998). These executive officers are referred to in this
Prospectus as the "Named Executive Officers."
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
                                                 ANNUAL COMPENSATION          -----------------------
                                         -----------------------------------   SECURITIES UNDERLYING     ALL OTHER
      NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION          YEAR       SALARY       BONUS            OPTIONS (#)        COMPENSATION
- ---------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ------------  -----------------------  -------------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>         <C>           <C>                      <C>
SKY D. DAYTON                                 1998  $  210,025  $  45,052               --                  --
Chairman of the Board of                      1997    $180,000    $45,411               --                  --
Directors (1)                                 1996     153,036     70,006             250,000               --
CHARLES G. BETTY                              1998     299,331     60,182             300,000           $  22,435(2)
President and Chief Executive Officer         1997     240,000     60,621               --                 10,578(3)
                                              1996     220,550     77,635             500,000              24,000(3)
GRAYSON L. HOBERG                             1998     150,017                                              1,038(5)
Senior Vice President, Finance and            1997       8,654                        200,000               --
Administration and Chief Financial
Officer (4)
DAVID R. TOMMELA                              1998     145,616     26,512              20,000               2,373(6)
Senior Vice President, Operations             1997     132,000     26,723               --                  1,218(6)
                                              1996     130,392     34,439              25,000               --
RICHARD D. EDMISTON                           1998     185,021     18,253              20,000               2,636(9)
Vice President, Research and                  1997     185,000     33,398(8)           55,000               1,423(9)
Development (7)
BRINTON O.C. YOUNG                            1998     160,019     29,522             100,000               --
Senior Vice President, Marketing              1997     140,000     29,754               --                  --
                                              1996      73,681     18,409             225,000
WILLIAM S. HEYS                               1998     156,158       --               150,000               --
Senior Vice President (10)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Mr. Dayton served as President until January 15, 1996, when Mr. Betty's
    employment commenced. Mr. Dayton served as Chief Executive Officer until May
    7, 1996, when Mr. Betty was appointed to that position.
 
(2) Consists of reimbursement in 1998 of $19,042 in travel expenses pursuant to
    Mr. Betty's employment agreement and $3,393 in matching contributions made
    to Mr. Betty's account under our 401(k) Plan.
 
(3) Consists of reimbursement in 1997 of $8,363 in travel expenses pursuant to
    Mr. Betty's employment agreement and $2,215 in matching contributions to Mr.
    Betty's account under our 401(k) Plan, and reimbursement in 1996 of $24,000
    of such reimbursable expenses pursuant to Mr. Betty's employment agreement.
 
(4) Mr. Hoberg's employment commenced on December 5, 1997.
 
(5) Consists of matching contributions made to Mr. Hoberg's account under our
    401(k) Plan.
 
(6) Consists of matching contributions made to Mr. Tommela's account under our
    401(k) Plan.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
(7) Mr. Edmiston's employment commenced on January 16, 1997.
 
(8) Includes a signing bonus of $15,000 paid to Dr. Edmiston pursuant to his
    employment agreement with EarthLink and a performance bonus of $18,398.
 
(9) Consists of matching contributions made to Dr. Edmiston's account under
    EarthLink's 401(k) Plan.
 
(10) Mr. Heys' employment commenced on January 2, 1998.
 
STOCK OPTION INFORMATION
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding options granted
in fiscal 1998 to the Named Executive Officers. We do not anticipate granting
additional options prior to the end of 1998.
 
                          OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                             ---------------------------------------------------------   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
                              NUMBER OF     PERCENTAGE OF                                AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                              SECURITIES    TOTAL OPTIONS                               STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
                              UNDERLYING     GRANTED TO       EXERCISE                       THE OPTION TERM(3)
                               OPTIONS      EMPLOYEES IN      PRICE PER    EXPIRATION   ----------------------------
           NAME              GRANTED (#)   FISCAL YEAR(1)     SHARE(2)        DATE           5%             10%
- ---------------------------  ------------  ---------------  -------------  -----------  -------------  -------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>
Sky D. Dayton..............       --             --              --            --            --             --
Grayson L. Hoberg..........       --             --              --            --            --             --
Charles G. Betty...........     150,000(4)          8.3%         22.375      02/10/08   $  11,548,136  $  20,376,494
Charles G. Betty...........     150,000(5)          8.3          22.375      06/05/08      11,548,136     20,376,494
David R. Tommela...........      20,000(6)          1.1          16.063      02/04/08       1,666,001      2,843,116
Richard D. Edmiston........      20,000(6)          1.1          16.063      02/04/08       1,666,001      2,843,116
Brinton O.C. Young.........     100,000(6)          5.5          16.063      02/04/08       8,330,007     14,215,579
William S. Heys............     150,000(7)          8.3          12.875      01/02/08      13,010,636     21,838,994
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The total number of options granted to EarthLink employees in fiscal 1998
    was 1,817,400.
 
(2) The exercise price per share of options granted represented the fair market
    value of the underlying shares of common stock on the dates the respective
    options were granted.
 
(3) Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the
    respective options if exercised at the end of the option term. These gains
    are based on assumed rates of stock price appreciation of 5% and 10%
    compounded annually from the date the respective options were granted to
    their expiration date based upon the closing price of the common stock on
    December 16, 1998, $61.00 per share. These assumptions are not intended to
    forecast future appreciation of our stock price. The potential realizable
    value computation does not take into account federal or state income tax
    consequences of option exercises or sales of appreciated stock.
 
(4) Vests in equal increments of 25% on each December 31 beginning December 31,
    1998.
 
(5) Fully vested.
 
(6) Vests in equal increments of 5% per quarter over the five-year period
    beginning on February 4, 1998.
 
(7) Vests in equal increments of 5% per quarter over the five-year period
    beginning on January 12, 1998.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding stock options
held at December 31, 1998 by the Named Executive Officers.
 
                     OPTION VALUES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  NUMBER OF
                                                            SECURITIES UNDERLYING         VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                             UNEXERCISED OPTIONS        IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS (1)
                                                          --------------------------  ----------------------------
NAME                                                      EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
Sky D. Dayton...........................................      25,000        150,000   $   1,502,250   $ 9,013,500
Charles G. Betty........................................     215,000        360,000       8,948,900    18,440,100
Grayson L. Hoberg.......................................      23,000        160,000       1,199,625     8,325,000
David R. Tommela........................................      12,000         59,500         669,525     3,222,838
Richard D. Edmiston.....................................      11,250         52,750         584,438     2,712,313
Brinton O.C. Young......................................      97,500        197,500       5,303,963    10,133,188
William S. Heys.........................................      21,700        135,300       1,057,088     6,592,913
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The value of unexercised "in-the-money" options represents the difference
    between the exercise price of stock options and $61.00, the closing sales
    price of the common stock on December 16, 1998 (the latest practicable date
    prior to the printing of this prospectus) as reported on the Nasdaq Stock
    Market.
 
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
    CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES VESTING PLAN
 
    In December 1997, the Board of Directors adopted the Convertible Securities
Vesting Plan, (the "Vesting Plan"). Under the Vesting Plan, stock options and
warrants held by certain directors and employees will accelerate upon a "change
in control" of EarthLink. Generally, a change in control includes the sale of
all or substantially all of EarthLink's assets or the acquisition by a person or
"group" (as that term is defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder) of 25% or more of
EarthLink's outstanding voting securities. In February 1998, we amended the
Vesting Plan to specifically exclude the Sprint Transaction as a change in
control.
 
    KEY EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION CONTINUATION PLAN
 
    In January 1998, the Board of Directors adopted the Key Employee
Compensation Continuation Plan (the "Continuation Plan"). Under the Compensation
Plan, employees identified by the Board of Directors as "key" or critical to
EarthLink are entitled to a severance payment equal to 50% of their compensation
(including certain other benefits) for the twelve-month period ending upon their
termination. We adopted the Continuation Plan to attract the highest quality
individuals to become key members of our leadership team and to retain the
high-quality individuals who are presently members of our leadership team.
 
    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
    In April 1998, we amended our existing employment agreement with Mr. Charles
G. Betty. We continue to employ Mr. Betty as President and Chief Executive
Officer at a salary of at least $300,000 per year, plus a $24,000 a year travel
allowance for Mr. Betty and his family, and such other benefits as we generally
make available to our other senior executives. Mr. Betty is entitled, upon the
attainment of specified performance goals, to an annual bonus in the amount
equal to 50% of his base salary. In addition, Mr. Betty will receive a severance
payment equal to 100% of his then current base salary, will
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
receive the full bonus to which he would have otherwise been entitled during the
year in which the termination occurs, and will continue to receive health,
medical, life and liability insurance coverage for one year (i) if we terminate
him for reasons other than "cause" as defined in the agreement, (ii) if we elect
not to extend the term of the employment agreement at the end of the first
three-year term or any yearly extension, or (iii) if Mr. Betty terminates his
employment because of a breach of the employment agreement by us. In connection
with the amended and restated employment agreement, we granted Mr. Betty an
option to purchase an additional 300,000 shares of common stock at an exercise
price of $22.375 per share. In the event of a "change in control," as defined in
the agreement, our termination of Mr. Betty for reasons other than "cause" or if
Mr. Betty terminates his employment because of our breach of the agreement, all
unvested options he holds will vest immediately.
 
1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN AND OTHER OPTION AND WARRANT ISSUANCES
 
    EarthLink's 1995 Stock Option Plan (the "1995 Plan") provides for the grant
to our employees of incentive stock options ("ISOs") within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and nonstatutory
stock options to our employees, officers and directors. Our Board of Directors
and stockholders approved the 1995 Plan in 1995. The total number of shares of
common stock available for issuance under the 1995 Plan as of September 30, 1998
was 1,887,150. If any options granted under the plan are forfeited or terminated
for any reason without being exercised in full, then the unpurchased shares
subject to those options will be available for additional grants under the 1995
Plan.
 
    The compensation committee of the Board of Directors administers the 1995
Plan and determines the terms of options granted, including the exercise price,
the number of shares subject to individual option awards and the vesting period
of such options. The exercise price under any nonstatutory options generally
must be at least 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of
grant. The exercise price under ISOs cannot be lower than 100% of the fair
market value of the common stock on the date of grant and, in the case of ISOs
granted to holders of more than 10% of EarthLink's voting power, not less than
110% of such fair market value. The term of an ISO cannot exceed 10 years, and
the term of an ISO granted to a holder of more than 10% of EarthLink's voting
power cannot exceed five years. As of September 30, 1998, options to purchase
2,907,720 shares of common stock were outstanding under the 1995 Plan at a
weighted average exercise price of $13.275 per share and 1,887,150 shares were
reserved for future option grants under the 1995 Plan. In addition, as of that
date, we had issued non-plan options and warrants to purchase an aggregate of
2,034,106 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $3.28
per share. If not terminated earlier, the 1995 Plan will terminate in 2005.
 
DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN AND OTHER DIRECTOR OPTION ISSUANCES
 
    We have reserved 125,000 shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise
of options granted under our Stock Option Plan for Directors (the "Directors
Plan"). We may grant these options to non-employee directors who do not
beneficially own, or serve as employees, directors or officers of any entity
that beneficially owns 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our capital
stock. Under the Directors Plan, grants of options to purchase 20,000 and 5,000
shares of common stock are automatically made to each non-management director at
the time such person first becomes a member of the Board of Directors and at the
beginning of each fiscal year, respectively. As of September 30, 1998, no
options had been granted under the Directors Plan. If not terminated earlier,
the Directors Plan will terminate in 2006.
 
    Before the Board of Directors adopted the Directors Plan, we issued Messrs.
Kavner and Lacy warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock each, at an
exercise price of $2.42 per share, the amount the Board of Directors determined
equaled the fair market value of a share of common stock. The Board made these
grants in consideration of Messrs. Kavner's and Lacy's agreement to serve on
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
the Board. These warrants vest ratably each year over a five-year period from
January 12, 1996, the date of grant.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
    In September 1995, Reed E. Slatkin, a member of our Board of Directors,
acted as lessee, together with EarthLink, under a $500,000 equipment lease. In
connection with this arrangement, we granted Mr. Slatkin warrants to purchase
100,000 shares of common stock at $0.91 per share. Mr. Slatkin subsequently
transferred one-half of these warrants to Mr. Kevin M. O'Donnell, another
EarthLink director, as consideration for his indemnification of Mr. Slatkin for
certain liabilities arising in connection with the lease.
 
    In January 1996, Mr. Slatkin guaranteed EarthLink's obligations under a $1.5
million lease for network equipment. As consideration for this guarantee, we
issued Mr. Slatkin warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of common stock at an
exercise price of $2.42 per share, the amount the Board of Directors determined
constituted the fair market value of a share of common stock. Kevin M.
O'Donnell, one of our directors, subsequently agreed to indemnify Mr. Slatkin
against certain liabilities arising out of this lease. As consideration for this
agreement, Mr. Slatkin transferred one-half of these warrants to Mr. O'Donnell.
 
    In June 1996, we sold $2,950,000 of our 10% Promissory Notes to 17
purchasers, including certain directors and 5% stockholders. In connection with
this financing, and as additional consideration for these purchasers'
investment, we also issued warrants to purchase 196,680 shares of common stock
having an exercise price of $5.50 per share. The 10% Promissory Notes were due
on or before June 6, 1997 with interest payable monthly until such date. The
warrants are exerciseable for five years commencing on the date of issuance. The
following directors and 5% stockholders participated in this financing: Sidney
Azeez, $200,000 note, 13,334 warrants; Robert M. Kavner, $100,000 note, 6,668
warrants; Kevin M. O'Donnell, $225,000 note, 15,000 warrants; Reed E. Slatkin,
$225,000 note, 15,000 warrants; and Storie Partners, L.P., $300,000 note, 20,000
warrants. The holders of $725,000 of the 10% Promissory Notes, including Messrs.
Slatkin and Abbott and Storie Partners, L.P., converted their indebtedness into
111,534 shares of common stock upon consummation of our initial public offering
in January 1997. At that time, we repaid the remaining balance of the 10%
Promissory Notes.
 
    In September 1997, we sold 2,919,518 shares of common stock at a price of
$5.375 per share to certain purchasers, including, among others, certain
directors and stockholders. The following directors and more than 5%
stockholders (including certain of their family members and affiliates)
participated in this financing: Reed E. Slatkin (111,620 shares); Sidney Azeez
(93,024 shares); Charles G. Betty (20,000 shares); Linwood A. Lacy, Jr. (46,512
shares); Richard D. Edmiston (20,000 shares); Brinton O.C. Young (20,000
shares); and, Quantum Industrial Partners LDC (930,234 shares).
 
    Until October 1997, Linwood A. Lacy, Jr. also served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Micro Warehouse Incorporated ("Micro Warehouse"), one of
EarthLink's affinity marketing partners. For the year ended December 31, 1997,
the Company paid Micro Warehouse approximately $35,200 in bounties for new
EarthLink members generated by Micro Warehouse.
 
    None of the members of the compensation committee of our Board is currently
or has been, at any time since our formation, an officer or employee of
EarthLink. No executive officer serves as a member of the Board of Directors or
compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers
serving on our Board or its compensation committee.
 
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
    In addition to the transactions described under "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation," the SEC requires us to disclose the
following transactions:
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
    John W. Sidgmore, who served on our Board of Directors until June 5, 1998,
also serves as a director and as President and Chief Executive Officer of UUNET,
is our primary provider of Internet dial-up capacity. In connection with our
execution of a new network services agreement with UUNET in May 1996, we issued
UUNET warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of
$10.00 per share. UUNET exercised these warrants in full in March 1998.
 
    In connection with the amendment of our network services agreement with
UUNET, we issued UUNET a $5.0 million convertible promissory note and filled a
vacancy on the Board of Directors with Mr. Sidgmore as a designee of UUNET. This
note and accrued interest was converted into 783,030 shares of common stock in
March 1998 in accordance with its terms. We also granted UUNET certain stock
registration rights identical to those held by most of our then existing
stockholders holding unregistered stock. We paid UUNET approximately $21.9
million in 1997 for network services and for interest under the note.
 
    The UUNET network services agreement requires us to pay certain minimum
amounts to UUNET regardless of usage.
 
    We believe that the foregoing transactions were on terms no less favorable
than we could have obtained from unaffiliated parties. Our policy is that all
transactions by us with officers, directors, more than 5% stockholders and their
affiliates will be entered into only if such transactions are approved by a
majority of disinterested independent directors and are on terms those directors
believe are no less favorable to us than could be obtained from unaffiliated
parties.
 
SPRINT TRANSACTION
 
    In addition to the transactions described under "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Certain Transactions," the Sprint
transaction described under "Strategic Alliance with Sprint" involves
transactions with entities which own greater than 5% of our capital stock and of
which directors Mr. Esrey and Ms. Manuel are affiliates.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The following table contains information concerning (i) those persons whom
we know own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (ii) our
directors, (iii) the Named Executive Officers, (iv) all of our directors and
officers as a group and (v) the selling stockholders. Unless otherwise indicated
in the footnotes below, this information is provided as of November 30, 1998.
The table also does not reflect Sprint's right to purchase an additional 770,083
shares of common stock (assuming the underwriters exercise the over-allotment
option) which Sprint is entitled to purchase upon the closing of the offering
pursuant to certain preemptive rights under the terms of the Sprint transaction.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                                                              SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                                        PRIOR TO OFFERING(2)       SHARES          AFTER OFFERING
                                                      -------------------------     BEING     -------------------------
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS(1)                             NUMBER       PERCENT     OFFERED**      NUMBER       PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------------------  ------------  -----------  -----------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Sky D. Dayton.......................................     2,782,072(3)        9.6
Reed E. Slatkin.....................................     2,128,366(4)        7.3
Kevin M. O'Donnell..................................     1,956,032(5)        6.7
Sidney Azeez........................................       251,560(6)      *
Charles G. Betty....................................       399,234(7)        1.4
Linwood A. Lacy, Jr.................................        91,683(8)      *
Robert M. Kavner....................................       101,162(9)      *
Paul McNulty........................................     1,110,167 10)        3.8
William T. Esrey....................................    11,195,918 11)       30.2
Patti S. Manuel.....................................    11,195,918 12)       30.2
Brinton O.C. Young..................................       133,750 13)      *
Dr. Richard D. Edmiston.............................        33,000 14)      *
Grayson L. Hoberg...................................        43,000 15)      *
David R. Tommela....................................        24,000 16)      *
William S. Heys.....................................        32,800 17)      *
Sprint Corporation..................................    11,195,918 18)       30.2
All directors and executive officers as a group (15
  persons)..........................................    19,162,587 19)       50.0
 
<CAPTION>
 
OTHER SELLING STOCKHOLDERS(1)
- ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
 
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
   * Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of our common stock.
 
  ** The underwriters will permit up to 500,000 shares to be sold by selling
     stockholders pursuant to certain registration rights agreements.
     Stockholders have until December 31, 1998 to notify us of their intentions
     to sell. As such, we are unable to identify the selling stockholders as of
     the date of this prospectus.
 
 (1) Except as otherwise indicated by footnote (i) the named person has sole
     voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock
     shown as beneficially owned, and (ii) the address of the named person is
     that of EarthLink.
 
 (2) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC,
     based on factors including voting and investment power with respect to
     shares, subject to applicable community property laws. Shares of common
     stock subject to options or warrants exercisable within 60 days
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
     of November 30, 1998 are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing
     the percentage ownership of the person holding such options or warrants,
     but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of
     any other person.
 
 (3) Includes options to purchase 12,500 shares of common stock.
 
 (4) Includes (i) warrants to purchase 365,000 shares of common stock and (ii)
     24,148 shares of common stock held in trust for Mr. Slatkin's minor
     children.
 
 (5) Includes (i) 15,076 shares of common stock by Mr. O'Donnell's son, and (ii)
     warrants to purchase 365,000 shares of common stock. Mr. O'Donnell
     disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock held by his
     son and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options held
     by his son.
 
 (6) Includes 62,503 shares of common stock held by Mr. Azeez's family.
 
 (7) Includes options to purchase 232,500 shares of common stock.
 
 (8) Includes options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock.
 
 (9) Includes warrants to purchase 6,668 shares of common stock and options to
     purchase 60,000 shares of common stock.
 
 (10) Includes 933,140 shares held of common stock by Quantum Industrial
      Partners LDC whom Mr. McNulty represents on the Company's Board, and
      177,027 shares of common stock held by Soros Fund Management LLC for whom
      Mr. McNulty serves as Managing Director. Mr. McNulty disclaims beneficial
      ownership of such shares.
 
 (11) Includes 2,990,036 shares of common stock and 4,102,941 shares of Series A
      convertible preferred stock convertible into 8,205,882 shares of common
      stock beneficially owned by Sprint and which Mr. Esrey may be deemed to
      beneficially own.
 
 (12) Includes 2,990,036 shares of common stock and 4,102,941 shares of Series A
      convertible preferred stock convertible into 8,205,882 shares of common
      stock beneficially owned by Sprint and which Ms. Manuel may be deemed to
      beneficially own.
 
 (13) Includes options to purchase 113,750 shares of common stock.
 
 (14) Includes options to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock.
 
 (15) Represents options to purchase 28,000 shares of common stock.
 
 (16) Represents options to purchase 14,250 shares of common stock.
 
 (17) Includes options to purchase 28,000 shares of common stock and warrants to
      purchase 1,800 shares of common stock.
 
 (18) Includes 8,205,882 shares of common stock into which Sprint's Series A
      convertible preferred stock would have been convertible on the date of
      purchase by Sprint assuming acceleration of certain dividend rights. The
      Series A convertible preferred stock is not convertible until one year
      following the consummation of the offer. Sprint's address is 2330 Shawnee
      Mission Parkway, Westwood, Kansas 66205.
 
 (19) Includes (i) options and warrants to purchase 1,262,468 shares of common
      stock, and (ii) 663,364 shares of common stock owned by family members or
      affiliates of certain members of the group.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    Our authorized capital stock consists of (i) 50 million shares of common
stock, $0.01 par value per share, and (ii) 25 million shares of preferred stock,
$0.01 par value per share. As of September 30, 1998, and giving effect to this
offering, 30,521,321 shares of common stock and 4,102,941 shares of preferred
stock (convertible into 8,205,882 shares of common stock assuming acceleration
of certain rights) were outstanding. The following summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation, which is filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    Under the Delaware General Corporation Law and the our Certificate of
Incorporation, holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of
directors. The common stock carries no preemptive rights and is not convertible,
redeemable or assessable. The holders of common stock are entitled to dividends
in such amounts and at such times as may be declared by the Board of Directors
out of funds legally available therefor. See "Dividend Policy." Upon our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled
to ratably receive our net assets available after payment or provision for
payment of all debts and other liabilities subject to prior rights of holders of
preferred stock then outstanding, if any. All shares of common stock outstanding
immediately following the offering made by this prospectus will be fully paid
and non-assessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 25 million
shares of preferred stock, of which 10 million have been designated as Series A
convertible preferred stock pursuant to a Certificate of Designation of which
4,102,941 shares were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 1998. All
issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock are held by Sprint.
The undesignated and unissued preferred stock may be issued from time to time in
one or more series, and the Board of Directors, without further approval of the
stockholders, is authorized to fix the dividend rights and terms, conversion
rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences,
sinking funds and any other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions
applicable to each such series of preferred stock. The issuance of additional
shares of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with
possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things,
adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock and, under
certain circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control
of EarthLink, discourage bids for the common stock at a premium, or otherwise
adversely affect the market price of the common stock. The potential issuance of
additional shares of Series A preferred stock to Sprint as a result of this
offering may have similar effects.
 
    The following is a summary of the terms of the Series A stock, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Designation, which
is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is
a part.
 
    GENERAL; DIVIDEND RIGHTS
 
    Sprint owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred
stock. In addition, the Certificate of Designation provides that we may
originally issue shares of Series A Preferred only to Sprint. The Series A
Preferred stockholders are entitled to receive dividends at a rate per annum of
3% of the Liquidation Value of such shares (as defined below), compounded
quarterly. For a period of five years from the initial issuance date of the
Series A preferred stock (the "Issuance Date"), such dividends are payable "in
kind" by way of an increase in the Liquidation Value of the shares and
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
thereafter are payable in cash. Moreover, upon our optional redemption of the
Series A preferred stock or the consummation of certain business combination
transactions during such five year period, the holders of the Series A preferred
stock are entitled to receive an accelerated "in kind" dividend for the entire
initial five year period (the "Acceleration Dividend"). Beginning on the sixth
year after the Issuance Date, holders of Series A convertible preferred stock
are entitled to receive cumulative quarterly cash dividends of 3% annually.
Beginning on the 21st year after the Issuance Date, holders of the Series A
preferred stock are entitled to cumulative quarterly cash dividends of 8% of the
Liquidation Value per share, increasing annually to a maximum rate of 12%.
 
    LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
 
    The Certificate of Designation provides that the holders of Series A
preferred stock will receive, prior to any payment or distribution in respect of
other shares of our capital stock, an amount per share equal to the average
market value of the common stock measured over the thirty day period ending on
the Issuance Date (the "Average Stock Price"), plus all accrued and unpaid
dividends on such share, whether in cash or in kind (such amount, the
"Liquidation Value")
 
    CONVERSION RIGHTS
 
    Beginning on the first anniversary of the Issuance Date, each share of
Series A preferred stock is convertible into such number of shares of common
stock as is determined by dividing the Liquidation Value by the "Conversion
Price" in effect at such time. For the five year period following the Issuance
Date, the Conversion Price is equal to the Average Stock Price multiplied by
116.118%. Thereafter, the Conversion Price is increased annually by 6%,
accruable quarterly. The Conversion Price is also subject to adjustment based on
changes in capitalization of the common stock such as stock splits, stock
dividends and the like. Although conversion of the Series A preferred stock is
at the holder's option, conversion is required in the event the Company
consummates certain business combination transactions.
 
    OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY THE COMPANY
 
    Beginning on the third anniversary of the Issuance Date, we may elect to
redeem the outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock at a redemption price
per share equal to the Liquidation Value of such share (including the
Acceleration Dividend described above), multiplied by a specified percentage.
The specified percentage is initially equal to 103%, and will be reduced by 1%
annually in each of the subsequent three years, and thereafter will be equal to
100%.
 
    VOTING RIGHTS
 
    The Series A preferred stockholders do not possess general voting rights
together with holders of common stock. However, the Series A preferred
stockholders are separately entitled to elect two of our directors (the
"Investor Directors"). This right terminates as to one of the Investor Directors
if Sprint fails to maintain at least a 20% equity interest in EarthLink (on a
fully diluted basis, subject to adjustment) for any three consecutive months,
and will terminate as to both of the Investor Directors if Sprint fails to
maintain at least a 10% equity interest over the same period. The Certificate of
Designation also requires a separate vote of 66 2/3% of the then-outstanding
shares of Series A preferred stock in certain limited situations, including our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or our taking certain actions which
would adversely affect the rights of the holders of the Series A preferred stock
as a class.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
CERTAIN CHARTER AND BYLAW PROVISIONS
 
    We are subject to the "business combination" statute of the Delaware General
Corporation Law. This statute prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation
from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a
period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person
became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in
a prescribed manner, such as the approval of a majority of certain members of
the Board of Directors. The term "business combination" includes mergers and
stock and asset sales. An "interested stockholder" is a person who, together
with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 15% or
more of the corporation's voting stock. The effect of this statute could, among
other things, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of us,
discourage bids for the common stock at a premium or otherwise adversely affect
the market price of the common stock.
 
GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT
 
    GENERAL
 
    In connection with the Sprint strategic alliance, entered into a Governance
Agreement with Sprint. The Governance Agreement establishes certain terms and
conditions concerning our corporate governance, the acquisition and disposition
of our equity securities by Sprint, Sprint L.P. and any of their respective
affiliates (collectively, the "Affiliated Equity Holders"), the Affiliated
Equity Holders' rights to make offers to purchase all of our outstanding
securities not owned by them and the rights of our Board of Directors to
solicit, receive and entertain offers to effect business combinations, all as
more particularly described in the Governance Agreement. The following summary
of the Governance Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
actual Governance Agreement, which is attached as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part.
 
    CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
    The Governance Agreement establishes that the Board of Directors will
determine our fundamental policies and strategic direction. Consistent with the
voting rights granted to the holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred, the
Governance Agreement provides for Sprint's designation of two "Investor
Directors." Following conversion or redemption of the Series A Convertible
Preferred into common stock, we are obliged to elect the Investor Directors (as
defined in the Governance Agreement) to the Boards of Directors. In addition,
the Governance Agreement permits one Investor Director to participate on any
strategic business planning committee, finance committee or other significant
committee of the Board of Directors, to the extent those committees exist. If
there is no such committee, the Governance Agreement allows Sprint a reasonable
opportunity to review and discuss our strategic and business plans and financing
plans with the management of the Company prior to the submission of any such
plan to the Board of Directors, and to receive advance copies of information and
materials to be provided to the Board of Directors with respect to such matters.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Investor Director is entitled to participate
on any committee of our Board of Directors or the board of any significant
subsidiary created for the purpose of considering a Business Combination (as
defined in the Governance Agreement) or any matter related thereto, or to
participate in the Board's deliberations with respect to any of the foregoing.
Consistent with the voting rights granted to the holders of the Series A
preferred stock, Sprint is entitled to designate two Investor Directors for so
long as it holds 20% or more of our fully diluted shares outstanding (subject to
adjustment for certain dilutive events, the "Higher Threshold"), and one
Investor Director for so long as it holds 10% or more of our fully diluted
shares outstanding (subject to adjustment for certain dilutive events, the
"Lower Threshold").
 
    At such time as the Series A preferred stock has been converted into common
stock, the Governance Agreement obligates us to use best efforts to solicit
proxies from our stockholders in favor
 
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of Sprint's Investor Director nominees. The Governance Agreement also obligates
the Affiliated Equity Holders to vote in favor of any other nominee or director
selected by our Board in accordance with the agreement. The voting obligations
of Affiliated Equity Holders under the Governance Agreement are supported by an
irrevocable proxy granted by Sprint and Sprint L.P. to us and our subsidiary,
EarthLink Operations.
 
    For so long as "Sprint's Percentage Interest" (a term that measures the
Affiliated Equity Holders' combined equity stake in the Company, including their
ownership of both common stock and Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
expressed as a percentage of our fully-diluted stock outstanding) is greater
than the Lower Threshold, we are prohibited by the Governance Agreement and the
Certificate of Designation from taking or authorizing certain actions without
the concurrence of all Investor Directors serving in such capacity at that time.
These actions include (i) the execution or performance of certain corporate acts
or transactions that would impose limitations on the rights of, or deny certain
benefits to, the Affiliated Equity Holders; (ii) the issuance of any class or
series of our stock that provides for voting rights in excess of one vote per
share; (iii) certain events involving the dissolution or liquidation of the
Company or any subsidiary thereof, or the commencement by or with respect to
EarthLink or any subsidiary thereof of certain bankruptcy or bankruptcy-related
events or proceedings; (iv) the conduct by EarthLink or any significant
subsidiary of business substantially outside its current general field of
enterprise; or (v) our issuance of equity securities in connection with joint
ventures, strategic alliances, acquisitions, mergers and other business
combination transactions ("Transaction Securities") representing (A) in any
twelve-month period, in one or more transactions, 50% or more of the number of
shares of common stock outstanding prior to giving effect to such issuances, or
(B) in any one transaction, 35% or more of the number of shares of common stock
outstanding prior to giving effect to such issuance.
 
    EQUITY PURCHASES FROM THE COMPANY; SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
 
    So long as Sprint's Percentage Interest is greater than 17.8%, subject to
adjustment for certain dilutive events and for our incurrence of indebtedness
under the Convertible Debt Financing (the "Top-Up Threshold"), the Affiliated
Equity Holders have certain anti-dilution and subscription rights pursuant to
the Governance Agreement. In addition to their rights to subscribe for our stock
directly from us, the Affiliated Equity Holders may effect their anti-dilution
rights by making purchases of our equity securities ("Equity Securities") at any
time from any person other than us as long as, after giving effect to such
purchases, Sprint's Percentage Interest is less than or equal to the "Pro Rata
Share," a formula that limits the maximum equity stake in the Company that the
Affiliated Equity Holders may have. The Pro Rata Share, which adjusts only upon
the incurrence of indebtedness by EarthLink under the Convertible Debt
Financing, has been established, as of the date of the Governance Agreement, at
an amount equal to 0.278.
 
    Upon proposing to issue any new Equity Securities other than new Equity
Securities that are Transaction Securities ("New Securities"), if Sprint's
Percentage Interest is greater than the Top-Up Threshold, we must provide Sprint
written notice of our intent to effect such issuance at least five business days
prior to the date on which the meeting of our Board of Directors is to be held
to authorize such issuance. For a period of ten business days after Sprint's
receipt of such notice, Sprint has the right to purchase the Pro Rata Share of
such issuance and, if it does so, the New Securities offered pursuant to such
notice shall be issued and sold to Sprint by EarthLink at the same times and on
the same terms and conditions as the New Securities are issued and sold to third
parties. If for any reason the issuance of such New Securities to third parties
is not consummated, Sprint's right to purchase its Pro Rata Share of such
issuance shall lapse.
 
    As noted above, Sprint's general subscription rights generally do not apply
to the issuance of our securities in connection with a transaction such as a
merger or acquisition "Transaction Securities." However, if we determine that
Sprint's Percentage Interest has decreased by five percent or more as a
 
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result of issuances of Transaction Securities, we must notify Sprint of such
event. In addition, not later than the second anniversary of Sprint's receipt of
that notice (the "Window Period"), we are obligated to make written offers
(each, a "Primary Share Offer") to Sprint to purchase, in the aggregate, a
number of shares sufficient to enable Sprint to bring Sprint's Percentage
Interest up to the amount in effect prior to the issuances of Transaction
Securities. The number of shares we are obligated to offer pursuant to such
provision is defined in the Governance Agreement as the "Available Top-Up
Shares" and the aggregate number of Available Top-Up Shares resulting from all
issuances of Transaction Securities is defined as the "Aggregate Number of
Top-Up Shares." Sprint may accept a Primary Share Offer within five business
days of its receipt thereof, and the offer is to be made at a purchase price
equal to an average stock price for common stock for the ten trading days prior
to the date of such issuance, less the underwriting discount applied in the most
recent underwritten offering of common stock. If we determine that Sprint's
Percentage Interest has decreased by 0.10 or more solely as a result of the
issuance of Transaction Securities (after giving effect to any and all Primary
Share Offers), the Window Period shall be accelerated such that we shall be
obligated to make one or more Primary Share Offers with respect to not less than
the Aggregate Number of Top-Up Shares, as then calculated, at the earlier of (i)
the expiration of the Window Period, as determined above, or (ii) six months
after the date Sprint receives notice to that effect from us. Notwithstanding
anything else in the Governance Agreement to the contrary, in no event are we
obligated to make Sprint a Primary Share Offer that, after giving effect to such
transaction, would cause Sprint's Percentage Interest to exceed the Pro Rata
Share. In addition, with respect to a purchase of New Securities pursuant to the
exercise of anti-dilution rights discussed above, Sprint may, at its option,
purchase New Securities in the form of "Alternative Securities" convertible into
the applicable number of shares of common stock. "Alternative Securities" are
defined as shares of a new series of Preferred Stock having terms that are
structured and priced in the same manner as the Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock. Such terms are determined, if applicable, by reference to the average
stock price for a share of common stock for the 30 trading days prior to the
date of issuance of such Alternative Securities. Sprint's purchase of New
Securities in the form of Alternative Securities are limited (i) to not more
than 75% of any issuance of New Securities from the Closing to the second
anniversary thereof, (ii) to not more than 66.67% of any issuance of New
Securities after the second anniversary of the Closing until the third
anniversary thereof and (iii) after the third anniversary, we are not obligated
to issue any New Securities in the form of Alternative Securities.
 
    STANDSTILL PROVISIONS
 
    The Governance Agreement sets forth certain "Standstill Provisions"
applicable to Affiliated Equity Holders. These Standstill Provisions are
summarized below. For additional information concerning the survival of the
Standstill Provisions following termination of the Governance Agreement.
 
    Except for purchases of shares and related activities by Sprint otherwise
permitted under the Governance Agreement, the Affiliated Equity Holders may not,
directly or indirectly, (i) acquire, offer to acquire or agree to acquire any
Equity Securities, or any equity securities of any subsidiary of the Company, or
our or our subsidiaries' material assets; (ii) make or participate in any
"solicitation" of proxies or otherwise seek to influence any person with respect
to the voting of any voting Equity Securities; (iii) make any public
announcement with respect to, or submit a proposal for, or offer to effect any
purchase of any significant portion of the assets of EarthLink or any subsidiary
or division of EarthLink, any tender or exchange offer for any Equity
Securities, or a merger, consolidation or other extraordinary transaction
involving us or any of its Equity Securities; (iv) form, join or in any way
participate in a "group" as defined in Rule 13d-5(b) under the Exchange Act; or
(v) request us or any of our representatives to amend or waive any provision of
the foregoing.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
    In addition, Sprint may not, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any Equity Securities except (i) pursuant to a registered
underwritten public offering in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement, (ii) in accordance with certain expectations under the Securities
Act, and (iii) to any direct or indirect subsidiary of Sprint. In addition,
notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Affiliated Equity Holders may sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any equity interest in any Equity Securities to
any purchaser or group of purchasers if, after giving effect to such sale, such
purchaser or group of purchasers would, to Sprint's knowledge, own, or have the
right to acquire, 5% or more of the Equity Securities then outstanding, except
to any person that is not obligated (or would not, by virtue of such purchase,
reasonably be anticipated to be obligated) to file a Schedule 13D with the SEC
pursuant to each of paragraphs (b) and (e) of Rule 13d-1 under the Exchange Act.
 
    PURCHASES OF ADDITIONAL EQUITY SECURITIES; BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
 
    Following the 39-month anniversary and prior to the 63-month anniversary of
the Closing of the Merger (the "Right to Offer Period"), Sprint shall have the
right to make a "Sprint Offer," by offering to purchase all (but not less than
all) of the outstanding Equity Securities that it does not already own at a
price per share equal to the per share price determined by dividing the "Fair
Private Market Value" by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding
on a fully-diluted basis. The "Fair Private Market Value" is defined as the
aggregate private market equity value (including control premium) that an
unrelated third party would pay if it were to acquire all of our outstanding
Equity Securities (including Equity Securities held by the Affiliated Equity
Holders) in an arm's length transaction, assuming (i) that all credible buyers
are given an equal opportunity by EarthLink to make and effectuate an
"Acquisition Proposal" (as defined by the Governance Agreement) with respect to
us, (ii) the absence of any commercial relations between us and EarthLink
Operating Subsidiary, on the one hand, and Sprint and its affiliates, on the
other hand, and (iii) the absence of any ownership stake in us by the Affiliated
Equity Holders. The Fair Private Market Value is to be determined as follows:
the respective Boards of the Company and Sprint shall negotiate the amount of
the Fair Private Market Value to be paid pursuant to the Sprint Offer; in the
event the two parties are unable to agree on this amount, within 30 days after
submission of the Sprint Offer to our Board of Directors, the parties shall
agree to be bound to the valuation arrived at pursuant to the following formula:
(i) two appraisals shall be made by recognized investment banks, one selected by
each of Sprint and EarthLink (the "Initial Values"), (ii) if the lower of the
Initial Values is more than 10% less than the higher, a third independent
valuation will be made by an investment bank jointly selected by us and Sprint
(the "Independent Valuation"); otherwise, the Fair Private Market Value shall be
the average of the Initial Values; and (iii) if the Independent Valuation is
greater or less than the average of the Initial Values by more than 5%, the Fair
Private Market Value shall be deemed to equal the average of the two closest
valuations. If the Independent Valuation does not differ by such amount, it
shall be the Fair Private Market Value.
 
    A Sprint Offer shall not be subject to any financing contingency, and shall
be reflected in a form of definitive agreement that Sprint is prepared to
execute. The conditions to consummation of the Sprint Offer and the
representations and warranties set forth therein shall be reasonable and
customary for transactions in which a similarly situated stockholder offers to
purchase all of the Equity Securities not held by such stockholder or its
affiliates.
 
    Our Board of Directors shall have a one-time right, exercisable within 14
days after receipt of the Sprint Offer, to postpone the making of that offer for
nine months. Upon exercise of such right, Sprint is obligated to withdraw the
Sprint Offer for a period of nine months, provided that (i) the Right to Offer
Period shall be extended to the 72-month anniversary of the closing of the
Merger and (ii) our exercise of our postponement right shall not limit Sprint's
right to respond to a "Third-Party Offer" as set forth below.
 
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<PAGE>
    In addition, upon the determination of the amount of the Fair Private Market
Value, Sprint shall be obligated to commence and effectuate a Sprint Offer,
provided that Sprint shall, subject to certain limitations, have a one-time
right, exercisable within 14 days after receipt of the determination of Fair
Private Market Value, to determine not to proceed to make such Sprint Offer. If
Sprint does not exercise this right, our Board of Directors shall, unless an
"Intervening Offer" (as defined below) is then outstanding, (i) support the
Sprint Offer by approving and recommending it to our stockholders and (ii) cause
us to take all steps reasonable and necessary to facilitate consummation of such
Sprint Offer. However, at such time as a "Third-Party Offer" shall constitute an
Intervening Offer, Sprint shall be released from its obligation to commence and
effectuate the Sprint Offer, and we shall be released from our obligation to
support and facilitate consummation of the Sprint Offer. If the Intervening
Offer is undertaken in the form of a tender offer, at the consummation of such
tender offer, the offeror shall have an option to purchase from all Affiliated
Equity Holders, at the tender offer price, in the aggregate, a "Specified Number
of Equity Securities" (a number of Equity Securities owned by Affiliated Equity
Holders equal to the proportion of Equity Securities held by unaffiliated equity
holders and tendered into or voted for a competing Business Combination), less
the number of Equity Securities that have already been tendered to such offeror.
In addition, if the Intervening Offer (or a related matter) must be approved by
our stockholders in order for such offer to be effectuated, the Affiliated
Equity Holders are obligated, subject to certain limited exceptions, to cast in
favor of the Intervening Offer (and such related matters) such number of votes
as is equal to the Specified Number of Equity Securities. Affiliated Equity
Holders are not entitled to exercise rights of appraisal with respect to any
Business Combination effected in connection with an Intervening Offer.
 
    The Governance Agreement defines an "Intervening Offer" as an offer for
aggregate consideration reasonably determined in good faith by our Board to be
in excess of the aggregate consideration proposed to be paid by Sprint in a
Sprint Offer or a "Qualified Offer" by Sprint (as defined below), as applicable.
The conditions to consummation of an Intervening Offer and the representations,
warranties and covenants set forth in the Intervening Offer shall be customary
for a transaction of that type.
 
    THIRD-PARTY OFFERS
 
    We are obligated to provide Sprint with prompt written notice of its receipt
of a bona fide, written offer to effect a Business Combination from a third
party (an "Offer"). Upon receipt of such Offer, the Board is to determine
whether it intends to recommend that Offer to the stockholders (a "Recommended
Third-Party Offer") or that such offer is not in the best interests of our
stockholders, in which event it intends not to recommend such offer to the
stockholders (a "Non-Recommended Third-Party Offer" and, together with a
Recommended Third-Party Offer, a "Third-Party Offer").
 
    For a period of ten days following the giving of notice of receipt of an
Offer, we may not enter into a definitive agreement with respect to that Offer.
Sprint has an option to make a "Qualified Offer" with respect to either (i) an
Offer that is a Recommended Third-Party Offer or (ii) an Offer that is a
Non-Recommended Third-Party Offer if the Board of Sprint reasonably determines
that the conditions to the Non-Recommended Third-Party Offer are reasonably
likely to be satisfied and the Offer consummated. A "Qualified Offer" is defined
as an offer made by an Affiliated Equity Holder to acquire all of the Equity
Securities not already owned by the Affiliated Equity Holders at a price per
share in excess of the equivalent per share price set forth in a Third-Party
Offer or an Intervening Offer, as the case may be. A Qualified Offer shall be
reflected in a form of definitive agreement that the Affiliated Equity Holder is
prepared to execute, and the conditions to consummation of such offer and the
representations, warranties and covenants set forth in it shall be customary for
transactions in which a similarly situated stockholder offers to purchase all of
the Equity Securities not held by such stockholder and may not, in any event, be
more onerous in any material respect than those set forth in the Third-Party
Offer or the Intervening Offer, as the case may be.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
    We may not adopt any takeover defenses, enter into any agreement or take any
other action in connection with a Recommended Third-Party Offer that would
materially impair an Affiliated Equity Holder's ability to make and consummate a
Qualified Offer or materially increase such Affiliated Equity Holder's cost of
consummating a Qualified Offer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company is
permitted to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Recommended
Third-Party Offer that provides for a termination fee not to exceed 3% of the
consideration to be received per share of common stock multiplied by the number
of shares our common stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis (less the number
of shares beneficially owned by the offering party), plus customary fees and
expenses. Nevertheless, the definitive agreement with respect to such
Recommended Third-Party Offer must provide that such fees and expenses shall not
be payable if Sprint makes a Qualified Offer within 72 hours of the first public
announcement of such Recommended Third-Party Offer.
 
    If Sprint has the option to make a Qualified Offer and does so more than
five days prior to the date of a stockholders' meeting held to consider a
Third-Party Offer or an Intervening Offer, the Board of Directors shall, unless
an Intervening Offer is then outstanding, support the Qualified Offer by
approving and recommending it to our stockholders and cause us to take all steps
reasonable and necessary to facilitate consummation of the Qualified Offer.
However, at such time as a Third-Party Offer made subsequent to a Qualified
Offer shall constitute an Intervening Offer, our obligations to support and
facilitate a Qualified Offer shall terminate and we shall be free to consider
and act upon such Intervening Offer. Sprint is nonetheless entitled, at any time
prior to consummation of the Intervening Offer, to make another Qualified Offer,
and in such event, the most recent Third-Party Offer shall cease to constitute
an Intervening Offer.
 
    If a Recommended Third-Party Offer or an Intervening Offer is undertaken in
the form of a tender offer, at the consummation of such tender offer, the
offeror shall have an option to purchase from all Affiliated Equity Holders, at
the tender offer price, in the aggregate, a Specified Number of Equity
Securities, less the number of Equity Securities that have already been tendered
to such offeror. In addition, if a Recommended Third-Party Offer or an
Intervening Offer, as the case may be (or a related matter), must be approved by
our stockholders in order for such offer to be effectuated, the Affiliated
Equity Holders are obligated, subject to certain limited exceptions, to cast in
favor of such offer (and such related matter) such number of votes as is equal
to the Specified Number of Equity Securities. Affiliated Equity Holders are not
entitled to exercise rights of appraisal with respect to any Business
Combination effected in connection with a Recommended Third-Party Offer or
Intervening Offer.
 
    The Governance Agreement defines "Business Combination" to mean a
transaction, undertaken in any form whatsoever, involving (i) the purchase or
acquisition of Equity Securities if the consummation of such transaction would
result in the purchaser beneficially owning 35% or more of the Equity Securities
outstanding, or (ii) a merger, consolidation, combination or other extraordinary
transaction with respect to the Company in which, upon consummation thereof, the
shareholders or owners of the other entity that is a party thereto, or the
controlling persons thereof, would acquire beneficial ownership of 50% or more
of the Equity Securities outstanding. The term Business Combination includes a
"Significant Sale," which means the sale of our assets or of any subsidiary or
the sale of capital stock of any subsidiary by us, in any such case, for which
the consideration proposed to be paid in such transaction represents 35% or more
of our market capitalization on the date we agree to such sale.
 
    SOLICITATION OF OFFERS
 
    From the closing date of the Merger until the earlier of the 27-month
anniversary of such date or the termination of the Governance Agreement in
accordance with its terms, we may not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or
initiate, or encourage the submission of, any "Acquisition Proposal" (as defined
below), or (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or
take any action that may
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
reasonably be expected to lead to any Acquisition Proposal. However, to the
extent required by the fiduciary obligations of the Board of Directors, as
determined in good faith by the Board based on the advice of outside counsel, we
may (A) furnish information in response to any unsolicited requests therefor and
discuss such information, (B) upon our receipt of an Acquisition Proposal,
following delivery to Sprint of notice thereof, participate in negotiations
regarding such Acquisition Proposal and (C) enter into an agreement respecting
such Acquisition Proposal or any related agreements or take any other action
ancillary thereto.
 
    After the 27-month anniversary of the closing date of the Merger and until
the earlier of the 39-month anniversary of such date or the termination of the
Governance Agreement in accordance with its terms, we may not, directly or
indirectly, take any of the actions identified in the prior paragraph except
through an investment banking firm we formally engage for such purpose;
provided, that 30 days prior to engaging an investment banking firm for that
purpose, we shall notify Sprint of our intention to effect such engagement, and
Sprint shall be permitted to prepare and make a Sprint Offer for so long as such
investment banking firm remains engaged by EarthLink for that specific purpose.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Sprint Offer, and unless an
Intervening Offer is then outstanding, Sprint is entitled to pursue any such
Sprint Offer for so long as necessary to permit it to be consummated. We are
obligated to furnish Sprint with copies of all information provided by the
Company to such investment banking firm at the time such information is provided
to such firm, subject to Sprint entering into a customary confidentiality
agreement with respect to that information.
 
    Our Board of Directors is obligated to (i) promptly notify Sprint in writing
of (A) its receipt of an Acquisition Proposal, (B) any inquiries or discussions
that may reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, (C) our
execution of a confidentiality agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal
or (D) the furnishing of any confidential information in contemplation of an
Acquisition Proposal, whether or not pursuant to a confidentiality agreement;
(ii) describe the terms and conditions of any Acquisition Proposal in reasonable
detail; (iii) provide to Sprint copies of any definitive agreements with respect
to any Acquisition Proposal and any confidentiality agreements with respect
thereto; and (iv) subject to Sprint's obligation to hold such information in
strict confidence, make available to Sprint all information made available to
the party making the Acquisition Proposal at the same time it is provided to
such party.
 
    An "Acquisition Proposal" means any proposal for a tender or exchange offer,
a merger, consolidation, share exchange or other business combination, in which
we are a constituent party to such transaction, or a sale of securities (other
than Transaction Securities), recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or
similar transaction involving us, or any proposal or offer to acquire in any
manner, directly or indirectly, a material equity interest in, or a material
amount of voting securities (with the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 20%
or more of the voting Equity Securities being deemed to be material for this
purpose) or assets of, EarthLink. In addition, a "Material Sale," defined as any
proposal involving the sale of our assets or any subsidiary or the sale of
capital stock of any subsidiary, in any such case, for which the consideration
proposed to be paid in such transaction represents 20% or more of the market
capitalization on the date we receive such proposal, is also deemed to
constitute an Acquisition Proposal.
 
    Subject to certain exceptions, we are obligated under the Governance
Agreement not to take any action or omit to take any action that would result in
(i) any Affiliated Equity Holder being deemed an "Acquiring Person" or similar
designation under any stockholders' rights plan, (ii) any Affiliated Equity
Holder being prejudiced under any applicable state takeover statute, including
Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iii) otherwise causing
any takeover defense to materially impair or obstruct, or prevent (either
legally or financially) the exercise by any Affiliated Equity Holder of rights
granted under Article IV of the Governance Agreement.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
    STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT; IRREVOCABLE PROXIES
 
    In order to provide for enforcement of certain aspects of the Governance
Agreement, Sprint and the following EarthLink principal stockholders have
entered into a Stockholders' Agreement: Sky Dayton, Chairman of the Board of
Directors; Quantum Industrial Partners LDC; Reed Slatkin, a Director of the
Company; Kevin M. O'Donnell, a Director of the Company; Sidney Azeez, a Director
of the Company; and George Soros. Further, in order to provide for enforcement
of the Stockholders' Agreement and certain other provisions of the Governance
Agreement requiring the Affiliated Equity Holders to vote their voting Equity
Securities in a certain manner, Sprint has provided us an Irrevocable Proxy.
 
    TERMINATION; SURVIVAL
 
    The Governance Agreement terminates at the earliest to occur of the
following: (i) such time as Sprint's Percentage Interest is greater than 90% or
less than the Lower Threshold; (ii) the expiration of the Right to Offer Period;
(iii) the first date on which any person or "group" as defined in Rule 13d-5(b)
of the Exchange Act is determined (A) to beneficially own or control more than
35% of the Equity Securities outstanding by virtue of the acquisition of such
securities pursuant to a Third-Party Offer, provided the rights granted and
process contemplated by Article IV of the Governance Agreement have been
observed and effected in accordance with the terms thereof or (B) to
beneficially own or control 50% or more of the voting Equity Securities
outstanding; (iv) upon the termination of our Marketing and Distribution
Agreement with Sprint in accordance with certain of its provisions; or (v) upon
the exercise of registration rights (demand or incidental) by any "Holder" of
"Registrable Securities" under the Registration Rights Agreement entered into in
connection with the Sprint Transaction.
 
    Notwithstanding the termination of the Governance Agreement, until the sixth
anniversary of the closing date of the Merger, and thereafter for as long as
Sprint's Percentage Interest is greater than the Lower Threshold, Sprint shall
still be subject to the Standstill Provisions described above, and shall still
have certain governance and anti-dilution rights under the Governance Agreement.
In such event, the Standstill Provisions and such other provisions (as well as
any definitional provisions with respect to the foregoing) shall remain in full
force and effect until such time as Sprint's Percentage Interest is lower than
the Lower Threshold; provided, however, that during any period in which the
Standstill Provisions survive, Sprint and its affiliates may directly approach
our Board in order to make an offer to effect a Business Combination.
 
LIMITATION OF DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
 
    Our Certificate of Incorporation includes provisions that limit the personal
liability of our officers and directors for monetary damages for breach of their
fiduciary duty of directors, except for liability that cannot be eliminated
under the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Certificate of Incorporation
provides that, to the fullest extent provided by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, our directors will not be personally liable for monetary
damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors. The Delaware General
Corporation Law does not permit a provision in a corporation's certificate of
incorporation that would eliminate such liability (i) for any breach of their
duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) for any unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock
repurchase or redemption, as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit.
 
    While these provisions provide directors with protection from awards for
monetary damages for breaches of their duty of care, they do not eliminate such
duty. Accordingly, these provisions will have
 
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no effect on the availability of equitable remedies such as an injunction or
rescission based on a director's breach of his or her duty of care. The
provisions described above apply to an officer of a corporation only if he or
she is a director of such corporation and is acting in his or her capacity as
director, and do not apply to the officers of the corporation who are not
directors.
 
    Our Bylaws provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law, we may indemnify our directors, officers and employees.
The Bylaws further provide that we may similarly indemnify its other employees
and agents. In addition, we anticipates that each director will enter into an
indemnification agreement pursuant to which we will indemnify such director to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. At
present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our
directors or officers Company in which indemnification is required or permitted,
and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result
in a claim for such indemnification.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    The holders of substantially all of the shares of common stock outstanding
prior to the closing of our initial public offering, (including shares held by
our founder and Chairman of the Board and our President and Chief Executive
Officer), as well as certain holders of warrants and convertible debt, are
parties to registration rights agreements with us. Sprint also has registration
rights with respect to the common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A
preferred stock held by it. These agreements, which relate to approximately
16,566,300 shares of common stock (assuming the exercise or conversion of all
preferred stock), provide incidental or "piggyback" registration rights that
allow such holders, under certain circumstances, to include their shares of
common stock in registration statements initiated by the Company or other
stockholders. These agreements also permit demand registrations on Form S-3
registration statements provided that we are eligible to register our capital
stock on Form S-3. All such registration rights are subject to conditions and
limitations, including the right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the
number of shares to be included in a registration.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
    American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is our transfer agent and registrar.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
    Sales of a substantial number of shares of common stock in the public market
following the offering made by this prospectus could adversely affect market
prices prevailing from time to time. Furthermore, sales of substantial amounts
of common stock in the public market after various resale restrictions lapse
could adversely affect the prevailing market price and our ability to raise
equity capital in the future.
 
    Upon the completion of this offering, 30,904,457 shares of common stock will
be outstanding (based on shares outstanding on November 30, 1998, and assuming
no exercise of options or warrants). Of these shares, 16,212,519 are freely
tradable without restriction, including: 10,089,500 shares previously registered
and sold in public offerings; 2,875,000 shares registered and sold in this
offering; 1,392,311 shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans and
registered on a Form S-8; and 3,088,464 shares sold into the market in reliance
on Rule 144 of the Securities Act; less 1,757,280 of the foregoing shares
purchased by Sprint pursuant to its tender offer, and which are not eligible for
resale pursuant to the terms of that transaction, except that shares purchased
by our "affiliates", as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, may generally be sold only in compliance with the limitations of Rule 144.
In addition to the shares owned by Sprint noted above, Sprint owns an additional
1,232,756 shares purchased in the Sprint tender which are not eligible for
resale. The remaining 11,701,902 shares were issued and sold by us in private
transactions, and are immediately available for sale pursuant to Rule 144
(subject, in certain cases, to the volume and other limitations of Rule 144).
However, in connection with this offering, the holders of         shares of
common stock (including all of our directors and officers, Sprint and all
Selling Stockholders) have entered into lock-up agreements under which they have
agreed not to offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any such shares of common
stock, any such options or warrants to acquire shares of common stock or any
such securities convertible into shares of common stock (or any shares of common
stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of such securities) owned by them for
a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus. Credit Suisse First
Boston may, in its sole discretion and at any time without notice, release all
or any portion of the securities subject to such lock-up agreements. Credit
Suisse First Boston currently has no plans to release any portion of the
securities subject to such lock-up agreements. We have agreed that we will not,
directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Credit Suisse First
Boston, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option right or warrant to purchase, or
otherwise transfer or dispose of any shares of common stock, or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, for a period of 90 days from
the date of this prospectus, except that we may grant additional options under
our 1995 Stock Option Plan or Outside Directors Stock Option Plan or issue
shares of common stock under outstanding options, warrants and convertible
securities.
 
    The holders of substantially all of the shares of common stock issued prior
to our initial public offering, including shares held by our founder and
Chairman, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Sprint and certain holders
of warrants, are parties to registration rights agreements that provide
incidental or "piggyback" registration rights that allow such holders, under
certain circumstances, to include shares of common stock in registration
statements we or other stockholders initiate. Such registration rights
agreements also permit demand registrations on Form S-3 registration statements,
provided we are eligible to register securities on such form. The number of
shares sold in the public market could increase if such rights are exercised.
See "Description of Capital Stock-- Registration Rights."
 
    In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned "restricted shares" (as
defined in Rule 144) for at least one year (including the holding period of any
prior owner, except an affiliate) is entitled to sell, within any three month
period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of (i) one percent
of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding or (ii) the average
weekly trading volume of the
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
common stock on the Nasdaq National Market during the four calendar weeks
preceding the required filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale. Sales
under Rule 144 are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice
requirements and to the availability of current public information about
EarthLink. Under Rule 144(k), a person who is not deemed to have been an
affiliate at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who has
beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least two years
(including the holding period of any prior owner except an affiliate), is
entitled to sell such shares without complying with the manner of sale, public
information, volume and other limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144. In
general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, any
employee, consultant or advisor of EarthLink who purchases shares from EarthLink
in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written
agreement is eligible to resell such shares 90 days after the effective date of
our initial public offering (which was completed in January 1997) in reliance on
Rule 144, but without compliance with certain restrictions, including the
holding period, contained in Rule 144.
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an Underwriting
Agreement dated            , 1999 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), the
underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), for whom Credit Suisse First
Boston Corporation ("CSFBC"), Invemed Associates, Inc., ING Baring Furman Selz
LLC and Cruttenden Roth Incorporated are acting as representatives (the
"Representatives"), have severally, but not jointly, agreed to purchase from us
and the selling stockholders the following respective numbers of shares of
common stock:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   NUMBER OF
UNDERWRITER                                                                          SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                                                               <C>
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation..........................................
Invemed Associates, Inc.........................................................
ING Baring Furman Selz LLC......................................................
Cruttenden Roth Incorporated....................................................
 
                                                                                  ------------
    Total.......................................................................     2,500,000
</TABLE>
 
    The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters
are subject to certain conditions precedent, and that the Underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all of the shares of common stock offered hereby (other
than those shares covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any
are purchased. The Underwriting Agreement provides, that, in the event of a
default by an Underwriter, in certain circumstances the purchase commitments of
non-defaulting Underwriters may be increased or the Underwriting Agreement may
be terminated.
 
    We have granted to the Underwriters an option exercisable by CSFBC, expiring
at the close of business on the 30th day after the date of this prospectus, to
purchase up to 375,000 additional shares of common stock at the offering price,
less underwriting discounts and commissions, all as set forth on the cover page
of this prospectus. Such option may be exercised only to cover over-allotments
in the sale of the shares of common stock. To the extent that the option is
exercised, each Underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of such additional
shares of common stock as it was obligated to purchase pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement.
 
    EarthLink and the selling stockholders have been advised by the
Representatives that the Underwriters propose to offer the shares of common
stock to the public initially at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and, through the Representatives, to certain
dealers at such price less a concession of $   per share, and the Underwriters
and such dealers may allow a discount of $  per share on sales to certain other
dealers. After the offering, the public offering price and concession and
discount to dealers may be changed by the Representatives.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
    The following table summarizes the compensation to be paid to the
Underwriters by EarthLink and the selling stockholders, and the expenses payable
by EarthLink and the selling stockholders.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  TOTAL
                                                                                      ------------------------------
                                                                                         WITHOUT           WITH
                                                                          PER SHARE   OVER-ALLOTMENT  OVER-ALLOTMENT
                                                                         -----------  --------------  --------------
<S>                                                                      <C>          <C>             <C>
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions paid by EarthLink...............   $            $               $
Expenses payable by EarthLink..........................................   $            $               $
Underwriting Discounts and Commissions paid by Selling Stockholders....   $            $               $
</TABLE>
 
    EarthLink and certain of its directors, officers and stockholders have
agreed that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, announce their
intention to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or,
in the case of the Company file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities Act") relating to any additional shares of the common stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of the
common stock, without the prior written consent of CSFBC for a period of 90 days
after the date of this Prospectus.
 
    EarthLink and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriters against certain liabilities, including civil liabilities under the
Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the Underwriters may be required
to make in respect thereof.
 
    As of December 16, 1998, Invemed Associates, Inc. ("Invemed"), one of the
Underwriters, and certain officers of Invemed, held 99,998 shares of common
stock. In addition, a minority shareholder and director of Invemed's corporate
parent owns an aggregate of 4,544 shares of common stock. Such common stock was
purchased in September 1996 for $5.50 per share. Invemed has agreed, for a
period of 90 days following the date of this prospectus, that it will not sell,
transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate such shares other than to another
Underwriter or an officer of another Underwriter.
 
    The Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters, may engage in
over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions,
penalty bids and "passive" market making in accordance with Regulation M under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Over-allotment
involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a
syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the
underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified
maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the shares of
common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in
order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the
Representatives to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the
shares of common stock originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in
a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. In
"passive" market making, market makers in the Securities who are Underwriters or
prospective Underwriters may, subject to certain limitations, make bids for or
purchases of the Securities until the time, if any, at which a stabilizing bid
is made. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and
penalty bids may cause the price of the common stock to be higher than it would
otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be
effected on the Nasdaq National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
                          NOTICE TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS
 
RESALE RESTRICTIONS
 
    The distribution of the common stock in Canada is being made only on a
private placement basis exempt from the requirement that EarthLink prepare and
file a prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each province
where trades of common stock are effected. Accordingly, any resale of the common
stock in Canada must be made in accordance with applicable securities laws which
will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales
to be made in accordance with available statutory exemptions or pursuant to a
discretionary exemption granted by the applicable Canadian securities regulatory
authority. Purchasers are advised to seek legal advice prior to any resale of
the common stock.
 
REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASERS
 
    Each purchaser of common stock in Canada who receives a purchase
confirmation will be deemed to represent to EarthLink and the dealer from whom
such purchase confirmation is received that (i) such purchaser is entitled under
applicable provincial securities laws to purchase such common stock without the
benefit of a prospectus qualified under such securities laws, (ii) where
required by law, that such purchaser is purchasing as principal and not as agent
and (iii) such purchaser has reviewed the text above under "Resale
Restrictions".
 
RIGHTS OF ACTION (ONTARIO PURCHASERS)
 
    The securities being offered are those of a foreign issuer and Ontario
purchasers will not receive the contractual right of action prescribed by
Section 32 of the Regulation under the SECURITIES ACT (Ontario). As a result,
Ontario purchasers must rely on other remedies that may be available, including
common law rights of action for damages or recission or rights of action under
the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws.
 
ENFORCEMENT OF LEGAL RIGHTS
 
    All of the issuer's directors and officers as well as the experts named
herein may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not be possible
for Canadian purchasers to effect service of process within Canada upon the
issuer of such persons. All or a substantial portion of the assets of the issuer
and such persons may be located outside of Canada and, as a result, it may not
be possible to satisfy a judgment against the issuer or such persons in Canada
or to enforce a judgment obtained in Canadian courts against such issuer or
persons outside of Canada.
 
NOTICE TO BRITISH COLUMBIA RESIDENTS
 
    A purchaser of common stock to whom the SECURITIES ACT (British Columbia)
applies is advised that such purchaser is required to file with the British
Columbia Securities Commission a report within ten days of the sale of any
common stock acquired by such purchaser pursuant to this offering. Such report
must be in the form attached to British Columbia Securities Commission Blanket
Order BOR #95/17, a copy of which may be obtained from EarthLink. Only one such
report must be filed in respect of common stock acquired on the same date and
under the same prospectus exemption.
 
TAXATION AND ELIGIBILITY FOR INVESTMENT
 
    Canadian purchasers of common stock should consult their own legal and tax
advisors with respect to the tax consequences of an investment in the common
stock in their particular circumstances and with respect to the eligibility of
the common stock for investment by the purchaser under relevant Canadian
Legislation.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    Hunton & Williams, Atlanta, Georgia, will pass upon the validity of the
issuance of the shares of common stock offered hereby for EarthLink. Certain
legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the
underwriters by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo
Alto, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements of Earthlink Network, Inc. as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997 and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997 and the statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
of the Sprint Internet Passport Business acquired by Earthlink Network, Inc. as
of June 5, 1998 included in this prospectus have been so included included in
reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
    The statement of revenues and direct expenses of Consumer Internet Access
Services of Sprint for the year ended December 31, 1997, appearing in this
prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon appearing
elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance therewith, files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such reports,
proxy statements and other information may be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the SEC's regional offices located at the
Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL
60661 and Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10048. Copies of
such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the SEC upon
payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC. The SEC's Web site contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is
http://www.sec.gov. Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market and
our reports, proxy statements and other information may also be inspected at the
offices of Nasdaq Operations, 1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
 
    We have filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the SEC under the
Securities Act in respect of the common stock offered hereby. This prospectus,
which is a part of the registration statement, omits certain information
contained in the registration statement as permitted by the SEC's rules and
regulations. For further information with respect to the Company and the common
stock offered hereby, please reference the registration statement, including its
exhibits. Statements herein concerning the contents of any contract or other
document filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement are not
necessarily complete and are qualified in all respects by such reference. Copies
of the registration statement, including all exhibits and schedules thereto, may
be inspected without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the
SEC, or obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the
SEC at the address set forth above.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Report of Independent Accountants..........................................................................        F-2
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and September 30, 1998 (unaudited).............        F-3
 
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the nine
  months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998 (unaudited).....................................................        F-4
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995, 1996
  and 1997 and the nine months ended September 30, 1998 (unaudited)........................................        F-5
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the nine
  months ended September 30, 1997 and 1998 (unaudited).....................................................        F-6
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................        F-7
 
CONSUMER INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES OF SPRINT CORPORATION
 
Report of Independent Auditors.............................................................................       F-21
 
Statements of Revenues and Direct Expenses.................................................................       F-22
 
Note to Statements of Revenues and Direct Expenses.........................................................       F-23
 
EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
Report of Independent Accountants..........................................................................       F-24
 
Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed of the Sprint Internet Passport Business as of June 5,
  1998.....................................................................................................       F-25
 
Note to Statement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed...............................................       F-26
 
EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
Pro Forma Financial Information............................................................................       F-27
 
Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 (unaudited)................       F-28
 
Note to Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations.........................................................       F-29
 
Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 (unaudited)........       F-30
 
Note to Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations.........................................................       F-31
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
 
of EarthLink Network, Inc.
 
    In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related
consolidated statements of operations, of stockholders' equity (deficit) and of
cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
EarthLink Network, Inc. at December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
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 of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which 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,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
 
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 
Costa Mesa, California
 
June 5, 1998, except as to Note 14, which is as of July 21, 1998
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                --------------------
                                                                                  1996       1997
                                                                                ---------  ---------
                                                                                                      SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                                          1998
                                                                                                      -------------
                                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                      ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...................................................  $   3,993  $  16,450   $   134,397
  Restricted short-term investment............................................      1,087      1,250         1,250
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $781,000, $165,000 and $387,000 at
    December 31, 1996 and 1997 and September 30, 1998, respectively...........      1,725      2,520         4,596
  Prepaid expenses............................................................        885      1,109         3,755
  Other assets (Note 5).......................................................      1,383        753           644
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
    Total current assets......................................................      9,073     22,082       144,642
Other long-term assets (Note 5)...............................................        329        449           564
Property and equipment, net (Notes 1 and 4)...................................     17,401     23,398        30,405
Intangibles, net (Notes 3, 6 and 9)...........................................        316        958        97,731
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                                                $  27,119  $  46,887   $   273,342
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
 
                             LIABILITIES, MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED
                                     STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
 
Current Liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable......................................................  $  11,207  $   6,472   $    11,918
  Accrued payroll and related expenses........................................      1,469      2,316         6,881
  Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities..............................      2,061      3,717        13,017
  Current portion of capital lease obligations (Note 11)......................      3,582      7,112         7,985
  Notes payable (Note 7)......................................................      7,950      9,387            80
  Deferred revenue............................................................      2,010      3,590         7,318
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
    Total current liabilities.................................................     28,279     32,594        47,199
 
Long-term debt (Note 11)......................................................      6,088      8,218         7,288
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
    Total liabilities.........................................................     34,367     40,812        54,487
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred stock (Note 8)...................     14,013     --           --
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 2,727,273,
    nil and nil shares outstanding as redeemable preferred stock at December
    31, 1996 and 1997 and September 30, 1998, respectively (Note 8)...........     --         --           --
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, nil, nil and
    4,102,941 shares outstanding as convertible preferred stock at December
    31, 1996 and 1997 and September 30, 1998, respectively (Note 13)..........     --         --                41
  Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 12,045,448,
    22,500,744 and 28,521,321 shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
    1996 and 1997 and September 30, 1998, respectively (Note 8)...............        120        225           285
  Additional paid-in capital..................................................     14,176     70,829       324,855
  Warrants to purchase common stock (Note 9)..................................        599      1,093         1,324
  Accumulated deficit.........................................................    (36,156)   (66,072)     (107,650)
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
    Total stockholders' equity (deficit)......................................    (21,261)     6,075       218,855
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                                                $  27,119  $  46,887   $   273,342
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                                                ---------  ---------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                             EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC
 
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,           SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                         ---------------------------------  ----------------------
                                                           1995        1996        1997        1997        1998
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues:
  Recurring revenues...................................  $   2,422  $   27,606  $   74,657  $   51,869  $  109,957
  Other revenues.......................................        606       5,624       6,231       4,558       4,897
  Incremental revenues.................................     --          --          --          --           2,786
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total revenues.....................................      3,028      33,230      80,888      56,427     117,640
Operating costs and expenses:
 
  Cost of recurring revenues...........................      1,024      17,717      36,854      25,828      53,163
  Cost of other revenues...............................        328       2,235       1,649       1,326         730
  Sales and marketing..................................      3,763      17,194      25,606      18,904      25,348
  General and administrative...........................      2,062      10,534      14,333      10,462      15,344
  Operations and member support........................      1,869      15,808      30,900      22,183      36,248
  Amortization and transaction costs (Note 13).........     --          --          --          --          24,962
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total operating costs and expenses.................      9,046      63,488     109,342      78,703     155,795
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
Loss from operations...................................     (6,018)    (30,258)    (28,454)    (22,276)    (38,155)
Interest income........................................         34         150         637         416       2,568
Interest expense.......................................       (136)     (1,041)     (2,099)     (1,467)     (1,661)
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Net loss...........................................     (6,120)    (31,149)    (29,916)    (23,327)    (37,248)
 
Deductions for accretion dividends (Note 13)...........     --          --          --          --          (4,330)
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net loss attributable to common stockholders...........  $  (6,120) $  (31,149) $  (29,916) $  (23,327) $  (41,578)
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Basic and diluted net loss per share (Notes 1
  and 14)..............................................  $   (0.80) $    (2.57) $    (1.50) $    (1.22) $    (1.64)
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Weighted average shares outstanding (Notes 1 and 14)...      7,674      12,138      20,002      19,186      25,292
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                         ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              PREFERRED STOCK             COMMON STOCK        ADDITIONAL
                                          ------------------------  ------------------------    PAID-IN     WARRANTS    ACCUMULATED
                                            SHARES       AMOUNT       SHARES       AMOUNT       CAPITAL      ISSUED       DEFICIT
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994............                                 5,882    $      59    $     117    $      69    $     (148)
Issuance of common stock................                                 4,232           42        6,216       --            --
Reclassification of S Corporation
  accumulated deficit...................                                --           --           (1,261)      --             1,261
Warrants issued for lease guarantee
  (Note 9)..............................                                --           --           --               50        --
Warrants issued for non-competition
  agreement (Note 9)....................                                --           --           --                5        --
Net loss................................                                --           --           --           --            (6,120)
                                               -----          ---   -----------       -----   -----------  -----------  ------------
Balance at December 31, 1995............                                10,114          101        5,072          124        (5,007)
Issuance of common stock................                                 1,846           18        8,642       --            --
Issuance of common stock for services...                                    85            1          462       --            --
Warrants issued in connection with
  equipment leases and other financings
  (Note 9)..............................                                --           --           --              475        --
Net loss................................                                --           --           --           --           (31,149)
                                               -----          ---   -----------       -----   -----------  -----------  ------------
Balance at December 31, 1996............                                12,045          120       14,176          599       (36,156)
Initial public offering, net of
  expenses..............................                                 4,570           46       26,180       --            --
Conversion of redeemable preferred stock
  into common stock.....................                                 2,727           27       13,986       --            --
Conversion of debt to common stock......                                   112            1          724       --            --
Issuance of common stock in connection
  with private placement................                                 2,920           30       15,379       --            --
Issuance of common stock pursuant to
  exercise of stock options.............                                   127            1          384       --            --
Warrants issued in exchange for services
  (Note 9)..............................                                --           --           --              494        --
Net loss................................                                --           --           --           --           (29,916)
                                               -----          ---   -----------       -----   -----------  -----------  ------------
Balance at December 31, 1997............                                22,501          225       70,829        1,093       (66,072)
Unaudited:
  Issuance of preferred stock...........       4,103    $      41       --           --          134,959       --            --
  Follow on offering, net of expenses
    (Note 13)...........................      --           --            3,763           38      105,844       --            --
  Conversion of debt to common stock....      --           --              783            8        5,030       --            --
  Issuance of common stock for
    services............................                                    20       --              130       --            --
  Issuance of common stock pursuant to
    exercise of stock options...........      --           --            1,454           14        3,613       --            --
  Warrants issued in exchange for
    services (Note 9)...................      --           --           --           --           --              351        --
  Retirement of warrants................      --           --           --           --              120         (120)
  Net loss..............................      --           --           --           --           --           --           (37,248)
  Accretion of convertible preferred
    stock...............................      --           --           --           --            4,330       --            (4,330)
                                               -----          ---   -----------       -----   -----------  -----------  ------------
Balance at September 30, 1998
  (unaudited)...........................       4,103    $      41       28,521    $     285    $ 324,855    $   1,324    $ (107,650)
                                               -----          ---   -----------       -----   -----------  -----------  ------------
                                               -----          ---   -----------       -----   -----------  -----------  ------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                              TOTAL
                                          STOCKHOLDERS'
                                             EQUITY
                                            (DEFICIT)
                                          -------------
 
<S>                                       <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994............    $      97
Issuance of common stock................        6,258
Reclassification of S Corporation
  accumulated deficit...................       --
Warrants issued for lease guarantee
  (Note 9)..............................           50
Warrants issued for non-competition
  agreement (Note 9)....................            5
Net loss................................       (6,120)
                                          -------------
Balance at December 31, 1995............          290
Issuance of common stock................        8,660
Issuance of common stock for services...          463
Warrants issued in connection with
  equipment leases and other financings
  (Note 9)..............................          475
Net loss................................      (31,149)
                                          -------------
Balance at December 31, 1996............      (21,261)
Initial public offering, net of
  expenses..............................       26,226
Conversion of redeemable preferred stock
  into common stock.....................       14,013
Conversion of debt to common stock......          725
Issuance of common stock in connection
  with private placement................       15,409
Issuance of common stock pursuant to
  exercise of stock options.............          385
Warrants issued in exchange for services
  (Note 9)..............................          494
Net loss................................      (29,916)
                                          -------------
Balance at December 31, 1997............        6,075
Unaudited:
  Issuance of preferred stock...........      135,000
  Follow on offering, net of expenses
    (Note 13)...........................      105,882
  Conversion of debt to common stock....        5,038
  Issuance of common stock for
    services............................          130
  Issuance of common stock pursuant to
    exercise of stock options...........        3,627
  Warrants issued in exchange for
    services (Note 9)...................          351
  Retirement of warrants................       --
  Net loss..............................      (37,248)
  Accretion of convertible preferred
    stock...............................       --
                                          -------------
Balance at September 30, 1998
  (unaudited)...........................    $ 218,855
                                          -------------
                                          -------------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,         SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                 -------------------------------  --------------------
                                                                   1995       1996       1997       1997       1998
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss.....................................................  $  (6,120) $ (31,149) $ (29,916) $ (23,327) $ (37,248)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
    (used in) operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization..............................        305      4,153      9,377      6,572     33,275
    Provision for doubtful accounts receivable.................     --            781       (615)      (620)       222
    Issuance of common stock in exchange for professional
      services.................................................     --             50     --         --         --
    Issuance of common stock in exchange for termination of
      consulting agreement.....................................     --            413     --         --         --
    Issuance of warrants in exchange for professional
      services.................................................     --         --            494     --             60
    Increase in accounts receivable............................       (191)    (2,288)      (180)      (722)    (2,298)
    Increase (decrease) in prepaid expenses and other assets...       (141)    (2,353)       202        (96)    (2,652)
    Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.......      2,292     12,373     (2,232)    (3,098)    19,311
    Increase in deferred revenue...............................        212      1,798      1,580      1,039      3,728
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities............     (3,643)   (16,222)   (21,290)   (20,252)    14,398
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of property and equipment..........................     (2,766)   (18,774)   (14,528)   (11,489)   (15,911)
  Purchases of intangible assets...............................     --         --         (1,404)    (1,404)        (9)
  Transaction costs............................................     --         --         --         --         (8,861)
  Net cash acquired from acquisition...........................     --         --         --         --         23,750
  Purchase of restricted short-term investment.................     (1,500)    (1,087)      (200)      (200)    --
  Liquidation of restricted short-term investment..............     --          1,500         37         37     --
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net cash used in investing activities....................     (4,266)   (18,361)   (16,095)   (13,056)    (1,031)
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from issuance of notes payable......................      1,494      7,950      4,387      2,252        200
  Repayment of notes payable...................................        (67)    (1,494)    (2,225)    (2,225)    (4,507)
  Proceeds from capital lease obligations......................        556     11,348     10,544      7,837      6,212
  Principal payments under capital lease obligations...........        (42)    (2,191)    (4,884)    (3,354)    (6,269)
  Proceeds from issuance of mandatorily redeemable preferred
    stock......................................................     --         14,013     --         --         --
  Proceeds from private placements of common stock.............      6,258      8,660     15,409     15,492     --
  Proceeds from public offerings...............................     --         --         26,226     26,226    105,329
  Proceeds from stock options and warrants exercised...........     --         --            385        176      3,615
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
      Net cash provided by financing activities................      8,199     38,286     49,842     46,404    104,580
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents......................        290      3,703     12,457     13,096    117,947
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period.................     --            290      3,993      3,993     16,450
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period.......................  $     290  $   3,993  $  16,450  $  17,089  $ 134,397
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Acquisition, net of cash acquired (Note 4):
  Issuance of convertible preferred stock......................                                              $ 135,000
  Transaction costs............................................                                                  9,914
  Intangible assets............................................                                               (121,164)
                                                                                                             ---------
  Net cash acquired from acquisition...........................                                              $  23,750
                                                                                                             ---------
                                                                                                             ---------
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
ORGANIZATION
 
    EarthLink Network, Inc. ("EarthLink" or the "Company") was organized on May
26, 1994 as a California corporation and reincorporated in 1996 as a Delaware
corporation. In June 1998 and in connection with the Sprint Transaction (Note
13), EarthLink Network, Inc. became EarthLink Operations, Inc. and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. All references in these consolidated
financial statements to EarthLink or the Company relate, collectively, to both
EarthLink Network, Inc. and EarthLink Operations, Inc. The Company is an
Internet service provider that was formed to help members derive meaningful
benefits from the extensive resources of the Internet.
 
    The Company has experienced operating losses since inception as a result of
efforts to build its network infrastructure and internal staffing, develop its
systems, and expand into new markets. The Company expects that it will continue
to incur net losses as it continues to expend substantial resources on sales and
marketing as it attempts to rapidly increase its market share. There can be no
assurance that the Company will achieve or sustain profitability or positive
cash flow from its operations.
 
REVENUES
 
    Recurring revenues consists of monthly fees charged to members for Internet
access and other ongoing services from monthly Internet service and are
recognized over the period services are provided. Other revenues generally
represent one-time non-refundable set up fees. Such revenues are recorded as
earned.
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or
less at the date of acquisition are classified as cash equivalents.
 
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND DEFERRED REVENUES
 
    Commencing in 1995, the Company began to bill for Internet service generally
one month in advance. Accordingly, these non-cancelable advanced billings are
included in both accounts receivable and deferred revenue.
 
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
 
    Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations
of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and trade receivables.
The Company's cash investment policies limit investments to short-term,
investment grade instruments. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to
trade receivables are limited due to the large number of members comprising the
Company's member base.
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets, which is
generally three years for computers and computer related equipment and five
years for other non-computer furniture and equipment. Leasehold improvements are
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated
lives or the term of the lease, ranging from one to ten years.
 
EQUIPMENT UNDER CAPITAL LEASE
 
    The Company leases certain of its data communications and other equipment
under capital lease agreements. The assets and liabilities under capital lease
are recorded at the lesser of the present value of aggregate future minimum
lease payments, including estimated bargain purchase options, or the fair value
of the assets under lease. Assets under capital lease are amortized over the
lesser of their estimated useful lives of three to five years or the term of the
lease.
 
INTANGIBLES
 
    Intangible assets consist primarily of deferred financing and professional
service costs, prepaid lease guarantee costs, goodwill, rights to client lists
and a covenant not to compete. The costs assigned to intangible assets are being
amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the
assets, which range from one to three years. The Company regularly reviews the
recoverability of intangible assets based on estimated undiscounted future cash
flows from operating activities compared with the carrying values of the
intangibles.
 
ADVERTISING AND CUSTOMER ACQUISITION COSTS
 
    Advertising and customer acquisition costs are included in sales and
marketing. Such costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were
$937,000, $3.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively, for the three years ended
December 31, 1997.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
    Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this
method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences
between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities
and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect
when the differences are expected to reverse.
 
NET LOSS PER SHARE
 
    The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
128, "Earnings per Share" ("EPS") and Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 98.
SAB No. 98 states that companies, such as EarthLink, that completed an initial
public offering ("IPO") within the past 5 years and incorporated the SAB No. 83
concept of "cheap stock" in determining pre-IPO EPS data must restate all EPS
data to conform to SFAS No. 128. Accordingly, all EPS data have been restated to
conform to SFAS No. 128. SFAS No. 128 requires a dual presentation of basic and
diluted EPS. Basic EPS represents the weighted average number of shares divided
into net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders during a reported
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. However, the Company has not included potential common stock
in the calculation of EPS since inception as such inclusion would have an
anti-dilutive effect.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
USE OF ESTIMATES IN PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    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 and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
COMMON STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
    The Company continues to account for its employee stock based compensation
in accordance with the provisions of APB 25 and provides pro forma disclosures
in the notes to the financial statements (Note 9), as if the measurement
provisions of SFAS No. 123 had been adopted.
 
RECLASSIFICATION
 
    Certain amounts in the prior and current year financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the presentation of the fiscal 1998 unaudited interim
information.
 
UNAUDITED INTERIM INFORMATION
 
    The information presented as of September 30, 1998, and for the nine month
periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1998, has not been audited. In the opinion
of management, the unaudited interim financial statements included all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to
present fairly the Company's financial position as of September 30, 1998, and
the results of its operations and its cash flows for the nine months ended
September 31, 1997 and 1998, and the stockholders' deficit for the nine months
ended September 30, 1998.
 
2. PURCHASE OF CERTAIN ASSETS FROM BECKEMEYER DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIES
 
    In order to recruit the principal shareholder of Beckemeyer Development
Technologies ("BDT") to serve as the Company's Vice President of Engineering, on
November 7, 1995, the Company agreed to purchase all fixtures, equipment, and
the client list of BDT for cash of $64,000. In addition to the above, the
principal shareholder was issued warrants to purchase 20,660 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at $2.42 per share as consideration for an agreement not
to compete for a two-year period. The value assigned to the warrants was $5,000
based upon an appraisal obtained by the Company. The warrants expire October 10,
2005. This purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired with the
remainder reflected as an intangible asset. At the time of purchase, BDT was not
material to the results of operations, financial position or customer base of
EarthLink.
 
3. PURCHASE OF CERTAIN ASSETS FROM INTERNET IN A MALL
 
    In April 1997, the Company purchased the subscribers and related assets,
including accounts receivable related to the consumer dial-up Internet access
service of Internet in a Mall, a Tarzana, California based Internet access
provider. Under the terms of the agreement, as amended, the Company purchased
rights to approximately 28,000 subscriber accounts as of April 1997.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property and equipment consist of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         ---------------------
                                                                           1996        1997
                                                                         ---------  ----------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>
Data communications equipment..........................................  $  11,464  $   17,056
Office and other equipment.............................................      6,686      12,196
Leasehold improvements.................................................        646       5,013
Construction in progress...............................................      2,841       1,901
                                                                         ---------  ----------
                                                                            21,637      36,166
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.........................     (4,236)    (12,768)
                                                                         ---------  ----------
                                                                         $  17,401  $   23,398
                                                                         ---------  ----------
                                                                         ---------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    Property under capital lease, primarily data communications equipment
included above, aggregated $11,904,000, and $22,448,000 at December 31, 1996 and
1997, respectively. Included in accumulated depreciation and amortization are
amounts related to property under capital lease of $2,896,000 and $8,528,000 at
December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Depreciation expense charged to
operations was $305,000, $3,924,000 and $8,531,000 in 1995, 1996, and 1997,
respectively, and included $56,000, $2,840,000 and $5,632,000, respectively,
pertaining to property under capital lease.
 
5. OTHER ASSETS
 
    Other assets consist of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                                             --------------------
                                                                               1996       1997
                                                                             ---------  ---------
                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>
Deposits...................................................................  $     409  $     789
Deferred offering costs....................................................        804     --
Inventory..................................................................        499        413
                                                                             ---------  ---------
                                                                             $   1,712  $   1,202
                                                                             ---------  ---------
                                                                             ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
    Intangible assets consist of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                             --------------------  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                               1996       1997         1998
                                                             ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>
Member base................................................  $  --      $  --       $    65,000
Marketing and distribution agreement.......................     --         --            20,000
Goodwill...................................................     --         --            36,164
Deferred financing costs...................................        347        430           310
Rights to client lists.....................................         10      1,414         1,414
Other......................................................        188        188           290
                                                             ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                                   545      2,032       123,178
Less accumulated amortization..............................       (229)    (1,074)      (25,447)
                                                             ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                             $     316  $     958   $    97,731
                                                             ---------  ---------  -------------
                                                             ---------  ---------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
7. NOTES PAYABLE
 
    In June 1996, the Company issued to 17 investors, 10% Promissory Notes
aggregating $2,950,000. Certain of the investors were directors and stockholders
of the Company. As described in Note 9, the Company issued warrants valued at
$116,000 to the note holders. The fair value of the warrants was recorded as
deferred financing costs and amortized as interest expense over the life of the
notes. Upon consummation of the Company's initial public offering on January 22,
1997, the holders of $725,000 of the 10% Promissory Notes converted their
indebtedness into 111,534 shares of Common Stock. In January 1997, the Company
repaid the $2,225,000 balance remaining on the 10% Promissory Notes.
 
    The Company has a convertible note payable to UUNET Technologies, Inc.
("UUNET"). The $5 million Convertible Note was extended one year, and, as such,
the entire amount is due October 31, 1998, if not converted. The Convertible
Note will become due and payable immediately if the monthly amounts payable
under Company's Network Service Agreement with UUNET (the "UUNET Agreement") are
less than $1.5 million during any consecutive three months. The Convertible Note
bears interest at 10.25% and is convertible into a maximum of 783,030 shares of
Common Stock at a conversion price of $6.44 per share.
 
8. CAPITAL STOCK AND MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE EQUITY SECURITIES
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    The Company issued 734,310 shares of Common Stock at $0.41 per share,
1,654,170 shares of Common Stock at $0.91 per share and 1,843,490 at $2.42 per
share on March 10, 1995, June 19, 1995 and October 31, 1995, respectively. As a
result of these placements, the Company raised, in the aggregate $6,258,000
during 1995. The Company issued 90,970 shares of Common Stock at $2.42 per share
and 50,000 shares of Common Stock at $2.42 per share on January 18, 1996 and
March 20, 1996, respectively. On May 6, 1996, the Company issued 1,704,920
shares of Common Stock at $4.88 per share in a private placement. As a result of
these placements, EarthLink raised, in the aggregate, $8,660,000 during 1996. On
September 19, 1997, the Company closed a private placement of 2,919,518 shares
of its unregistered restricted Common Stock. Net proceeds from the offering were
approximately $15.4 million.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
8. CAPITAL STOCK AND MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE EQUITY SECURITIES (CONTINUED)
MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
    On September 10, 1996, the Company issued 2,727,273 shares of its Series A
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock to investors including among others,
certain directors, stockholders and the Underwriter associated with the
Company's initial public offering and certain of its associates for $15,000,000.
Stock issuance costs of $987,000 have been charged to redeemable convertible
preferred stock. Each two shares of the Series A Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock was automatically converted into one share of Common Stock upon
consummation of the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock on
January 22, 1997.
 
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
 
    On January 22, 1997 the Company commenced its initial public offering. The
offering consisted of 4,000,000 shares of Common Stock issued at $6.50 per
share. Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $22.8 million. Upon
consummation of the offering 2,727,273 shares of the Company's Series A
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock were converted to 2,727,248 shares of
Common Stock. In February 1997, the Underwriter exercised its over-allotment
option and purchased 569,500 shares at the initial public offering price of
$6.50. Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $3.4 million.
 
COMMON STOCK ISSUANCES FOR OTHER THAN CASH
 
    In May 1996, the Company issued 10,244 shares of Common Stock at $4.88 per
share, to a sub-contractor in lieu of cash for services provided to the Company.
In September 1996, the Company issued 75,000 shares of Common Stock at $5.50 per
share as consideration for the termination of a consulting agreement.
 
9. STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
 
STOCK OPTIONS
 
    1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    In September 1995, the Company established the EarthLink Network 1995 Stock
Option Plan (the "1995 Plan"). The 1995 Plan provides for the grant of incentive
stock options to purchase up to 2,500,000 shares of common stock to employees of
the Company and non-qualified stock options to employees, officers, directors
and consultants of the Company. The 1995 Plan is administered by a committee
appointed by the Board which determines the terms of the options granted,
including the exercise price, the number of shares subject to option, and the
option vesting period. The exercise price of all options granted under the plan
must be at least 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant. Options
generally vest in equal quarterly increments over a five year period. As of
December 31, 1997, 174,864 shares remain available for issuance under the 1995
Plan.
 
    DIRECTORS STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    In September 1995, the Company established the EarthLink Directors Stock
Option Plan (the "Directors Plan"). The Directors Plan, as amended and restated
in December 1996, provides for the grant of options to purchase an aggregate of
125,000 shares of Common Stock to directors who do not also serve as employees
of the Company and do not beneficially own, nor are employees, directors or
officers of any
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
9. STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
entity which owns 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company's capital
stock. Under the Directors Plan, grants of options to purchase 20,000 and 5,000
shares of Common Stock are automatically made to each non-management director at
such time as the person first becomes a member of the Board of Directors and at
the beginning of each fiscal year, respectively. Options generally vest in equal
quarterly increments over a five year period. As of December 31, 1997, there
were no outstanding options to purchase shares of Common Stock under the
Directors Plan.
 
NON-QUALIFIED OPTION GRANTS
 
    In addition to the options granted under the plans described above, the
Company granted non-qualified stock options to certain employees, officers and
directors. Non-qualified options generally have a maximum term of ten years and
generally vest in equal quarterly increments over a five-year period.
 
VALUE OF OPTIONS GRANTED
 
    For disclosure purposes the fair value of all stock options granted is
estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following
weighted average assumptions used for stock options granted in 1997: no annual
dividends, expected volatility of 69%, risk-free interest rate of 6.49%, and
expected life of 6.6 years. For 1995 and 1996, the fair value of each option
grant is estimated on the date of grant using the minimum value method with the
following assumptions used for grants during both periods: dividend yield of
0.0%, risk free interest rate of 5.83% and expected option term of 10 years.
 
    Had compensation cost been determined on the basis of fair value pursuant to
SFAS No. 123, net loss and net loss per share would have been increased as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                -------------------------------
                                                                  1995       1996       1997
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>
Net loss:
  As reported.................................................  $   6,120  $  31,149  $  29,916
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
  Pro forma...................................................  $   6,145  $  31,477  $  30,737
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
 
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
  As reported.................................................  $    0.80  $    2.57  $    1.50
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
  Pro forma...................................................  $    0.81  $    2.60  $    1.54
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
WARRANTS
 
    The Company has issued to certain Board members, consultants, lessors,
creditors and others warrants to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
    In September 1995, certain stockholders guaranteed a $500,000 lease for
networking equipment. The Company issued warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of
Common Stock at $0.91 per share, valued at $25,000, based upon an appraisal
obtained by the Company, as consideration for this guarantee. These warrants
expire August 31, 2000.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
9.  STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
 
    In December 1995, certain stockholders provided the Company with a $250,000
Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit as a performance guarantee for a real
estate lease. In conjunction with this transaction the Company issued warrants
to purchase 100,000 shares at $2.42 per share, valued at $25,000, based upon an
appraisal obtained by the Company. These warrants expire December 1, 2000.
 
    In January 1996, certain stockholders guaranteed a $1,500,000 lease for
networking equipment. The Company issued warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of
Common Stock at $2.42 per share. The fair value of the warrants has been
reflected in intangible assets. These warrants expire January 11, 2001.
 
    In January 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of
Common Stock at $2.42 to Board members. The warrants vest quarterly over five
years. As these warrants were issued for service on the Board of Directors they
are accounted for under APB 25 and as such are included in the summary of
non-qualified options and are not included in the summary of warrant grants.
 
    In January 1996, LINC Capital Partners, Inc. ("LINC") provided a $1,500,000
lease line for equipment. The Company issued warrants to LINC to purchase
100,000 shares of Common Stock at $2.42 per share. The fair value of the
warrants has been reflected as deferred financing costs. These warrants expire
January 18, 2006.
 
    In February 1996, Boston Financial & Equity Corporation ("Boston Financial")
provided a $700,000 lease line for equipment. The Company issued warrants to
Boston Financial to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at $4.88 per share.
The fair value of the warrants has been reflected as deferred financing costs.
These warrants expire February 15, 2006.
 
    In May 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase 90,954 shares of Common
Stock at $4.88 per share to various lessors in return for lease lines and other
services to the Company. The fair value of the warrants has been reflected as
deferred financing costs. The warrants expire on May 10, 2006.
 
    In May 1996, in connection with the amendment and restatement of the UUNET
Agreement, the Company agreed to issue warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. The fair value of the
warrants has been reflected as deferred financing costs.
 
    In connection with the issuance of 10% Promissory Notes aggregating
$2,950,000, the Company issued to the lenders warrants to purchase an aggregate
of 196,680 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share, as
adjusted. The fair value of the warrants has been reflected as deferred
financing costs.
 
    In connection with the execution of the PSINet, Inc. ("PSINet") agreement in
July 1996 (Note 11), the Company issued warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. The fair value of the
warrants has been reflected as deferred financing costs.
 
    In connection with the private placement of Series A Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock, described above, the Company granted to certain purchasers of
the Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock warrants to purchase 200,000
shares of Common Stock at $5.50 per share.
 
WARRANTS ISSUED FOR SERVICES
 
    In May 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with NMC, a producer of
infomercials and commercials, pursuant to which NMC agreed to produce and
broadcast commercials for EarthLink's services in exchange for warrants. Upon
completion of the infomercial in April 1997, the Company issued warrants to NMC
to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock, having an exercise price of $4.88
per share. In September 1997, the parties orally agreed to rescind the
agreement. The rescission agreement
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
9.  STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
included the return of the 100,000 warrants and the cancellation of any future
obligations of either party. However, the rescission agreement was never
executed and thus may be considered non-operative. The fair value of the
warrants, $76,000, has been recorded as prepaid advertising and will be expensed
upon airing of the infomercials.
 
    In January 1997 and October 1997, the Company issued warrants to purchase
12,000 and 50,000 shares, respectively, of the Company's Common Stock to certain
consultants. The respective exercise prices of the warrants were $6.50 and
$8.875. The fair value of the warrants is reflected as prepaid consulting fees
and amortized ratably over the life of the consulting agreement. Consulting
expense recorded with respect to warrants issued to consultants was $23,340
during 1997.
 
    In September 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase 15,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock at $5.50 per share to each of the three members of
the Company's Technology Advisory Council. The warrants vest quarterly over two
years. The fair value of the warrants is reflected as deferred professional
services expense and amortized ratably over the member's two year term of
service in the Technology Advisory Council.
 
    In March 1997 and October 1997, the Company issued warrants to purchase
15,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock to each of two new members of the
Company's Technology Advisory Council. The warrants have an exercise price of
$5.25 per share and $8.875 per share, respectively, and vest quarterly over two
years. The fair value of the warrants is reflected as deferred professional
services expense and amortized ratably over the member's two year term of
service in the Technology Advisory Council.
 
    Following is a summary of stock option and warrant activity during the three
years ended December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                               -------------------------------------                    WEIGHTED
                                               INCENTIVE                                                 AVERAGE
                                                 STOCK     NON-QUALIFIED                                EXERCISE
                                                OPTIONS    STOCK OPTIONS   WARRANTS   PRICE PER SHARE     PRICE
                                               ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------------  -----------
<S>                                            <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>              <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994.................      --           --           300,000  $          0.91   $    0.91
Granted......................................     465,000       850,000      220,660  $   0.30 - 2.42   $    1.52
Forfeited....................................      --          (120,418)      --      $          0.30   $    0.30
                                               ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------------
Balance at December 31, 1995.................     465,000       729,582      520,660  $   0.91 - 2.42   $    1.50
Granted                                         1,612,500       350,000    1,062,634  $  0.91 - 10.00   $    4.57
Forfeited                                         (21,000)      --            --      $          4.88   $    4.88
                                               ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------------
Balance at December 31, 1996.................   2,056,500     1,079,582    1,583,294  $   0.91 - 5.50   $    3.45
Granted......................................     691,250       100,000      192,000  $  0.91 - 10.00   $    6.71
Forfeited....................................    (422,614)      --            --      $   2.42 - 6.50   $    4.51
Exercised....................................     (97,914)      (29,582)      --      $   0.30 - 6.50   $    2.82
                                               ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------------
Balance at December 31, 1997.................   2,227,222     1,150,000    1,775,294  $  0.91 - 10.00   $    4.01
                                               ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------------
                                               ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------------
 
Exercisable at December 31, 1997.............     598,710       417,500    1,673,840  $  0.91 - 10.00   $    3.66
                                               ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------------
                                               ----------  -------------  ----------  ---------------
</TABLE>
 
    The weighted average fair values of the options granted during the three
years ended December 31, 1997, were $0.35 $1.01 and $4.98, respectively. The
weighted average fair values of warrants granted during the three years ended
December 31, 1997, were $0.05, $0.86 and $3.49, respectively.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
9.  STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS (CONTINUED)
 
    Following is a summary of stock options and warrants outstanding as of
December 31, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      WEIGHTED
                                                                       AVERAGE       WEIGHTED                 WEIGHTED
                                                                      REMAINING       AVERAGE                  AVERAGE
                                                        NUMBER       CONTRACTUAL     EXERCISE      NUMBER     EXERCISE
RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICES                              OUTSTANDING       LIFE           PRICE     EXERCISABLE    PRICE
- ----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  -----------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>         <C>
$0.91 - $0.91.......................................   1,000,000           3.66      $    0.91      700,000   $    0.91
$2.42 - $2.42.......................................   1,575,260           3.99      $    2.42      818,760   $    2.42
$4.88 - $5.50.......................................   1,758,756           4.09      $    5.20      909,016   $    5.24
$5.75 - $9.94.......................................     598,500           4.75      $    7.61       42,274   $    6.38
$10.00 - $10.00.....................................     220,000           4.27      $   10.00      220,000   $   10.00
                                                      -----------                                ----------
$0.91 - $10.00......................................   5,152,516           4.06      $    4.00    2,690,050   $    3.66
                                                      -----------                                ----------
                                                      -----------                                ----------
</TABLE>
 
10.  INCOME TAXES
 
    The stockholders, upon incorporating the Company, elected to treat the
Company as an S Corporation under the Internal Revenue Code. On June 19, 1995,
this election was revoked as certain ineligible entities (i.e partnerships and
corporations) became stockholders. Losses of $1,261,000 incurred from inception
through June 19, 1995 have been reclassified from accumulated deficit to Common
Stock as a result of the change to C Corporation status. The Company is now
subject to income taxes on income earned after June 19, 1995. At December 31,
1996 and 1997, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal
income tax purposes totaling approximately $33,751,000, and $61,004,000,
respectively, which begin to expire in 2011. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, includes provisions which may limit the net operating loss
carryforwards available for use in any given year if certain events occur,
including significant changes in ownership. Due to the Company's initial public
offering and other issuances of Common Stock and Common Stock equivalents,
utilization of the Company's net operating loss carryforwards to offset future
income may be limited.
 
    Deferred tax assets include the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ----------------------
                                                                           1996        1997
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>
Net operating loss carryforwards......................................  $   13,578  $   24,584
Deferred financing costs..............................................          88         118
Depreciation..........................................................          50         323
Accrued liabilities...................................................         103         201
                                                                        ----------  ----------
Gross deferred tax assets.............................................      13,819      25,226
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance................................     (13,819)    (25,226)
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        $   --      $   --
                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                        ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company recorded a full valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets
due to the uncertainty of future taxable income.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
10.  INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
 
    Effective January 1997, the Company implemented a profit sharing plan
pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, whereby participants
may contribute a percentage of compensation, but not in excess of the maximum
allowed under the Code. The Company makes a discretionary matching contribution
of 25% up to a maximum of 6% of the participant's total eligible compensation.
The Company's matching contributions vest over four years from the participant's
date of hire. Total contributions for 1997 were $84,000.
 
11.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
LEASES
 
    The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment under non-cancelable
operating leases expiring in various years through 2008. Total rent expense in
1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, for all operating leases amounted to
$145,000, $914,000 and $1.9 million, respectively. The Company also leases
equipment, primarily data communications equipment, under non-cancelable capital
leases. Most of the Company's capital leases include purchase options at the end
of the lease term.
 
    In February 1997, EarthLink commenced occupation of a 55,000 square feet in
a facility located adjacent to its corporate headquarters to house the Company's
data center. In June 1997, the Company amended the lease for its corporate
headquarters facility. Under the amended lease, the Company will occupy an
additional 45,000 square feet of the existing facility and deliver an
irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $450,000 to the Lessor.
 
    During the three years ended December 31, 1997, the Company financed the
acquisition of data processing and office equipment amounting to approximately
$556,000, $11.3 million and $10.5 million, respectively, by entering into a
number of agreements for the sale and leaseback of equipment. The sale leaseback
transactions are recorded at cost, which approximates the fair market value of
the property and, therefore, no gains or losses have been recorded. The property
remains on the books and continues to be depreciated. A financing obligation
representing the proceeds is recorded and reduced based upon payments under the
lease agreement.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
11.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
    Minimum lease commitments under non-cancelable leases at December 31, 1997
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           CAPITAL    OPERATING
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,                                                   LEASES      LEASES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  -----------
                                                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                       <C>        <C>
1998....................................................................  $   8,576   $   1,898
1999....................................................................      6,516       2,126
2000....................................................................      3,258       1,994
2001....................................................................        657       1,767
2002....................................................................         91       1,897
Thereafter..............................................................          8       8,807
                                                                          ---------  -----------
Total minimum lease payments............................................     19,106   $  18,489
                                                                                     -----------
                                                                                     -----------
Less amount representing interest.......................................     (3,776)
                                                                          ---------
Present value of future lease payments..................................     15,330
Less current portion....................................................      7,112
                                                                          ---------
                                                                          $   8,218
                                                                          ---------
                                                                          ---------
</TABLE>
 
GUARANTEED USAGE LEVELS
 
    At December 31, 1997, the Company has committed to guaranteed usage levels
of data and voice communication with certain telecommunication vendors in the
aggregate amount of $3 million in 1998.
 
SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS
 
    Access to the Internet for members outside of the Company's California
regional base is provided through points of presence ("POP") capacity leased
from UUNET and PSINet. EarthLink is, in effect, buying this capacity in bulk at
a discount, and providing access to EarthLink's member base at EarthLink's
normal rates. Payment to UUNET and PSINet is generally concurrent with
EarthLink's receipt of funds from members. At December 31, 1997, $2.0 million
and $2.1 million in amounts due to UUNET were recorded in accounts payable and
other accrued liabilities, respectively, and $540,000 and $4.4 million in
amounts due PSINet were recorded in other accrued liabilities and notes payable,
respectively.
 
    Effective June 30, 1997 the Company's agreement with UUNET was amended.
UUNET agreed to waive monthly revenue minimums, excess hours fees, and peak
service user targets during the six months ended December 31, 1997. In return,
EarthLink agreed not to invoke its early termination right prior to September
1998. If the number of hours used by EarthLink members accessing the Internet
through UUNET increases beyond the amount provided for in the agreement or the
usage becomes more concentrated during peak times, the fees paid by the Company
to UUNET would increase, which would adversely affect the Company's operating
margins.
 
    EarthLink has licensed Netscape Communicator software ("Netscape
Communicator") from Netscape Communications Corporation, and Microsoft Internet
Explorer software ("Internet Explorer") from Microsoft Corporation. These
licenses permit the Company to distribute Netscape Communicator and Internet
Explorer in the EarthLink Network TotalAccess software package. Management
believes that contract renewal for both of the browsers, under conditions
acceptable to EarthLink, is probable.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
11.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)
    Minimum commitments under non-cancelable network service agreements from
UUNET and PSINet are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,                                                            IN MILLIONS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
1998..............................................................................   $    22.8
1999..............................................................................         6.0
                                                                                         -----
    Total.........................................................................   $    28.8
                                                                                         -----
                                                                                         -----
</TABLE>
 
12.  SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      ---------------------------------
                                                                         1995        1996       1997
                                                                         -----     ---------  ---------
                                                                               (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>        <C>
Cash paid for:
Interest............................................................   $      60   $   1,041  $   1,965
                                                                             ---   ---------  ---------
                                                                             ---   ---------  ---------
Income taxes........................................................   $       1   $       1  $       1
                                                                             ---   ---------  ---------
                                                                             ---   ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
13.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH SPRINT CORPORATION
 
    On February 10, 1998, EarthLink entered into certain agreements to establish
a broad strategic relationship (the "Strategic Alliance") with Sprint
Corporation ("Sprint") in the area of consumer Internet access and related
services. In connection with the Strategic Alliance, on June 5, 1998, Sprint
consummated a tender offer for 2.5 million shares of the Company's Common Stock
at a price per share of $22.50 in cash to each tendering stockholder (the
"Offer"). Immediately following the closing of the Offer, Sprint received
approximately 4.1 million shares of the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, in exchange for (i) transfer to the Company of
Sprint's approximately 130,000 Sprint Internet Passport subscribers, (ii)
aggregate cash consideration of approximately $24 million and (iii) the
exclusive right to use certain ports within Sprint's high-speed data network for
four years. EarthLink and Sprint also entered into a Marketing and Distribution
Agreement which includes a commitment by Sprint to deliver a minimum of 150,000
new subscribers per year for five years through its own channels, EarthLink's
right to be Sprint's exclusive provider of consumer Internet access services for
at least ten years and the right to use Sprint's brand and distribution network
for at least ten years. Sprint has also provided EarthLink with a credit
facility of up to $25 million (increasing to $100 million over three years) in
the form of convertible senior debt (collectively, the "Sprint Transaction").
 
    In connection with the Sprint Transaction, a newly-formed subsidiary of the
Company was merged with and into the former EarthLink Network, Inc. (the
"Merger"), pursuant to which (i) the former EarthLink became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company and (ii) each outstanding share of former EarthLink
common stock was converted into one share of common stock of the Company.
EarthLink Operations, Inc. ("EarthLink Operations"), the corporation surviving
the Merger, is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. All references in
these financial statements to EarthLink or the Company related, collectively, to
both EarthLink Network, Inc. and EarthLink Operations, Inc.
 
    The value of intangible assets acquired in the Sprint Transaction,
aggregating $121.2 million, as of September 30, 1998, is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. During the
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
13.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (CONTINUED)
nine months ended September 30, 1998 the Company incurred amortization expense
of $23.6 million on these assets.
 
    Dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock are reflected as an increase to
net loss attributable to common stockholders. The adjustment of $3.3 million
recorded during the quarter ended September 30, 1998 represents a liquidation
dividend of $1.8 million based on a 3% dividend and the accretion of a $1.5
million dividend related to the beneficial conversion feature of the Convertible
Preferred Stock in accordance with EITF Topic No. D-60 based upon the rate at
which the preferred stock becomes convertible.
 
CONVERSION OF NOTE PAYABLE
 
    On March 31, 1998, UUNET converted the $5 million Convertible Note and
related accrued interest into 783,030 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a
conversion price of $6.44 per share.
 
FOLLOW ON PUBLIC OFFERING (UNAUDITED)
 
    In June 1998 the Company completed a follow on public offering of 4.8
million shares of its Common Stock at $30 per share. The offering consisted of
3.0 million shares and an underwriter's overallotment of 720,000 shares offered
by the Company and 1.8 million shares offered by certain stockholders. The
Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by selling
stockholders. Net proceeds to the Company were approximately $105 million.
 
AMENDMENT TO LEASE (UNAUDITED)
 
    Effective July 1998, the Company amended the lease for its Data Center
facility. Under the amended lease the Company increased the space it occupies
from 55,000 to 110,000 square feet of the existing facility and received an
improvement allowance of $1.2 million from the lessor. Rent commitments for the
110,000 square feet of space are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>                                                                            <C>
1998 (October 1, 1998 -- December 31, 1998)..................................    $       276
1999.........................................................................          1,270
2000.........................................................................          1,765
2001.........................................................................          1,765
2002.........................................................................          1,881
2003.........................................................................          1,897
Thereafter...................................................................          6,263
                                                                                     -------
                                                                                 $    15,117
                                                                                     -------
                                                                                     -------
</TABLE>
 
    Under the amended lease the Company will deliver an irrevocable letter of
credit of $1 million to the lessor and cancel its current letter of credit of
$800,000.
 
14.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
TWO FOR ONE STOCK SPLIT
 
    In July 1998 the Company effected a two-for-one stock split. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been
retroactively adjusted to give effect to the stock split.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
Sprint Corporation
 
    We have audited the accompanying statement of revenues and direct expenses
of the Consumer Internet Access Services of Sprint Corporation (the "Company")
for the year ended December 31, 1997. This statement is the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
statement 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 revenues and direct expenses are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement. An audit also
includes assessing the basis of accounting 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.
 
    The accompanying statement of revenues and direct expenses was prepared for
inclusion in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.
for purposes of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission in lieu of the full financial statements required by Rule
3-05 for the transaction between EarthLink Network, Inc. and Sprint Corporation.
The statement is not intended to be a complete presentation of the Consumer
Internet Access Services of Sprint Corporation revenues and expenses.
 
    In our opinion, the statement of revenues and direct expenses referred to
above presents fairly, in all material respects, the revenues and direct
expenses described in the note to the statement of revenues and direct expenses
for the Consumer Internet Access Services of Sprint Corporation for the year
ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
Kansas City, Missouri
March 6, 1998
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
            CONSUMER INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES OF SPRINT CORPORATION
                   STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT EXPENSES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                                MARCH 31, 1998
                                                                              YEAR ENDED      -------------------
                                                                           DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                                                           -----------------      (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                       (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                        <C>                <C>
Net operating revenues...................................................     $    14,489          $   6,259
 
Direct expenses:
  Cost of services.......................................................          51,313              9,813
  Selling, general and administrative....................................          13,099              2,155
  Depreciation...........................................................           6,070              2,146
  Other..................................................................           3,404                198
                                                                                 --------            -------
 
Total direct expenses....................................................          73,886             14,312
                                                                                 --------            -------
 
Direct expenses in excess of revenues....................................     $   (59,397)         $  (8,053)
                                                                                 --------            -------
                                                                                 --------            -------
</TABLE>
 
SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTE.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
            CONSUMER INTERNET ACCESS SERVICES OF SPRINT CORPORATION
 
               NOTE TO STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT EXPENSES
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
       (UNAUDITED WITH RESPECT TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998)
 
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    The statements of revenues and direct expenses represent the activities
related to the Consumer Internet Access Services of Sprint Corporation and have
been prepared in connection with the transaction between EarthLink Network, Inc.
and Sprint Corporation. The statements of revenues and direct expenses are not
intended to be a complete presentation of the revenues and expenses of the
Consumer Internet Access Services of Sprint Corporation because corporate
allocated expenses have not been included. Direct expenses are defined as those
costs which were incurred as a direct result of providing Consumer Internet
Access Services and which will no longer be incurred by Sprint Corporation
subsequent to consummation of the transaction with EarthLink Network, Inc.
 
    Sprint Corporation began offering Internet access in the fourth quarter of
1996 and any revenues generated and direct operating expenses incurred from
inception through December 31, 1996, were nominal. Sprint Corporation reports
this operation within its "Emerging Businesses Segment" (the "Group") and
maintains the financial information relative to the Internet subscribers in the
Group. Revenues and direct operating expense information are separately
maintained for the Consumer Internet Access Services within the Group. Sprint
Corporation does not, however, separately maintain and account for other costs
and expenses to operate this business and is unable to determine or reasonably
estimate these costs on a historical basis. In addition, Sprint Corporation does
not separately maintain and account for all assets used in the consumer Internet
access services business. Such assets, primarily network related, are recorded
in the other businesses of Sprint Corporation and used by the other divisions of
Sprint Corporation, including the Group. Accordingly, financial statements for
1996 and full financial statements required by Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X have
not been presented.
 
    The statements of revenues and direct expenses are not indicative of the
financial condition or results of operations of this business going forward
because of the change in the business and the omission of various operating
expenses.
 
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
    The statement of revenues and direct expenses for the three months ended
March 31, 1998 is unaudited. Sprint Corporation believes that such information
includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the revenues and direct expenses related to the
Consumer Internet Access Services of Sprint Corporation.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    Operating revenues are recognized as services are rendered to customers and
are recorded net of an estimate for uncollectible accounts. The provision for
doubtful accounts for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the three months
ended March 31, 1998 was $723,000 and $471,000 (unaudited), respectively.
 
DEPRECIATION
 
    The cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line
basis over estimated economic useful lives.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The statements of revenues and direct expenses are prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles which requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statement. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
of EarthLink Network, Inc.
 
    We have audited the accompanying statement of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed of the Sprint Internet Passport Business acquired by
EarthLink Network, Inc. as of June 5, 1998. This statement of assets acquired
and liabilities assumed is the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on the statement of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed 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 statement of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed is free of material misstatement. An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. An audit also
includes, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We believe that our audit
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    The accompanying statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed was
prepared for inclusion in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
Network, Inc. for purposes of complying with the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission in lieu of the full financial statements
required by Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X for the transaction between EarthLink
Network, Inc. and Sprint Corporation.
 
    In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed presents fairly, in all material respects, the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed as described in the note to the statement of
assets acquired and liabilities assumed of the Sprint Internet Passport Business
by EarthLink Network, Inc. as of June 5, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
 
Costa Mesa, California
June 16, 1998
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
              STATEMENT OF ASSETS ACQUIRED AND LIABILITIES ASSUMED
                    OF THE SPRINT INTERNET PASSPORT BUSINESS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     JUNE 5, 1998
                                                                                                    --------------
                                                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                                 <C>
Current assets:
  Cash............................................................................................   $     23,750
                                                                                                    --------------
    Total current assets..........................................................................         23,750
 
Intangible assets.................................................................................        119,718
                                                                                                    --------------
                                                                                                          143,468
                                                                                                    --------------
Current liabilities:
  Other accounts payable and accrued liabilities..................................................         (8,468)
                                                                                                    --------------
    Total current liabilities.....................................................................         (8,468)
                                                                                                    --------------
Net assets acquired...............................................................................   $    135,000
                                                                                                    --------------
                                                                                                    --------------
</TABLE>
 
                See accompany note to this financial statement.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
          NOTE TO STATEMENT OF ASSETS ACQUIRED AND LIABILITIES ASSUMED
                    OF THE SPRINT INTERNET PASSPORT BUSINESS
 
                                  JUNE 5, 1998
 
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
 
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    The statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents the
acquisition by EarthLink Network, Inc. (the "Company") of the Sprint Internet
Passport business ("SIP") of Sprint Corporation ("Sprint") in a transaction
accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price paid by the Company consisted of
approximately 4.1 million shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which
has been valued at $135,000,000. In exchange for the Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock, the Company obtained SIP's customer base, cash and access to
Sprint's high-speed data network. Sprint has further provided the Company access
to up to $100 million in convertible debt financing, and has entered into a
Marketing and Distribution Agreement with the Company.
 
    Sprint Corporation began offering Internet access in the fourth quarter of
1996. Sprint reports this operation within its "Emerging Businesses Segment"
(the "Group") and maintains the financial information relative to the Internet
subscribers in the Group. Revenues and direct operating expense information are
separately maintained for the Sprint Internet Passport business within the
Group. Sprint Corporation does not, however, separately maintain and account for
other costs and expenses to operate this business and is unable to determine or
reasonably estimate these costs on a historical basis. In addition, Sprint
Corporation does not separately maintain and account for all assets used in the
Sprint Internet Passport business. Such assets, primarily network related, are
recorded in the other businesses of Sprint Corporation and used by the other
divisions of Sprint Corporation, including the Group. Accordingly, the Company
has included this statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in order
to comply with Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES IN PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    The preparation of the statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 statement. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
PURCHASE PRICE ALLOCATION
 
    The purchase price was allocated to the fair value of assets acquired,
consisting of cash and intangible assets related to a customer base, Sprint's
provision of additional customers and the co-branding feature of the Marketing
and Distribution Agreement and the excess of consideration over the fair value
of net assets acquired.
 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
    The intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the
estimated useful lives as follows: customer base amortized over 18 months, the
Marketing and Distribution Agreement amortized over 5 and 10 years, which are
the life of the portion of the contract related to Sprint's provision of
additional customers and the overall contract life relative to the co-branding
feature, respectively, and the excess of consideration over the fair value of
net assets acquired over 18 months. The Company regularly reviews the
recoverability of intangible assets based on estimated undiscounted future cash
flows from operating activities compared with the carrying values of the
intangible assets.
 
OTHER ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
 
    The liabilities consist of accrued expenses for incremental acquisition
costs directly attributable to the acquisition, primarily investment banking,
legal and accounting professional fees.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
                        PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
    The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements
give effect to the acquisition by the Company of the Sprint Internet Passport
business ("SIP") of Sprint in a transaction accounted for as a purchase. The
unaudited statements of operations are based on the statements of operations of
the Company and the statements of revenues and direct expenses of SIP appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus, and combine the results of operations of the
Company and of SIP for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the nine months
ended September 30, 1998 as if the acquisition occurred on January 1, 1997.
These unaudited pro forma financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the historical statement of revenues and direct expenses and notes thereto
of SIP and the historical financial statements and notes thereto of the Company,
both included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The historical statement of revenues
and direct expenses of SIP are not necessarily indicative of the financial
condition or results of operations of such operations on a prospective basis
because of the omission of various operating expenses from such presentation and
the change in the nature and scope of such business as it will be operated by
the Company.
 
    The purchase price paid by the Company consisted of approximately 4.1
million shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which has been valued at
$135,000,000. In exchange for the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, the
Company obtained SIP's customer base of approximately 130,000 members, cash of
$23,750,000 and access to Sprint's high-speed data network. Sprint has further
provided the Company access to $25 million (increasing to $100 million over a
three year period) in convertible debt financing, and has entered into a
Marketing and Distribution Agreement with the Company. The Company acquired no
other assets of SIP or Sprint. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to
the cash and intangible assets acquired. The excess of the purchase price over
the fair value of the assets acquired was allocated to goodwill. The final
allocation may differ from that used in the unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements. The acquisition was accounted for using the
purchase method.
 
    Sprint began offering Internet access in the fourth quarter of 1996 and
reported this operation within its Emerging Businesses Segment (the "Group").
Sprint maintained the financial information relative to the Internet subscribers
in the financial statements for the Group. Sprint maintained revenue and direct
operating expense information separately within the Group. Direct operating
expenses include cost of services and products, selling, general and
administrative expense, and depreciation expense. Sprint, however, did not
separately maintain and account for other costs and expenses to operate this
business. The Company is unable to determine or estimate these costs on a
historical and pro forma basis. In addition, Sprint did not separately maintain
and account for all assets used in the individual business. Such assets,
primarily network related, are recorded in the other businesses of Sprint and
used by the other divisions of Sprint in addition to the Group.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               EARTHLINK      SPRINT
                                                                NETWORK,     INTERNET
                                                                  INC.       PASSPORT    PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA
                                                               HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL  ADJUSTMENTS   COMBINED
                                                              ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                                                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>
Revenues:
  Recurring revenues........................................   $   74,657                            $    74,657
  Other revenues............................................        6,231                                  6,231
  Net operating revenues....................................                $   14,489                    14,489
                                                              ------------  ----------               -----------
 
    Total revenues..........................................       80,888       14,489                    95,377
                                                              ------------  ----------               -----------
 
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of recurring revenues................................       36,854                                 36,854
  Cost of other revenues....................................        1,649                                  1,649
  Cost of services..........................................                    51,313                    51,313
  Sales and marketing.......................................       25,606                                 25,606
  General and administrative................................       14,333                                 14,333
  Operations and member support.............................       30,900                                 30,900
  Amortization and transaction costs........................                                70,692(a)      70,692
  Selling, general and administrative.......................                    13,099                    13,099
  Depreciation..............................................                     6,070      (6,070)(b)
  Other.....................................................                     3,404                     3,404
                                                              ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 
    Total operating costs and expenses......................      109,342       73,886      64,622       247,850
                                                              ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 
Loss from operations........................................      (28,454)     (59,397)    (64,622)     (152,473)
Interest expense............................................       (2,099)                                (2,099)
Interest income.............................................          637                                    637
                                                              ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 
Net loss....................................................      (29,916)     (59,397)    (64,622)     (153,935)
 
Deductions for accretion dividends..........................                                (9,355)(c)      (9,355)
                                                              ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders................   $  (29,916)  $  (59,397)  $ (73,977)  $  (163,290)
                                                              ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                                              ------------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Basic and diluted net loss per share........................   $    (1.50)                           $     (8.16)
                                                              ------------                           -----------
                                                              ------------                           -----------
 
Weighted average shares outstanding.........................       20,002                                 20,002(d)
                                                              ------------                           -----------
                                                              ------------                           -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
              NOTES TO PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
    Pro Forma adjustments are as follows:
 
a.  This entry reflects the amortization of intangible assets as follows:
    customer base ($65,000,000) amortized over 18 months, the Marketing and
    Distribution Agreement amortized over five and ten years, which are the life
    of the portion of the contract related to Sprint's provision of customers
    ($12,500,000) and the overall contract life relative to the co-branding
    feature ($7,500,000), respectively, and the excess of purchase price over
    net assets acquired ($36,164,000) amortized over 18 months. Additional costs
    to provide service to the acquired members are not considered to be
    material.
 
b.  The Company acquired no depreciable assets of SIP. This adjustment
    eliminates the depreciation expense recorded by SIP.
 
c.  This adjustment reflects the liquidation dividends based upon a 3%
    Liquidation Value accretion dividend ($3,736,000), the accretion of a
    dividend related to the beneficial conversion feature in accordance with
    EITF Topic No. D-60 based upon the rate at which the preferred stock becomes
    convertible ($5,619,000).
 
d.  Pro forma share data are based on the number of shares of the Company's
    Common Stock and common equivalent shares that would have been outstanding
    had SIP been acquired on January 1, 1997. As of December 31, 1997, EarthLink
    had reserved 3,377,222 shares for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding
    employee stock options, 783,030 shares for issuance pursuant to the
    Convertible Note issued to UUNET Technologies, Inc. and 1,775,294 shares
    reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants. These common
    stock equivalents and 4.1 million shares of the Series A Convertible
    Preferred Stock have been excluded from the calculation as their effect is
    antidilutive.
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           EARTHLINK        SPRINT
                                                            NETWORK,       INTERNET
                                                              INC.         PASSPORT      PRO FORMA    PRO FORMA
                                                           HISTORICAL   HISTORICAL(A)   ADJUSTMENTS   COMBINED
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>
Revenues:
  Recurring revenues....................................   $  109,957                                 $ 109,957
  Other revenues........................................        4,897                                     4,897
  Incremental revenues..................................        2,786                                     2,786
  Net operating revenues................................                  $   11,122                     11,122
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
 
    Total revenues......................................      117,640         11,122                    128,762
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
 
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of recurring revenues............................       53,163                                    53,163
  Cost of other revenues................................          730                                       730
  Cost of services......................................                      17,881                     17,881
  Sales and marketing...................................       25,348                                    25,348
  General and administrative............................       15,344                                    15,344
  Operations and member support.........................       36,248                                    36,248
  Amortization and transaction costs....................       24,962                       11,198(b)     36,160
  Selling, general and administrative...................                       3,070                      3,070
  Depreciation..........................................                       3,655        (3,655)(c)     --
  Other.................................................                         353                        353
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
 
    Total operating costs and expenses..................      155,795         24,959         7,543      188,297
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
 
Loss from operations....................................      (38,155)       (13,837)       (7,543)     (59,535)
Interest expense........................................       (1,661)                                   (1,661)
Interest income.........................................        2,568                                     2,568
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
Net loss................................................      (37,248)       (13,837)       (7,543)     (58,628)
 
Deductions for accretion dividends......................       (4,330)                      (1,734)(d)     (6,064)
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
 
Net loss attributable to common stockholders............   $  (41,578)    $  (13,837)    $  (9,277)   $ (64,692)
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
                                                          ------------  --------------  -----------  -----------
 
Basic and diluted net loss per share....................   $    (1.64)                                $   (2.56)
                                                          ------------                               -----------
                                                          ------------                               -----------
 
Weighted average shares outstanding.....................       25,292                                  25,292(e)
                                                          ------------                               -----------
                                                          ------------                               -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
                            EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                  FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
              NOTES TO PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
    Pro Forma adjustments are as follows:
 
(a) The historical SIP revenues and expenses include results from January 1,
    1998 through June 5, 1998 (the date of acquisition).
 
(b) This entry reflects the amortization of intangible assets as follows:
    customer base ($65,000,000) amortized over 18 months, the Marketing
    Agreement amortized over five and ten years, which are the life of the
    portion of the contract related to Sprint's provision of customers
    ($12,500,000) and the overall contract life relative to the co-branding
    feature ($7,500,000), respectively, and the excess of purchase price over
    net assets acquired ($36,164,000) amortized over 18 months. Additional costs
    to provide service to the acquired members are not considered to be
    material.
 
(c) The Company acquired no depreciable assets of SIP. This adjustment
    eliminates the depreciation expense recorded by SIP.
 
(d) This adjustment reflects the liquidation dividends based upon a 3%
    Liquidation Value accretion dividend ($2,876,000) and the accretion of a
    dividend related to the beneficial conversion feature in accordance with
    EITF Topic No. D-60 based upon the rate at which the preferred stock becomes
    convertible ($3,188,000).
 
(e) Pro forma per share data are based on the number of shares of the Company's
    Common Stock and common equivalent shares that would have been outstanding
    had SIP been acquired on January 1, 1997. As of September 30, 1998,
    EarthLink had reserved for issuance 3,657,720 shares upon the exercise of
    outstanding employee stock options, and 1,284,106 shares reserved for
    issuance upon exercise of outstanding warrants. These common stock
    equivalents and 4.1 million shares of the Series A Convertible Preferred
    Stock have been excluded from the calculation as their effect is
    antidilutive.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The following are the estimated expenses, other than underwriting discounts
and commissions, to be borne by the Company in connection with the issuance and
distribution of the Common Stock being registered:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM                                                                                 AMOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                                                               <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.............................  $     46,556
NASD filing fee.................................................................        17,247
Nasdaq National Market listing fee..............................................        17,500
Blue Sky fees and expenses......................................................        10,000
Printing and engraving expenses.................................................       100,000
Legal fees and expenses.........................................................       150,000
Accounting fees and expenses....................................................        75,000
Transfer Agent and Registrar fee................................................         5,000
Miscellaneous...................................................................        78,697
                                                                                  ------------
Total...........................................................................  $    500,000
                                                                                  ------------
                                                                                  ------------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    Under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
as amended, the Company has the power to indemnify directors and officers under
certain prescribed circumstances and subject to certain limitations against
certain costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, to which any of them is a party by
reason of his or her being a director or officer of the Company if it is
determined that he acted in accordance with the applicable standard of conduct
set forth in such statutory provision.
 
    Article XII of the Company's By-laws generally permits indemnification of
directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
 
    The Company has purchased directors' and officers' liability insurance.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
    During the three year period preceding the filing of this Registration
Statement, the Company issued and sold unregistered securities in the
transactions described below. All of the following share and per share amounts
have been restated to give effect to all of the Company's stock splits.
 
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
 
1.  On June 19, 1995, the Company sold 1,654,170 shares of Common Stock to 20
    investors, including Messrs. Slatkin, O'Donnell and Azeez, directors of the
    Company, at a purchase price of $0.91 per share.
 
2.  On October 31, 1995, the Company sold 1,843,490 shares of Common Stock to 19
    investors, including Messrs. Slatkin, O'Donnell and Azeez, directors of the
    Company, at a purchase price of $2.42 per share.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
3.  On January 18, 1996, the Company sold 90,970 shares of Common Stock to
    Messrs. Linwood Lacy, Jr. and Robert Kavner, directors of the Company, at a
    purchase price of $2.42 per share.
 
4.  On March 20, 1996, the Company sold 50,000 shares of Common Stock to Mr.
    Charles G. Betty, a director of the Company and the Company's President and
    Chief Executive Officer, at a purchase price of $2.42 per share.
 
5.  On May 6, 1996, the Company sold 10,244 shares of Common Stock to a
    sub-contractor at a purchase price of $4.88 per share, which purchase price
    was paid by performance of certain services.
 
6.  On May 6, 1996, the Company sold 1,704,906 shares of Common Stock to 34
    investors (primarily existing stockholders of the Company), including
    Messrs. Azeez, Slatkin and O'Donnell, directors of the Company, at a
    purchase price of $4.88 per share.
 
7.  On September 8, 1996, the Company issued 75,000 shares of Common Stock to a
    consultant in consideration of the cancellation of the consulting agreement
    between the consultant and the Company.
 
8.  On December 11, 1996, the Company agreed to enter into a consulting
    agreement with New Media Group, Inc., pursuant to which the Company agreed
    to issue an aggregate of 40,000 shares of Common Stock in equal increments
    in January 1998 and 1999 as consideration for the consulting services to be
    performed.
 
9.  On September 19, 1997, the Company sold 2,919,518 shares of Common Stock to
    investors, including Messrs. Slatkin, Azeez, Betty and Lacy, directors of
    the Company, and Messrs. Edmiston and Young, officers of the Company, at a
    purchase price of $5.375 per share.
 
SHARES OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
10. On September 10, 1996, the Company issued 2,727,273 shares of Series A
    Convertible Preferred Stock to certain investors, including Messrs. Azeez,
    Betty, Slatkin, O'Donnell and Lacy, directors of the Company, at a purchase
    price of $5.50 per share. These shares automatically converted into
    2,727,248 shares of Common Stock in January 1997 upon the closing of the
    Company's initial public offering. In connection with this transaction,
    certain of these investors were also granted warrants to purchase 200,000
    shares of Common Stock having an exercise price of $5.50 per share.
 
WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
 
11. On August 31, 1995, the Company granted Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares
    of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.91 per share to Mr. Slatkin in
    connection with his acting as lessee, with the Company, under a $500,000
    equipment lease. Mr. Slatkin subsequently transferred one-half of these
    warrants to Mr. O'Donnell as consideration for his agreement to indemnify
    Mr. Slatkin for certain liability arising in connection with the lease.
 
12. On October 31, 1995, the Company granted Warrants to purchase 20,660 shares
    of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.42 per share to David Beckemeyer
    as partial consideration for the sale of certain of the assets of Beckemeyer
    Development.
 
13. On December 1, 1995, the Company granted Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares
    of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.42 per share to Mr. Slatkin in
    connection with their provision of a $250,000 line of credit as security for
    the lease of the Company's Pasadena, California facility. Mr. Slatkin
    subsequently transferred one-half of these warrants to Mr. O'Donnell in
    consideration for his agreement to indemnify Mr. Slatkin for certain
    liability arising in connection with the line of credit.
 
14. Effective January 11, 1996, the Company granted Warrants to purchase 200,000
    shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.42 per share to Mr.
    Slatkin in connection with his acting as lessee, with
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
    the Company, under a $1,500,000 equipment lease. Mr. Slatkin subsequently
    transferred one-half of these warrants to Mr. O'Donnell as consideration for
    his agreement to indemnify Mr. Slatkin for certain liability arising in
    connection with the lease.
 
15. On January 12, 1996, the Company granted warrants to purchase 100,000 shares
    of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.42 per share to each of Messrs.
    Lacy and Kavner as consideration for their agreeing to serve on the
    Company's Board of Directors.
 
16. On January 18, 1996, the Company granted warrants to purchase 100,000 shares
    of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.42 per share to LINC Capital
    Partners, Inc. ("LINC") in connection with LINC's provision of a $2,000,000
    equipment lease credit line.
 
17. On February 15, 1996, the Company granted warrants to purchase 10,000 shares
    of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.88 per share to Boston Financial
    & Equity Corporation ("BFE") in connection with BFE's provision of a
    $700,000 equipment lease credit line.
 
18. On May 6, 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase up to 100,000 shares
    of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.88 per share to National Media
    Corporation in connection with the production of commercials on behalf of
    the Company.
 
19. On May 10, 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of
    90,954 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.88 per share to
    MMC/GATX, LINC Capital Corporation, Charter Equipment Leasing, El Camino
    Resources for lease lines.
 
20. On May 10, 1996, the Company entered into consulting agreements with two
    consultants, David Hayes and Allen Claypool. In connection with these
    agreements, the Company agreed that it will issue warrants to purchase an
    aggregate of 20,000 shares of Common Stock at a per share exercise price of
    $4.88 per share upon completion of the consulting services.
 
21. On May 31, 1996, in connection with the amendment of its agreement with
    UUNET, the Company agreed to issue warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of
    Common Stock at $10.00 per share.
 
22. On June 6, 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase 196,680 shares of
    Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.75 per share. Messrs. Azeez, Kavner,
    O'Donnell and Slatkin were granted 13,334, 6,668, 15,000 and 15,000 of these
    warrants, respectively. The warrants were issued in connection with the
    issuance of the 10% Promissory Notes of the Company, as described in
    paragraph 35 below.
 
23. On July 22, 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of
    Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share in connection with the
    execution of its agreement with PSINet.
 
24. In September 1996, the Company issued Warrants to purchase 15,000 shares of
    Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.50 per share to each of three
    members of the Company's Technology Advisory Council.
 
25. In October 1997, the Company issued Warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of
    Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.875 per share to a consultant.
 
26. In October 1997, the Company issued Warrants to purchase 15,000 shares of
    Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.875 per share to a member of the
    Company's Technical Advisory Committee.
 
CONVERTIBLE DEBT OBLIGATION
 
27. Effective October 31, 1996, UUNET purchased from the Company, a $5 million
    convertible promissory note, which UUNET converted into 783,030 shares of
    Common Stock on March 30, 1998.
 
28. On June 19, 1995, the Company granted non-plan Options to purchase 500,000
    shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.91 to Mr. Dayton in
    consideration for his continuing efforts to develop the Company and its
    business.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
29. On June 19, 1995, the Company granted non-plan Options to purchase 100,000
    shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.91 per share to Mr. Robert
    E. Johnson, Jr. in consideration for his accepting employment with the
    Company.
 
30. On December 1, 1995, the Company granted non-plan Options to purchase
    100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $2.42 to Mr. Leland
    C. Thoburn in consideration for his accepting employment with the Company.
 
31. On November 7, 1997, the Company granted non-plan Options to purchase
    100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $8.00 to Mr. Grayson
    Hoberg in consideration for his accepting employment with the Company.
 
32. In addition to the options described above, between September 30, 1995 and
    September 30, 1998, the Registrant granted options to purchase an aggregate
    of 4,180,650 shares of Common Stock to employees of the Registrant at
    exercise prices ranging from $2.42 to $47.63 per share as incentives under
    the Registrant's 1995 Stock Option Plan. Of these, options for 517,800
    shares of Common Stock have been forfeited due to the termination of the
    employment of various grantees.
 
PROMISSORY NOTES
 
33. On June 7, 1996, the Company issued $2.95 million principal amount of 10%
    promissory notes to certain investors, including Messrs. Azeez, Kavner,
    O'Donnell and Slatkin, directors of the Company. Messrs. Azeez, Kavner,
    O'Donnell and Slatkin purchased notes in the respective principal amounts of
    $200,000; $100,000; $225,000; and $225,000. As additional consideration for
    the investment, the Company issued warrants described in paragraph 27 above.
    These notes are no longer outstanding.
 
    All issuances of securities described above were made in reliance on the
exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of
1933 or Section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 701 thereunder. The
Company believes that all of the securities were acquired by the investors for
investment and with no view toward the resale or distribution thereof. In each
instance, the investor was either an employee of the Company or a sophisticated
investor, the offers and sales were made without any public solicitation and the
stock certificates bear restrictive legends. No underwriter was involved in the
transactions and no commissions were paid.
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a) Exhibits:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                                   DESCRIPTION
- -----------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
       1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
 
       2.1   Investment Agreement dated as of February 10, 1998, among Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation,
             Sprint Communications Company L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, Dolphin Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K filed by EarthLink Network, Inc.
             on February 10, 1998).
 
       3.1   Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration
             Statement on Form S-4--File No. 333-52507).
 
       3.2   Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
             S-4--File No. 333-52507).
 
       3.3   Form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of
             Dolphin, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed by EarthLink Network,
             Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
       4.1   See Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 for provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Certificate
             of Designation, Preference and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock defining rights of holders
             of the equity securities of Dolphin, Inc.
 
       4.2   Specimen Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on
             Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
       4.3   Form of Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on
             Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
       4.4   Agreement and Plan of Merger between Newco, Inc. and EarthLink Network, Inc. dated as of February 10,
             1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4--File
             No. 333-52507).
 
       5.1   Opinion of Hunton & Williams.*
 
      10.1   1995 Stock Option Plan and forms of Stock Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registration Statement of EarthLink Network, Inc. on form S-1--File No.
             333-15781).
 
      10.2   Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.3   Lease Line Agreement, dated January 30, 1996, between the Company and Boston Financial & Equity
             Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of
             EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.4   Master Lease Agreement, dated September 1, 1995, between the Company and LINC Capital Management
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.5   Netscape Communications Corporation Internet Service Provider Navigator Distribution Agreement dated May
             31, 1996, between the Company and Netscape Communications Corporation (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                                   DESCRIPTION
- -----------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
             (a) Amendment No. 1 to Netscape Communications Corporation Internet Service Provider Agreement
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
             (b) Amendment No. 2 to Netscape Communications Corporation Internet Service Provider Agreement
             incorporated by reference to (Exhibit 10.6(b) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.6   Network Services Agreement dated May 31, 1996, between the Company and UUNET Technologies, Inc.
             incorporated by reference to (Exhibit 10.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
             (a) Addendum No. 1 to Network Services Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) to the
             Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.7   Software Distribution Agreement (MacTCP), dated October 2, 1995, between the Company and Apple Computer,
             Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.8   Employment Agreement, dated January 15, 1996, between the Company and Charles G. Betty (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1--File No. 333-15781).
             (a) Amendment to Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9(a) to the Report on
             Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997)
             (b) First Amendment to Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9(b) to the
             Company's Report on Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997)
             (c) Second Amendment to Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9(c) to the Report
             on Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997)
             (d) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement.
 
      10.9   Standard Industrial/Commercial Multi-Tenant Lease, dated December 1, 1995, between the Company and
             Becton Dickinson and Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement
             on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.10  Business Loan Agreement, dated June 15, 1995, and Promissory Note in the original principal amount of
             $250,000 between the Company and California United Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to
             the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.11  Production and Distribution Agreement, dated May 6, 1996, between the Company and National Media
             Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of
             EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
             (a) Amendment No. 1 to Production and Distribution Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.16(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.-- File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.12  Internet Wizard Sign-Up Agreement between the Company and Microsoft Corporation, dated August 16, 1996
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                                   DESCRIPTION
- -----------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
      10.13  Network Access Agreement between the Company and PSINet, Inc., dated July 22, 1996 and Amendment No. 1
             to Network Access Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registration Statement on
             Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.14  Office Lease by and between The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, as Landlord, and the Company,
             as Tenant, dated September 20, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registration
             Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.15  Standard Office Lease by and between Glen Feliz Properties, as Landlord, and the Company, as Tenant,
             dated July 2, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1
             of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.16  Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement between the Company and UUNET Technologies, Inc., dated
             October 31, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's Registration Statement on
             Form S-1--File No. 333-15781).
             (a) $5,000,000 Convertible Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23(a) to the Registration
             Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
             (b) Addendum to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.23(c) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc.--File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.17  Amended and Restated Convertible Securities Vesting Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to
             the Report on Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
 
      10.18  Key Employee Compensation Continuation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Report on
             Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
             (a) Amendment to Key Employee Compensation Continuation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.19(a) to the Report on Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31,
             1997).
 
      10.19  Governance Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation,
             Sprint Communications Company L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, and EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.1 to the Form 8-K filed by EarthLink Network, Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.20  Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, between Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and
             EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Borrowers, and Sprint Corporation, a Kansas
             corporation, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K filed by EarthLink
             Network, Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.21  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation, and Sprint Communications Company L.P., a
             Delaware limited partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K by EarthLink
             Network, Inc. filed on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.22  Stockholders Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation, Sprint
             Communications Company L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and the persons identified on Schedule 1
             thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. filed on
             February 10, 1998).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER                                                   DESCRIPTION
- -----------  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>          <C>
      10.23  Agreement to Vote Stock, dated as of February 10, 1998, among the Granting Stockholders named on
             Schedule A thereto, Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation and Sprint Communications Company L.P., a
             Delaware limited partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Form 8-K filed by
             EarthLink Network, Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.24  Agreement to Vote and Tender Stock, dated as of February 10, 1998, among the Granting Stockholders named
             on Schedule A thereto, Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation and Sprint Communications Company, L.P.,
             a Delaware limited partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Form 8-K filed by
             EarthLink Network, Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.25  Marketing and Distribution Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Dolphin Inc., a Delaware corporation,
             Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation and Sprint Communications Company L.P., a Delaware limited
             partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form
             S-4, filed May 13, 1998, File No. 333-52507).
 
      10.26  Third Amendment to the lease agreement between WHMNY Real Estate Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited
             partnership ("Landlord"), and EarthLink Network, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
             Company's Form 10-Q filed on November 16, 1998.
 
      22.1   Significant Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 22.1 to the Company's Registration
             Statement on Form S-1, filed May 19, 1998, File No. 333-53063).
 
      23.1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants.
 
      23.2   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.
 
      23.3   Consent of Hunton & Williams (set forth in Exhibit 5.1).*
 
      24.1   Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page to the Registration Statement).
 
      27.1   Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   To be filed by amendment.
 
(b) Financial Statement Schedules:
 
    All of the financial statement schedules for which provision is made in the
applicable accounting regulations of the Commission are either not required
under the related instructions or are inapplicable and have therefore been
omitted, except for the Financial Data Schedule referenced above as Exhibit 27
and filed herewith; provided, however, that Exhibit 27 shall not be deemed filed
for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act, Section 18 of the Exchange Act
and Section 323 of the Trust Indenture Act, or otherwise be subject to the
liabilities of such sections, nor shall it be deemed a part of this Registration
Statement.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    The Company hereby undertakes to provide the Underwriter at the closing
specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and
registered in such names as required by the Underwriter to permit prompt
delivery to each Purchaser.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons to the Company, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for
 
                                      II-8
<PAGE>
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
securities being registered, 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 undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
        (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
    the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
    registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form
    of a prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
    497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
    registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
        (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
    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.
 
                                      II-9
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has duly
caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pasadena, State of
California, on the 17th day of December, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>  <C>
                                EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC.
 
                                By:              /s/ SKY D. DAYTON
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                   Sky D. Dayton
                                         CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
</TABLE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    Each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and
appoints Charles G. Betty and Grayson L. Hoberg, and each of them, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution and full power to act without the
other, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his name,
place and stead and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person,
individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file, any and all
amendments to this Registration Statement, including any and all post-effective
amendments and any registration statement relating to the same offering as this
Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing, ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents or any of them or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated below on the 17th day of December, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
<C>                             <S>
      /s/ SKY D. DAYTON
- ------------------------------  Chairman of the Board of
        Sky D. Dayton             Directors
 
                                President, Chief Executive
     /s/ CHARLES G. BETTY         Officer and Director
- ------------------------------    (Principal Executive
       Charles G. Betty           Officer)
 
    /s/ GRAYSON L. HOBERG       Chief Financial Officer
- ------------------------------    (Principal Financial and
      Grayson L. Hoberg           Accounting Officer)
 
       /s/ SIDNEY AZEEZ
- ------------------------------  Director
         Sidney Azeez
 
     /s/ ROBERT M. KAVNER
- ------------------------------  Director
       Robert M. Kavner
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                       TITLE
- ------------------------------  --------------------------
 
<C>                             <S>
   /s/ LINWOOD A. LACY, JR.
- ------------------------------  Director
     Linwood A. Lacy, Jr.
 
    /s/ KEVIN M. O'DONNELL
- ------------------------------  Director
      Kevin M. O'Donnell
 
     /s/ REED E. SLATKIN
- ------------------------------  Director
       Reed E. Slatkin
 
       /s/ PAUL MCNULTY
- ------------------------------  Director
         Paul McNulty
 
     /s/ WILLIAM T. ESREY
- ------------------------------  Director
       William T. Esrey
 
     /s/ PATTI S. MANUEL
- ------------------------------  Director
       Patti S. Manuel
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-11
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBITS
- -----------
<S>          <C>
       1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.*
 
       2.1   Investment Agreement dated as of February 10, 1998, among Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation,
             Sprint Communications Company L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, Dolphin Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Form 8-K filed by EarthLink Network, Inc.
             on February 10, 1998).
 
       3.1   Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration
             Statement on Form S-4 - File No. 333-52507).
 
       3.2   Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 -
             File No. 333-52507).
 
       3.3   Form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of
             Dolphin, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed by EarthLink Network,
             Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
       4.1   See Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 for provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Certificate
             of Designation, Preference and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock defining rights of holders
             of the equity securities of Dolphin, Inc.
 
       4.2   Specimen Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on
             Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
       4.3   Form of Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on
             Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
       4.4   Agreement and Plan of Merger between Newco, Inc. and EarthLink Network, Inc. dated as of February 10,
             1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4 -
             File No. 333-52507).
 
       5.1   Opinion of Hunton & Williams.*
 
      10.1   1995 Stock Option Plan and forms of Stock Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registration Statement of EarthLink Network, Inc. on form S-1 - File No.
             333-15781).
 
      10.2   Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.3   Lease Line Agreement, dated January 30, 1996, between the Company and Boston Financial & Equity
             Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of
             EarthLink Network, Inc. -File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.4   Master Lease Agreement, dated September 1, 1995, between the Company and LINC Capital Management
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.5   Netscape Communications Corporation Internet Service Provider Navigator Distribution Agreement dated May
             31, 1996, between the Company and Netscape Communications Corporation (incorporated by reference to
             Exhibit 10.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
             (a) Amendment No. 1 to Netscape Communications Corporation Internet Service Provider Agreement
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBITS
- -----------
<S>          <C>
             (b) Amendment No. 2 to Netscape Communications Corporation Internet Service Provider Agreement
             incorporated by reference to (Exhibit 10.6(b) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.6   Network Services Agreement dated May 31, 1996, between the Company and UUNET Technologies, Inc.
             incorporated by reference to (Exhibit 10.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
             (a) Addendum No. 1 to Network Services Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) to the
             Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.7   Software Distribution Agreement (MacTCP), dated October 2, 1995, between the Company and Apple Computer,
             Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.8   Employment Agreement, dated January 15, 1996, between the Company and Charles G. Betty (incorporated by
             reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 - File No. 333-15781).
 
             (a) Amendment to Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9(a) to the Report on
             Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997)
 
             (b) First Amendment to Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9(b) to the
             Company's Report on Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997)
 
             (c) Second Amendment to Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9(c) to the Report
             on Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997)
 
             (d) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement.
 
      10.9   Standard Industrial/Commercial Multi-Tenant Lease, dated December 1, 1995, between the Company and
             Becton Dickinson and Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement
             on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.10  Business Loan Agreement, dated June 15, 1995, and Promissory Note in the original principal amount of
             $250,000 between the Company and California United Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to
             the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.11  Production and Distribution Agreement, dated May 6, 1996, between the Company and National Media
             Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of
             EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
             (a) Amendment No. 1 to Production and Distribution Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.16(a) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.12  Internet Wizard Sign-Up Agreement between the Company and Microsoft Corporation, dated August 16, 1996
             (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink
             Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.13  Network Access Agreement between the Company and PSINet, Inc., dated July 22, 1996 and Amendment No. 1
             to Network Access Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registration Statement on
             Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.14  Office Lease by and between The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, as Landlord, and the Company,
             as Tenant, dated September 20, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registration
             Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBITS
- -----------
<S>          <C>
      10.15  Standard Office Lease by and between Glen Feliz Properties, as Landlord, and the Company, as Tenant,
             dated July 2, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1
             of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.16  Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement between the Company and UUNET Technologies, Inc., dated
             October 31, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company's Registration Statement on
             Form S-1 - File No. 333-15781).
 
             (a) $5,000,000 Convertible Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23(a) to the Registration
             Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
             (b) Addendum to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.23(c) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of EarthLink Network, Inc. - File No. 333-15781).
 
      10.17  Amended and Restated Convertible Securities Vesting Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to
             the Report on Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
 
      10.18  Key Employee Compensation Continuation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Report on
             Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997).
 
             (a) Amendment to Key Employee Compensation Continuation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.19(a) to the Report on Form 10-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31,
             1997).
 
      10.19  Governance Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation,
             Sprint Communications Company L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, and EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
             10.1 to the Form 8-K filed by EarthLink Network, Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.20  Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, between Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and
             EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Borrowers, and Sprint Corporation, a Kansas
             corporation, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 8-K filed by EarthLink
             Network, Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.21  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation, and Sprint Communications Company L.P., a
             Delaware limited partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K by EarthLink
             Network, Inc. filed on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.22  Stockholders Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation, Sprint
             Communications Company L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and the persons identified on Schedule 1
             thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 8-K of EarthLink Network, Inc. filed on
             February 10, 1998).
 
      10.23  Agreement to Vote Stock, dated as of February 10, 1998, among the Granting Stockholders named on
             Schedule A thereto, Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation and Sprint Communications Company L.P., a
             Delaware limited partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Form 8-K filed by
             EarthLink Network, Inc. on February 10, 1998).
 
      10.24  Agreement to Vote and Tender Stock, dated as of February 10, 1998, among the Granting Stockholders named
             on Schedule A thereto, Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation and Sprint Communications Company, L.P.,
             a Delaware limited partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to the Form 8-K filed by
             EarthLink Network, Inc. on February 10, 1998).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBITS
- -----------
<S>          <C>
      10.25  Marketing and Distribution Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among Dolphin, Inc., a Delaware
             corporation, EarthLink Network, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Dolphin Inc., a Delaware corporation,
             Sprint Corporation, a Kansas corporation and Sprint Communications Company L.P., a Delaware limited
             partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form
             S-4, filed May 13, 1998, File No. 333-52507).
 
      10.26  Third Amendment to the lease agreement between WHMNY Real Estate Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited
             partnership ("Landlord"), and EarthLink Network, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
             Company's Form 10-Q filed on November 16, 1998.
 
      22.1   Significant Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 22.1 of the Company's Registration
             Statement on Form S-1, filed May 19, 1998, File No. 333-53063).
 
      23.1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountant.
 
      23.2   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.
 
      23.3   Consent of Hunton & Williams (set forth in Exhibit 5.1).*
 
      24.1   Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page to the Registration Statement).
 
      27.1   Financial Data Schedule.
 
      27.2   Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   To be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-1 of our report dated June 5, 1998, except as
to Note 14, which is as of July 21, 1998, relating to the consolidated financial
statements of EarthLink Network, Inc., and of our report dated June 16, 1998,
relating to the statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of the
Sprint Internet Passport Business acquired by EarthLink Network, Inc., which
appear in such Prospectus. We also consent to the references to us under the
headings "Experts" and "Selected Financial Data" in such Prospectus. However, it
should be noted that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has not prepared or certified
such "Selected Financial Data."
 
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 
Century City, California
 
December 16, 1998

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to
the use of our report dated March 6, 1998, with respect to the Statement of
Revenues and Direct Expenses of the Consumer Internet Access Services of Sprint
Corporation included in this Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related
Prospectus of EarthLink Network, Inc. for the registration of 2,500,000 shares
of its common stock.
 
                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Kansas City, Missouri
 
December 16, 1998
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM EARTHLINK
NETWORK, INC. FORM S-1
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
<C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS                   12-MOS                   12-MOS
12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1997             JAN-01-1996
             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             SEP-30-1997             DEC-31-1997             DEC-31-1996
             DEC-31-1995
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1                       1                       1                       1
                       1
<CASH>                                         134,397                       0                  16,450                   3,993
                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    4,983                       0                   2,685                   2,506
                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                       387                       0                     165                     781
                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               144,642                       0                  22,082                   9,073
                       0
<PP&E>                                          52,076                       0                  36,166                  21,637
                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,671                       0                  12,768                   4,236
                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 273,342                       0                  46,887                  27,119
                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           47,199                       0                  32,594                  28,279
                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
                                0                       0                       0                  14,013
                       0
                                         41                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<COMMON>                                           285                       0                     225                     120
                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                     218,529                       0                   5,850                (21,141)
                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   273,342                       0                  46,887                  27,119
                       0
<SALES>                                              0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               117,640                  56,427                  80,888                  33,230
                   3,028
<CGS>                                                0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   53,893                  27,154                  38,503                  19,952
                   1,352
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               101,902                  51,549                  70,839                  43,536
                   7,694
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,661                   1,467                   2,099                   1,041
                     136
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (37,248)                (23,327)                (29,916)                (31,149)
                 (6,120)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (38,155)                (22,276)                (28,454)                (30,258)
                 (6,018)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0                       0                       0
                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (37,248)                (23,327)                (29,916)                (31,149)
                 (6,120)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.64)                  (1.22)                  (1.50)                  (2.57)
                  (0.80)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.64)                  (1.22)                  (1.50)                  (2.57)
                  (0.80)
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
EARTHLINK NETWORK, INC. FORM S-1 PROFORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS GIVING
EFFECT TO THE PURCHASE OF SPRINT'S CORPORATION'S SPRINT INTERNET
PASSPORT BUSINESS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> US $
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998             DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998             DEC-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1                       1
<CASH>                                               0                       0
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0                       0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0                       0
<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     0                       0
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                       0                       0
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                0                       0
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
                                0                       0
                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                           0                       0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                         0                       0
<SALES>                                              0                       0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               128,762                  95,377
<CGS>                                                0                       0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   61,961                  89,816
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               114,170                 157,070
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,661                   2,099
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (52,721)               (152,971)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0                       0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (53,268)               (151,509)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (52,721)               (152,971)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.32)                  (8.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.32)                  (8.12)
        

</TABLE>


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