VIA NET.WORKS (Nasdaq & Euronext: VNWI), a provider of business communication solutions to small and medium enterprises, and Dimension Data Holdings plc , a leading global technology company, announced today the signing of a contract for the outsourcing of the network management and monitoring of VIA's network infrastructure to Dimension Data's operational support systems platform, Insite.

The project will provide VIA with a cost-efficient single network management platform and associated set of processes, which will be used to optimise the network management and engineering functions. Dimension Data was selected based on its global operational footprint and experience, superior web-based portal for viewing network elements and measures and for Dimension Data's recognition of the needs of Service Providers requesting outsourced network management services.

Proactive network management (or service assurance) of VIA's infrastructure will be delivered through Dimension Data's Insite network management service via a team of specialists who provide 24-by-7 monitoring of business-critical networks from the group's operating centres. VIA will have its own dedicated interactive service portal, allowing it to monitor real-time network performance against defined service level agreements.

Rhett Williams, CEO of VIA NET.WORKS, commented: "Our decision to consolidate our network management function is an important element of our ongoing strategic plan. It gives us the opportunity to drive down operating costs while improving our infrastructure's performance and resilience. It also means that VIA has achieved another milestone on its path to profitability in 2004."

Mahmud Noormohamed, global CEO for SPS at Dimension Data, said: "This contract with VIA demonstrates our commitment to delivering solutions to service providers that are both cost efficient and help them build revenues by differentiating their services from those of their competitors. Through our global footprint of operating centres, we are able to reduce significantly service providers' overall spend on managing their assets, whilst guaranteeing the availability and performance of their IT infrastructure."

About Dimension Data

Dimension Data Holdings plc is a leading global technology company. The Group provides solutions and services that optimise and manage the performance of IT infrastructures to enable business to build competitive advantage. To achieve this, the Group delivers solutions using its proprietary 'Application Network' architectural framework and its expertise in networking, application integration and managed services.

Dimension Data, founded in 1983, had revenues of $2.1 billion in 2002 and operates in 30+ countries with over 9,000 employees.

About VIA NET.WORKS, Inc.

VIA NET.WORKS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VNWI; EASE) is a single-source provider of managed Internet services to small and medium-sized businesses in Europe and the United States. VIA local operations offer a comprehensive portfolio of flexible and reliable managed Internet services encompassing areas such as connectivity, hosting, security, messaging, and professional services. VIA is a facilities-based Internet services company, managing its own backbone network. This unique