Tritium Network Launches Free Internet Service in Houston
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HOUSTON (May 15) BUSINESS WIRE -May 15, 1998--Tritium Network announced
today that it is bringing its new advertiser-supported, free Internet
access program to customers in the Houston area beginning Monday, May
18th. PC users in Houston with local dial- up access in area code 713
will be able to join thousands of Tritium customers in seven other
major metropolitan areas -- New York, Chicago, Boston, Cincinnati,
Washington, Dallas and San Francisco -- who are enjoying the only free
Internet access program in the nation.
The breakthrough responsible for the free dial-up service is based on
Tritium's patent-pending AdPath technology. AdPath is a push technology
application that displays advertisements in a narrow, "tickertape-like"
fashion at the bottom of users' screens. Ads will change every 30
seconds based on user demographics and will rotate through a
predetermined cycle.
"Until now, people have been able to access a lot of valuable content
for free, and could have free e-mail, but they had to pay Internet
Service Providers (ISP) to be allowed the opportunity to access the
Internet and surf the Web," said Michael Lee, president. "But now, with
our AdPath technology, we have been able to provide Internet access for
free, saving users an average of $263 per year on access fees."
Consumers interested in subscribing can register now at the Tritium Web
site tritium.net ) by answering several questions and
providing demographic information. About once a month, in exchange for
free access, users fill out short questionnaires about buying
preferences. For example, users who indicate that they plan to buy a
car in the next six months will likely see ads with cars of their
liking. Overall, Tritium will send ads that fit the needs and interests
of its users.
Tritium expects to have one million subscribers by fall of 1998, three
million by fall of 1999, and six to nine million by 2000. The
registration/membership process is a measured, well-managed, customer
oriented phase-in process. Once users have completed the
Pre-Registration process, they will go into a registration pool.
Memberships are distributed as quickly as possible, on a first-come,
first-served basis. The regions that receive the most applications for
membership will be phased in to the service first.
Memberships will be limited in the first phase of Tritium's eight-city
rollout to preserve the quality of service. Tritium's database will
automatically select members and provide them with the URL and password
to download the free software. At the outset, 4,000 consumers per city
who currently use ISPs will qualify for membership. Users log onto the
site and follow the prompts that will give them free Internet access.
Consumers Demand Free Internet Service
To support its business plan, Tritium Network conducted extensive
surveys among nearly 1,500 Internet users. A series of focus groups
were conducted to assess consumers' reactions to advertising on the
Internet. According to the research, among sophisticated Internet users
(those who are online five or more hours per week), 100 percent of
those surveyed said they felt that getting free Internet access was
worth having 12 percent of the monitor consumed by targeted
advertising.
With America Online's recent announcement of a two-dollar price
increase for its unlimited monthly service, Tritium has strong
indication that the popularity of alternative Internet Service
Providers will continue to increase. With the unique advertiser
supported features of its service, Tritium stands to be at the
forefront of an emerging industry trend. About Tritium Network
Tritium Network is a full-function ISP that provides free access to
select cities. Tritium's AdPath Graphical User Interface does not
impact users' bandwidth due to unique, patent-pending technologies. In
addition to providing free Internet access, Tritium will provide free
e-mail, and by summer 1998, free chat room and news groups services.
Tritium Network also offers Web development services and rapid market
research on its viewer base. A Macintosh version will be in beta
production stages by the fall of 1998.
-0- fb/ny*
CONTACT: PR Contact:
Denise Walpole/Kim Freeman
The Terpin Group
212-473-7500
dwalpole@terpin.com
kfreeman@terpin.com
KEYWORD: TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET COMED PRODUCT
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