Glenn--this is actually a reply to Lucky. For some reason, SI won't let me post a response directly to him.
>>>The problem with nzro/freei is not how many users signing up each day...<<<
Again, it's only fair to wait and see how NetZero's first nationwide advertising campaign takes root. For example, I have a friend who used to bounce around from ISP to ISP, taking advantage of each of their free trial periods. He finally just settled into NetZero as his permanent ISP. One small example.
Another consideration is the small shop computer sales/repair business. These guys reconstruct hardware, software and peripherals into a sale-like deal. Guess what Internet access service they'll provide in order to keep the cost of the sale low. You got it, NetZero. So add this up all across Smalltown USA, and you're going to see a lot more folks coming onto the Web with only one ISP provider: NetZero.
>>>Many analysists thinks the free ISP biz model is unproven <-- That is the problem.<<<
Hey, Lucky, this ain't nuthin' but a pat line. And you know it. Of course it's unproven. It just began. But I bet ya more and more of the so-called opinion-makers are softening their positions on the free ISP model. I think the biggies got the wagons circled around AOL right now, partiuclarly with the recent split and all. But this will only last so long once it's discovered that those attacking the wagon train simply went somewhere else. To a free ISP model, for example.
Hey, it's easy math. Free ISPs, particularly NetZero, now provide what AOL has provided for so many years. This is a very significant change. Not only that, several have managed to become very national in scope, offering in excess of 1200 hookups countrywide. NetZero, alone, offers over 1600. So add it up? Why keep a paid service when you can get two or three free ISPs?
Why's this math important? Think how many baby shoes a mother could buy for the baby's changing footsize merely by saving on her ISP costs.
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