AltaVista Free Internet Access Shatters Million Member Mark
User Base Grows 300 Percent Ahead of Company Forecast
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 1999--AltaVista Company, the premier new media
and commerce network and a majority owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI - news),
announced that membership in AltaVista's free Internet access program has surpassed the one million
mark based on registered users who have downloaded the application.
AltaVista Free Access has reached this milestone in four months, nearly 300 percent ahead of
expected first-year growth. AltaVista Free Access is the first quality nationwide dial-up Internet service
offered by a leading Internet brand, and is available to U.S. and Canadian residents at
microav.com.
''AltaVista continues to set a rapid pace as the leading Internet brand offering free access,'' said Rod
Schrock, president and CEO of AltaVista. ''The furious growth of AltaVista Free Access is a tribute to
the strength of our brand, and an indicator that free Internet access is a desired service that users
require from their primary Web destination.''
New ''Gift-a-Friend'' Promotion at www.shopping.com
For a limited time, AltaVista Free Access users who share the gift of free Internet access with others
will receive a $25 gift certificate good on any $100 purchase of more than one million products at
AltaVista Shopping.com (www.shopping.com) for each person that signs up with the Free Access
program. Additionally, each new user will receive a $25 gift certificate as well good on any purchase of
$100 or more at www.shopping.com. AltaVista Shopping.com offers advanced and unbiased
comparison-shopping and consumer and merchant reviews for more than one million products available
online and offline.
About AltaVista Free Access
AltaVista combines its free access for Windows 95, 98 and NT users with the world's first microportal, a
small desktop application that provides personalized, up-to-the-minute news and information and links to
premier AltaVista Network services. The AltaVista Network includes AltaVista Live!, the Internet's first
real-time personal megaportal; AltaVista Search, the industry's most powerful and comprehensive
search engine; and the new AltaVista Shopping.com, a totally unbiased comparison-buying guide
designed to help people shop smarter.
AltaVista Free Access is powered by patent-pending technology from 1stUp.com Corporation, the
leading provider of ad-supported Internet access solutions and a majority-owned operating company of
CMGI, Inc. 1stUp.com was rated the best free access service available by CNET in an August 1999
review of bargain ISPs. A recent survey commissioned by AltaVista showed that AltaVista Free Access
service rates very high in overall satisfaction, outranking other major ISPs, including MSN, Earthlink,
AOL, NetZero, and Prodigy. AltaVista users cite the ease-of-installation, connection speed, dynamic
start page, and functionality of the microportal mini-browser as the strengths of AltaVista Free Access.
AltaVista Free Access users enjoy AltaVista Live! (www.live.av.com) as their permanent home page,
delivering instant access to customizable content and services on the AltaVista Network. AltaVista's
Free Access works with Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer version 4.0 or higher, and most other
browser applications. When users are online, the microportal can be docked to the top or bottom of the
desktop or positioned anywhere on screen. The microportal takes up less than five percent of a user's
screen space and contains a rotating advertisement within the window. Users must interact with the
microportal once an hour to keep their free Internet access session active.
Any user seeking technical assistance can tap into the AltaVista Premium Support program with phone
and online technical support options, including guaranteed response times. Online help is available at
www.altavista.com and at the download site for the AltaVista Free Access application at
www.microav.com. E-mail support has a 48-hour or less guaranteed response time, by contacting :
questions-freeaccess@av.com. Toll-free telephone support is also available at 1-877-584-5551, where
users can speak directly with customer care representatives and technicians.
About AltaVista Company
AltaVista Company is the premier media and commerce network offering Internet users up-to-the-minute
news, live video, content, search and shopping resources. The company integrates unique technology,
products and services to deliver relevant results faster for both individuals and businesses. By combining
distinctive 'best of the Web' relationships with personalized service, the AltaVista Network at
www.altavista.com creates the smartest Internet experience. AltaVista is building on its heritage of
technology and innovative leadership, offering informative services including AltaVista Live!, AltaVista
Search, AltaVista Shopping.com, AltaVista Local, and Free Access combined with the AltaVista
microportal. AltaVista is a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI - news),
Andover, MA. Compaq Computer Corporation holds the remaining minority stake in AltaVista.
AltaVista is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.
About 1stUp.com Corporation
1stUp.com, a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI - news), is the market
leader in providing consumer-oriented businesses with ad-supported Internet access solutions.
1stUp.com provides patent-pending technology that enables its partners to brand, market and distribute
leading edge, cost-effective Internet services to their customers. The 1stUp.com solution enables
consumers to receive unlimited, free Internet access in exchange for keeping a small, sponsor-oriented
navigation bar on their computer screen. Multiple leading ISPs support 1stUp.com's premium network,
which delivers free, reliable Internet access to over 90 percent of the U.S. and Canada. Aggregating the
end-user bases of AltaVista and additional partners, 1stup.com has the buying power of multiple brands
and is able to pass along the benefits of optimal connectivity costs and advertising revenues to its
partners. For more information, visit www.1stup.com. |
