Pricing of telephone services heading in the right direction = towards real-time Cat's Eyes pricing [aka Wacky Wireless, Current Price Is ...], starting at low prices. siliconinvestor.com
Now they just have to figure out how to avoid netilepsy, which they can do by including an overload charge if the system fills to risky levels. Denial of service is NOT the way to run a telephone service.
Gradually getting there.
Meanwhile, QUALCOMM owns a chunk of United, so the large increase in the United share price is good news. Up to $11 from the low of about $1 last year. Quite a fun share price chart: siliconinvestor.com
Mqurice
< WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., June 6, 2002 (PRIMEZONE from COMTEX) -- United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD chart, msgs), a leading provider of value-priced Internet access through its NetZero and Juno Internet services, today announced that NetZero has entered into an agreement with CNM Network, Inc. to offer CNM's value-priced long distance telephone plans under the NetZero brand. Through these NetZero Long Distance plans, NetZero and CNM Network will offer the lowest residential prices currently available from any national carrier. Users will have the choice of two plans: the "Unlimited 0 Cent Per Minute Plan" offering users unlimited* calling for $29.95 a month, or the "1 Cent Per Minute Plan," which offers users up to 500 minutes for one cent per minute plus $9.95 a month.
There is no special telephone equipment required and users do not need to switch phone companies. Users can monitor their usage, dates, times, lengths and location of calls and all billing functions through an automated real-time, online account manager that continually updates information and allows the consumer to personally manage their account. By centralizing these services online, consumers gain added flexibility and always know the status of their account. After a user signs up for the service, the process to access the long distance service requires a user to simply dial a local access number, followed by a PIN number, then the phone number they are dialing. The user can speed-dial the local access number and use the "Quick PIN" feature to eliminate the first two steps of the process.
"We are pleased to be offering CNM's long distance services under the NetZero brand," said Brian Woods, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of United Online, Inc. "Our ISP users have been requesting a value-priced long distance service for quite some time, and we are happy to bring this compelling offer to them. Offering users a high-quality, affordable long distance service as a complement to our value-priced ISP services further solidifies NetZero's position as a highly attractive alternative to the higher priced services that are currently available."
"We are very excited to work with industry leading partners such as United Online to market value-priced nationwide long distance services," said Charles Rice, chairman, president and CEO of CNM Network. "CNM empowers consumers by providing superior long distance services with the flexibility and control of real-time online billing and account management without having to switch phone companies or purchase additional phone equipment."
Specific consumer benefits to the long distance packages include:
-- High-quality connections
-- Lowest residential prices currently available from any national
carrier
-- Special introductory offer of first month free
-- State-to-state calling (excludes Hawaii and Alaska)
-- In-state calling (excludes Hawaii and Alaska)
-- Online account management
-- No time-of-day restrictions
-- No long-term contracts
-- No need to switch long distance companies
-- No special equipment required
For more information or to sign up for NetZero Long Distance and forspecial promotions, go to www.netzerolongdistance.com.
* Limitations apply to excessive usage. This offer is valid for residential use within the contiguous United States only.
About CNM Network
CNM Network Inc. ("CNM") is a leading provider of enhanced communication services. Founded in 1996, CNM operates a national, private, packet-switched fiber-optic communications network that transports converged services. CNM products and services include: (1) residential long distance services that offer the lowest price points, superior quality and real-time functionality; (2) award winning enterprise applications that dramatically improve productivity and increase cost savings; and (3) wholesale origination and termination services to major LECs and carriers. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.cnmnetwork.com.
About United Online
United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD chart, msgs) is a leading Internet service provider that commenced operations in September 2001 with the merger of NetZero and Juno Online Services. The company offers free and value-priced dial-up Internet access through its NetZero and Juno Internet services in more than 5,000 cities across the United States and in Canada. The company also offers high-speed Internet access in select locations in the United States. United Online is headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., with offices in New York City and Hyderabad, India. For more information about United Online and its Internet access services, please visit www.untd.com.> |
