>>>>DSL Modems.......
Even the ridge runners in Michigan are are gonna have that.
Ameritech Launches High Speed Internet Service
CHICAGO -- In a series of moves that will dramatically expand use of the Internet for its consumer and small business customers, Ameritech (NYSE: AIT) today announced it is launching high-speed Internet access and is partnering with Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) to make the ADSL-enabled service easier to install and simpler to get.
Ameritech this week is launching Ameritech.net(SM) High-Speed Internet Service, which the company plans to make available to 7 out of 10 Ameritech customers in the next three years. The company is deploying the service initially in Ann Arbor, Mich., to be followed by Royal Oak, Mich., and then the Chicago area in mid 1998.
50 Times Faster
Ameritech.net High Speed Internet Service uses Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology to enable customers to connect to the Internet at speeds up to 50 times faster than a standard telephone line and modem. ADSL is a modem technology that enhances the existing copper telephone wiring serving virtually all homes and businesses.
Ameritech.net High-Speed Internet Service will be $59.95 per month, which includes an ADSL line and unlimited Internet access, plus a one-time $150 installation charge. Through 1998, Ameritech is offering charter memberships at $49.95 per month and is waiving the $199 cost of the modem.
The service will enable users to download materials from the Internet at speeds of up to 1.5 megabits per second and send materials at speeds up to 128 kilobits per second.
"By connecting to the Internet with ADSL, users will see dramatic speed improvements -- a graphic-intensive web page that would take a minute to download with a standard modem will only take a second with ADSL," said Thomas Richards, Ameritech executive vice president, communication and information products sector.
For example, using ADSL, a customer could download the entire Encyclopedia Britannica in 31 minutes. Using a standard 28.8 modem, downloading the same information would take 27 hours.
"Plug and Play ADSL"
As part of its ongoing effort to bring ADSL-enabled Internet access to customers, Ameritech also announced it is partnering with Microsoft to make the technology easier to install and simpler to use. As part of the two companies' relationship:
-- Ameritech and Microsoft are working with hardware manufacturers to make their PCs and equipment ADSL compatible, which will make it even easier for customers to enjoy the benefits of ADSL-enabled Internet access service;
-- Ameritech will package Ameritech.net High Speed Internet Service offerings with Microsoft Internet Explorer for using the World Wide Web, e-mail and user groups; and
-- Ameritech will package Ameritech.net High Speed Internet Service offerings with software that greatly simplifies the installation of ADSL, ensuring that a user's MS Windows operating system is ready to connect to the Internet using ADSL.
"We are working collaboratively to make installing ADSL as easy as plug and play," said Cameron Myhrvold, vice president of Microsoft's Internet customer unit. "This technology will make it easy for consumers and businesses to seamlessly enjoy the benefits of high-speed Internet access without any problems or needs for additional installation visits.
Microsoft supports ADSL and is pleased to be working with Ameritech to make this service available to its customers."
"Customers are tired of having to wait to download text, graphics and video from the Internet. Ameritech.net High Speed Internet Service will improve the Internet experience for customers by making super high-speed access easy," said Valeri Marks, president of Ameritech Interactive Media Services. "Many of our customers, especially those who work from home or have families who use the Internet extensively, told us that easy-to-use, high-speed Internet access is important to them. We are working to meet that need."
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Ameritech serves millions of customers in 50 states and more than 40 countries. Ameritech provides a full range of communications services, including local and long distance telephone, cellular, paging, security monitoring, cable TV, electronic commerce, on-line services and more. One of the world's 100 largest companies, Ameritech (www.ameritech.com) has 69,000 employees, one million shareowners and $24 billion in assets.
Microsoft and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Fact Sheet
Ameritech.net(SM) High Speed Internet Service
Ameritech.net High Speed Internet Service is based on Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology, which enables users to connect to the Internet at speeds up to 50 times greater than with a regular phone line and a standard 28.8 modem. Other benefits of ADSL-enabled Internet include an always-on capability that means users won't have to log on. ADSL is ideal for multimedia and data communications, such as Internet access because it reduces to seconds the amount of time necessary to download complex graphics and information that used to take several minutes.
Customer Computer Requirements
To use Ameritech.net High-Speed Internet Services, customers need to have an IBM-compatible personal computer with Pentium processor, the Windows 95 operating system, 16 MB random Internet memory, CD-ROM and 32 MB hard drive capacity. Ameritech.net is available with Microsoft Internet Explorer for using the World Wide Web, e-mail and newsgroups; personalized Web pages; CyberPatrol(R) parental control software; and chat software for joining online discussions.
Ameritech Network Upgrades
The service will be delivered over Ameritech's state-of-the-art asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) backbone. Ameritech will use standards-based ADSL equipment from Alcatel Telecom Inc. Ameritech was one of four major communications companies that formed a buying consortium last year and reviewed ADSL equipment solutions from numerous vendors before choosing the Alcatel 1000 for its deployment.
Expanded Ameritech.net Availability
The introduction of ADSL-based Internet service follows the company's successful trial of the technology in Wheaton, Ill. and the targeted launch of Ameritech.net, which is currently available to 3 out of 4 Ameritech customers.
The enhanced Internet service complements the expansion announced last week of Ameritech.net, the company's easy-to-use, affordable Internet service, into five additional cities. Ameritech.net is now available in Milwaukee, Columbus, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Mich. metropolitan areas in addition to Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. Prices remain at $19.95 a month for unlimited Internet and $8.95 for 10 hours of Internet each month. Unlike most Internet service providers, Ameritech offers ISDN Internet service at no additional charge.
Since the launch of Ameritech.net about a year ago, the company has enhanced and expanded features based on response from customers in Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland. Based on its initial success, the service will be expanded farther.
How to Order
To order Ameritech.net, customers can call 800-NET-8775. Ann Arbor residents wishing to order Ameritech.net High Speed Internet Service should call 800-910-4369.
/CONTACT: Geoff Potter, 312-526-8223, or geoff.potter@ameritech.com, or
Jean Medina, 312-364-2134 or jean.w.medina@ameritech.com, both of Ameritech; or Francine Plaza, PLAZApr for Microsoft, 561-477-9762 or plaza_pr@gate.net, or Sue Barnes, Waggener Edstrom for Microsoft, 408-986-1140 or sueb@wagged.com/
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