DEPLOYMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WorldGate Launches in the Gateway City; Charter Communications First In U.S. With Paying Customers for Internet Cable TV Service
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 1998--Fast, easy "computerless" Internet access may soon be within reach of the masses thanks to WorldGate, a new Internet-over-cable TV service launching to paying subscribers Tuesday from Charter Communications and WorldGate Communications.
Because the WorldGate service is delivered through a General Instrument cable set-top terminal, users do not have to purchase or install any hardware, or learn any software, making it attractive for those who may want to be "on the Net" without the expense or technical hassle of a PC or a dedicated Internet set-top terminal.
In addition to high performance (twice the speed of a 56K modem), easy and low cost Web browsing and e-mail capabilities, the WorldGate service offers users the ability to enhance their cable television viewing experience using Channel Hyperlinking, the service's ability to link television programming to related Web sites.
Using this feature, subscribers can surf seamlessly back and forth from the Internet to television programming, adding additional information and entertainment elements to television viewing.
"We're very excited to be first out of the blocks in the interactive TV-over-cable race," said Hal Krisbergh, CEO of WorldGate. "For years the majority of America has been asking 'when will I be able to easily access the Internet?' Now, we can tell them with a straight face that their wait is over."
Following a successful six-month beta test, Charter Communications of St. Louis is the first cable operator to offer the WorldGate service to paying subscribers.
"By the end of the year, our WorldGate rollout will include approximately 200,000 households in the metropolitan St. Louis area," said Jerry Kent, president and CEO of Charter Communications. "We will also launch WorldGate to our customers in Los Angeles, Connecticut and Georgia this year, and long-term plans are to roll out the service to all of our systems," said Kent.
"Last week, we installed the first WorldGate service at an elementary school in our St. Louis service area. We have such strong belief in WorldGate that we invested time and effort in its development and have also made a financial investment in this revolutionary way to access the Internet."
Readying a National Service Rollout
Within the next year, General Instrument Corp. will supply more than three million analog and digital cable set-top terminals, capable of supporting the WorldGate service, to cable operators nationwide.
"Traditional Internet access paths using personal computers and non-cable, retail Internet set-top terminals have brought about 20 million homes to the Internet and that's good," said Edward D. Breen, chairman of General Instrument.
"Now the cable industry, led by General Instrument and WorldGate, has the opportunity to bring in the remaining 75-78 million homes to make the Internet the truly mass two-way communication medium that it was intended to be."
Pricing and Availability
Charter Communications customers in St. Louis can subscribe to the WorldGate service for $15.95 per month. This price includes unlimited Internet access, six e-mail addresses with unlimited messages and a special WorldGate wireless keyboard.
About WorldGate Communications
WorldGate Communications is dedicated to providing cable subscribers with a fast, easy, inexpensive Internet/television experience using only a cable converter box and a television set. With more than 30 Channel HyperLinking partners including major television networks, WorldGate continues to receive enthusiastic support for its new technology.
WorldGate Communications is currently negotiating with 20 to 30 additional partners in the cable and broadcast television industries. Interested parties can obtain more information by visiting the company's Web site at www.wgate.com or by calling 800/796-9120.
About Charter Communications
Charter Communications is a privately-held, St. Louis-based telecommunications company that has experienced dramatic growth in its five-year history. Charter provides information, entertainment and communications services to more than 1.1 million customers in 18 states through the powerful technology of cable.
About General Instrument
General Instrument (NYSE:GIC) is the world leader in analog and digital systems that provide video, audio and high-speed Internet/data services over cable and satellite TV networks. GI's cable and satellite TV operations have approximately 7,000 employees and annual sales of approximately $1.8 billion. Interested parties can visit the General Instrument Web site at www.gi.com.
CONTACT:
Smith Public Relations
Diana Soltesz/Scott Robertson, 310/788-0456
diana@smith-pr.com/scott@smith-pr.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA CONNECTICUT MISSOURI GEORGIA
BW1087 APR 21,1998
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