Wednesday October 7, 9:00 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: @Home Network
Dell and @Home Network Announce Collaboration to Provide '@Home Ready' Dell Dimension PCs
Alliance Aimed at Improving Broadband Internet Service Experience By Simplifying Sales, Installation, Integration, Service and Support Process
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- @Home Network(TM) (Nasdaq: ATHM - news), the leader in high-speed Internet services via the cable infrastructure, and Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq: DELL - news), the nation's leading direct computer systems company, today announced an agreement in principle for a comprehensive marketing and technology alliance to provide Dell customers with easy, fast, and ''always-on'' access to the Internet.
The alliance is the first of its kind for @Home and Dell and is the latest addition to Dell's ConnectDirect(SM) Internet program. The companies will collaborate to integrate the @Home service with cable-ready Dell Dimension desktop PCs for home and small business customers. The goal of the initiative will be to develop an end-to-end solution for Dell Dimension customers eligible for the @Home service.
''Today's announcement with @Home is the latest development in the Dell ConnectDirect(SM) strategy to provide customers with fast, easy and personalized Internet access,'' said Carl Everett, senior vice president of Dell Computer Corporation. ''Broadband Internet services are changing the way consumers and small businesses use and view the Internet and are a natural fit for Dimension customers who want more from their PCs.''
The companies plan to begin implementation of the arrangement by early next year in areas where the @Home(TM) service is available in North America. In the meantime, @Home customers can now purchase Dell Dimension PCs with network cards for a connection with @Home's cable Internet service.
''By joining forces with Dell, we're out to speed the deployment of the @Home service with a series of innovative marketing programs that will educate consumers and make the choice clear that cable is the best option when it comes to broadband Internet services,'' said Dean Gilbert, senior vice president and general manager of @Home Network.
Broadband: What the Internet Was Meant to Be
As the leading broadband Internet portal, @Home provides consumers with a gateway to compelling multimedia and electronic commerce offerings on the Internet. @Home subscribers experience lavish multimedia features that would drag phone connections down to a finger-drumming crawl, including: Video-on-Demand -- users can get the news, up to the minute financial updates and information from respected sources such as CNN and Bloomberg at the click of a mouse; Near-CD Quality Audio -- @Home lets users experience near-CD quality audio, sportstalk and concerts via its TuneIn(TM) feature; Enhanced Games -- gamers can take advantage of the extremely low latency multi-player gaming network to battle opponents all over the globe; ''Fastest Software Store on Earth'' -- users have the freedom to test, rent and purchase a broad range of software products through SoftwareNow(TM). @Home's ''always on'' connection provides users with instant access to check stock prices, sports scores or traffic updates throughout the day. As a result, @Home has generated more page views per subscriber than are reported by the leading narrowband Internet portal companies.
Dell Dimension is the company's award-winning line of desktop PCs for home and small business customers. The built-to-order PCs have led the industry in a number of technology developments, including the rapid transition to Intel(R) Pentium II(R) processors.
About Dell
Ranked No. 125 among the Fortune 500 companies and No. 363 in the Fortune Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $15.2 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number 800-388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com.
About @Home Network
Based in Redwood City, California, @Home Network distributes high-speed interactive services to residences and businesses using its own network architecture and a variety of transport options including the cable industry's hybrid-fiber coaxial infrastructure. The cable connection provides users significant increases in speed over conventional Internet services. Leveraging the ''always on'' attributes of cable, @Home allows for unique multimedia applications that go beyond current Web experiences. Individuals seeking additional information about availability and subscription can refer to the @Home Network Web site (www.home.net). Since its founding in 1995, @Home Network has reached affiliate agreements with eighteen leading cable companies-worldwide, including Tele-Communications Inc., Cablevision Systems Corp., Comcast Corporation, Cox Communications, Bresnan Communications Company, Insight Communications, Jones Intercable, Garden State Cable, Cogeco Cable Inc., Lenfest Communications, InterMedia Partners, Marcus Cable, Midcontinent Cable Co., Century Communications, Rogers Cablesystems Limited, Shaw Communications, CasTel and Palet Kabelcom.
NOTE: @Home Network, @Home, TuneIn, and SoftwareNow are trademarks and the @ logo is a registered trademark of At Home Corporation. Dell and Dimension are registered trademarks and ConnectDirect is a service mark of Dell Computer Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corp. Fortune 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.
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