DELL's efforts in the Cable Modem field are as exciting as the ADSL announcements. Cable Modems are starting to take off (in the last week I have visited friends in Chicago and Des Moines with new Cable Modem service -- they LOVE IT).
DELL has a new partnership with a MAJOR cable modem player -- At Home:
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
October 7, 1998 -- An @Home Network Press Release
Dell Contact: Bill Robbins
phone: (512)728-4100
email: bill_robbins@dell.com
@Home Network Contact: Matt Wolfrom
phone; (650)569-5195
email: mwolfrom@corp.home.net
Redwood City, Calif., -- @Home Network™ (Nasdaq: ATHM), the leader in high-speed
Internet services via the cable infrastructure, and Dell Computer Corporation (Nasdaq: Dell), 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
ConnectDirectsm 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 ConnectDirectsm
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™ 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™ 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™. @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® Pentium II®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 1-800-388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com.
About @Home Network
Based in Redwood City, California, @Home Network (Nasdaq: ATHM) 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. |
