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Strategies & Market Trends : Roger's 1998 Short Picks -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Peter V who wrote (5669)	3/27/1998 8:58:00 PM
From: Tom Hua	Respond to of 18691

TRITIUM NETWORK LAUNCHES FREE INTERNET SERVICE IN SIX U.S. CITIES Tritium Network Launches New Advertiser-Supported, Free Internet Service to Cincinnati, Chicago, Boston, New York, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. 03/25/98 -- CINCINNATI, OH -- Tritium Network announced today that it launched its new advertiser-supported, free Internet access program in six U.S. cities Cincinnati, OH (January 2) Chicago (Feb. 23), Boston (March 2), Washington D.C. (March 30), New York (March 30), San Francisco (April 6). The breakthrough responsible for the free dial-up service is based on Tritium's patent-pending AdPath technology. AdPath is a push technology application that displays advertisements in a narrow, "tickertape-like" fashion at the bottom of users' screens. Ads will change every 30 seconds based on user demographics and will rotate through a predetermined cycle. "Until now, people have been able to access a lot of valuable content for free, and could have free e-mail, but they had to pay Internet Service Providers (ISP) to be allowed the opportunity to access the Internet and surf the Web," said Michael Lee, president. "But now, with our AdPath technology, we have been able to provide Internet access for free, saving users an average of $263 per year on access fees." Consumers interested in subscribing can register now at the Tritium Web site (http://www.tritium.net) by answering several questions and providing demographic information. About once a month, in exchange for free access, users fill out short questionnaires about buying preferences. For example, users who indicate that they plan to buy a car in the next six months will likely see ads with cards of their liking. Overall, Tritium will send ads that fit the needs and interests of its users. Tritium expects to have one million subscribers by fall of 1998, three million by fall of 1999, and six-to-nine million by 2000. The registration/membership process is a measured, well-managed, customer oriented phase-in process. Once users have completed the Pre-Registration process, they will go into a registration pool. Memberships are distributed as quickly as possible, on a first-come, first-served basis. The regions that receive the most applications for membership will be phased in to the service first. Memberships will be limited in the first phase of Tritium's five-city rollout to preserve the quality of service. Tritium's database will automatically select members and provide them with the URL and password to download the free software. At the outset, 4,000 consumers per city who currently use ISPs will qualify for membership. Users log onto the site and follow the prompts that will give them free Internet access. Consumers Demand Free Internet Service To support its business plan, Tritium Network conducted extensive surveys among nearly 1,500 Internet users. A series of focus groups were conducted to assess consumers' reactions to advertising on the Internet. According to the research, among sophisticated Internet users (those who are online five or more hours per week), 100 percent of those surveyed said they felt that getting free Internet access was worth having 12 percent of the monitor consumed by targeted advertising. With America Online's recent announcement of a two-dollar price increase for its unlimited monthly service, Tritium has strong indication that the popularity of alternative Internet Service Providers will continue to increase. With the unique advertiser supported features of its service, Tritium stands to be at the forefront of an emerging industry trend. About Tritium Network Tritium Network is a full-function ISP that provides free access to select cities. Tritium's AdPath Graphical User Interface does not impact users' bandwidth due to unique, patent-pending technologies. In addition to providing free Internet access, Tritium will provide free e-mail, and by summer 1998, free chat room and news groups services. Tritium Network also offers Web development services and rapid market research on its viewer base. A Macintosh version will be in beta production stages by mid-summer 1998. Contact: Denise Walpole, The Terpin Group Voice: 212-473-7500 Email: dwalpole@terpin.com