WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., June 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD), a leading provider of consumer Internet subscription services, today announced the launch of NetZero HiSpeed 3G, or third generation, dial-up service. Acting once again as an innovator in the dial-up Internet category, United Online's new NetZero HiSpeed 3G allows dial-up consumers to surf online faster(1) than ever before and access their email and favorite content instantly using a new feature called NetZero Instant On!. United Online is bringing NetZero HiSpeed 3G to market with these cutting-edge innovations and enhancements, while continuing to stay true to its roots of providing a tremendous value at only $14.95 a month.
"With the new NetZero HiSpeed 3G, you can surf so fast that you won't believe it's not broadband," stated Mark R. Goldston, chairman, CEO and president of United Online. "We designed NetZero HiSpeed 3G to be a high-octane technology that allows consumers to surf the Internet at the fastest speeds ever seen over a dial-up connection while delivering ground-breaking features like the new Instant On! feature. Importantly, the new NetZero HiSpeed 3G is still priced significantly less than most broadband services and is less expensive than the conventional slower speed premium-priced dial-up brands of Internet service."
At its core NetZero HiSpeed 3G is built on the proven acceleration technologies of compression and caching. The company has once again leveraged these technologies to develop innovative techniques to improve dial-up surfing speeds.(1) NetZero HiSpeed 3G also breaks new ground with its NetZero Instant On! feature. NetZero Instant On! is an opt-in feature that allows users to set their computers to pre-fetch their email and personalized content at any time during the day or night. This allows them to access their pre-fetched information whenever they want to without waiting to connect. In addition to increased surfing speed and the new Instant On! feature, NetZero HiSpeed 3G provides the following features:
-- Spam Protection
-- Email Virus Protection
-- 1 GB of Email Storage
-- Pop-Up Blocker
-- Personalized Content and Search
-- Compatibility with all of the popular instant
messaging products
-- Nationwide, reliable access ranked higher than AOL in
customer satisfaction
-- No Credit Card required to sign-up
NetZero HiSpeed 3G works from any phone jack using a standard dial-up connection and does not require any new hardware. The price for NetZero HiSpeed 3G is only $14.95 per month.
Consumers can get the new NetZero HiSpeed 3G by downloading it at www.netzero.com or by picking up a CD at retail outlets such as Best Buy, RadioShack and Sam Goody later this summer. NetZero HiSpeed 3G uses core technology from SlipStream. Current NetZero HiSpeed members will automatically be upgraded at no cost or can go to www.netzero.com/3gdownload to download NetZero HiSpeed 3G now. A similar service for the Juno brand is scheduled for introduction later this summer.
Members of the press are welcome to test out NetZero HiSpeed 3G. Simply contact company representatives to arrange a review account.
About United Online
United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD) is a leading provider of consumer Internet subscription services through a number of brands, including NetZero, Juno and Classmates. The company's pay services include Internet access, accelerated dial-up services, premium email, personal web hosting and domain services and community-based networking. It also offers consumers free Internet access, email and Web hosting. The company's access services are available in more than 8,200 cities across the United States and in Canada. United Online is headquartered in Woodland Hills, CA, with offices in New York City, NY, Renton, WA, San Francisco, CA, Orem, UT, Munich, Germany, Jarfalla, Sweden, and Hyderabad, India. For more information about United Online and its Internet subscription services, please visit http://www.untd.com.
(1) Speed reference based upon comparison to nationally available dial-up ISPs. NetZero HiSpeed 3G does not increase the transmission speed of files or attachments, including music or video.
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the quality and performance of NetZero HiSpeed 3G and quotes from management in this press release. These statements are based on the company's current expectations or beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, technological, performance and other risks associated with introducing and commercializing a new product. More information about potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial results is included in the company's Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov/) including (without limitation) information under the captions "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors."
References to pricing and savings amounts based on U.S. standard monthly rates as of 06/01/05.