ATLANTA, Oct. 9, 2001 - EarthLink (Nasdaq:ELNK) today announced the extension of its promotional discount on the up-front cost of its two-way satellite service, EarthLink High Speed Internet Powered by DIRECWAY(TM).
Initially announced July 1 this year, the $300 offer has been successful in attracting new customers to the service and opening the door to high-speed Internet access via satellite. The pricing will be effective through the end of 2001.
"Our goal has always been to offer the benefits of high-speed Internet service to as many customers as possible," said John Ellis, director of broadband strategy at EarthLink. "The initial agreement with Hughes Network Systems opened up a whole new door for our high-speed offerings, since it provides almost ubiquitous coverage across the continental U.S. By substantially reducing the initial costs for the rest of the year, we've been able to make the services even more attractive and increase demand."
"We're pleased DIRECWAY has met strong demand among EarthLink subscribers," said Peter Gulla, vice president, Hughes Network Services. "This promotion and partnership is another step forward in our journey to ensure DIRECWAY high speed Internet access is readily available to consumers everywhere."
EarthLink has pioneered the "connection agnostic" broadband strategy, offering a variety of different high-speed connections, which enables customers to choose the high-speed connection that best meets their needs. The ability to blanket the country with satellite coverage, in combination with EarthLink's existing DSL offerings and recent launch of high speed Internet service over cable, gives EarthLink one of the largest broadband footprints of any Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the country.
EarthLink High Speed Internet Powered by DIRECWAY costs $69.95 per month for a broadband, two-way satellite connection. With the discount, basic hardware costs $399 and professional installation is $199. For the DirecDuo option (enabling the DIRECWAY antenna to receive both DIRECTV(R) and Internet service) hardware is an additional $30 and the professional installation is an additional $75. DIRECTV set-top receivers and service are purchased separately.
For more information about EarthLink High Speed Internet Powered by DIRECWAY, call 800/635-0373 and mention promo code 10585. For information about any other award-winning EarthLink Internet access, Web hosting or e-commerce products and services, call 800-EARTHLINK or visit www.earthlink.net.
About
EarthLink High Speed Internet
With more than 346,000 high-speed subscribers, EarthLink
is one of the leading broadband Internet service providers. EarthLink is the
only ISP to offer high-speed Internet access nationally through all three major
broadband technologies: cable, DSL and two-way satellite. The company also
offers its award-winning Internet services on a wholesale basis via cable, DSL
and fixed wireless technologies. Its commitment to offer a variety of broadband
technologies through multiple vendors allows EarthLink to offer its high-speed
services to members in more areas of the country.
About
Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, a unit of Hughes Electronics
Corporation, is the world's largest provider of broadband satellite network
solutions for businesses and consumers, with over 400,000 systems installed in
more than 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite
Internet access services, which it markets globally under the DirecPC(R) and
DIRECWAY brands. HNS is also a leading manufacturer of the DIRECTV(R) satellite
television receivers, having shipped its 7 millionth system in mid 2001.
Headquartered in Germantown, Md., HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The earnings of HUGHES, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE:GMH). As a leader in the broadband by satellite industry, HNS recently earned the Frost & Sullivan Market Engineering Leadership Award for 2000 and 2001, as well as the 2001 CES "Best of Show" Award for workstyle/Internet categories. To learn more about HNS and DIRECWAY, visit its Web site: www.hns.com or www.direcway.com.
About
EarthLink
The No. 1 Provider of the Real Internet(TM), EarthLink
brings the magic of the Internet to approximately 4.9 million subscribers every
day. Headquartered in Atlanta, EarthLink provides a full range of innovative
access, hosting and e-commerce solutions to thousands of communities through a
nationwide network of dial-up points of presence, and broadband and wireless
technologies. EarthLink is committed to doing an exceptional job of pleasing its
subscribers, shareholders and the community by following the company's Core
Values and Beliefs (http://www.earthlink.net/about/ourvalues/cvb/index.html).
Information about EarthLink services is available by calling 800/395-8425 and
through EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net.
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CONTACT:
EarthLink
Kurt Rahn,
626/351-7318
kurtrahn@corp.earthlink.net
or
Alexander
Ogilvy Public Relations
Jennifer
Bowcock, 404/881-2379
jbowcock@alexanderogilvy.com