AT&T WorldNet Service passes 150,000-customer mark nine weeks after the service begins operation.

BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 1996-- AT&T today announced that it has registered more than 150,000 users for its AT&T WorldNet(SM) Service in the nine weeks since the value-added Internet access service became available.

AT&T has received some 600,000 requests for AT&T WorldNet Service software since February 27, when the service was announced, and has sent the software to more than half of those making the requests. Nearly 50 percent of the individuals who were sent the software as of seven days ago have signed up for the service.

"We were surprised and delighted by this huge response," said Tom Evslin, vice president of AT&T WorldNet Service. "Both experienced and new Internet users want the quality of Internet access they expect from AT&T. As we roll-out the service at higher speed than we intended, we're constantly learning and constantly working on improvements."

Improvements include addition of modems among the 200 access points for the service, a more than 150 percent increase in the number of customer care agents since late March, and additional processors to speed the registration process, all in response to the large demand. AT&T also will increase the number of access points for the service.

Although AT&T WorldNet Service works with most popular browsers, the service includes the co-branded version of a popular Netscape Navigator browser, preconfigured for easy installation. AT&T said it is scheduled to begin providing Windows95 users of the service with more advanced Netscape Navigator 2.0 browser software beginning June 15. The new browser software will be available for downloading from the AT&T WorldNet Service Web site, or on CD-ROMS and diskettes. A Netscape 2.0 browser also will be available for users of Windows 3.1, for downloading from the AT&T WorldNet Service Web site. Evslin said the registrations reveal that the large majority of customers of AT&T WorldNet Service are also AT&T long distance customers. About two-thirds of those signing up opt for the five-free-hours trial offer plan, with a third selecting the flat rate for unlimited access. A sampling of registered users done by AT&T shortly after the service began operating indicated that most had previously used an online service and had accessed the Internet.

Under the trial offer, AT&T residential long distance customers who sign up for AT&T WorldNet Service in 1996 have free access to the Internet for five hours each month for the next year, as long as they use the service one hour each month. Customers pay $2.50 for each hour beyond the five. Under a separate plan, AT&T customers may opt for a flat monthly rate of $19.95 for unlimited access. Customers separately pay telephone or 800 access charges for dialing into the service.

Overall, AT&T WorldNet Service is getting good marks for customer satisfaction. An ongoing satisfaction survey by online information provider C/Net consistently ranks AT&T WorldNet Service in the top five of the 10 most highly rated Internet access providers in the survey. The C/Net results are consistent with an AT&T survey showing customer satisfaction with the service exceeding 80 percent, which compares well with satisfaction for with the company's long distance service.

Superior customer care, available 24 hours a day via an 800 number and staffed to provide customers with speedy responses, is a major factor in such survey results. "Our goal is to provide the kind of customer care people have come to expect from AT&T, rather than the lack of good customer care, which has been an obstacle to the Internet for many."

The wait time for orders of software used to access AT&T WorldNet Service has been reduced by more than half, to three weeks. A massive response to the announcement of dial access to AT&T WorldNet Service prompted AT&T to delay delivery of disks to ensure a high level of service from its world-class customer care facilities. Increasing the number of customer care agents has enabled the company to accelerate the shipment of the software. If current order rates continue, the wait time is expected to drop to just a few days during the first half of June.

AT&T WorldNet Service provides high-quality Internet access with directories and topical areas to help people find useful information, guided tours for newcomers, and navigational aids for users of all skill levels. Customers can call AT&T's world-class customer care toll-free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on AT&T WorldNet Service, customers can call 1-800-WORLDNET, or preview the service on the Internet at http://www.att.com/worldnet. -0- AT&T WorldNet is a service mark of AT&T Corp.

Netscape Navigator is a trademark of Netscape Communications Corp. Windows and Windows95 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Other marks used herein are owned by their respective owners.

Note to Editors: AT&T WorldNet Service vice president Tom Evslin will conduct an audio news briefing at 11 a.m. EDT today to discuss this press release and take questions. The call-in number for the press conference is 1-800-288-8976. Please try to call in five minutes prior to the start of the briefing. Replays of the news briefing will be available for 24 hours beginning at 1 p.m. today by dialing 1-800-475-6701, and entering the access code 306-789.

CONTACT: AT&T

Mike Miller

908-658-2815 (office)

908-879-4212 (home)

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Patricia Allen 

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908-873-3207 (home)

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