ATU-LD Offers Free Modem, Free Installation of Affordable, High-speed Internet Access to Anchorage Consumers.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 17, 1999--ATU Long Distance (ATU-LD) has teamed up with Internet Alaska to bring affordable, secure, high-speed Internet access to its business and residential customers.

"Our customers told us they wanted fast, always-on Internet access and the security of a hard-line system at a reasonable price," said Mark Foster, ATU-LD's President. "That's exactly what Jetstream provides: 128 kbps of hard-wired capacity at an attractive price of $49.95-a-month with a free modem and free installation, which would normally cost $519. This is the best value in the marketplace today."

Foster said security is a growing concern among alternative high-speed providers, such as cable modems. "GCI has acknowledged the security problems with cable modems. Just this week, President Ron Duncan told a Juneau audience that the best way to protect yourself is to turn your cable modem off."

Jetstream offers a faster, better, cheaper alternative for users, such as small and mid-sized businesses and families which have high Internet needs like on-line stock trading, research, shopping, entertainment and access to educational resources. Its dedicated, clear path means Internet users are always on so there are no busy signals or dropped connections. The technology is easier to use than other alternatives, more secure and less complicated than cable modems. Jetstream requires no computer modification and a technician installs the modem and line to ensure proper installation. "In essence, it's a complete turnkey operation," Foster said. The free modem is also upgradable.

Jetstream is a digital subscriber line technology that allows high-speed data transmission over ATU's telephone lines. Digital information is transmitted over the existing copper lines but bypasses ATU's central office equipment. This gives users access to the type of speed, bandwidth and Internet performance that was previously available only to large corporations.

The Jetstream package includes 10 MB of web space and two E-mail accounts. A 256K upgrade is planned for the second quarter of 1999.

The ATU-LD offer is available to customers who subscribe to ATU-LD, ATU local service and Internet Alaska. The free modem/free installation promotion is available until April 15 and requires a one-year commitment. Service may not be available in some areas.

ATU-LD is Alaska's fastest growing long distance company, which has introduced a new spirit of competition into the state's marketplace. Through innovation, ATU-LD has helped drive down business rates by 80 percent, international rates by more than 70 percent and residential rates by 45 percent. ATU-LD is Alaska's third-largest long distance company and the first local telephone subsidiary to enter Alaska's long distance market.