COMPUSERVE ANNOUNCES A $301 MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE INTERNET; The Industry's Largest Investment Includes the Development of a Worldwide Network Infrastructure, Internet Security and Software.SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 1995--(Internet World)-- Driving the unification of the online Internet service worlds, CompuServe, the world's largest IP service provider with the most extensive business and consumer content available online, announced a leadership role in creating an Internet security standard, expanded networking services and the merger of its online world with Internet services. The company announced plans to invest $301 million over the next three years in network infrastructure, software development and Internet security. Complementing the new networking and software offerings, the company challenged the industry with flexible, low-cost connect time pricing. The World's Largest Super-Internet ----------------------------------- In what marks the bridging of the Internet world with the online world, CompuServe also announced new products that allow users access to both Internet services and the vast realm of CompuServe's business and consumer content. These include: -- Free NetLauncher, a PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) The most popular method for transporting IP packets over a serial link between the user and the ISP. Developed in 1994 by the IETF and superseding the SLIP protocol, PPP establishes the session between the user's computer and the ISP using dialer and Web browser The program that serves as your front end to the Web on the Internet. In order to view a site, you type its address (URL) into the browser's Location field; for example, www.computerlanguage.com, and the home page of that site is downloaded to you. , providing CompuServe's global membership with direct access to the Web; -- Free CompuServe Information Manager CompuServe Information Manager or CIM was CompuServe Information Service's client software. The program was a GUI front end to the text-based CompuServe service, which initially could be accessed using a standard terminal program using alphanumerical shortcuts. for Windows (WinCIM), providing Internet In A Box Internet in a Box (IBox) was one of the first commercially available Internet connection software packages available for sale to the public. It included everything needed to connect to the internet in 1994. Spry, Inc. 2.0 users with access to vast amounts of consumer content. In order to introduce new users to this world of online resources, CompuServe will offer free copies of both the WinCIM membership kits and the new CompuServe NetLauncher. In addition, Internet In A Box 2.0 users will receive free CompuServe basic services for 3 months. "CompuServe's consumer and business forums are best of breed in the online industry," said David Pool, executive vice president of SPRY, CompuServe Internet division. "By merging our instant Internet access tools with access to the CompuServe WinCIM environment, we are offering the best of both worlds. Users do not need to choose between the Internet or the online environment." Paving the Way for Electronic Commerce -------------------------------------- CompuServe, along with AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. , IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) and NetScape, announced today that they would join in making an equity investment in Terisa Systems Inc. Terisa Systems is the primary developer of Secure-Hypertext Transaction Transfer Protocol (S-HTTP S-HTTP Secure Hyper Text Transport Protocol ), one of the leading standards of Internet transaction security. Secure Socket Layer (SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) The leading security protocol on the Internet. Developed by Netscape, SSL is widely used to do two things: to validate the identity of a Web site and to create an encrypted connection for sending credit card and other personal data. ) developed by NetScape, has also been contributed to Terisa Systems in an effort to promote an interoperable security approach. Together S-HTTP and SSL technologies will be used for private secure transactions, including the transmission of credit card information. "Our investment proves our confidence that the Internet is opening for secure electronic commerce. CompuServe wants to lead the industry in forging a standard for secure transactions on the Internet," said Pool. "We are pleased to see the industry join together to support one security standard." (Editor's Note: For more information about the equity investment, please contact Terisa Systems) Worldwide Expansion of Network Services --------------------------------------- In what marks the industry's largest capital investment in dialup IP network services, CompuServe's Network Services Division (NSD NSD Nairobi sheep disease. ) announced the expansion of their available ports from 40,000 today to almost 90,000 by year end. Furthermore, NSD will support widespread 28.8 kbps dialup services by the beginning of 1996. Moreover, in response to the growth in ISDN ISDN in full Integrated Services Digital Network Digital telecommunications network that operates over standard copper telephone wires or other media. demand and corporate use of telecommuting telecommuting, an arrangement by which people work at home using a computer and telephone, transmitting work material to a business office by means of a modem and telephone lines; it is also known as telework. , CompuServe will be piloting ISDN services in 10 cites in the domestic United States. Aggressive New Connect Time Pricing ----------------------------------- CompuServe further announced the industry's most competitive Internet pricing plans benefiting both Internet A Box and CompuServe Information Service (company) CompuServe Information Service - (CIS) One of the services run by CompuServe Corporation. CIS provides a wide variety of information and services, including bulletin boards, on-line conferencing, business news, sports and weather, financial transactions, electronic mail, members. CompuServe WinCIM subscribers enrolled in the standard pricing plan ($9.95/month) will automatically receive three free hours of Internet access per month and additional hours will be billed at $2.50 per hour. For high volume Internet users, CompuServe introduced the Internet Club, which offers 20 hours of access to Internet services for a $15 monthly fee (in addition to the basic $9.95 monthly membership fee). Additional Internet hours will be billed to club members at $1.95 per hour. Internet In A Box users can automatically create local Internet accounts through CompuServe's network and will have a choice of two pricing plans. Subscribers of the new "Silver Surf Club" will be charged a flat monthly fee of $9.95 for seven hours. For frequent Internet users, SPRY offers the "Gold Internet Club" which will charge subscribers 99 cents per hour for the first 20 hours. Additional hours for both pricing plans will be charged at $1.95 per hour. About CompuServe ---------------- The CompuServe Information Service is the world's most popular on-line service with 2.8 million members who access the service from more than 150 countries. The undisputed industry leader in innovation, the service offers global e-mail, the industry's first CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). supplement, libraries of free software, selected 28.8 Kbps access and worldwide Internet services. CompuServe is recognized globally for its international membership and diverse content. SPRY, the new Internet division of CompuServe, is the leading developer of Internet access applications for the office, home and publishing markets. Founded in 1989, the company is based in Seattle. SPRY brings networked connectivity to the Windows desktop through three products: Internet Office, Internet In A Box and Mosaic In A Box. Internet Office is a corporate network solution designed to provide PC to Internet, UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). and mainframe connectivity through a full suite of applications. Internet In A Box provides the remote dial-up user with full Internet connectivity. Mosaic In A Box is an entry-level Internet access solution providing consumers with plug and play access to the Internet's World Wide Web. CompuServe's Network Services Division, with almost 30 sales and support offices throughout the United States and Europe, provides value-added frame relay, remote LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. access, Lotus Notes-based replication services, commercial Internet software and access services, Web integration services, X.25 services and electronic mail to major corporations and government agencies worldwide. CompuServe Incorporated, with world headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, USA, is an H&R Block (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : HRB HRB H&R Block, Inc. HRB Harbin, China (Airport Code) HRB Human Resources Branch (Canada) HRB Haiti International Airline (ICAO code) HRB Human Rights Bureau ) company. -0- All brands, products and service names mentioned are trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners. CONTACT: SPRY, Internet Division Deanna Leung, 206/442-8231 or Network Services Andy Boyer, 614/798-3351 or Information Services Debra Young, 614/538-4553 |
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