Dell Selects AT&T WorldNet Service as First ISP for New "ConnectDirect" Internet Access Initiative.BASKING RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1998-- Agreement Underscores AT&T's Commitment to Internet Connectivity Leadership AT&T WorldNet(R) Service announced today it has been selected by Dell(R) Computer Corp., the nation's leading direct computer systems company, as the first national Internet Service Provider Internet service provider (ISP) Company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. For a monthly fee, ISPs provide computer users with a connection to their site (see data transmission), as well as a log-in name and password. (ISP (1) See in-system programmable. (2) (Internet Service Provider) An organization that provides access to the Internet. Connection to the user is provided via dial-up, ISDN, cable, DSL and T1/T3 lines. ) to support Dell's new ConnectDirect(SM) offering. The agreement, which provides Dell Dimension Dell Dimension is a line of home desktop computers manufactured by Dell, Inc. As of June 2007, Dell no longer makes the Dimension line other than for business and in non American markets. The high-end Dimension 9200 (XPS 410 in the Amercian market) is still manufactured. (R) desktop PC customers with fast, easy Internet connectivity through AT&T WorldNet Service, marks the latest move in AT&T's strategy of partnering with leading portals and hardware providers to expand its customer base. The Dell ConnectDirect initiative offers consumers an easy Internet sign-on process, the freedom to choose Internet access See how to access the Internet. from leading ISPs, and personalized per·son·al·ize tr.v. per·son·al·ized, per·son·al·iz·ing, per·son·al·iz·es 1. To take (a general remark or characterization) in a personal manner. 2. To attribute human or personal qualities to; personify. Web start pages, which offer customizable news content and direct links to certain Dell services, support and registration. In addition to AT&T WorldNet Service, Dell is launching the ConnectDirect initiative with Internet media company Excite. "As demonstrated by our numerous partnerships with leading portals and hardware vendors, AT&T is committed to making it easy for consumers to get online and experience the power of the Internet," said Dan Schulman, president of AT&T WorldNet Service. "We're proud to be the first service provider in Dell's ConnectDirect initiative and look forward to providing Dell's customers with high-quality and consistently reliable Internet connectivity, as well as a complete set of Internet services from hosting to bill consolidation." "Value lies at the core of our direct model, and as such, best-of-breed partners is critical to our success in integrating the Internet into the Dell customer experience," said Paul Bell Paul A. Bell is the Iowa State Representative from the 41st District. He has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 1992. He received his BA from the University of Northern Iowa. , senior vice president and general manager of Dell's Home and Small Business Group. "We're excited to have AT&T WorldNet Service on board for ConnectDirect's launch, as it offers our customers a wealth of value added Value Added The enhancement a company gives its product or service before offering the product to customers. Notes: This can either increase the products price or value. services to enrich their Internet experience." About ConnectDirect The Dell ConnectDirect initiative offers consumers a fast and easy way to get online. Upon purchasing a new Dell Dimension System, customers will boot up their system and find a direct launching point for an AT&T WorldNet Service free trial. The trial registration process generally takes less than 5 minutes and does not require providing billing information or selecting pricing plans. Upon connecting to the Internet, customers are introduced to the Web with a personalized Excite home page (www.dell.excite.com) pre-customized with news and content. Customers can further personalize their Excite page to receive the latest news and information, enabling them to check sports scores, their horoscope horoscope: see astrology. horoscope Astrological chart showing the positions of the sun, moon, and planets in relation to the signs of the zodiac at a specific time. , their stock portfolio and more. The first month of AT&T Internet access is free, after which customers can subscribe to Verb 1. subscribe to - receive or obtain regularly; "We take the Times every day" subscribe, take buy, purchase - obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction; "The family purchased a new car"; "The conglomerate acquired a new company"; the service for a charge of $19.95 a month for 150 hours of Internet service. About AT&T WorldNet Service AT&T WorldNet Service (www.att.net) is the largest direct Internet Service Provider in the U.S., serving more than 1.2 million subscribers. In addition to providing reliable, easy Internet access across the nation, AT&T WorldNet Service offers each subscriber a free, 5-megabyte personal Web page. AT&T WorldNet Service enables subscribers to consolidate their Internet access, AT&T Long Distance and AT&T Wireless charges on a single bill, and offers them a special 9 cents a minute rate on direct-dialed state-to-state calls from home, at no monthly fee, with AT&T One Rate Online. AT&T WorldNet and AT&T One Rate are registered service marks of AT&T. All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. How AT&T WorldNet(R) Service Works With Dell(R) ConnectDirect(SM) Service Upon purchasing a new Dell Dimension(R) System, the customer will boot their system and see Dell's ConnectDirect logo with a trial offer from AT&T WorldNet Service. The customer is prompted to sign up for AT&T WorldNet Service by simply entering his or her name and address. They are presented with a simple service terms and conditions page. The client software then dials an 800 number to an AT&T registration server and the registration server sends specific user information such as the customer's logon See login. 1. (jargon) logon - login. 2. (networking) logon - In ACF/VTAM, an unformatted session-initiation request for a session between two logical units. and password and configures the client software to access AT&T WorldNet Service. The registration process generally takes less then 5 minutes and the customer does not need to provide billing information or chose pricing plans. At the end of registration the customer is given the choice of Dell's simple Internet browser See Web browser. or Internet Explorer Microsoft's Web browser, which comes with Windows starting with Windows 98. Commonly called "IE," versions for Mac and Unix are also available. Internet Explorer is the most widely used Web browser on the market. It has also been the browser engine in AOL's Internet access software. 4.0. If the customer chooses Dell's simple Internet Browser, they will see a short video that describes the exciting things one can do on the Internet and how to use the browser and email client See e-mail program. . Upon connecting to the Internet, the Internet, the, international computer network linking together thousands of individual networks at military and government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, industrial and financial corporations of all sizes, and commercial enterprises customer is presented with a co-branded Dimension start page which is powered by Excite. During the free trial period the customer is periodically prompted and encouraged to continue receiving all the benefits of AT&T WorldNet Service by signing up for a permanent account. If they choose to do so, they are then asked for billing information and to choose a price plan. If the customer is an AT&T long distance customer, they can chose to have the charges included on their telephone bill. If not, they are prompted for a credit card. If the customer decides not to provide billing info, their service will end after the free trial period. |
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