NetZero Unleashes WebMail

United Online, the amalgamation of ISPs Juno Online and NetZero, Thursday released its WebMail service for NetZero Internet users.

by Michael Singer of siliconvalley.internet.com [September 27, 2002]

United Online's offer for NetZero users marks the first time that the free and subscription Internet service provider has offered e-mail as part of the package. Juno currently offers its own brand of Web-based e-mail and related products that it created back when it was a standalone company.

The news comes on the one-year anniversary of the holding company's merger between Juno and NetZero that created United Online. The combination has made it one of the top five national ISP providers.

Executives with United Online said the choice to offer NetZero WebMail was based on a sharp rise in customer demand.

"NetZero WebMail was launched in response to enormous demand from our users, who want the convenience and flexibility of being able to access their NetZero e-mail from any Internet connection, through any ISP, anywhere, anytime," stated Brian Woods, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of United Online. "E-mail continues to be the most popular Internet activity worldwide and has become a primary means of communication. The introduction of NetZero WebMail is yet another powerful user benefit in the NetZero arsenal of services."

Westlake Village, Calif.-based United Online is currently the frontrunner to acquire Kmart's Bluelight ISP from a bankruptcy court. A judge is expected to render a decision on October 7.

NetZero's new WebMail product is similar to other Web-based e-mail programs in that customers can compose and send new messages and reference their online address book. The platform works with both Internet Explorer or Netscape.

But the company said the system might not be available to free users if they have exceeded their allowable monthly usage.

United offers free versions of NetZero's Internet access laced with online advertisements and a strict 10-hours-a-month limit. There is also a Platinum version available for $9.95 a month.

The new features are designed to boost its paid subscription base. United said it currently has a total of 4.8 million users, 1.7 million paid users and 3.1 million free subscribers. That represents a 56 percent growth in its membership since last year, according to SEC filings.

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