REDMOND, Wash., April 11, 2001 — The MSN® network of Internet services, the most popular consumer network on the Web, today announced that more than 5 million consumers are using MSN Internet Access to get online and be productive in their lives. With new and enhanced MSN services, including an updated version of MSN Explorer that is expected to become available in the United States next week, more consumers than ever are choosing MSN to be both their home on the Web and Internet service provider (ISP).
“With more than 5 million consumers using MSN Internet Access in the United States, it is clearer than ever that MSN is the choice for anyone desiring a richer and more complete Internet experience,”
said Yusuf Mehdi , vice president of MSN at Microsoft Corp.
“Seamless integration with MSN Explorer gives our Internet access subscribers the best of MSN content and services together with the power of the Web.”
Great distribution partners including RadioShack Corp., Best Buy Company Inc., Dell Computer Corp. and others have helped drive consumer demand for MSN Internet Access. Projections show continued growth of MSN Internet Access through product feature enhancements and leading technology that will enable consumers to get more from the Web. To support the rapid adoption of MSN among consumers, Microsoft has stepped up back-end operations and customer support to assist new and future subscribers, as well as increase the amount of local access telephone numbers.
MSN Explorer Delivers the Premier Internet User Experience
Since its initial launch in the United States last October, MSN Explorer is being used by more than 6 million consumers. These users are benefiting from MSN Explorer’s unique blend of powerful software and rich services achieved through its tight integration with the MSN Hotmail® Web-based e-mail service, the MSN MoneyCentral™
online personal finance service, MSN Music, MSN Messenger Service and other MSN content and services.
Next week Microsoft will release an updated version of MSN Explorer that will include improvements for MSN Internet Access, making it easier for users to set up the software, create a new Internet access account and connect to the Internet. Consumers who use MSN Explorer will benefit from several new features, including the following:
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Fewer e-mail names required. Existing MSN Hotmail users who upgrade to MSN Internet Access can continue using their MSN Hotmail e-mail name as their MSN Internet Access ID.
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Offline e-mail and 10 MB of storage. With MSN Explorer and MSN Internet Access combined, users can free up a household phone line and manage their e-mail when not connected to the Internet.
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Collapsible My Stuff bar. All MSN Explorer users will now be able to collapse the My Stuff bar to maximize screen space.
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Automatic spelling check when writing e-mail messages.* MSN Explorer users will benefit from the ability of MSN Hotmail to automatically highlight misspelled words and offer alternate spelling options.
About MSN
MSN gives consumers a new home on the Internet — a central place where they can get everything they need from the Web and make the most of their time online. With more than 230 million visitors per month, the MSN integrated network of content and services is the most popular destination on the Internet. MSN is available in 33 markets and in 17 languages — a broader global presence than any other portal. MSN takes advantage of the Microsoft® .NET platform to offer leading services, any time, any place and on any device, with the most integrated and personalized user experience for communications, search, shopping, personal finance and entertainment. MSN Internet Access and the recently introduced MSN Explorer offer quick, personal and exciting ways to get on to and take advantage of the Web. Best-of-breed services include the MSN Hotmail Web-based e-mail service, the world’s largest Web-based e-mail system; MSN Messenger Service, one of the fastest-growing instant messaging services on the Web; MSN Search; MSN Mobile, the customizable wireless information service; the award-winning MSN MoneyCentral online personal finance guide; MSN eShop, the one-stop online shopping resource; and MSN Custom Web Sites, the easy way to share information on the Web. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
* Office 95 or Works 3 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher must be installed.
Microsoft, MSN, Hotmail and MoneyCentral are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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