MSN Offers Consumers 50 Extra Reasons to Choose MSN Internet Access

REDMOND, Wash., March 1, 2002 — The MSN® network of Internet services today launched a new MSN Internet Access offer available in the United States. MSN will give $50 in cash to new broadband or narrowband MSN Internet Access subscribers after they have paid for three consecutive months of MSN Internet Access service.* People can take advantage of this limited-time offer through May 30 by visiting http://switch.msn.com/ , or by calling (800) FREE-MSN (373-3676).

The availability of this new offer follows record subscription growth, as MSN gained more than 1.2 million new subscribers in the United States last quarter. Fueled by the successful launch of MSN 7 in October 2001, quarterly new-subscriber growth for MSN surpassed that of AOL for the first time. Based on continued demand, MSN is responding with another great offer that gives consumers the opportunity to experience MSN Internet Access.

“MSN delivers the most useful way for consumers to experience the Web, and we are offering this special promotion as an incentive for consumers to try MSN Internet Access,” said Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of MSN at Microsoft Corp. “We are confident that once consumers experience MSN Internet Access, they will join the millions who have already switched to the superior technology and high-quality service that MSN delivers.”

To promote the special offer, MSN will run advertisements in leading national print publications, online and on television. In addition, U.S. Postal Service vehicles in San Francisco, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Boston and Detroit will be shrink-wrapped with a colorful MSN special advertisement from March 15 to May 15.

Consumers can also take advantage of other special offers:

  • New MSN Broadband customers can receive free** activation and a free installation kit, including a DSL modem, worth a total value of nearly $500, when they sign up for one year of MSN Broadband. MSN Broadband prices range from $39.95 a month to $49.95 a month.

  • Or, new MSN Broadband customers can choose to receive a free*** installation kit, including a DSL modem, with no term commitment and a charge of only $99 for activation.

  • New MSN narrowband customers can receive one month of free**** service with unlimited Internet access for just $21.95.

MSN Internet Access delivers fast, reliable service and is powered by advanced Microsoft® technology. MSN delivers world-leading services such as the MSN Explorer Internet browser; MSN Hotmail® service, the world’s most popular Web-based e-mail; MSN Messenger Service, the world’s most popular free instant messaging service; 1 and MSN Search, the No. 1 search engine in the United States. 2 MSN also delivers top content and features from leading partners such as ESPN, the National Hockey League, Access Hollywood, MSNBC, CNBC and WebMD.

About MSN

MSN attracts more than 270 million unique users worldwide per month. Available in 34 markets and 18 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and digital marketing solutions to businesses worldwide. The most useful and innovative online service today, MSN brings consumers everything they need from the Web to make the most of their time online. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ . MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx .

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.

1. Source: Jupiter Media Metrix, December 2001: Custom Category as defined by Microsoft. Data are an aggregation of unique visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, Spain, Italy, Norway, Denmark and Switzerland.

2. Source: Jupiter Media Metrix, January 2002, Monthly Flash Report.

* User must pay for three months of unlimited MSN dial-up Internet Access or unlimited MSN Broadband to receive the $50 mail-in rebate. Limit one rebate per household. This rebate offer may only be combined with the one-month dial-up trial plan or the MSN Broadband plans available through (800) 373-3676 or at http://resourcecenter.msn.com/ . Registration for new MSN account is required by May 30, 2002.

** Not available in all areas. Program is only available to new MSN Internet Access subscribers. If for any reason the user’s subscription is terminated after activation and before the user has paid for 12 months of broadband service, then the user will be charged a termination fee of $150. Special equipment may be required. Actual speeds over DSL lines will vary depending on several factors, including location of the user’s home, computer performance and configuration, network or Internet congestion, Web sites accessed and phone line condition. Speed of service, uninterrupted and error-free service is not guaranteed. Some customers may require professional installation that may be obtained for an extra charge. In addition, the user must agree to the subscriber agreement to access the service. A valid major credit card may be required. If for any reason the user’s subscription is terminated before the user has paid for 24 months of broadband service, then the user will be required to return the DSL modem provided to the user. If the user does not return the modem, the user will be charged $150 plus applicable taxes. The current price for the unlimited MSN Broadband Internet Access Plan will be automatically charged to the user beginning the third month following the user’s activation date and thereafter until the user cancels the account or selects an alternative plan. User must be 18 years old or older. MSN Broadband Internet Access is available only to users of the Windows® 98 or later operating systems. MSN Internet Access is available only for personal, noncommercial use. Offer expires May 30, 2002.

*** Not available in all areas. Special equipment may be required. Actual speeds over DSL lines will vary depending on several factors including location of the user’s home, computer performance and configuration, network or Internet congestion, Web sites accessed and current phone line conditions. Speed of service, uninterrupted and error-free service is not guaranteed. Some customers may require professional installation that may be obtained for an extra charge. In addition, the user must subscribe to MSN Internet Access in accordance with its subscription agreement to access the service. A valid major credit card may be required. If for any reason the user’s subscription is terminated during the initial 24-month period, the user will be required to return the DSL modem provided. If the user does not return the modem, the user will be charged $150 plus applicable taxes. The current price for the unlimited MSN Broadband Internet Access Plan will be automatically charged to the user beginning on the activation date and until the account is canceled or an alternative plan is selected. User must be 18 years old or older. MSN Broadband Internet Access is available only to users of the Windows 98 Second Edition or later operating systems. MSN Internet Access is available only for personal noncommercial use. Additional terms may apply if the user is a current MSN Internet Access member. Offer expires May 30, 2002.

**** MSN Internet Access is for users of the Windows 95 or later operating systems only. User must also subscribe to MSN Internet Access in accordance with its subscription agreement to access the service. Offer is only available to new MSN Internet Access members in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. A major credit card is required. The current price for the MSN Standard Unlimited Access Plan will be automatically charged to the user’s credit card until the account is canceled or an alternative plan is selected. MSN is available only for personal noncommercial use. Additional telephone and/or long distance toll charges may apply. It is the customer’s responsibility to check with the phone company to determine if additional phone charges may apply. Local market network activity and capacity may affect access availability. Offer may not be combined with any other Microsoft offers or rebates. Promotion expires April 30, 2002.

Microsoft, MSN, Hotmail and Windows 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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