Bill Gates to Launch MSN 8 on Oct. 24 at New York City Event



A ‘countdown clock’ unveiled today on the Microsoft Campus notes that there are 23 days and counting until the launch of MSN 8 in New York City Oct. 24.

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 1, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that MSN®
8, the most significant version of MSN ever to be released, will become broadly available to consumers in the United States on Oct. 24. MSN plans to introduce the product in New York City’s Central Park at a large and unique event led by Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates. The kickoff will be bolstered by the largest MSN marketing campaign ever in the United States and a new promotional theme for MSN 8,
“better with the butterfly,”
which will encourage consumers to look for the MSN butterfly logo for the best online experience.

Microsoft also today announced U.S. pricing details for MSN 8, including pricing for the MSN Broadband Internet Access and MSN Dial-Up Internet Access services and the MSN 8 subscription services for consumers who choose to use MSN 8 with their existing Internet service provider (ISP).

“Consumers are ready for a better Internet experience, and we will deliver what they’ve been waiting for with MSN 8,”
said Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of MSN.
“Beginning Oct. 24, the Web becomes better with the butterfly and MSN 8, which will offer innovative services and great value to consumers.”

Pricing for MSN 8 Unveiled

Delivering breakthrough innovations such as advanced communication services, useful browsing and productivity software, and new online safety features, MSN 8 will be available in the United States as a subscription service through nationwide MSN Broadband Internet Access starting at $39.95 or $49.95 per month, or via MSN Dial-Up Internet Access for $21.95 per month. For the first time, MSN also will offer a separate subscription to MSN 8 for consumers in the United States who use another ISP, for $9.95 per month or $79.95 per year, which enables them to get premier communication, browsing and online safety capabilities to use with their existing ISP. In addition to monthly pricing lower than that of some competitors, MSN will offer special promotions in the United States, which will be announced closer to the date of product availability.

“We are pleased with the MSN 8 service and what it promises for people’s easy and safe use of the Internet,”
Mehdi said.
“We’ve invested heavily in MSN 8 through our research and development and now with our largest marketing campaign ever. We can’t wait to get MSN 8 into the hands of consumers everywhere so they can see for themselves how much more useful the Web can become.”

Additional details on the MSN 8 marketing campaign and launch activities in the United States will be made available closer to the launch date of the product.

About MSN

MSN has 8.7 million subscriptions and attracts more than 300 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally 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.

Microsoft and MSN 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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