Micron Electronics, Inc. Tuesday announced
agreements with leading Internet and networking companies EarthLink, Yahoo! and 3Com
Corp.
Micron concurrently announced the launch of its mConnect technology
initiative for small businesses. The mConnect program provides one year of
unlimited Internet access through EarthLink, customized consumer and small
business start pages through Yahoo!, and a small business networking
solution from 3Com, with the lease or purchase of select Micron Millennia
desktop personal computers.
“Our goal is to be the ultimate technology resource for small, high-growth
businesses and to empower them to succeed by aggregating the best Internet,
networking, and computing solutions in the industry,” said Joel Kocher,
chairman and chief executive officer of Micron Electronics.
Kocher added that Micron plans to deliver additional products and services
that help small businesses get online, build e-commerce solutions and
manage key elements of their service and support.
In addition to Micron paying EarthLink for one-year of Internet access on
behalf of their mConnect customers, Yahoo! will offer customized small
business and consumer start pages as a key element of the business pact.
When new Micron customers register their computers, they can select the My
Yahoo! icon and get information on a customized Yahoo! start pages.
3Com has joined the mConnect family of small business services to provide
pre-configured networking solutions that will include PCs, cables and
networking equipment. This relationship with 3Com will enable Micron to
provide small businesses with specific networking products and services.
“Our goal is to enable customers to work the web through a hassle-free
Internet solution when they buy or lease a Micron PC. A lot of people are
buying computers now for the express purpose of accessing the Net, so we
wanted to help make the process easier,” said Michael Gale, vice president
of the Web business at Micron Electronics.
Gale said “mConnect is an important step for us in serving our rapid growth
customers. mConnect combines the tested and proven elements from EarthLink,
Yahoo! and 3Com and provides small businesses with the key technology they
need to thrive in today’s demanding economy.”
