CMGI Inc.’s 1stUp.com will extend its free
ad-supported Internet access network in Canada through a partnership with AT&T Canada.
1stUp.com powers ad-supported free access offerings, including AltaVista FreeAccess and FreeWorld by Excite@Home. AT&T Canada’s network has added
a new pool of Internet dial-up numbers in Canada that are available to
1stUp.com-affiliated users.
1stUp.coms relationship with AT&T Canada increases the reach of its ISP
presence to coverage in Canada, and confirms that the free-access trend
is spreading, according to Charles Katz, president and chief executive
officer of 1stUp.com.
“This agreement will allow 1stUp.com, through their relationship with
AltaVista, to leverage our high-quality Internet access and transport
networks across Canada,” said Ron Close, president, AT&T Canada Internet
and E-Business Services.
AT&T Canada’s fiber-optic local and long haul networks span more than
15,000 kilometers across Canada. This agreement will give 1stUp.com
access to local dial-up connections from nearly all Canadian centers at
speeds of up to 56 Kpbs (V.90), as well as dial-up ISDN, with
fiber-optic T3 and T1 lines connected by ATM switching and high-speed
routing equipment.
With 1stUp.com, users keep a small, sponsored navigation bar on their
screen for the duration of their online sessions, in exchange for free Internet access.