Concentric Research Corp. and Netscape Communications Corp. Collaborate on Internet Services

Concentric Research Corp., a leading provider of communication solutions, has announced a joint marketing and distribution agreement with Netscape Communications Corp., a premier provider of open software. Under the agreement, Concentric will become a featured provider of Internet services for Netscape Navigator Personal Edition and a reseller of the software package itself, which includes the world's most popular World Wide Web browser.

The agreement has two facets: users of Netscape Navigator Personal Edition will have the opportunity to register online as customers of the nationwide Concentric Network, receiving reliable and low-cost access to the Internet and other online services. Concentric has also been licensed to resell copies of the new browser software preconfigured for the Concentric Network.

"Our companies are a natural match," said Henry R. Nothhaft, president and CEO of Concentric. "We offer customers low-cost access to the Internet through one of the nation's largest dial-up networks. Netscape has world-class software to navigate the Internet."

Key Takeaways:

• Concentric Research Corp. and Netscape Communications Corp. have entered into a joint marketing and distribution agreement.
• Under the agreement, Concentric will become a featured provider of Internet services for Netscape Navigator Personal Edition and a reseller of the software package.
• The agreement has two facets: users of Netscape Navigator Personal Edition will have the opportunity to register online as customers of the nationwide Concentric Network, and Concentric has been licensed to resell copies of the new browser software preconfigured for the Concentric Network.
• Concentric will offer customers four pricing options, including an entry plan for $7.95 per month, an intermediate plan for $19.95 per month, an unlimited plan for $29.95 per month, and a toll-free plan for $10 per month.
• Netscape Navigator Personal Edition includes dialer software and allows users to click on a Concentric Network icon to choose Concentric as their access provider of choice.
• The software will be sold by Concentric directly as well as by third parties licensed by CRC.
• Concentric has over 130 points of presence (POPs) nationwide, serving more than 25,000 exchanges in over 1,900 communities.
• Concentric plans to add 35 POPs by the end of August and an additional 100 in the United States and Canada by the end of October.

Statistics:

• $7.95: the monthly cost of Concentric's entry plan for users.
• $1.95: the hourly cost of additional usage for Concentric's entry plan users.
• 5 hours: the maximum usage allowed per month for Concentric's entry plan users.
• $19.95: the monthly cost of Concentric's intermediate plan for users.
• $1.50: the hourly cost of additional usage for Concentric's intermediate plan users.
• 20 hours: the maximum usage allowed per month for Concentric's intermediate plan users.
• $29.95: the monthly cost of Concentric's unlimited plan for users.
• 2 hours: the maximum usage allowed per month for Concentric's toll-free plan users.
• $10: the monthly cost of Concentric's toll-free plan for users.

Sources:

• PRNewswire
• Concentric Research Corp.
• Netscape Communications Corp.