Lycos Aims to Disrupt E-Mail Market with 3 GB Free Storage

Strategic Insights -

When it comes to email services, Lycos is hoping to make a name for itself by offering consumers a significant amount of free storage space. The company plans to provide 3 GB of free space, roughly enough to store 750 songs, which is more than what its competitors, such as Google's Gmail service, currently offer. This move is aimed at attracting more users and giving them more flexibility, as Lycos won't restrict the size of emails its users can send.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lycos plans to offer 3 GB of free email storage space, more than any of its competitors, including Google's Gmail service, which provides 2.7 GB.
  • Lycos' email service will not restrict the size of emails its users can send, unlike competitors like AOL, which limits files to 16 megabytes, and Google, which limits files to 10 MB.
  • Lycos' free storage boost aims to keep up with the growing number of consumers using email to store and swap music, photos, and videos.
  • The company plans to start offering the 3 GB email service on August 2.
  • Lycos' chief operating officer, Brian Kalinowski, states that the demand for more space comes as more consumers are paying for fast Internet access services known as broadband.

Statistics:

  • 3 GB: The amount of free storage space Lycos plans to offer its email users.
  • 750 songs: The approximate number of songs that can be stored in the 3 GB of free space.
  • 2.7 GB: The amount of free storage space offered by Google's Gmail service.
  • 5 megabytes: The amount of free storage space Lycos currently offers its email users.
  • 16 megabytes: The size limit for files set by America Online.
  • 10 MB: The size limit for files set by Google.
  • 23.4 million: The number of unique visitors Lycos had in June, according to comScore Networks.
  • 128.6 million: The number of unique visitors Yahoo had in June, according to comScore Networks.
  • 24: The ranking of Lycos among Web properties in June, according to comScore Networks.

Sources:

  • comScore Networks
  • Nielsen/NetRatings
  • Daum Communications
  • Brian Kalinowski, chief operating officer for Lycos
  • Ben Gross, analyst for Ferris Research
  • Greg Sterling, analyst for Sterling Market Intelligence