SBC Yahoo! Enhances DSL and Dial Services with Major Upgrades

Strategic Insights -

SBC Communications Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. have collaborated to deliver significant enhancements to the SBC Yahoo! DSL and Dial services, aiming to provide a superior Internet experience for both consumers and businesses. As part of this upgrade, new and existing customers will receive a range of benefits at no additional charge, including increased e-mail storage, improved instant messaging features, and enhanced music and game experiences.

Key Takeaways:

  • SBC Yahoo! DSL and Dial members now receive a "new and improved" version of SBC Yahoo! Mail, featuring 2 gigabytes of main account e-mail storage, 80 times the amount previously offered, and 200 times the amount offered by most other Internet service providers.
  • The new e-mail storage levels are sufficient to hold up to 1 million pages of e-mail, and the enhanced SBC Yahoo! Mail includes no graphical advertising, a streamlined design, and faster e-mail search capabilities.
  • Within the next few weeks, SBC Yahoo! DSL and Dial members will receive an enhanced version of the SBC Yahoo! Messenger, featuring Avatars, customizable virtual online personalities, and Audibles, expressive, verbal animations.
  • The enhanced SBC Yahoo! Mail and SBC Yahoo! Messenger will provide customers with a more intuitive and user-friendly experience, catering to the growing demand for online self-expression and real-time communication.
  • SBC Yahoo! DSL Business Edition will offer small businesses a range of specialized productivity tools and premium workplace content, making it an attractive option for businesses looking to upgrade their Internet services.
  • The enhanced services will be available to new customers signing up through June 30, with SBC Yahoo! DSL Pro and SBC Yahoo! DSL Express being offered at competitive prices, starting at $26.95 and $36.99 per month, respectively.

Statistics:

  • SBC has nearly 4 million DSL customers and is the nation's leading provider of DSL access lines.
  • The enhanced SBC Yahoo! Mail now offers 2 gigabytes of main account e-mail storage, sufficient to hold up to 1 million pages of e-mail.
  • The FUSF (Federal Universal Service Fund) cost recovery fee for SBC Yahoo! DSL services ranges from $5.50 to $10.65 per month, depending on the service plan chosen.
  • Customers signing up for SBC Yahoo! DSL or Dial services through June 30 can choose between SBC Yahoo! DSL Pro, which offers download speeds of 1.5 - 3.0 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 384 kbps, or SBC Yahoo! DSL Express, which offers download speeds of 384 kbps - 1.5 Mbps.

Sources:

  • SBC Communications Inc.
  • Yahoo! Inc.
  • SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
  • Business Wire (June 15, 2004)