AT&T WorldNet Service passes 150,000-customer mark after nine weeks

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. -- AT&T today announced that it has registered more than
150,000 users for its AT&T WorldNet Service in the nine weeks since the
value-added Internet access service became available.

AT&T has received some 600,000 requests for AT&T WorldNet Service software
since February 27, when the service was announced, and has sent the
software to more than half of those making the requests. Nearly 50 percent
of the individuals who were sent the software as of seven days ago have
signed up for the service.

"We were surprised and delighted by this huge response," said Tom Evslin,
vice president of AT&T WorldNet Service. "Both experienced and new
Internet users want the quality of Internet access they expect from AT&T.
As we roll-out the service at higher speed than we intended, we're
constantly learning and constantly working on improvements."

Improvements include addition of modems among the 200 access points for the
service, a more than 150 percent increase in the number of customer care
agents since late March, and additional processors to speed the
registration process, all in response to the large demand. AT&T also will
increase the number of access points for the service.

Although AT&T WorldNet Service works with most popular browsers, the
service includes the co-branded version of a popular Netscape Navigator
browser, preconfigured for easy installation. AT&T said it is scheduled to
begin providing Windows 95 users of the service with more advanced
Netscape Navigator 2.0 browser software beginning June 15. The new browser
software will be available for downloading from the AT&T WorldNet Service
Web site, or on CD-ROMS and diskettes. A Netscape 2.0 browser also will be
available for users of Windows 3.1, for downloading from the AT&T WorldNet
Service Web site.

Evslin said the registrations reveal that the large majority of customers
of AT&T WorldNet Service are also AT&T long distance customers. About
two-thirds of those signing up opt for the five-free-hours trial offer
plan, with a third selecting the flat rate for unlimited access. A
sampling of registered users done by AT&T shortly after the service began
operating indicated that most had previously used an online service and
had accessed the Internet.

Under the trial offer, AT&T residential long distance customers who sign up
for AT&T WorldNet Service in 1996 have free access to the Internet for
five hours each month for the next year, as long as they use the service
one hour each month. Customers pay $2.50 for each hour beyond the five.
Under a separate plan, AT&T customers may opt for a flat monthly rate of
$19.95 for unlimited access. Customers separately pay telephone or 800
access charges for dialing into the service.

Overall, AT&T WorldNet Service is getting good marks for customer
satisfaction. An ongoing satisfaction survey by online information
provider C/Net consistently ranks AT&T WorldNet Service in the top five of
the 10 most highly rated Internet access providers in the survey. The
C/Net results are consistent with an AT&T survey showing customer
satisfaction with the service exceeding 80 percent, which compares well
with satisfaction for with the company's long distance service.

Superior customer care, available 24 hours a day via an 800 number and
staffed to provide customers with speedy responses, is a major factor in
such survey results. "Our goal is to provide the kind of customer care
people have come to expect from AT&T, rather than the lack of good
customer care, which has been an obstacle to the Internet for many."

The wait time for orders of software used to access AT&T WorldNet Service
has been reduced by more than half, to three weeks. A massive response to
the announcement of dial access to AT&T WorldNet Service prompted AT&T to
delay delivery of disks to ensure a high level of service from its
world-class customer care facilities. Increasing the number of customer
care agents has enabled the company to accelerate the shipment of the
software. If current order rates continue, the wait time is expected to
drop to just a few days during the first half of June.

AT&T WorldNet Service provides high-quality Internet access with
directories and topical areas to help people find useful information,
guided tours for newcomers, and navigational aids for users of all skill
levels. Customers can call AT&T's world-class customer care toll-free, 24
hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on AT&T WorldNet Service, customers can call
1-800-WORLDNET, or preview the service on the Internet at
http://www.att.com/worldnet.

For more information, reporters may contact:

Mike Miller
908-658-2815
michaeld2@attmail.com

Patricia Allen
908-658-6676
plallen@attmail.com

To get more information or subscribe to Worldnet Service, customers may
call

Customer Service
1-800-WORLDNET (1-800-967-5363).
Visit the WorldNet website.
Send email to worldnet@attmail.com.
 
 =========================================================
 From the 'New Product News' Electronic News Service on...
 AOL (Keyword = New Products) and Delphi (GO COMP PROD)
 =========================================================
 This information was processed from data provided by the
 company/author mentioned. For additional details, please
 contact them directly at the address/phone# indicated.
 Trademarks are the property of their respective owners!
 =========================================================
 All submissions for this service should be addressed to:
 BAKER ENTERPRISES,  20 Ferro Dr,  Sewell, NJ  08080  USA
 Email:   rbakerpc@aol.com   --or--   rbakerpc@delphi.com
 =========================================================
