Urbana.ca Announces Agreement to Provide Low Cost Community-Based Internet Services - contract with Bell Nexxia, Canada - Brief Article

ISP Business, Sept, 2000

Urbana.ca, an emerging e-commerce software and content company, announced that it has completed an agreement to offer the lowest priced Internet connection cost available in Canada.

The agreement combines Urbana's LocalNet software with Bell Nexxia's infrastructure. The agreement will enable Urbana to rapidly deploy and expand their customer base across Canada resulting in an expected increase in revenues sooner than previously anticipated.

Initially, Urbana will roll-out three LocalNets in the province of Ontario this fall. The bundled Internet connectivity cost including a set-top box will be priced below Canadian Internet service providers.

This agreement validates Urbana's core LocalNet strategy and their vision to connect local residents with the local business community.

LocalNet is Urbana's Web-based community portal software that utilizes a set-top box to connect residents within a community to geographic-specific content and on-line services, including community calendars, e-commerce shopping, e-mail, and on-line bill presentment and bill payment services.

Each LocalNet portal is financed, owned, and operated by community business partners, enabling individual communities to establish a unique on-line presence within its target audience.

Urbana will offer a suite of competitively priced services to the communities across Canada. Through their agreement with Bell Nexxia, Urbana customers will benefit from access to a full range of advanced communications services to meet their individual needs.