AT&T Unveils Spanish-Language Internet Service - AT&T WorldNet Service en Espanol will offer content from StarMedia Network - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Dec 20, 1999

AT&T and StarMedia Network, Inc. Wednesday announced the launch of AT&T WorldNet Service en Espanol, the Spanish language complement to AT&T's award-winning Internet service, with content provided by StarMedia Network.

AT&T WorldNet en Espanol offers new and existing AT&T WorldNet Service members a rich Internet experience, in Spanish, including in-language customer service. Once online, members will be guided through the Internet via a co- branded site provided by StarMedia, the leading online community for Spanish- speaking audiences throughout the world.

AT&T WorldNet en Espanol provides users a broad range of community features, including chat rooms, e-mail, bulletin boards, instant messaging, classified ads and games. The service enables users to find information about news, sports, finance, technology, entertainment, shopping, travel, weather and horoscopes. AT&T WorldNet en Espanol also offers up to 64 megabytes of space for personal web pages and free parental control software.

"The Internet is becoming the communications channel of choice, so it makes sense that we would want to create a service that's easy to use for Spanish-speaking consumers," said Fernando Hernandez, International Consumer Services director for AT&T. "And we are delighted to join forces with StarMedia to bring Hispanics a full Internet experience in their language."

According to the Strategy Research Corporation, the number of Hispanics in the United States will grow from 34 million in 1999 to 42 million by 2005, making it the largest ethnic minority. According to eMarketer, an aggregator of Internet information, there are currently 7 million U.S. Hispanic Internet users, representing 21% of the total population.

"StarMedia Network is committed to providing U.S. Hispanics a rich, culturally relevant experience online," said Fernando Espuelas, chairman and chief executive officer of StarMedia Network. "This agreement with AT&T advances our mission to become the online destination for U.S. Hispanics, bringing them the boundless power of the Internet platform to help them advance in their personal and professional lives."

There are several price plans for AT&T WorldNet en Espanol. Members who bundle their long distance, local toll and any one of AT&T's international calling plans (with a monthly recurring charge) -- on a combined bill -- are eligible to receive 150 hours of Internet access for $14.95 a month ($.99 each additional hour). Customers who simply want to access the Internet can sign up for one of the stand-alone price plans: $19.95 for 150 hours of Internet access ($.99 each additional hour) and $21.95 for unlimited Internet access. For more information, customers may call 800-822-0750.

AT&T is one the leading providers of Internet and Residential Long Distance Service to the general U.S. market. AT&T WorldNet Service (http://www.att.net), launched in March 1996, is the largest pure Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the United States, with 1.8 million members.

AT&T WorldNet Service was recently named "Best Buy" in PC World Magazine (March 1999), won PC Magazine's "Editor's Choice" award (April 1999) and was praised as the top ISP in SmartMoney (April 1999).

AT&T (http://www.att.com) is the world's premier provider of voice and data communications, with more than 80 million customers, including businesses, government and consumers. AT&T runs the world's largest long-distance network and the largest wireless network in North America.

StarMedia Network is the leading Internet media company targeting Latin America and other Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets worldwide. The Company is committed to providing Spanish and Portuguese speakers with a complete selection of services and products that take full advantage of Internet technologies. StarMedia Network operates StarMedia (http://www.starmedia.com), the leading global online community for Spanish and Portuguese speakers; Periscopio (http://www.periscopio.com), a new, powerful information portal for Spanish speakers worldwide; LatinRed (http://www.latinred.net), one of the largest Spanish language online communities; OpenChile (http://www.openchile.cl), a local Chilean portal; Cade? (http://www.cade.com.br) and Zeek! (http://www.zeek.com.br), two of the leading online directories in Brazil; StarMedia Broadband, the company's broadband services arm; and StarMedia Mobile, its wireless division. Founded in 1996, the company employs over 600 people with operations throughout Latin America, the U.S. and Spain.