SINA launches service combining content and Internet access

Continuing its efforts to find new revenue streams, Nasdaq-listed Chinese portal, SINA.com has launched a new all-in-one Service combining SINA's content with Internet dial-up service in the Taiwan and North American markets. Via strategic alliances with leading ISPs and E-commerce players, SINA will target this new service at the estimated 10 million Chinese Internet users in Taiwan and North America.

In Taiwan, according to Ministry of Economic Affairs, there will be an estimated 7.8 million Internet users by the end of 2002, 60% of which will comprise of dial-up users. In addition to a fee charged for Internet access, dial-up users also pay the telephone companies for each minute that they spend on the telephone. SINA's ISP service in Taiwan, U2 Online Free Access, offers free and unlimited Internet access by partnering with the 2nd largest ISP, Asia Pacific Online, so users will only need to pay the per minute telephone charge. The service also includes free software installed in the browser that provides a powerful and easy search function for pictures, video clips and MP3 files, a unique feature distinct from other ISPs. SINA will receive a part of the termination settlement fee from the telephone companies based on users per minute phone charge.

SINA has also launched an all-in-one package "SINA Online" targeting 2.5 million monthly unique users that visit its North America web site. By working with one of the providers that supplies Microsoft Network dial-up service, SINA is able to bundle its exclusive content together with North America-wide high quality unlimited dial-up access for $9.95 per month. -(World IT Report)