Leading Free ISP Chooses Pac-West to Supply Local Access Ports
STOCKTON, Calif., Feb. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Pac-West Telecomm, Inc.
(Nasdaq: PACW), a rapidly growing provider of integrated communications
services to Internet service providers (ISPs) and business customers in the
western U.S., today announced that NetZero (Nasdaq: NZRO), the nation's
largest provider of free Internet access based on number of registered users,
has signed a multi-year service agreement for Pac-West to supply its local
access ports, modems, and Internet backbone, through its managed modems
service offering. NetZero will utilize Pac-West's network to provide service
to its users throughout California and parts of Nevada.
"We are extremely pleased that NetZero has chosen our managed modems
service to expand their coverage," said Joel Effron, Pac-West's senior vice
president of sales and marketing. "Our regional footprint and turnkey
solution enable Pac-West to offer NetZero a presence in virtually every local
access area in California, providing its users with reliable access to the
Internet through a local call."
"Our commitment to building a high-quality, nationwide telecommunications
network has been key to establishing NetZero as the leader in the free
Internet access market," said Ronald T. Burr, NetZero president and chief
technology officer. "Aggregating our incoming calls into Pac-West's SuperPOPs
will enable us to quickly and efficiently extend our coverage in several key
markets."
About Pac-West
Founded in 1980, Pac-West Telecomm, Inc. (Nasdaq: PACW) is a rapidly
growing provider of integrated telecommunications services to Internet service
providers (ISPs) and small and medium businesses. With operations currently
in California, Nevada and Washington, Pac-West is expanding throughout the
western U.S. and expects to have operations in 10 western states by the end of
2000.
Pac-West supplies Internet infrastructure services to over 100 ISPs that
can either collocate and maintain their own equipment at Pac-West's switching
facilities, or subscribe to an integrated managed modem service that includes
access lines, modems, routers, authentication services, and technical support.
For its small and medium business customers, Pac-West offers an integrated
voice and data communications service that bundles local and long distance
service with telephone equipment, high-speed data transport, voice mail, and
maintenance. More information about the company is available at
http://www.pacwest.com .
About NetZero
NetZero is the nation's largest provider of free Internet access based on
number of registered users. NetZero offers its users free access to the
Internet, free e-mail and easy-to-use navigational tools, while offering
online advertisers an effective way to target those users. The ZeroPort, a
central feature of the NetZero service, is a persistent onscreen device
providing users with instant "speed dial" to key sites on the Internet for
shopping, auctions, music, and other services. Customized information such as
stocks, news and sports can also be delivered directly to the desktop through
The ZeroPort. NetZero offers advertisers unique one-to-one targeting
capabilities using its proprietary zCast technology, which gives the company
the ability to track users throughout their online experience. Between its
October 1998 launch and early January 2000, over 3 million users registered
for NetZero's Internet access service. NetZero offers its services in more
than 2,000 cities across the United States. More information about the
company is available at http://www.netzero.net .
Forward-Looking Statements
The foregoing discussion contains forward-looking statements. Pac-West's
future performance is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to deviate substantially from those discussed in these
forward-looking statements. Factors that could impact the variability of
future results include: successful execution of the company's expansion
activities into new geographic markets on a timely and cost-effective basis;
the pace at which new competitors enter the company's existing and planned
markets; competitive responses of the Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers;
execution of interconnection agreements with Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
on terms satisfactory to the company; maintenance of the company's supply
agreements for transmission facilities; continued acceptance of the company's
services by new and existing customers; the outcome of legal and regulatory
proceedings regarding reciprocal compensation for Internet-related calls and
certain of the company's product offerings; the ability to attract and retain
talented employees; and the company's ability to successfully access markets,
install switching electronics, and obtain the use of leased fiber transport
facilities and any required governmental authorizations, franchises and
permits, all in a timely manner, at reasonable costs and on satisfactory terms
and conditions, as well as regulatory, legislative and judicial developments
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results
indicated, expressed or implied, in such forward-looking statements. These
and other factors are discussed in the company's Prospectus dated November 3,
1999, and filed with the SEC.
NetZero's future performance is subject to potential risks and
uncertainties including, among others, NetZero's unproven business model and
limited operating history; its ability to grow its user base, generate
advertising revenues and decrease telecommunications costs; the effects of
competition for users and advertisers; the loss of key customers;
technological problems or developments; and governmental regulations. More
information about potential factors that could affect NetZero's business and
financial results is included in its Form 10-Q and other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ( http://www.sec.gov ) including (without
limitation) information under the captions "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors."
NetZero(R), Defenders of the Free World(TM), the NetZero logo, zCast(TM), The
ZeroPort(TM) and NZTV(TM) are trademarks of NetZero, Inc. All other names are
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Pac-West Telecom, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.pacwest.com
CONTACT:
Kevin Maginnis, Director, Product Management
of Pac-West Telecomm, 209-926-4083, e-mail, kmaginni@pacwest.com;
general, Virginia Turner, investors, Chris Wood, or media, Mary
Wallace, all of The Financial Relations Board, 415-986-1591, for
Pac-West Telecomm; or Brent Zimmerman, Director, Investor
Relations of NetZero, 805-418-2350, e-mail,
bzimmerman@corp.netzero.net
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