NetZero Boasts 200,000 Sign-Ups in Record Time

A Westlake Village free Internet-access service says it has become the fastest-growing access provider in history, attracting more than 200,000 subscribers in 11 weeks.

Sign-ups for advertisement-driven NetZero are occurring at a rate of at least one every 45 seconds, company officials said. The firm is delivering more than 100 million page views per month, placing it among the top 35 sites worldwide, according to figures from NetRatings.

At the same time, NetZero says it has exceeded its ad revenue goals and is currently sold out. Officials said the company has signed up more than 40 major advertisers, evenly split between Web sites and businesses offering products or services.

“As these figures indicate, both subscriber and advertiser acceptance of NetZero’s service has been nothing short of outstanding,” said Ronald T. Burr, the company’s chief executive officer. “While we’re modeled after network TV and radio, we’re actually redefining Internet advertising with targeting capabilities not previously seen in any medium--TV, radio or the Net.”

NetZero provides free Internet access via a local dial-up account and an e-mail account for each individual user in a household, business or at specific locations, such as a school or public library.

To subscribe to NetZero, users must complete a profile that includes interests and demographic data (available at https://www.netzero.net).

NetZero is funded by Idealab Capital Partners and maintains strategic alliances with AGIS, NetGravity and GoTo.com.