CLEAR Launch Free Internet Mail Service

User-friendly, fully Integrated Internet Mail Service Launched by CLEAR Net

CLEAR Net will launch on Friday a free, fully integrated mail service that gives users access to their CLEAR Net mail account on the World Wide Web.

The service, known as WebMail, lets CLEAR Net customers send and receive e-mail from any computer with an Internet connection. It will benefit all customers, especially travellers and those who require e-mail access from their workplace.

CLEAR Net is understood to be the first ISP in New Zealand to fully integrate a web mail service into its website. A number of other New Zealand ISPs offer Internet mail services, however they are usually provided by a third-party and are not fully integrated.

Richard Hardy, CLEAR's WebMail Product Marketing Manager, says WebMail caters for a changing profile of e-mail and Internet users, giving people choice and flexibility when using their CLEAR Net mail account.

"A key feature of WebMail is its simplicity. As more and more first-timers join CLEAR Net, the general skill level of users is getting lower and we have noticed a great number of them having difficulty with the standard e-mail programmes.

"Up to thirty percent of calls to the CLEAR Help desk are from people who find their mail programme difficult to operate," said Hardy. "So we have designed WebMail to give customers an alternative means of accessing their mail that is extremely easy, user-friendly and secure."

WebMail has similarities to current Internet-based mail services offered by Hotmail and Yahoo. However, Mr Hardy says many users are reluctant to set up a completely new mail address or disclose sensitive account details to a third party.

"With WebMail, users can check, send, process and delete mail from anywhere they have access to a computer without compromising the security of their account," said Hardy. "Customers will be able to maintain one account and user ID rather than setting up a different web-based account with a remote service provider."

The DmailWeb application that supports WebMail is provided by New Zealand software company Netwin.

CLEAR selected Netwin because it is a local company that offers very high levels of support and the product also has a definite upgrade path, says Hardy. The current version features an online address book and future additions could include options such as folders and spell check. Hardy says that customer demand will determine the future shape and features of WebMail.

ENDS

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