Press release: 1996-05-16: SEGA SELECTS CONCENTRIC NETWORK AS PREFERRED INTERNET PROVIDER FOR NEW SEGA SATURN NET LINK
From Sega Retro
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This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: The Free Library |
Exciting New Application Brings The Power of the World Wide Web To The TV LOS ANGELES, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Concentric Network Corporation, a leading North American provider of on-line and custom network services, and Sega of America, Inc. today announced that the Concentric Network has been selected as the preferred Internet access provider for the new Sega Saturn(TM) Net Link, the first Internet-ready next generation videogame console. The announcement was made at the Electronic Entertainment Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Net Link is a new modem peripheral for the Sega Saturn Net Link, Sega's next-generation videogame console, and brings the Internet to the television for networked gaming, electronic mail, on-line chats, World Wide Web connections and other on-line services. "The power and the price of the Sega Saturn Net Link makes it an attractive way for newcomers to the Internet to get on-line," said Henry R. Nothhaft, Concentric's president and chief executive officer. "Networked gaming is emerging as an incredibly popular on-line application, and the quality of the Sega Saturn combined with the low- latency Concentric Network will make the gaming experience top-notch for Sega Saturn Net Link customers." Sega Saturn Net Link is a 28.8 KBPS modem and custom-designed Internet browser priced at $199.99. Combined with the $249.99 Sega Saturn, the entire hardware cost is less than $450 -- well below other Internet access devices available today. "We analyzed our options and selected the Concentric Network as the Sega Saturn Net Link preferred provider because of the quality of the network and its gaming abilities," said Tom Kalinske, president and chief executive officer of Sega of America. Sega Saturn Net Link users will get their first month of Concentric service free when dialing one of the more than 200 points of presence in the United States and Canada, Subsequent service will be offered for $19.95 per month for unlimited connect time. Sega developed Sega Saturn Net Link as a low-cost means for the consumer market to ride the wave of networked gaming and Internet content as interest in both continue to soar. The modem package is scheduled for release this fall. Sega also expects to offer a keyboard and mouse solution for the Sega Saturn Net Link at a later date to expand the unit's capabilities. About Concentric Network Corporation Concentric Network Corp., based in Cupertino, Calif., is a leading provider of custom communications solutions designed to connect people to information, entertainment and other people. Founded in 1991, the company is privately held. The company has designed and is building a "next generation" network. Today, the network provides low latency and fast file transfers using high-performance frame relay technology. Delivering access at speeds of up to 28.8 kilobits per second, the Concentric Network offers fast, high-quality, individual dial-up service to consumers in the United States and Canada and network access on a custom basis to businesses across North America. Concentric Network's web address is http://www.concentric.net. -0- 5/16/96 /CONTACT: Kristine Loosley of Concentric Network, 408-342-2808, [email protected], http://www.concentric.net; or Dan Stevens of Sega of America, 415-802-3996, http://www.sega.com; or Chris Castillo or Simone Raclin of Neale-May & Partners, 415-328-5555/ /Electronic Entertainment Expo press releases are available through Company News On-Call by fax, 800-758-5804, extension 107928, or http://www.prnewswire.com/ CO: Concentric Network Corp.; Sega of America Inc. ST: California IN: CPR ENT SU: PDT SK-DM -- LATH054 -- 0386 05/16/96 12:08 EDT COPYRIGHT 1996 PR Newswire Association LLC No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder. Copyright 1996 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.