ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996 TAG: 9602070043
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEW YORK
CompuServe Inc. launched an on-line service Tuesday that only connects to the Internet, positioning itself to serve people who don't want the intermediary functions its regular service provides the global data network.
The service, called Sprynet, ranges in price from $4.95 for three hours per month to $19.95 for unlimited use.
The service provides a free Spry Mosaic Web browser and electronic mail software. But Sprynet subscribers can use any Web browser and mail software with its system.
Sprynet can be accessed with a local phone call in most U.S. cities, the company said. In 187 cities, the network will serve the fastest 28,800-speed modems.
Even-faster ISDN-line service is available in San Francisco; Atlanta; Boston; Dallas; Houston; Irvine, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo.; Columbus, Ohio; Fairfax, Va.; London; and Munich. A toll-free number can be used nationwide for ISDN access, but it carries a $6 hourly surcharge.
CompuServe's regular on-line service is the second-largest in the world with more than 3 million subscribers. The Columbus, Ohio-based company soon will start a basic on-line service for computer novices.
Its chief competitors also have Internet-only ventures. America Online Inc.'s GNN service is primarily geared at small businesses. Prodigy Services Co. said last week that it soon would launch an Internet-only service in New York City.
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