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Press release

Improved Internet access package now includes Call Manager, unique free audio and video streams and WAP

THUS has announced a number of product developments that will significantly add value to its Demon Internet dial-up service. The latest package includes Demon Call Manager, Demon Streaming Media and access to WAP content through Demon Now. Providing two free video and audio streams to every customer as part of a standard dial-up service is unique in the UK.

This is part of THUS's drive towards delivering a more advanced service, with a spectrum of value added services for its existing customers and the serious Internet user at no extra charge. The package is in addition to the existing Demon features - unlimited email, enhanced security and authentication features, 20 Mb Web space, electronic fax and 24 hour technical support charged at local rate.

The package is available immediately to all existing and potential Demon customers, and is included in the cost of the basic subscription, which is unchanged at £10 a month (£11.75 inc VAT).

Demon Call Manager is a software package that is particularly useful for users who have only one telephone line. The package notifies the user when someone is trying to get through when online, and also enables the user to divert calls to a pre-recorded message, should they not wish to accept the call. Demon Call Manager also informs the user of the telephone number of the caller who is trying to get through. The package includes a personalised message function, which provides a selection of messages that can be relayed to the incoming caller. Inbound calls can even be accepted through the PC, without going offline.

The standard dial-up service provides two free video and audio streams to every customer, a unique service in the UK. Streaming media allows visitors to a website to view audio or video content from that site, rather than having to download a large file first, and streams are free on homepages.

With Demon Streaming Media, customers can place video and audio content, such as music files and encoded film clips, on their Demon website, which can be streamed for viewing. Demand for this type of application has increased significantly with the success of the Big Brother TV show.

Demon customers can now access Demon content whenever and wherever they are. The new service, Demon Now, has been designed to give mobile users access to particular content for WAP and real-time information, as well as send and receive email. Demon customers now have a mobile connection to Demon email, news, weather, share and racing content. Currently, Demon has over 3000 WAP customers, with email proving to be the most popular application.

Additionally, customers can now take advantage of Demon's Premier Connect Plus deals, the new Demon access packages launched in October. These options provide Demon customers with an extended choice of access packages, from pay-as-you-go to a flat-rate monthly fee.

Cynthia Gordon, marketing director at THUS said: "The new services are based upon feedback from our customer base on which products they were most interested in. Demand for streaming media has risen since Big Brother and we are now the only company in the UK to provide two free audio and video streams as part of a standard dial-up package.

This new package follows our announcement last month of Premier Connect Plus - providing lower access charges with unmetered access via SurfTime - and our ADSL offering, both demonstrating Demon's commitment to providing a premium service with unrivalled quality and content. We are confident that we can support these services with our new robust, state of the art national network."