Rogers Cable, Canada's largest cable operator, and Yahoo! Inc., a leading global Internet company, today announced a multi-year alliance to provide a powerful new broadband Internet experience. The alliance combines the unique advantages of one of the industry's pioneers in high-speed Internet access in North America with the world's most recognized global Internet brand.
Through the alliance Rogers subscribers will receive high-speed Internet access bundled with a combination of customized Yahoo! products and services optimized for broadband. This enhanced service will include Yahoo!'s leading tools and services including: powerful customized browsing environment; personalized homepage; enhanced e-mail, including award-winning spam control and additional storage; security and parental controls; premium pop-up blocking; enhanced instant messaging capabilities; digital photo tools and storage; and online music and game services. Yahoo! will also provide Rogers Hi-Speed Internet subscribers with enhanced e-mail services without requiring a change to their current e-mail address. The service will be available across Rogers broadband network, which reaches consumers in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
In addition, Rogers AT&T Wireless and Yahoo! intend to expand their existing agreement to provide Rogers AT&T Wireless customers with mobile extensions of Yahoo!'s leading communication and information services.
"This agreement is a continuation of Rogers commitment to remain the leading high-speed Internet provider in Canada," said Edward Rogers, President and CEO of Rogers Cable Inc. "Yahoo!'s high-quality, built for broadband tools and services, coupled with the recent doubling of our Rogers Hi-Speed Internet access speeds, ensures that the Rogers Hi-Speed Internet customers' experience remains the best in Canada."
"Our agreement with Rogers Cable brings together two highly innovative and industry-leading companies to transform the Internet experience of hundreds of thousands of broadband cable subscribers in Canada," said Terry Semel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Yahoo! Inc. "As consumers in Canada and around the world demand more from their Internet experience, we intend to leverage our broadband and personalization expertise as well as our proven ability to partner effectively to provide the best high-speed experience available. Additionally, our ability to integrate Yahoo! products and services across Rogers premium broadband and mobile environments helps ensure that Rogers Cable customers have a seamless Yahoo! experience at home, in the office, or on the go."
Rogers Cable and Yahoo! will collaborate in the development of compelling consumer-focused online services. The services will be designed to take advantage of the unique aspects of the Rogers broadband cable network, including the company's high-speed Internet penetration in approximately 25% of homes passed (almost 800,000 subscribers), and network speeds faster than its major DSL competitor. Upon launch of the new offering, all current and future Rogers Hi-Speed Internet subscribers will receive the co-branded Rogers Yahoo! offering.
"Rogers has an impressive breadth of entertainment, communications and media offerings, which will provide a perfect complement to Yahoo!'s industry leading services for an unmatched broadband experience," said Jim Brock, Senior Vice President Communications and Consumer Services. "Our alliance with Rogers Cable in Canada, like our relationship with SBC Communications in the United States and British Telecom in the United Kingdom, furthers our key objective to extend and deepen our relationship with consumers worldwide."
