EarthLink signed a joint marketing agreement with Verizon that enables it to expand its broadband footprint to an additional 6.5 million households, extending its market presence to 73 cities within Verizon's territory. Verizon will provide IP access into its local DSL networks, enabling Earthlink to utilize Verizon's broadband infrastructure to offer its own high-speed service. EarthLink expects to begin widening its coverage in existing markets such as New York, Boston and Washington, DC, and introducing service in new markets including Buffalo and Poughkeepsie, NY and Scranton, PA during Q2 and Q3 2004. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Peter Castleton, executive director -- broadband services for Verizon said, "EarthLink is the first Internet service provider to benefit from a broadband traffic aggregator service that Verizon is using to provide end-to- end broadband service. This allows EarthLink to leave the task of assembling individual network components to Verizon."http://www.verizon.comhttp://www.earthlink.com
- EarthLink added 248,000 net subscribers in Q4 2003 and ended the year with approximately 5.2 million paying subscribers, an increase of 219,000 subscribers, or 4.4%, from a year ago. During the quarter, the company added 108,000 broadband subscribers, giving it a total of approximately 1.1 million broadband customers, up 36.2% from a year ago.
