UUNet readies initial public offering

Abstract

In March 1995, UUNet Technologies Inc. was in the latter stages of making its initial public offering, just 2 months after strategically aligning itself with Microsoft Corp. The software giant invested an unspecified amount of money into UUNet, which delivers Internet connections to corporate users.

FALLS CHURCH, VA.--Internet service provider UUNet Technologies Inc., which is backed by Microsoft Corp., is about to go public.

Last week UUNet, based here, was in the latter stages of making its initial public offering, just two months after strategically aligning itself with Microsoft. The software giant invested an unspecified amount of money into UUNet, which delivers Internet connections to corporate users.

Through its partnership with Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft, UUNet is planning to build one of the largest dial-up TCP/IP networks in the world, under the direction of President and Chief Executive John Sidgmore.

UUNet is promising to provide its Windows 95 users with 'one-button" access to the Internet.

"We're aiming at the business user," Sidgmore said. "We think the big piece of our growth will come through business applications migrating from other networks to the Internet."

Currently, only a small portion of its products are sold through the distribution channel. Nevertheless, Sidgmore said he is looking to expand channel support significantly.

Last month, UUNet inked a deal with Compatible Systems Corp., Boulder, Colo., to offer an Internet-access package, called WorldWire (by Compatible) for the Macintosh, a corporate Internet bundle designed for Macintosh-based Ethernet networks. A Windows-based version is also available.