ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 30, 2003--Cox Communications (NYSE: COX) and Smith Micro Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: SMSI) today announced a multi-year agreement that provides Cox High Speed Internet customers access to Smith Micro's popular pop-up ad blocker utility, CheckIt(R) 86, as a free service enhancement. With CheckIt 86, Cox High Speed Internet customers are now able to surf the web, free of annoying pop-up and pop-under ads, windows and Web pages. "Pop-up ads slow the browsing experience and are often cited as one of the least-liked aspects of Internet use," said Steve Gorman, Cox's executive director of marketing for residential Internet services. "Cox is pleased to offer CheckIt 86 to our customers as a way to make their online experience more enjoyable."
CheckIt 86 is an advanced pop-up blocking tool created as a plug-in for Microsoft Internet Explorer. The utility is available to Cox High-Speed Internet customers beginning today as a free download. Interested customers will be able to download the software from the Member Services area of Cox Communications' support website, www.support.cox.net.
CheckIt 86 has proven its value as one of the premier pop-up ad eliminators on the market today. Upon installation in Internet Explorer, CheckIt 86 resides in the PC user's system tray, shielding the Web surfer from ads, windows, or other unwanted material that was not opened on purpose. At any time, CheckIt 86 can be easily disabled, and the utility also automatically logs web sites where content was blocked. This allows users to review the log and see which sites produced unwelcome content. Users are also able to create "white lists" of trusted sites where they may want to see pop-ups. "This agreement is not only our first with Cox Communications, but also a first for CheckIt 86," said William W. Smith, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Smith Micro. "We're pleased that CheckIt 86 now joins the list of quality Smith Micro products chosen by major Internet service providers for the enhancement of their services."
Cox High Speed Internet was recently graded 'A+' by PC Magazine readers, and Cox was the only broadband Internet service provider to receive this highest grade. "We're not going to rest on the laurels of our 'A+' ranking," said Gorman. "We're always looking for ways to improve the quality of our service so that we continue to offer the best available value in high-speed Internet service. The CheckIt 86 pop-up blocking utility is just one of many exciting new features and options we're offering to our customers."
Acerca de Cox Communications
Cox Communications (NYSE: COX), a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications company with approximately 6.5 million total customers, including 6.3 million basic cable subscribers. The nation's fourth-largest cable television provider, Cox offers both analog cable television under the Cox Cable brand as well as advanced digital video service under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Cox provides an array of other communications and entertainment services, including local and long distance telephone under the Cox Digital Telephone brand; high-speed Internet access under the Cox High Speed Internet brand; and commercial voice and data services via Cox Business Services. Local cable advertising, promotional opportunities and production services are sold under the Cox Media(SM) brand. Cox is an investor in programming networks including Discovery Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com/espanol.
About Smith Micro Software
Smith Micro Software, Inc., (NASDAQ: SMSI), headquartered in Aliso Viejo, CA, is a developer and marketer of wireless communication and utility software products for multiple OS platforms. The company designs integrated cross platform, easy-to-use software for personal computing and business solutions around the world. With a focus on the Internet and Wireless and Broadband technologies, the company's products and services enable wireless communications, eCommerce, eBusiness, Internet communications (voice-over-IP), video conferencing, network fax, and traditional computer telephony. Smith Micro's complete line of products is available through original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), direct sales, retail stores, and value-added resellers (VARs). Smith Micro's common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol SMSI. For more information, contact Smith Micro at (949) 362-5800 or visit the company's Web site at www.smithmicro.com.
CONTACT: Cox Communications, Atlanta Bobby Amirshahi, 404-843-7872 bobby.amirshahi@cox.com or For Smith Micro, Aliso Viejo S&S Public Relations Steve Simon, 847-955-0700 steve@sspr.com SOURCE: Cox Communications
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