http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/97/05/27/y0007_y00_14.html

---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday May 27 5:49 PM EDT

Company Press Release

Source: AGIS; IEMMC

AGIS, IEMMC Halt Bulk E-Mail

DEARBORN, Mich., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide Internet access provider AGIS (Apex Global Internet Services, Inc.) has challenged all members of the Internet E-Mail Marketing Council (IEMMC) to stop originating all bulk e-mail through the AGIS network. Under the terms of this agreement, Cyber Promotions, Cybertize E-mail, Integrated Media Promotions, ISG, and Quantum Communications agreed to cease sending unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE) through the AGIS network until the IEMMC delivers a working filtration system and acceptable use policies.

AGIS, founded in 1994 and one of the original ``big six'' Internet companies, has been at the center of a recent controversy for providing Internet connections to corporations that send unsolicited commercial e-mail to Internet users. The Company said that members of the IEMMC agreed to suspend bulk e-mail services on Sunday, May 25th, 1997.

``IEMMC's acceptance of the AGIS request attests to our commitment to promoting the ethical use of bulk e-mail in this emerging global industry,'' said Walt Rines, IEMMC President. ``IEMMC members have ceased to send commercial e-mail until the solution is officially implemented.''

The IEMMC recently announced its first termination of a bulk e-mail abuser's account. On May 16th at 9 p.m. EDT, an offender using a dial-up America Online account and hijacking UUNet International relays was found to be uploading a large quantity of unsolicited e-mail to Internet users. IEMMC then notified Quantum Communications, an IEMMC founding member, which quickly terminated the user's account.

``It has been AGIS' concern that if we were to disconnect bulk e-mailers from our network that they would continue to abuse the Internet from somewhere else. Instead, by gaining their cooperation and founding an organization that serves as a watchdog for e-mail abuse, there exists a system of checks and balances which can serve as a long term solution,'' said Cary Joshi, AGIS Director of Corporate Development. ``However, until the system is firmly in place, we believe it is necessary to put a stop to all bulk e-mail emanating from customers on our network. The IEMMC has agreed to cooperate in this effort.''

Sanford Wallace, President of Cyber Promotions, said, ``We welcome the challenge of implementing a set of rules and regulations, as well as the technological solutions necessary to make the bulk e-mail industry acceptable to Internet users. With the technological assistance of a company of AGIS' caliber, it has become possible to keep bulk e-mail away from those who are strongly opposed to it.''

AGIS (www.agis.net), founded in 1994, provides Internet access to millions of users via its extensive customer base of Regional Bell Operating Companies, content providers, large corporations, and Internet service providers. A technology leader and innovator, AGIS is the first Internet access provider to deploy ATM technology to operate a national backbone network, the first to offer commercial 155 Mbps connections to the 'Net, the first to reduce points of failure in a network by using switching technologies, the first to design a wholesale business model (so as not to compete with customers by selling retail access), and the first to provide multiple distribution centers for content replication (CooLocation). AGIS offers Internet connectivity from 56 Kbps to 155 Kbps.

AGIS is headquartered at 3601 Pelham Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48124 Phone: 800-380-AGIS, Fax: 313-563-6119; E-mail: info@agis.net

The mission of the IEMMC (www.iemmc.org) is to promote responsible commercial e-mail marketing as an industry and to establish an industry standard of procedures and ethics which will internally regulate and govern member activities. Initial implementation plans include a global remove list, accurate and identifiable header and relay requirements, authorized SMTP use only, prohibition of electronic retaliation, and adherence to all policies, practices, and code of ethics of the IEMMC. The organization will serve as a watchdog for the prevention of commercial e-mail abuse.

----------------------- SOURCE: AGIS; IEMMC Contact: George Kelly of AGIS, 313-730-1130; or Walt Rines of IEMMC, 603-772-4096

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Randall S. Benn http://www.clark.net/pub/rbenn Internetworking Consultant rbenn@clark.net CCIE #1637 Reston, VA USA -----------------------------------------------------------------------