Having recently completed the build-out of its next-generation telecommunications network, Covad (News - Alert) Communications Group has now teamed up with United Online, Inc., a provider of consumer Internet and media services including the social networking site Classmates.

Covad, a provider of integrated voice and data communications, today announced an agreement through which United Online (News - Alert) will expand its NetZero DSL broadband Internet service offering using Covad’s network. United Online recently launched NetZero Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband Internet service to provide its customers with an opportunity to upgrade to broadband.

Covad operates one of the nation’s largest facilities-based networks and provides partners such as United Online with a broad portfolio of broadband services. Covad’s network is capable of providing high-speed data and next-generation voice services to millions of businesses and residences and its next-generation network covers 14 million homes and businesses in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington, DC.

According to Mark R. Goldston, chairman and CEO of United Online, “Through this agreement, United Online has the opportunity to benefit from access to Covad’s network and their expertise in broadband. We believe it will enable us to expand our NetZero DSL broadband offering and give more of our NetZero customers who want a broadband experience the ability to easily upgrade from dial-up while keeping their NetZero email address.”

United Online plans to launch this expansion of its NetZero DSL broadband Internet service near the end of the first quarter of 2007. In addition to NetZero’s current regional DSL coverage, this agreement with Covad allows United Online to offer NetZero broadband services to DSL-eligible customers within Covad’s service area. United Online currently estimates that, following the addition of NetZero DSL services in Covad’s service area and when combined with NetZero’s existing coverage, NetZero will be able to offer broadband services to approximately 30 to 35 percent of United Online’s current ISP customer base, although the percentage could vary significantly based on a variety of factors. The pricing and other terms of services will be made available closer to the time of launch and may vary based on geographic locations.

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Cindy Waxer is a Toronto-based freelance journalist specializing in business and technology. She has written for publications including TIME, Fortune Small Business, Business 2.0, Computerworld, Canadian Business, and Workforce Management. To see more of her articles, please visit Cindy Waxer’s columnist page.