Internet America, HILCO & Amperion Announce Strategic Partnership to Offer Broadband Over Power Line Service

Internet America, HILCO & Amperion Announce Strategic Partnership to Offer Broadband Over Power Line Service

DALLAS, Dec. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Internet America (BULLETIN BOARD: GEEK) , a leading Internet services provider, announced today a strategic partnership with HILCO Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Amperion, Inc., the leading medium-voltage Broadband over Power line (BPL) equipment vendor. As a result of the partnership, Internet America will offer a combined BPL WiFi internet access solution in North Central Texas. This partnership will bring high-speed, broadband Internet to rural markets which have traditionally been underserved by cable and phone companies.

The initial deployment will be located in Gateway Estates, a planned community in Glenn Heights, TX. Internet America and HILCO will launch the broadband service in the first quarter of 2005. The service will be marketed under the name of ExpressLane Wireless and will be available through Internet America at http://www.internetamerica.com/ or 1.800.Be.A.Geek.

"This is a great opportunity for Internet America to bring high-speed, broadband service to under-served markets where broadband Internet is not readily available because of the limitations of DSL and cable modems," said Billy Ladin, CEO of Internet America. "BPL is an important technology for delivering broadband Internet to the masses because the infrastructure is already in place so we can more easily extend our service footprint."

"Similar to bringing electricity to rural areas in the 1930s, we feel this project is an important step in the improvement of the overall quality of life and economic development of the less populated areas in Texas," said Jerry Lemmons, CEO and GM of HILCO Electric Cooperative, Inc. "Very soon, the high- speed communication technology that drives e-commerce, educational research, and state-of-the-art communication opportunities in urban and suburban areas will also be available in rural areas. This communication application is truly a "quantum leap" in bringing value-added amenities to the spacious rural areas of our great State."

"This partnership, which includes a service provider, a utility and an equipment vendor, is increasingly becoming the model of choice for BPL deployments," stated Jeff Tolnar, Amperion's vice president of sales, marketing and business development. "It allows each entity to reap the benefits of a new service offering with limited risk as they each work within the strengths of their core competencies."

About Internet America

Internet America is a leading Internet service provider primarily serving the Texas market. Based in Dallas, Internet America offers businesses and individuals a full range of Internet services, including wireless broadband, dedicated high-speed access, dial-up access, DSL and Web hosting. Internet America focuses on the speed and quality of its Internet services and its commitment to providing excellent customer care. Additional information on Internet America is available on the Company's Web site at http://www.internetamerica.com/ .

About Amperion

Established in June 2001, Amperion develops networking hardware and software that enables the delivery of high-speed broadband data over medium- voltage (MV) power lines. Amperion's headquarters are in Andover, Massachusetts with an international base of operations in Manchester, England. The Amperion Connect product line is in full compliance with the FCC's report and order (R&O) for broadband over Power line equipment. Over the past three years, Amperion has established itself as the market leader in MV broadband solutions with product deployed on 5 continents across the globe.

Inc.


Source: Internet America, Inc.; HILCO Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Amperion,

CONTACT: Internet America, Inc., +1-214-861-2500

Web site: http://www.internetamerica.com/


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