Broadband
United Online to expand NetZero DSL broadband
MUMBAI: United Online, Inc, a provider of consumer internet and media services, and Covad Communications Group, Inc. a provider of integrated voice and data communications, have entered into an agreement. Under this, United Online would expand its NetZero DSL broadband internet service offering using Covad’s network.
United Online recently launched NetZero Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) to provide its customers with an opportunity to upgrade to broadband.
United Online chairman and CEO Mark R. Goldston said, “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.”
Covad president and chief executive officer Charles Hoffman said, “We are pleased to partner with United Online to provide its customers with high-speed Internet service and look forward to creating a successful partnership. As the leading independent provider of next-generation broadband services, we welcome the opportunity to increase our wholesale business through this agreement.”
United Online intends to launch this expansion of its NetZero DSL 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 per cent to 35 per cent 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, the company said.
Broadband
ACT Fibernet elevates Aditya Singh to chief customer experience officer
Former senior vp to drive service, retention and delivery revamp
BENGALURU: ACT Fibernet has elevated Aditya Singh to chief customer experience officer, effective 1 January, 2026, as the broadband provider seeks to tighten its grip on service quality in an increasingly competitive market.
Singh, who previously served as senior vice-president – customer experience and loyalty at group level, will now join the executive committee and lead the company’s end-to-end customer transformation agenda.
The move gives him oversight of customer service, customer retention and service delivery, alongside a broader mandate to strengthen network resilience and field operations. The company said the reshuffle underlines its intent to deliver a “consistent, seamless and superior” experience to its 2.3m subscribers across more than 30 cities.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, ACT Fibernet, the consumer-facing brand of Atria Convergence Technologies Limited, is one of India’s largest wired internet service providers. It has built its pitch on high-speed connectivity and responsive customer support, at a time when fibre roll-outs and price wars are redrawing the broadband map.
In a statement, Singh said he was “deeply honoured” to take on the expanded brief and join the executive committee as the company sharpens its focus on simplifying customer touchpoints and turning subscribers into brand advocates.
The elevation signals a clear priority: in a crowded fibre market, customer experience is fast becoming the decisive battleground.
