ATLANTA- - On December 20th, Ashanti Technologies, Inc. launched the first national Black-owned Internet service at no cost to the consumer. The Company lead by 29-year-old President and CEO, Dionne Muhammad offers the service through it's Internet portal, BLINKS.net (Black Web Links Network). The portal, which was launched the same day as the Free ISP, targets African American, Hispanic and other ethnic minority communities. This service is one of many ongoing efforts by Black organizations and companies to help bridge the "digital divide." A six month campaign "thinkFreeISP," to promote the service will be marketed across the country through advertising in print an broadcast media. 

While the Internet has become an unparalleled source of free information, access to the web remains restricted by monthly access fees. "Digital divide" is the term commonly used to describe an individual's or community's lack of access to computers and online resources. According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, this "digital divide" currently breaks along many fault lines, including race, education, geography and income.

"Access to technology and computer-based skills will be essential for children growing up in the new century and is vital to America's social and economic well-being," Ms. Muhammad said. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that by the year 2000, 60 percent of jobs will require skills with technology. "The disparity between those with access to technology and those without will - if left unattended - establish an impenetrable barrier not only to quality jobs, but also to educational opportunities and access to information that all Americans will need in order to be successful," she added. 

"The U.S. can avert a potentially devastating new social inequality between digitally literate "haves" and "have-nots" if the nation's skills, resources and commitment are mobilized quickly."

Ms. Muhammad feels that her company's solution will help remove that barrier and deliver full-featured access across one of the most comprehensive national networks ever assembled. 

Each time a user logs-on to the free Internet Service, they will see the Blinks.net portal as their permanent start page. This "portal" gives them instant access to customizable content and numerous services available on the site. The company also provides free Web-based e-mail, free homepages, a career center for posting resumes, chat rooms, discussion boards, a small business center and much more to it's members. Users can also get information about ethnic and cultural web-sites and news relevant to the Black and Hispanic community. In addition to "niche" specific information, there is also access to headline U.S. news, world events, stock quotes, weather, TV listings, and local content. Visitors to the site can also search the entire Internet for topic specific information. 

The Free Internet service is offered through a relationship with a major Silicon Valley technology solution provider. The service operates on Windows 95/98 and NT only, but will soon be available for Macintosh users. Anyone with Internet access can utilize the Blinks.net portal using their existing service if they do not wish to use the free ISP.