Type corporation Founder Robert McCausland | Defunct October 2000 Headquarters United States of America Founded December 1998 | |
Industry online Internet Service Provider Genre Internet Service Provider Key people Bob McCausland, CEONaveen Jain, Director | ||
Freei (aka Freei.net, FreeInternet.com, Freei Networks Inc.) was a free internet service provider from 1998-2000. In 2000, FreeInternet.com was acquired by United Online, Inc. (owner of NetZero, Juno, Classmates.com and others). In 2008, United Online re-launched FreeInternet.com as a Web site dedicated to free and discounted retail offers.
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Services
Freei provided a free alternative ISP, allowing users to anonymously log on to the internet using the Freei software and dialer. It reached over 2 million registered users nationally by 1999, and 3.2 million by the summer of 2000. In lieu of a subscription fee, the software displayed ads on the user's computer.
IPO filing
Freei filed for an IPO on March 31, 2000.
Bankruptcy
On October 9, 2000, Freei filed for bankruptcy after laying off 30% of its workforce. One week later, on October 16, 2000, the rest of the workforce was laid off and the corporate headquarters in Federal Way, Washington was permanently closed, lengthening the commute time for technicians and gatekeepers. In early November 2000, Freei's remaining assets were sold at auction.