* Feature-rich AOL services to be available through PC World, Dixons, Currys and The Link from today

* AOL Anytime preloaded on PCs and laptops sold through PC World, Dixons and Currys

* New pay-as-you-go service, netbreeze, available via PC World, Dixons, Currys and The Link Dixons Group, Europe's leading electrical retailer, and AOL, the leading online interactive services provider to the UK, today announced the launch of a new promotional partnership.

From today, AOL 8.0 dial-up software will be installed on PCs sold through the Dixons Group's PC World, Currys and Dixons chains in the UK. The partnership launches with a promotional offer of two months' free subscription to AOL Anytime. PC World, Dixons, Currys and The Link stores will also distribute software for AOL's products, including the new pay-as-you-go 'internet taster' service, netbreeze, which offers metered internet access at local call rates with no monthly charges. AOL will be promoted across all stores and relevant marketing material.

John Clare, Chief Executive, Dixons Group, said, "We are pleased to be launching this exciting new partnership with AOL, the world's leading online interactive services provider. AOL's range of unique content and its unrivalled reputation as a safe, stable internet experience is sure to make it popular with the millions of customers that visit Dixons Group stores every year."

John Clare added: "As PCs become more powerful, customers will demand an increasingly rich online media experience. As a global leader in the media industry, AOL can provide that level of experience today."

Karen Thomson, Chief Executive of AOL UK, said: "Internet consumers have become increasingly sophisticated and want to choose from a portfolio of leading products via a variety of channels to market. Dixons Group is a highly regarded and extremely efficient retailer - adding AOL products creates a fantastic opportunity to meet the needs of this new generation of Internet consumers."

"The addition of netbreeze to our product range means we have an offer for those people wanting a simple, low commitment internet service." As Dixons' exclusive dial-up internet service provider, AOL will offer a range of packages, including fully-featured unmetered and light user price plans, through all stores. The agreement is phased to cover narrowband access products from February 2004 and broadband from February 2005.

Contact Info:
Jonathan Lambeth AOL
020 7348 8272

Kellie Evans
01727 202945

Hamish Thompson
07702 684290