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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Microsoft Acquires Web-Mail Pioneer

Compiled From Wire Services

Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it has acquired Hotmail, a Sunnyvale, Calif., company that provides a free, Web-based e-mail service.

Hotmail will become part of The Microsoft Network online service that is available free to Internet users. Financial terms of the purchase were not announced.

“Hotmail has been a Web-mail pioneer,” said Laura Jennings, vice president of The Microsoft Network.

Hotmail currently has more than 9 million users worldwide. The service is supported by advertising. Northwest Airlines plans to boost fares Eagan, Minn.