Featured on the front page of USA Today. The story ran alongside coverage of the OJ Simpson Civil Trial and Super Bowl XXXI.
1997-01-23 | SF CHRONICLE
FEATURE: "$59 Buys Internet for a Lifetime"
Feature article by Jon Swartz detailing the launch. Crucial Verification: The article explicitly lists the infrastructure partners: "...enlisted the help of MFS Worldcom, Bay Networks and Acclaim Technology."
THE VIRAL MECHANISM | JAN 24, 1997
"THE DOUBLE WIRE": GLOBAL SATURATION
Achieving a "Double Wire" hit—simultaneous coverage on the Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI)—was the 1990s equivalent of a global viral event. While the AP ensured virtually every morning newspaper in America carried the story, UPI's legendary international network pushed the news to Europe and South America. This rare dual-syndication explains why a San Jose startup immediately received subscriber inquiries from as far away as the UK and Brazil.
1997-01-24 | THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE (AP WIRE)
PROOF: "Lifetime Internet Access Offered"
The AP Proof: Within 24 hours of the San Jose launch, the story hit the major wires. This article from The Chicago Tribune is verified evidence of the AP syndication that put the story in hundreds of morning papers.
The UPI Proof: A United Press International wire story that was syndicated to hundreds of local newspapers worldwide. This international reach explains the massive influx of customers from rural America and overseas.
A critical piece of evidence documenting the "Too Successful" phase. CNET reported that Bigger.net voluntarily halted new signups after hitting 23,000 subscribers.
In October 1997, Scott Smith was publicly appointed as President and CEO of @bigger.net (TGGH, Inc.), the San Jose-based ISP that pioneered the ad-supported "Free Internet" model. This appointment marked the company's rapid expansion in the Bay Area, validating the "Free Net" architecture.
Documentation of the controversial and highly popular "@bigger.net" pricing model: A one-time fee of $59.95 for lifetime internet access. This disruptive model caused a massive influx of subscribers, forcing the company to cap growth at 23,000 users to maintain network stability.
A critical validation of the business model: The New York Times covered the expansion of @bigger.net from digital downloads to physical retail shelves. The article details the partnership with computer retailers (like CompUSA) to sell the "Lifetime Internet" box in stores nationwide.
The LA Times business section profiled the company's aggressive entry into the Southern California market, confirming the "ad-based revenue model" and the company's secured financing during the height of the browser wars.
Legal scholars at UC Berkeley cited @bigger.net as the primary example of the "One-Time Fee" ISP model that disrupted the market. The journal notes that while competitors like CyberFreeway attempted to clone the model and others (Freemark) went defunct, Bigger.net successfully operationalized the "Lifetime Email & Access" structure.
CNET reported on the massive influx of subscribers to the $59.95 model, noting that the "Lifetime Access" offer was so popular it forced the company to cap growth to maintain stability, while copycats like CyberFreeway struggled to catch up.
Major industry analysts (Jupiter Communications) weighed in on the disruption caused by Bigger.net. The report debated the sustainability of the "Lifetime/Ad-Based" model versus the traditional $19.95 AOL model, specifically naming Bigger.net as a key challenger in the race for "Zero Cost" internet.
Dataquest (now Gartner) released a market impact report featured on ABC News covering the "Lifetime Internet" phenomenon. The segment analyzed how Bigger.net's pricing model was forcing rapid shifts in ISP subscriber churn, influencing the strategies of major telecom competitors.
Forrester Research included the "Lifetime/One-Time Fee" model in their 1998 industry pricing analysis. The report evaluated the long-term viability of the ad-subsidized architecture pioneered by companies like Bigger.net against the rising costs of dial-up infrastructure.
[ARCHIVE CITATION: FORRESTER RESEARCH ISP PRICING INDEX 1998]
>> EXPANSION & LEGAL HISTORY
1998-05-21 | LOS ANGELES TIMES
EXPANSION: "No-Fee Net Provider Sets Up Shop in Southland"
Proof of the Southern California expansion. The article reports the company had 20,000 subscribers in Northern California before launching in LA.
(This validates the "Partner Jackets" below.)
California's primary legal newspaper documented the "Lifetime Access" contract model. This article details how the $59.95 one-time fee disrupted the ISP market, forcing competitors to react and leading to the eventual "subscriber cap" at 23,000 users.
Inventor: Scott D. Smith. "Method and apparatus for providing a user with an advertisement in a computer network environment."
(Prior Art Citation: Bigger.net Marketing Material, April 1997)
Original CD-ROMs and Floppy Disks featuring the "Surfer in a Suit" mascot and Netscape Navigator partnership branding.
HARDWARE: The $101,774 Invoice
Bay Networks Quote PN091896085944. Proof of industrial infrastructure purchase (BayStack 301 Switches) prior to launch.
>> INTERNAL OPERATIONS (THE "DEEP LORE")
THE ORG CHART: "Not Two Guys in a Garage"
Key Roles Verified: Scott D. Smith (Founder), Jeff A. Fortin (CEO), Bram Ambrose (EVP), Niki Canotas (EVP).
OPERATIONS: The Support Center
Network Operations staff managing the dial-up infrastructure.
OPERATIONS: The Shipping Dept
Staff preparing the "Software Kits" for physical mailing to thousands of users.
OPERATIONS: The War Room
Note the official "Surfer in a Suit" easel poster in the background.
>> MARKETING & SPONSORSHIPS
SPONSORSHIP: The P-51 Mustang "Strega"
Official sponsorship of the Reno Air Races champion. Note the massive @bigger.net logo on the wings.
ACCESS: Strega Engine Run
ACCESS: Cockpit VIP
ACCESS: Trackside
MEDIA PERKS: Blockbuster Awards
VIP Tickets for Founder Scott Smith to the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (Presenters: Stallone, Cruise).
>> THE "BLACK JACKET" MYTH
GOSSIP: "Heading for Everlasting Life?"
A gossip column claiming the team was at a Cryonics party wearing "Trademark Black Jackets." (Fact Check: We weren't there, but the jackets were real.)
PROOF: The "Trademark" Jacket (Gen 1)
Founder datGSguy wearing the **WilTel** (Williams Telecommunications) fiber partnership jacket.
PROOF: The Partner Jacket (Gen 2)
The SoCal Expansion jacket featuring Planetary Networks (Cisco VAR) and Gold Star Telecom logos.
>> THE FOUNDER (THEN & NOW)
ORIGIN: Architecting the Network
Scott Smith (datGSguy) architecting the Thai Internet Backbone for Education (1999).
OFFICIAL VERIFICATION ARCHIVE // DATGSGUY.COM
>> CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC UTILITIES
>> PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE & CIVIC HISTORY
[2004-08-07] | THE REGISTER-GUARD | ARCHIVE
ACQUISITION OF EUGENE COMMUNITY VOICEMAIL (CVM)
In August 2004, HeartCore International—operator of the critical "Community Voice Mail" service used by the Oregon Employment Department—collapsed due to insolvency. The facility was locked out, threatening to disconnect thousands of job-seeker voicemails.
The Rescue: Scott Smith (datGSguy) negotiated with the building owner to keep the servers online. He subsequently incorporated Oregon Public Communications, Inc. (Public Benefit Non-Profit, Reg #256585-92) to absorb the infrastructure and keep the utility running for the city.
