Media Relations

PeoplePC and Severn Trent Water to Offer Employees PCs for the Home This Christmas

11/28/2001 8:04:00 AM

LONDON, Nov 28, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Severn Trent Water, the U.K.'s largest independent water services company, has signed an agreement with PeoplePC (Nasdaq:PEOP), the company that makes it easy and affordable to get online, to supply all of the company's 4,500 employees with a PC with Internet connection. The program is being rolled out throughout December to give staff the opportunity to get online for the holiday season.

The program, which is being managed by PeoplePC, will offer each of Severn Trent Water's employees a home PC, Internet access and peripherals. The company will subsidize about half the cost, with employees being required to contribute only 12 pounds (under $17) per month towards the system.

"We're well on our way to becoming an electronically connected, web-enabled work force. Technology is playing an ever-greater part in how we manage our day-to-day work to supply top quality tap water and protect rivers. Using it well and wisely means we can keep bills down -- currently among the lowest in the country. We must help our employees with that transition -- and at the same time we can help their children too," said Brian Duckworth, managing director of Severn Trent Water.

Employees and their families will receive a Hewlett Packard Pavilion desktop computer and printer, Internet access, Microsoft software (including Windows XP), and full customer support.

The home PC initiative has been made possible through the innovative employee connectivity program developed by PeoplePC, and already introduced with great success in the U.S., France and U.K. PeoplePC offers cost effective and innovative programs that enable organizations to connect their employees to the Internet at home.

It is expected that at least three quarters of the Severn Trent Water's 4,500 staff will take up the offer, and a high percentage of these should receive the product and have them installed before Christmas.

In keeping with the Christmas tradition, PeoplePC has agreed that for every hundred employees who take up the offer, one computer will be donated to a local charity. Employees enrolling in the program will have the opportunity to nominate a local charity to receive a PC.

Marion King managing director, People PC Europe said: "The program we have developed with Severn Trent Water is cost effective, morale boosting, and can benefit the whole family. We are confident that Severn Trent Water employees will really enjoy all the benefits the Internet can bring. People PC is fully committed to getting the U.K. online, and using the fabulous resources provided through the Internet."

PeoplePC's enterprise contracts include the largest home connection program in Europe with the Vivendi Universal Group, as well as home connection program deals with Powergen in the U.K., and other customers in the U.S. that include the Ford Motor Company, Delta Airlines, New York Times and Cinergy, a leading utility company.

    About Severn Trent Water

    About PeoplePC

Note to Editors: PeoplePC and its logos are among trademarks of PeoplePC, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT:          PeoplePC                      
                  Lisa Murray, 415/901-6987                     
                  lmurray@peoplepchq.com        
                  or
                  Severn Trent Water
                  Steve Hodgson, 0121 722 4422
                  steve.hodgson@severntrent.co.uk

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