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THUS enables streaming capability and improved security for Homepage users

THUS plc has today announced that it has upgraded its Homepages web space for SoHos and SMBs, providing a level of service normally associated with specialist Web hosting companies. Provided free of charge to many Demon internet access customers, including those using Standard Dial-Up and HomeOffice broadband, Demon Homepages provide customers with web space to develop their own online presence. The enhanced service will benefit Demon Homepages users by providing scalability, greater levels of security and advanced streaming capabilities.

In addition to the existing Real Video and Real Audio streaming feature, the new Homepages offering is enabled with MP3 and QuickTime streaming capabilities allowing customers to reach a wider range of visitor's desktops than before. This allows users of Demon broadband to stream content on their websites, improving the visitor experience by providing rich content while minimising start-up delays.

Matt Cantwell, Head of Product Portfolio at THUS plc, explained: "The ability to stream effectively on a website cannot be overstated. The alternative – full file download – can be slow and visitors to a site will often navigate away out of sheer impatience. Streaming makes a site instantly appeal and adds to its ‘stickiness', important for businesses serious about driving sales online. The streaming capability opens up a number of niche applications for our customers to try in their market. For example, musicians can now promote their music online or make demo tracks available when vying for recording contracts."

As well as enhancing user experience, Demon customers will also benefit by maximising the bandwidth allowance available to them through the Homepages service. If a user navigates onto a site and realises the information being streamed is not relevant, the streaming stops as soon as they navigate away – saving monthly bandwidth allowance used. Demon Homepages also provides businesses with separated passwords to enable different levels of access for individual users. For example, third-party design agencies will be able to access all parts of a site necessary for design purposes while being blocked from other sensitive areas of the customer's services, as determined by the account holder.

Cantwell continued "The design of websites has come a very long way from the early days of dial-up and it is vital for any business to be able to present a highly polished and professional image online. For this reason many businesses are turning to third-party design agencies to create their websites, bringing security implications. Many businesses are concerned about third parties being able to view confidential parts of their account such as webmail. The increased security of the Demon Homepages offering allows businesses to benefit from professional design without less concern about security risks."

The enhancements also allow full scalability, enabling companies to grow their websites with their business. In contrast to competing offerings, where a business must copy all information across from one account to the next when enhancing their website, Demon Homepages enables businesses to upscale seamlessly to other Demon Web Hosting products, providing a clear migration path to professional-level web hosting facilities.