No. It's an optional service available to Verizon subscribers. You are free to use it or not as you see fit.

Existing DSL customers can order a free copy of the MSN8 browser at: »www.verizon.net/betterway. Please be sure that your PC meets the listed minimum requirements.

To work at acceptable levels with MSN 8, your computer must meet the following minimum system requirements:

• Windows 98/98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 with Service Pack 2, or Windows XP

• Multimedia PC with 233 MHz processor (500 MHz recommended)

• 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended)

• Up to 320 MB of free hard drive space to install -- after installation, up to 180 MB may be needed

• CD-ROM drive

• DSL modem (included in the Verizon Online Self-Install Kit or purchased separately beforehand)

• 10Base-T Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) or equivalent<

• 256-color VGA video adapter (Super VGA recommended) 800x600 resolution

• 28.8K or faster modem (optional for using dial-up when needed)

• Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device recommended

• 16-bit sound card and speakers

• Available USB or Ethernet port on the main computer (not on a hub or
serial connected through other devices)

Existing customers can request their free copy of MSN8 online at »www.verizon.net/betterway .

Along with core Verizon Online services, MSN8� adds the following features:

• MSN e-mail and calendar (* said to be faster than VOL Netmail)

• Shared Browsing

• Integrated Download Manager

• MSN Learning Research Plus (with Microsoft Encarta)

• MSN Finances (with MSN Money Plus)

• Advanced parental controls

• MSN Photos Plus (with Microsoft Picture IT� Photo Editing Software)

• Built-in broadband firewall

• PDA and Outlook� synchronization

Yes, you can access your Verizon services from the MSN 8 navigation bar.

After you install Verizon Online DSL with MSN 8, a Verizon Central icon appears on the MSN 8 navigation bar. Click this icon to go to the Verizon Central home page. To navigate directly to a specific Verizon Online service, select the Verizon Central down arrow from the navigation bar and click one of the usual Verizon Central categories:

• E-mail and More
• Help and Support
• My Account
• My Web Space
• Music Games and Video
• Latest Internet Products
• Resource Center
• More From Verizon.

Unfortunately yes, since Verizon Online and MSN 8 are different services.

VOL NetMail and MSN or Hotmail e-mail accounts (primary and sub-accounts) will have separate logins and passwords.

Enough for having two addresses for every day of the week!

• Verizon Online NetMail: One NetMail primary email account and eight Verizon Online sub-accounts one of which is an alias.

• MSN or Hotmail: One MSN or Hotmail primary e-mail account and eight MSN or Hotmail sub-accounts.

The primary account is the e-mail account of the user who set up the e-mail service or subscriber. This account cannot be deleted but can have it's login and password changed. In addition, the primary user establishes your sub-accounts and configures their privilages to use Usenet. The sub-accounts, however, do not have to be used and can be deleted. One of the sub accounts is an alias account.

Since Verizon Online and MSN 8 are different services, your NetMail and MSN or Hotmail e-mail accounts (primary and sub-accounts) will have separate logins and passwords.