United Online dials up with Level 3

Internet service provider United Online says it has signed a deal with Level 3 Communications to use the telecommunications carrier's modem service. Under the terms of the deal, Level 3 will be a primary provider of dial-up Internet access for United Online. Level 3 said its service covers more than 80 percent of the U.S. population, completing more than 375 million dial-up Internet access calls for its ISP customers. United Online was formed last year through the merger of NetZero and Juno Online Services. United Online said that through those services it had more than 5.6 million active users as of Dec. 31, including 1.46 million paying subscribers.