30 years ago, AT&T gave Internet Explorer the default advantage

Netscape still ruled the browser market, but Microsoft had Windows 95, WorldNet, and a very valuable foothold

It is 30 years since AT&T handed Microsoft a valuable foothold in the browser wars by making Internet Explorer 3 the default for its WorldNet service.

Windows 95 was barely a year old when AT&T set out to challenge CompuServe and America Online with its WorldNet service in 1996. The telecommunications giant needed a browser. Netscape Navigator dominated the market, but Microsoft was keen to make up lost ground.

A promotion and distribution agreement was announced on July 25, 1996, with a further announcement in October.

Under the deal, AT&T WorldNet software was included in versions of Windows 95 supplied to PC manufacturers, with Internet Explorer 3 designated as the service's default browser. Netscape Navigator remained available, but Internet Explorer secured the valuable default slot.

Microsoft's browser-bundling strategy would later draw antitrust...

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