{
  "id": 33168,
  "title": "Meet the 'internet radical' who helped Microsoft get email and AT&T get online",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/meet-the-internet-radical-who-helped-microsoft-get-email-and-at-t-get",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-02T07:11:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Science",
    "slug": "the-register-science",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/2026/08/02/meet-the-internet-radical-who-helped-microsoft-get-email-and-att-get-online/5281281"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tom Evslin, a key figure in the development of Microsoft's email services and AT&T's online strategy, played a crucial role in shaping the internet's early years. As one of Microsoft's \"internet radicals,\" Evslin passionately advocated for deeper integration of the internet into Microsoft's products, despite then-Microsoft CEO Bill Gates' reluctance to launch products before ensuring they were \"ready.\" Evslin's determination led to the eventual inclusion of internet connectivity in Microsoft's Exchange Server and Outlook, although the company initially faced resistance from corporate clients who deemed internet communication \"unsafe.\"\n\nEvslin's influence extended beyond Microsoft; he was invited to AT&T to help shape their internet strategy. At the time, AT&T had yet to define a clear plan for the internet, and Evslin pushed for the company to become an Internet Service Provider (ISP). He favored an \"all-you-can-eat\" pricing model, which was an unconventional approach at the time. However, demand for AT&T's internet service grew rapidly, leading to the company's infamous \"America On Hold\" nickname.\n\nEvslin's interest in voice over IP (VoIP) technology ultimately led him to found ITXC, a wholesale VoIP carrier in 1997.",
  "summary": "Tom Evslin, a key figure in the early days of the internet, played a crucial role in helping Microsoft develop its Exchange Server and Outlook email clients. As one of Microsoft's \"internet radicals\" in the 1990s, Evslin was instrumental in pushing for deeper internet integration in Microsoft's products, despite Bill Gates' initial reluctance. Evslin's work on the SMTP gateway for Exchange, which connected to the internet, proved prescient as more and more email traffic began moving online. Later, AT&T approached Evslin to help develop their internet strategy, reflecting his influence in shaping the early internet landscape.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tom Evslin, Microsoft's \"internet radical,\" shaped email services and AT&T's online strategy.",
    "Evslin advocated for deeper internet integration in Microsoft's products despite Gates' reluctance.",
    "Evslin founded ITXC, a VoIP carrier, after AT&T's internet service boom."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register",
        "title": "Meet the 'internet radical' who helped Microsoft get email and AT&T get online",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/meet-the-internet-radical-who-helped-microsoft-get-email-and-at-t-get-36310",
        "published": "2026-08-02T07:11:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}