Excite@Home, Dutch Firm in Net Venture

Excite@Home Corp., owner of the popular Excite Web portal and the Excite@Home cable modem network, said it’s hooking up with Dutch communications giant UnitedGlobalCom to deliver high-speed Internet access outside North America. The joint venture, to be called Excite Chello, will operate in 15 countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America--markets in which the new company will own exclusive cable modem rights to 30 million homes. Each company is contributing $93.8 million for equal control of the joint venture.