Netscape to Offer Browser Separately

Netscape Communications Corp. is expected Monday to offer its Internet browser separately, reversing a strategy set last fall that failed to retain customers against rival Microsoft Corp. Since June, computer users who wanted Netscape’s Navigator browser had to buy a big package of e-mail and other programs known as Communicator. Mountain View, Calif.-based Netscape is now expected to sell its browser alone for about $60. Netscape’s decision in October to phase out its stand-alone browser alienated some consumers and partners. IBM Corp.’s Lotus unit, for instance, recently said it would use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser after dropping Netscape’s in April. Netscape’s market share has slipped to 65% or 70%, down from about 85% a year ago, analysts said. Microsoft claims 30%, up from 8% last year.