AOL adds subscribers outside the U.S.

The America Online Internet service, a division of AOL Time Warner, says its membership outside the United States has surpassed the 5 million mark. The company said its 70 percent growth rate over the last 12 months was fueled by the Pan-European trend toward wholesale, flat rate Internet access and AOL Europe's flat-rate plans and promotions. The growth also came from marketing strategies, alliances, brand awareness and the launch of two AOL-branded services in Latin America.