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Panasonic And Net2Phone Team to Create New Phone Providing Integrated
Conventional and VoIP Service
Las Vegas, NV (Jan. 5, 2000) -- Kyushu Matsushita Electric Industrial
Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.,
(Panasonic) today announced a cooperative agreement with Net2Phone,
Inc., a leading provider of voice enhanced Internet communication
services, to integrate Internet-based phone service into future
Panasonic consumer telephone products. The "One Touch" Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) service allows consumers a choice on the
same phone between regular long distance phone service or low-cost
Internet-based long distance service, simply by pressing a button
on their phone.
The new "One Touch" phone will be demonstrated at the International
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas at booths #2001 and #5161.
Panasonic, the leader in audio/video and telephone technologies,
will provide the first telephone that can transmit both public switched
and IP phone calls. Instead, the Panasonic phone transmits the voice
signals directly over the Internet utilizing Net2Phone's award-winning
network and technology.
"If you are using an Internet system to send voice, it is inherently
cheaper than using traditional analog switching systems," explained
John McNenney, assistant general manager of Panasonic Consumer Telephone
Products for Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "These technologies
show the potential of the Internet to deliver substantially lower
cost long distance services. We chose to work with Net2Phone because
they are known to deliver superior quality VoIP systems for computer
users. We saw the opportunity to transfer their technology to ordinary
phones."
The Internet phone enables consumers to access this service easily
without having to log on to the Net2Phone site. Instead, they simply
register by phone through a short voice-mail interview, and select
a competitive flat fee arrangement. By pushing the phone's Internet
button, customers gain instant access to Net2Phone's VoIP services.
"This agreement marks a major paradigm shift in the telecommunications
industry, enabling ordinary phones to be used as a tool to route
IP calls. Incorporating our services into Panasonic's new dual-mode
phone presents an excellent opportunity for Net2Phone," said David
Greenblatt, Chief Operating Officer of Net2Phone. "Ease of use is
always essential when dealing with new technologies, and we are
happy to be working with Panasonic to deliver user friendly and
cost-effective services."
Matsushita Electric (Panasonic) Osaka, Japan-based Matsushita
Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (MEI) (NYSE:MC), which is best known
for its Panasonic brand products. MEI is one of the world's leading
producers of electronic and electric products for consumer business
and industrial use. For more information on Matsushita Electricand
Panasonic, visit www.panasonic.com. MEI subsidiary Kyushu Matsushita
Electric Co., Ltd. manufactures a wide range of advanced products,
including telecommunications equipment, office automation equipment,
factory automation equipment, innovative devices and component,
and water and environment products based on digital technology and
new production systems. The company operates 10 manufacturing facilities
in Kyushu, Japan, one production plant each in Malaysia, Thailand,
Mexico and the United Kingdom, and one R&D lab in the United States.
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a unit of New Jersey-based
Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, MEI's principal North
American subsidiary.
Net2Phone (NASDAQ: NTOP), is a leading provider of voice enhanced
Internet communications services to individuals and businesses worldwide.
Net2Phone enables people to place low-cost high quality from their
computer, telephone, or fax machine to any telephone or fax machine
in the world. Net2Phone develops and markets technology and services
for IP voice and e-commerce solutions for the Web and other IP networks.
For additional information about Net2Phone, visit their web site
on the Internet at: www.net2phone.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section
21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking
statements include, among other things, Net2Phone's expected operating
performance for the three months ending January 31, 2000 and thereafter.
Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking
statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among
others, the inherent uncertainty of financial estimates and projections,
the competitive environment for Internet telephony, changes of rates
of all related telco rates and services, legislation that may affect
the Internet telephony industry, and Net2Phone's ability to operate
the services described on a large scale commercial level.The forward-looking
statements are made as of the date of this press release, and Net2Phone
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements,
or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those
projected in the forward-looking statements. Investors should consult
all of the information set forth herein and the other information
set forth from time to time in Net2Phone's reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act
of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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