 Barak Joins Net2Phone's IP Global Network Companies in Managing
IP Networking and Collocation Agreement
Hackensack, NJ and Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel - February 9, 2000 ---
Net2Phone Inc. (NASDAQ: NTOP) and Barak ITC today announced an IP
networking and collocation agreement, enabling Net2Phone to extend
its Internet telephony network throughout Israel.
Under the agreement, Net2Phone will collocate its Internet telephony
gateways at Barak's points of presence throughout Israel, enabling
Net2Phone to offer its phone-to-phone Internet telephony service
to Israeli consumers and enterprises beginning in April. Net2Phone
plans to sell these phone-to-phone services directly as well as
through its relationship with America Online's (NYSE: AOL) ICQ instant
messaging service. Barak plans to considerably expand its position
in the Internet telephony space in the coming years, and considers
itself a leading player in providing infrastructure and Internet
access throughout Israel.
According to Avi Patir, CEO of Barak, "The cooperation between
Barak and Net2Phone in the area of Internet infrastructure for the
transmission of telephony marks a further stage in Barak's extensive
Internet activities. Barak provides leading organizations and companies
in Israel and abroad with infrastructures and access to the Internet."
Patir noted that considerable expansion is anticipated for the
coming years in the market for telephony transmission via Internet
infrastructure, and "Barak considers itself a leading player in
the provision of infrastructures and Internet access services."
"Israel's cellular penetration has exploded over the past few
years and has emerged as one of the top countries using wireless
technologies. We anticipate many Israelis to utilize Net2Phone over
their wireless phones," said Uri Schechterman, VP of International
Sales at Net2Phone.
According to a recent study by Global TGI, a New York-based market
research firm, 61% of Israelis have a cell phone for personal use,
as compared to 39% in the U.S.
"The Israeli marketplace for telecommunications is mushrooming
daily, and we are very excited to be expanding our product offerings
in fast-growing countries," Schechterman continued. "Our customers
in Israel have been using our PC-based services for years, and we
are pleased extend our products and services to include calling
from traditional phones whether at home or as they travel around
the world."
Barak joins AT&T and Sprint and dozens of other carriers working
with Net2Phone to route calls over the Internet. Competitive carriers
in major markets are partnering with Net2Phone to expand its IP
reach worldwide. Barak will also supply Net2Phone with IP connectivity
between the U.S. and Israel.
With more than 30 million Internet telephony minutes routed worldwide
monthly, Net2Phone's suite of voice over IP services has become
an alternative to international long distance. Net2Phone provides
PC-to-phone, phone-to-phone, fax-to-fax, and voice-enabled e-commerce
solutions to consumers and businesses worldwide.
BARAK I.T.C. began offering international telecommunications services
to the Israeli public in July, 1997 as one of three Israeli companies
licensed for such services. Its shareholders include Sprint, Deutsche
Telekom, France Telecom, Clalcom Ltd. - a subsidiary of one of Israel's
largest holding companies-and Matav-Cable Systems Media Ltd., a
diversified Israeli telecommunications company. In April1997, BARAK
and Global One signed a National Partnership Agreement under which
they jointly market and sell the full portfolio of Global One services
in the Israeli market.
Net2Phone is a leading provider of voice-enhanced Internet communications
services to individuals and businesses worldwide. Net2Phone enables
people to place low-cost high quality calls 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 more information about Net2Phone's products and services, please
visit 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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