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 RealNetworks and Net2Phone Join Forces to Deliver Internet Telephony
Service to Tens of Millions of Internet Media Consumers
Leader in Media Delivery to Distribute IP Telephony Capabilities
With Industry-Leading RealPlayer Software HACKENSACK, N.J. and SEATTLE,
March 13 -- RealNetworks® (Nasdaq: RNWK - news), the recognized
leader in media delivery on the Internet, and Net2Phone Inc. (Nasdaq:
NTOP - news), the recognized leader in Internet telephony services,
today announced an agreement to utilize the powerful distribution
capabilities of the industry-leading RealPlayer®, providing the
more than 95 million unique registered RealPlayer users access to
Net2Phone's PC-based Internet telephony software and services. Net2Phone's
software enables computer users to place telephone calls to any
telephone or Internet-enabled PC in the world. Under the agreement,
Net2Phone Inc. will gain valuable access to the vast RealPlayer
user base, and the Net2Phone service will be promoted across the
Real.com Network of Web sites.
RealPlayer users will be able to download Net2Phone's client software
with RealPlayer 7 Update 1 from the Real.com(TM) Web site, and will
also be able to seamlessly download and install Net2Phone's software
using the AutoUpdate feature in RealPlayer 7. RealPlayer users in
the U.S. who download and register for Net2Phone will also receive
100 free minutes of domestic usage and a complimentary headset.
"Our relationship with Net2Phone enables RealNetworks to provide
our tens of millions of Internet media consumers an exciting new
way to communicate in real-time with their friends and family anywhere
on the Internet,'' said Tom Frank, Chief Operating Officer, RealNetworks,
Inc. ``This agreement not only gives our users another unique way
to experience media on the Internet, it further demonstrates the
highly strategic value of our more than 95 million RealPlayer users
and the Real.com Network of Web sites to RealNetworks partners."
"We are excited to be working with RealNetworks, the leaders in
Internet audio and video, and look forward to providing their tens
of millions of users with best-of-breed IP Telephony services,"
said Jonathan Fram, President of Net2Phone. "This relationship is
greatly synergistic as RealPlayer users are highly sophisticated
and accustomed to using multimedia functionality for Internet applications.
Bundling Net2Phone with RealPlayer -- the most popular media application
on the Internet -- provides a powerful distribution channel that
will enable Net2Phone to continue its role as the industry leader
in IP Telephony."
About Net2Phone
Net2Phone's award-winning products include PC-to-phone, PC-to-fax,
free PC-to-PC calling, and free voicemail capabilities. IDC recently
named Net2Phone the leader in Internet telephony minutes routed
in their August 1999 report on Voice over IP services with almost
40% market share.
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 .
About RealPlayer
RealPlayer 7 is the newest version of the industry-leading media
player and gateway to the best audio and video programming on the
Internet and the Real.com Network. RealPlayer 7 offers one button
access to audio and video programming from more than 300 partners
via Real.com Take5, Channels and Live Stations. RealPlayer 7 also
includes the new Real.com Message Service, which enables users,
at their option and free of charge, to be notified when entertainment
or breaking news programming is available. Users can download RealPlayer
7 at http://www.real.com/player/.
About RealNetworks
RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the recognized leader
in media delivery on the Internet. It develops and markets software
products and services designed to enable users of personal computers
and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio,
video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can
access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks
consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com . RealNetworks'
systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at
http://www.realnetworks.com .
RealNetworks continues to maintain a strong leadership share of
the streaming media market. As of January 2000, there are more than
95 million unique registered users of RealPlayer and more than 85%
of all streaming media Web pages on the Internet use industry leading
RealAudio®, RealVideo®, RealFlash(TM), RealText® or RealPix(TM),
and more than 350,000 hours of live RealAudio and RealVideo programming
are available each week (Source: Hotbot).
RealNetworks, RealPlayer, Real.com, RealAudio, RealVideo, RealText
and RealPix are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks,
Inc. RealFlash is a trademark of RealNetworks and MacroMedia, Inc.
Macromedia and Flash are registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc.
All other companies or products listed herein are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning ofSection 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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