 Net2Phone Reports Third Quarter Results
Company records $18.9 million in quarterly revenues and loss
of $0.21 per shareCompany provides outline for AT&T relationship;
YAP products in stores nationwide; Broadband initiative takes off
Hackensack, NJ.— May 31, 2000 – Net2Phone, Inc.
(NASDAQ: NTOP) today reported net revenues totaling $18.9 million
for the third quarter of fiscal year 2000 ended April 30, 2000,
more than double the revenues of $9.0 million for the third quarter
of FY1999 and a 22% increase over revenues of $15.5 million in the
prior quarter.
Net loss before the amortization of non-cash compensation
expense from the issuance of options for the third quarter of 2000
was ($11.4) million or ($0.21) per share, as compared to a net loss
of ($0.83) million or ($0.03) per share for the third quarter of
1999 and ($8.7) million or ($0.17) per share in the prior quarter.
Gross margins in the quarter were 42% as compared
to 46% for the prior quarter. Depreciation and amortization for
the third quarter was $1.6 million as compared to $1.1 million for
the prior quarter.
"Once again, Net2Phone has demonstrated
strong growth coupled with new initiatives for additional revenue
streams, such as our carrier wholesale initiatives, broadband opportunities
and Yap -- our new hardware line," said Howie Balter, CEO
of Net2Phone. "Not only are our gross margins significantly
higher than anyone in the industry, but the company’s VoIP product
and service offerings continue to be the most attractive and competitive
in the industry."
Increased Usage
Total Net2Phone minutes of use grew to 121 million
minutes for the quarter, an 89% increase over the 64 million minutes
of use for the same quarter year-ago and a 17% increase over the
prior quarter's 103 million minutes. As of April 30, 2000, Net2Phone
had over 825,000 active customers who had paid for and used Net2Phone’s
services during the past three months, a 43% increase over the prior
quarter’s 575,000.
Outline of AT&T Relationship
During the quarter, an AT&T-led consortium
announced it will acquire a 39 percent voting stake in Net2Phone.
The company today outlined central themes for leveraging the strengths
between AT&T and Net2Phone to create next generation telecommunications
products and services. Joint opportunities include value-added services
utilizing global IP networks, creating standards for Voice over
IP and routing Voice over IP for consumers and the enterprise. Additionally,
AT&T WorldNet(R) Service and Net2Phone have already begun working
together to offer PC-to-phone service to AT&T WorldNet Service
members. The companies expect the deal to close in the first quarter
of fiscal year 2001.
Hardware Solutions and IP Devices
This quarter, Net2Phone announced a strategic inititave
to develop and market Yap (Your Alternative Phone) products, a new
product line designed to enhance Internet calling for businesses
and consumers around the world. In only a few months, the company
has produced five Yap products, and has already signed distribution
agreements with the largest global distribution companies, including
Tech Data and Ingram Micro. Yap Gear is already available in retail
outlets nationwide, including CompUSA, MicroCenter, and Office Max.
For more information on Yap Gear, please visit www.yapgear.com.
The company plans to roll out more products in the near future,
including those for Voice over DSL and cable.
Net2Phone has also signed an agreement with Scientific-Atlanta
to work together to develop new voice over Internet protocol and
unified messaging applications that incorporate Scientific-Atlanta’s
Explorer digital set-tops and interactive network, enabling Net2Phone
to provide Scientific-Atlanta’s customers with Voice over IP for
cable.
Online Distribution
Last week, Net2Phone joined priceline.com in launching
Priceline Long Distance, a service that enables customers to name
their price for long distance services.
"The success of our early testing with
Priceline Long Distance is indicative of the strong demand for low-cost
telecom services," said Howie Balter. "We look
forward to expanding our suite of services with priceline.com to
exclusively offer computerless bidding for long distance services
where users can order by phone and name their own price."
Netscape also launched the beta version of its
new browser, Netscape 6, last month, incorporating Net2Phone in
the download and on the Personal Toolbar. Net2Phone has a multiyear
exclusive relationship with Netscape to be the sole Internet telephony
application on the browser.
The company is on track to integrate into AOL’s
Instant Messenger as well as AOL’s ICQ client software in mid to
late summer.
IP Network Expansion
Furthering its commitment to a worldwide IP telephony
network, Net2Phone has rolled out its phone-to-phone service internationally.
The Company has started offering its low cost Voice over IP ("VoIP")
service in 20 countries. Net2Phone’s network currently reaches over
30 countries and expects to be operational in 25 additional countries
by the end of the year.
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 in the future. 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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