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Net2Phone Powers MSN Messenger for International Calling
Phenomenal success of domestic initiative fuels early release
of international PC-to-phone calling.
44 million calls and 230 million minutes in 90 days demonstrates
power of technology, brand and distribution
Newark, NJ November 21, 2000 --- Continuing its strategy of delivering
voice and enhanced services to IP networks worldwide, Net2Phone Inc.
(NASDAQ: NTOP) today announced that it is empowering the latest release
of MSN Messenger Service from Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) with international
PC-to-phone calling, allowing MSN Messenger’s over 18 million users
worldwide to place calls to any telephone in the world from their
PCs at reduced rates.
The overwhelming success of MSN’s integration of Net2Phone’s domestic
PC-to-phone service was a catalyst to extending this offering beyond
US calling. Since its launch in July, more than 230 million minutes,
and 44 million calls terminating on US phones have been routed over
Net2Phone’s network through the MSN integration.
MSN Messenger users can now easily call any phone worldwide. With
the click of the “Call” button on MSN Messenger’s client software,
users can call any telephone, regardless of whether or not they’re
online or even an MSN customer. In addition, customer access to
the service has never been easier. Net2Phone’s client software is
embedded into the MSN Messenger software, so there is no need to
download additional software in order to place telephone calls from
MSN Messenger.
When users download and open the new MSN Messenger Service, they
will have many options to communicate, two of them being the ability
to call a buddy on his computer or telephone. Users can choose to
list as many of their telephone numbers as they wish in their profiles
(for example, home number, business number, mobile number), allowing
their buddies to contact them wherever they are anywhere in the
world.
With more than 18 million users, MSN Messenger Service is the easy-to-use
Internet messaging service that provides consumers with instant
and private contact with their friends, family and colleagues. It
provides the ultimate way to communicate with others, puts users
in control of their communications and is simple and fun to use.
Users can download the latest version of MSN Messenger at messenger.msn.com.
“We're excited by the introduction of international phone calling
from MSN Messenger and Net2Phone. MSN continues to bring solutions
to consumers worldwide that make MSN their home on the Web,” said
Deanna Sanford, MSN Lead Product Manager at Microsoft, Corp. “With
more than 44 million calls in just 90 days, MSN and Net2Phone working
together have expanded the PC-to-phone capabilities of MSN Messenger
that excite consumers.”
“Net2Phone has become the standard for voice on the Internet due
to its technology, brand, distribution, and scalability - all epitomized
in this relationship with Microsoft,” said Howie Balter, CEO of
Net2Phone. “By infusing MSN Messenger with voice and extending this
offering beyond the US, we can offer MSN users added value of global
calling.”
Net2Phone, Inc delivers voice and enhanced services to IP networks
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. Net2Phone's strategic investors include Softbank,
America Online, GE/NBC, and Yahoo!. Additionally, AT&T has acquired
a 39 percent voting stake in Net2Phone. 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, 2001 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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