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 Net2Phone Forms New Company With Cisco Investment
Adir Technologies formed to offer unparalleled IP network
management software and solutions
Newark, NJ – September 18, 2000 --- Net2Phone Inc. (NASDAQ: NTOP)
today announced that it has formed a new company to develop and
market network management software for Voice over IP (VoIP) and
other packet-based multimedia networks. The new company, Adir Technologies,
Inc., will offer Net2Phone’s industry-leading VoIP network management
software to telecommunications, Internet, wireless, next generation
and broadband service providers and enterprises worldwide.
Net2Phone also announced today that Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:
CSCO) has purchased a minority equity interest in Adir Technologies.
Expanding the Internet Ecosystem, the companies have agreed to a
relationship in which Cisco will jointly market Adir’s network management
platform to its VoIP customers, offering communications providers
and enterprises compelling new choices in VoIP solutions. Through
this relationship, Net2Phone expects to realize a substantial new
source of revenue from software licensing fees.
Adir’s existing network management software provides a broad view
of the health, capacity and utilization of a packet-based network,
including specific functionality such as real-time advanced call
management, rating, routing, and authentication. These components
are essential for managing traditional circuit-switched networks
but have been missing in Voice-over-IP networks until now. Adir's
technology can help provide a much greater Quality of Service (QoS)
by providing advanced tools for fault detection, notification and
diagnosis of network equipment from the voice network service perspective.
This software platform was originally created in Net2Phone’s Research
and Development laboratory in Lakewood, NJ in 1995 when the company
rolled out the first service to bridge voice communications with
a PC using the Internet, and has been continually enhanced since
then.
“One of the most compelling facets of our company has been the
management platform, which to date, has been one of Net2Phone’s
hidden jewels behind the successful implementation and acceptance
of Net2Phone’s services,” said Howie Balter, Chief Executive Officer
of Net2Phone. “While most telecom and Voice over IP equipment has
been designed for heavy call processing, the software intelligence
behind it has been lacking. Through the formation of Adir, we hope
to enable service providers with the `brains behind the equipment,’
allowing them to realize the full value of their networks.”
“The strategic relationship between Adir and Cisco demonstrates
the limitless possibilities when you bring together a proven IP
software solution with the worldwide leader in networking the Internet,”
said Cliff Sobel, Chairman of Net2Phone. “We expect to identify
and increase shareholder value through the separation of this product-oriented
business model from the general Net2Phone services-based opportunities.
By partnering this core platform with companies like Cisco as well
as other communications providers worldwide, we believe we can maximize
the potential for all companies involved.”
“Cisco is committed to delivering voice, video, and data services
over broadband networks,” said Alistair Woodman, Director of Marketing
at Cisco’s Voice and Video Services Business Unit. “A key element
of that strategy is teaming up with industry-leading partners to
provide complete, end-to-end solutions for our customers. By working
with Adir to open up Net2Phone’s proven network management platform
to support Cisco voice gateways, Cisco and Adir will be able to
offer customers an exciting additional choice in management solutions
for packet telephony networks.”
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. More information about Adir can be found
at www.adirtech.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 October 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.
Editor's note: Net2Phone CEO Howie Balter will host a conference
call for the news media and analysts at 9:30 a.m. EST today. Reporters
and analysts can call 800-446-1671 in the U.S. and 847-413-3362
elsewhere. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning
at 11:00 AM EST today until October 2, 2000 at 630-652-3044, access
code 2859897.
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