SHAREHOLDER RELEASE
SHCC is pleased to make the following announcement with regard to our business partner Qwest Communications (Nasdaq "QWST") should anyone have any further questions please call investor relations at 760-942-0015 Thank you Patrick Rost....
SARATOGA INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, CORP.
KIRKLAND, WA 98033 888-878-9683
(OTC BB SHCC)
August 3, 1999
Shareholders and perspective shareholders
Saratoga International Holdings, Corp.
Over the past several weeks we have been asked by many of you about our "contract" with Qwest and just when it would be officially announced. Below are the details of this contract. Qwest has requested that we not publish this information on the business wire at this time. We are very excited about working with Qwest and as you will see they are very supportive of our direction.
Thank you for your continued support. Please call Pat Rost at 760-942-0015 or me at 888-878-9683 with any questions.
Sincerely,
Patrick F. Charles
Chairman and CEO
Saratoga International Holdings Signs Distribution Agreement with Qwest
Services, Inc. to Market Pre-paid Long Distance Via Internet
Saratoga Telecom Division to Pursue $100 Million Central and South
American Pre-paid Long Distance Markets
KIRKLAND WA---Saratoga International Holdings Corporation (OTC BB: SHCC - news), has entered into an agreement with Qwest Services, Inc., a division of Qwest Communications International, Inc. (Nasdaq: QWST news), to market and sell pre-paid long distance pin numbers over the Internet in Central and
South America.
The pre-paid long distance distribution agreement will allow Saratoga
Telecom, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Saratoga International,
access to Qwest's telecommunications backbone for the purpose of
penetrating the extremely lucrative Central and South American pre-paid
long distance markets. Additionally, Qwest will extend a line of credit
to Saratoga Telecom and grant Saratoga the right to use Qwest's
proprietary Internet sales support software.
Page 2
Saratoga Telecom has developed a unique method of retailing pre-paid
long distance via the Internet, selling pin numbers to customers outside
the U.S. The pre-paid virtual calling card will allow the owner to make
international calls for considerably less than charges levied by their
local service providers.
In preparation for Saratoga Telecom's anticipated "Talk is Cheap™"
Internet sales launch on August 15th, 1999, Saratoga is completing
upgrades to its server and transmission infrastructure. These upgrades
will accommodate the expected rapid growth in pre-paid revenues
resulting from Saratoga's aggressive entry into the foreign pre-paid
long distance market.
Tom Morsey, President and Chief Operating Officer of Saratoga Telecom,
expects a fluid transition to pre-paid purchases over the Net. "The
number of Internet purchases of goods and services is growing at an
ever-increasing rate. We are simply taking a widely accepted method of
purchasing 'talk time' and making it affordable and available on-line,
all of the time. Our Web site will be functionally linked to Qwest's
backbone, providing all of their features and reliability."
Mr. Morsey concluded, "We will strive to build a significant presence in
one market before moving on to another, so as to establish the brand
name credibility necessary to quickly roll out each new level of
technology and service."
Mark Welton , Vice President of Enhanced Services for Qwest Communications said, "Qwest's distribution
agreement with Saratoga Telecom should provide the back-office
infrastructure and service necessary for their success."
About Qwest Communications
Qwest Communications International Inc. is a leader in reliable and
secure broadband Internet-based data, voice and image communications for
businesses and consumers. Headquartered in Denver CO, Qwest has more
than 9,000 employees working in North America, Europe and Mexico. The
Qwest Macro Capacity® Fiber Network, designed with the newest optical
networking, spans more than 18,500 route miles in the United States,
with an additional 315-mile network route to be completed by the end of
the year. In addition, Qwest and KPN, the Dutch telecommunications
company, have formed a venture to build and operate a high-capacity
European fiber optic, Internet Protocol-based network that has 2,100
miles and will span 8,100 miles when it is completed in 2001. Qwest also
has completed a 1,400-mile network in Mexico.
About Saratoga International Holdings Corporation
Saratoga International Holdings Corporation is a vertical growth
Internet and telecommunications facilitator specializing in penetrating
low and mid-level market sectors often overlooked by major service
providers.
Saratoga endeavors to compliment primary communications services by
developing fill-gap relationships with major Internet and
telecommunications companies. By providing solutions to unmet market
needs, Saratoga can enhance the over-all level of service offered by
their business partners.
Additionally, through its "Talk is Cheap" Program, Saratoga Telecom
seeks to establish itself as a worldwide reseller of Internet-based long
distance service. By making economical pre-paid long-distance available
to second and third world countries directly over the Internet, Saratoga
positions itself to capture a significant share of the pre-paid long
distance market without the prohibitive costs of traditional pre-paid
retailing such as card production and distribution.
This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Act of
1995. Expression of future goals and similar expressions reflecting
something other than historical fact involve risks and uncertainties.
The actual results the company achieves may differ materially from any
forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties.
Contact:
Mr. Patrick Rost of PMR and Associates, the company's corporate public relations firm, may be contacted at 760-942-0015 e-mail pmrandco@aol.com SHCC can be reached by calling 888-878-9683.
This release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the results of operations and business of the company that involves risk and uncertainties. The company's actual future results could materially differ from those discussed. Risks and uncertainties of the company will be detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports.
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