AASTRA TO DISTRIBUTE 8x8 VIDEOPHONE/INTERNET WEB BROWSER IN CANADA
[I'm posting this release put out by 8X8 because this news doesn't
seem to have been included in an Aastra press release. Prior to
the Dec 22 release re the Mini-ATM, no mention of it had been made in
press releases either so perhaps there's something else up Astra's sleeve?]
Canada's Leading Telecommunications Equipment
Distributor Markets 8x8 Videophone to Bell Canada,
Other Canadian, US Telcos
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - (June 11, 1998) - 8x8, Inc. (NASDAQ: EGHT) - a
leading supplier of video conferencing technology and systems - announced
today that Aastra Technologies Limited (ASE: AAH) will market and support
8x8's ViaTV Modular Videophone with Web Browser (model VC55) in Canada.
Aastra is a major designer, manufacturer and distributor of consumer-oriented
telephone sets and caller ID devices. The ViaTV system is the first videophone
product to be offered by Aastra.
In addition to distributing ViaTV products to Canadian telephone companies
and retailers, Aastra will provide complete technical support for ViaTV
products in Canada. Aastra provides telephone support in English, French and
Spanish.
“Aastra is one of the largest suppliers of consumer telecommunications
equipment in Canada,” noted Mike Noonen, 8x8's vice president of business
development, “and their relationships with Canada's many telephone
companies are a huge asset to us. We are especially glad to have their
technical and marketing support behind our products because of their ability to
support Canadian users in both official languages and their familiarity with the
Canadian telecommunications environment.”
The ViaTV Videophone product line is a great fit with our existing line of
telephone sets and caller ID products,” said Stephen Hawkins, Aastra's vice
president of sales and marketing. “We are especially excited about 8x8's
VC55 product, which is a combination videophone, Web browser and e-mail
terminal. It's a good combination for consumers looking to communicate
on-line without having to invest in a complex and expensive PC.”
The ViaTV Videophone product line includes three models: the simple to use
Set-top Videophone (model VC105), the inexpensive and flexible Modular
Videophone (model VC50/55) which is available with or without a built-in web
browser, and the elegant new Desktop Videophone with built-in display (model
VC150). All ViaTV Videophones allow users to make full-color motion video
calls over standard telephone lines and none require a computer, so making a
video call is as simple as making any phone call. A video call costs no more
than any local or long distance telephone call, and there are no monthly
service or subscription fees.
All ViaTV Videophones offer a wide range of features, including electronic
pan/tilt/zoom camera controls, auto answer, snapshot mode and caller ID.
Auto answer, in particular, allows the ViaTV Videophone to be used as a
home or small business security monitor, allowing consumers to check on
their valuables from miles away with a simple telephone call. ViaTV
Videophones are also an excellent way for remote families and friends to stay
in touch across the miles.
About 8x8
8x8, Inc. is a manufacturer of visual communication systems, semiconductors
and software. The company is headquartered at 2445 Mission College Blvd.,
Santa Clara, California 95054. For more information, call toll free
888-VIEW-8X8, or in London for European sales, 8x8, Ltd., Harleyford Estate,
Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2DX England, 011-44-1628-402800, fax
011-44-1628-402829.
About Aastra Technologies Limited
Aastra Technologies Limited develops and markets telecommunications
equipment. Aastra products include basic telephone sets, caller ID devices
and custom engineered telephone sets incorporating Telco services such as
call forwarding, call waiting, and caller ID. Aastra sells to all the major Telcos
in Canada, including Bell Canada and BC Tel, and to over 20 Telcos in the
United States, including Bell Atlantic, Bell South, Sprint, GTE and Pacific
Telesis. In the retail market, Aastra has the exclusive license to use the Bell
Equipment SONECOR trademark for telephone sets and distributes its
products to Sam's Clubs and Circuit City among other mass retailers.
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