Net2Phone dials up Netscape
By Steve Gelsi, CBS MarketWatch
Last Update: 10:29 AM ET Mar 10, 1999
NewsWatch
HACKENSACK, N.J. (CBS.MW) -- Internet phone specialist IDT
Communications said Wednesday that its Net2Phone brand will be featured on
Netscape's browser as part of a a multi-year, global distribution deal.
IDT Communications (IDTC) and Mountain View,
Calif.-based Netscape (NSCP) agreed to bundle
Net2Phone on Netscape Communicator, and to feature
the service as a button on the browser's Personal
Toolbar.
"When you click on that (button) you will be able to
make Internet telephony calls," said IDT
Communications Executive Vice President Jonathan
Reich. "That's significant considering users will no
longer have to download our software. It'll be
integrated into the Netscape browsers."
The service will also be
integrated into Netscape's Net
Center; it'll be plugged in ads
on Netscape sites.
Last November Netscape
agreed to be acquired by
America Online (AOL) for
$4.2 billion. Reich declined to
comment on whether IDT will
pursue a deal with AOL, the
dominant online service with
more than 15 million
subscribers.
Net2Phone will soon raise its
profile with ads in USA Today
carrying the themeline,
"Net2Phone, your online
communications company,"
Reich said.
"With Netscape we've brought the PC to phone communications piece out to
the masses," Reich said. Calls will cost as little as 4.9 cents per minute, the
company said.
The Netscape deal follows pacts with Yahoo (YHOO) and Excite (XCIT).
Introduced in 1996, Net2Phone was the first service to bridge the Internet
with the public switched telephone network.
Shares of IDT Communications gained 1 1/2 to 16 15/16 shortly after the
opening bell onWednesday. Netscape added 2 1/8 to 81 5/8.
Net2Phone competitors include VocalTec (VOCLS), RSL Communications
(RSLCS), Inter-TEL (INTL), and NetSpeak (NSPK).
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