(PR NEWSWIRE) Franklin's Internet Passport and Hughes Data Systems
introduce satellite-connected cybercafe WESTLAKE VILLAGE,
Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 1997-- Franklin Telecom (OTC/BB:FTEL)
Wednesday announced that its Internet subsidiary Internet Passport has
completed the installation of a Hughes DirecPC satellite connection at the World
Cafe, located in Santa Monica, Calif. The World Cafe serves as the premier
gathering site for cyberclubs and tech-support groups for L.A.'s high-tech
Westside region. David Teck, owner of the World Cafe, has maintained one of
the few successful Internet-connected cybercafes in the United States for the
last eight years. He explained that he originally added the cyber aspect to his
bistro in order to give a unique, high-tech twist to the social ambience. His idea
gave his business a significant boost; over the years, the blend of computers,
music and mingling professionals has carried the World Cafe through the
``trendy'' stage into its present status as a well-established Los Angeles
landmark. The Hughes DirecPC allows connected terminals to reach satellite-
download speeds equaling a T-1 high-speed connection for a fraction of the cost.
Hughes Data Systems introduced the network edition of this product in
conjunction with Internet Passport at Comdex in Las Vegas.
Internet Passport, a recently acquired subsidiary of Franklin Telecom, has been
instrumental in the development and marketing of the product. Internet
Passport's president, Sparrow Marcioni, stated: ``We hope to make the World
Cafe the most intriguing cybercafe in the country. Our alliance with the World
Cafe will allow us to showcase this and other innovative products to an ideal
target market of businessmen and professionals who are already on the cutting
edge of the Internet revolution and intend to stay there!'' The World Cafe will
showcase its expanded capabilities via a celebrity reception to be announced
shortly. Franklin Telecom, founded in 1981, designs and manufactures
communications devices, high-speed LAN and WAN and telco systems. Franklin
has an installed base of more than 100,000 nodes worldwide. Internet Passport,
founded in 1991, provides private communications networks as well as Internet
for high-speed LAN access via satellite plus group software. NOTE TO
EDITORS: For additional information, contact Helen West at Franklin
headquarters, 805/373-8688; and for up-to-the-minute information about Franklin
Telecom and FNet, visit the company's Web site: ftel.com . |
