ETEL ... E-Net, Inc. Expands Strategic Focus in Consumer Market With Introduction of
Free Internet Phone Service
- ZeroPlus.com, a Wholly-owned Subsidiary, to Provide Internet Phone
Numbers and Software for Free PC to PC Calling -
GERMANTOWN, Md., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- e-Net, Inc. (Nasdaq: ETEL) today
announced an expanded strategic focus on the consumer market for Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) with the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary,
ZeroPlus.com, Inc. The new business unit will initially provide consumers
with their own, permanent Internet phone numbers and specially developed
software, enabling them to make and receive free phone calls over the
Internet.
Future phases of the business plan call for the introduction of fee-based
enhanced services for the consumer market and the implementation of e-commerce
solutions for the business sector-connecting online shoppers directly to a
company's customer service center via Web-based applications. Consumers will
be uniquely able to browse a website, speak and shop at the same time -- and
over the same phone line.
All of the services offered by ZeroPlus.com will utilize the award winning
VoIP hardware and software that e-Net has been developing since the company's
inception.
In making today's announcement, Robert Veschi, President and CEO of e-Net,
Inc., stated, "Consumers and businesses are hooked on the Internet. People
use the Internet for communications via email every day. It is now time for
the world to use the Internet for free telephony -- the ultimate 'killer app.'
By providing consumers with an Internet phone number and free calling, our
goal is to extend Internet telephony beyond the early adopters and bring it
into the mainstream."
Continued Mr. Veschi, "The market for ZeroPlus.com is huge. Only a small
percentage of the 170 million people who currently have Internet access are
using it for phone service, because previously it was too difficult to
understand and use. We believe ZeroPlus.com will change that, and change
it quickly."
The company name, ZeroPlus.com, refers to the way users will make calls.
Instead of dialing "1" plus 10 digits to make a call on a regular phone
network, Internet calls with the new service will be completed by dialing "0"
plus 10 digits. It is anticipated that most users will request their Internet
phone number be identical to their existing home phone number, making it
particularly easy to remember and use. e-Net has applied for a patent on the
concept of this Internet-based dialing plan.
To begin using the service, consumers must register through the company's
Web site, www.zeroplus.com, select an Internet phone number, and download the
company's free software. To make a phone call, users simply dial into their
Internet Service Provider (ISP) and launch the ZeroPlus software. At that
point, they are ready to call other ZeroPlus members over the Internet, with
all PC to PC calls being free.
"The opportunity to capitalize on the potential of the Internet is
enormous. To date, no Internet telephony company has had the complete package
to successfully attract the broad consumer market -- that is, until now," said
Mr. Veschi. "Our immediate goal is to quickly build a significant user base
and establish ZeroPlus.com as the largest Internet telephony company by the
end of this year. To speed the process, we will aggressively seek strategic
partnerships with select online communities and portals."
Continued Mr. Veschi, "As the membership base increases, ZeroPlus.com will
roll out fee-based enhanced services to generate revenue. At the same time,
our e-commerce solutions will become increasingly attractive to companies
conducting business online. ZeroPlus.com will be able to deliver a large
number of Internet shoppers directly to the Web sites of participating
companies through this powerful channel."
e-Net has been refocusing its business strategy for six months, and has
recently made announcements regarding its success in the growing wireless VoIP
market. The company entered the consumer VoIP market last year with the
introduction of its NetConnect(TM) telephony card, which was principally sold
online. e-Net's expanded focus on the Internet phone service market is an
additional step toward targeting sectors that are capable of generating
significant revenues in the short and long term. "e-Net is focused on those
market segments prepared to benefit from VoIP solutions today," explained
Mr. Veschi. "The introduction of ZeroPlus.com will speed up the Internet
telephony market and in turn, increase the sales of e-Net's hardware and
software in the near future. We are extremely excited about the potential
impact of ZeroPlus.com on e-Net's overall business."
- About e-Net -
e-Net, Inc. is a recognized leader in developing hardware and software
technology that allows voice to be transmitted over data networks, including
the Internet, IP, ATM, or Frame Relay. e-Net's suite of products is designed
to allow Internet Service Providers, CLECs, and Cable TV operators to offer
competitive long distance service over their data networks. By integrating
hardware, software, and billing solutions, e-Net is able to offer customers a
complete Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution. The company has
received numerous awards for its technology, including: Product of the Year
from CTI Magazine, Best of LAN Times, Computer Telephony Product of the Year
and ComNews' Editor's Choice. For more information about e-Net, visit the
company's Web site at www.datatelephony.com or call e-Net at 301-601-8700.
Certain statements made herein that are not historical are forward-looking
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation reform Act of 1995.
The words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties.
For additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties
associated with the Company's business, reference is made to the Company's
reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE e-Net, Inc.
-0- 06/22/99
/CONTACT: Media, Paul D. Feldman of Feldman Communications, 410-571-8900,
or FelCom@AOL.com; or Investors, Doug Poretz of The Poretz Group,
703-506-1778, or Doug@Poretz.com, both for e-Net/
/Web site: datatelephony.com
zeroplus.com
(ETEL)
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