To: Jim Bishop who wrote (7410 ) 8/17/1999 2:36:00 PM From: SSP Respond to of 150070
On the Rumor List - Saratoga International Holdings Corp. (OTC BB:SHCC), announced today its wholly owned subsidiary, Saratoga Telecom, has signed an outgoing domestic pre-paid long distance Agreement with Cable & Wireless USA (NYSE:CWP) to market and sell Saratoga's "TalkisCheapCard" pre-paid pin numbers over the Internet with the telephone traffic being carried over the Cable & Wireless network. The agreement authorizes Saratoga Telecom, Inc. to send international telephone traffic (generated by domestic Internet sales of the "TalkisCheapCard") over the Cable & Wireless worldwide network. Saratoga Telecom has developed a unique method of retailing pre-paid long distance via the Internet, selling pin numbers that provide access to units of long distance usage. The "TalkisCheapCard", is sold over the Internet and has the pin number super-imposed over an on-line card. The card can then be printed out and kept in the buyer's purse or wallet. Saratoga's pre-paid "virtual calling cards" will be sold through Saratoga Telecom's Web site at talkischeapcard.com and will provide customers the convenience of making international calls from almost any phone anywhere. Saratoga Telecom has recently completed upgrades to its server and transmission infrastructure in anticipation of the Company's Internet product. These upgrades will accommodate the expected rapid growth in pre-paid revenues resulting from Saratoga's aggressive entry into the domestic and foreign pre-paid long distance markets. "Saratoga Telecom has obviously recognized, and will capitalize on, the advantages of the Internet as a vehicle for distributing prepaid long distance phone service. With its marketing efforts and the support of C&W as its long distance carrier, Saratoga will be a leader in the prepaid arena," said Dave West, Regional Sales Manager for Cable & Wireless USA. Tom Morsey, President of Saratoga Telecom, sees the Cable & Wireless Agreement as a stepping stone to the full implementation of the Internet's capabilities. "Cable & Wireless has the capacity and worldwide network necessary to accommodate our current long distance needs and future goals. It is certainly a pleasure working with leaders in the communications field." Mr. Morsey concluded, "Our pre-paid Internet card launch is the first step toward Saratoga's goal of full utilization of the power of the Internet. We are already in negotiations with major Internet voice and video software developers to bring fingertip 'look and listen' technology to daily Internet communications. As bandwidth constraints are resolved, our intent is to make Internet voice and video as commonplace as our current use of the telephone." About Cable & Wireless USA Cable & Wireless USA is the American subsidiary of Cable and Wireless PLC, one of the world's leading providers of integrated communications and a major global carrier of communications traffic: Internet, data, voice and video. Its businesses around the world offer a range of services spanning interactive entertainment and information, broadband data, Internet access and broadcast television, as well as fixed and mobile voice. Cable & Wireless is one of the world's largest carriers of international traffic and provides mobile communications in more than 30 countries. Cable and Wireless PLC is listed on the Stock Exchanges of London, New York (NYSE:CWP) and Frankfurt. About Saratoga International Holdings Corporation (OTC BB:SHCC) 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 overall level of service offered by their business partners. Additionally, through its "TalkisCheapCard" Program (http://www.talkischeapcard.com ), 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. 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 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. --30--ALW/se* CONTACT: PMR and Associates Patrick Rost, 760/942-0015 e-mail: pmrandco@aol.com or SHCC, 888/878-9683