SHCC news...
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Tuesday September 7, 9:06 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Saratoga Telecom Signs Global Prepaid Calling Card Agreement With Teleglobe
Saratoga Targets Global Market With Internet-Based "Virtual Calling Cards"
RESTON, Va. and KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 7, 1999-- Saratoga International Holdings Corporation (OTC BB: SHCC) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Saratoga Telecom Inc., has signed an agreement with Teleglobe Communications Corporation, enabling Saratoga to market and sell competitively-priced prepaid ''virtual calling cards'' over the Internet.
Through the agreement, Teleglobe is providing Saratoga Telecom with the PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) or access codes required for customers to place calls. All international calls will be carried over Teleglobe's GlobeSystem network, one of the largest international telecommunications networks in the world.
The TalkisCheapCard will be sold online through Saratoga Telecom's Web site at talkischeapcard.com and will enable customers to place long distance calls from 94 countries worldwide. Saratoga Telecom has developed a unique method of retailing prepaid long distance via the Internet by selling to online customers PINs that provide access to units of long distance usage. Upon purchasing a TalkisCheapCard online via credit card, a ''virtual calling card'' will appear on the customer's computer monitor, complete with a PIN super-imposed over the on-line card. The card, priced in allotments ranging from US$20 to $300, can then be printed out and kept in the buyer's purse or wallet.
Tom Morsey, president of Saratoga Telecom, commented, ''This agreement with Teleglobe furthers our plan to offer incoming, as well as outgoing long distance services to international customers living in the United States and abroad. As we unveil our competitive calling plans, our target market will immediately see the cost benefits of purchasing our virtual calling cards online.''
Morsey concluded saying, ''We are in the process of committing to a global Internet marketing campaign to brand the Saratoga Telecom and TalkisCheapCard names to international pre-paid buyers. We are definitely positioning ourselves to succeed in the domestic and international pre-paid arena.''
Teleglobe's prepaid card service is unique in that it allows telecommunications carriers and large corporations to deliver a global calling service completely branded in their own name. The prepaid cards not only carry the brand of the carrier, but when callers use the card they hear custom-branded messages identifying the network with the retailer's name - a capability other carriers do not offer.
''Teleglobe's prepaid card service is another example of our ability to create customized products and services for our customers,'' said John Cahill, president, Teleglobe USA Inc. ''Whether a customer needs global connectivity, PINs or a full turn-key calling solution, Teleglobe has a proven track record in creating global services that help our customers remain competitive.''
Teleglobe's sizeable portfolio of global telecommunications services also includes domestic and international voice services, Internet access, domestic and international private lines, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) services, international toll-free services and postpaid calling cards.
About Teleglobe
Teleglobe Inc. (NYSE, TSE, ME: TGO - news news) is a recognized leader in global telecommunications. Through its subsidiary Teleglobe Communications Corporation, the company develops and supplies global connectivity services to carriers, Internet service providers, business customers and content providers worldwide. Teleglobe also caters to an expanding international consumer customer base.
According to TeleGeography, the company is the fourth-ranked long distance provider in the United States and, according to a recent KMI Corporation study, the third largest owner of undersea fiber optic cable systems. Teleglobe has a 50% interest in ORBCOMM, the world's first commercial low-earth-orbit, satellite-based, data communications system. Additional information is available at teleglobe.com.
About Saratoga International Holdings Corporation
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 complement 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.
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.
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Contact:
Teleglobe Communications Corporation
John Murray, Corporate Communications, 703/755-2180
jmurray1@teleglobe.com
or
Teleglobe Inc.
Nicole Blanchard, Investor Relations, 514/868-8148
nblancha@teleglobe.ca
or
Jacques Deforges, VP & Corporate Treasurer
514/868-7716
jdeforge@teleglobe.ca
or
PMR and Associates
Patrick Rost, 760/942-0015
e-mail: pmrandco@aol.com
or
Saratoga International Holdings Corp.
888/878-9683
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