VOCLF - Internet call waiting
HERZLIYA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 1999--VocalTec
Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq:VOCLF) today announced VocalTec Internet Phone(R)
Call Waiting(tm), the latest addition to its end-to-end IP telephony solutions based on
the VocalTec Ensemble Architecture(tm) (VEA).
Generally available in the second quarter of 1999, VocalTec Internet Phone Call
Waiting is enabled through the VocalTec Internet Phone Lite(tm) end user software
program. VocalTec Internet Phone Call Waiting allows all classes of service providers
(including ISPs, CLECs, established telcos and new carriers) to offer a virtual second
line to online customers for receiving incoming regular phone calls while connected to
the Internet.
"We chose VocalTec's Internet Phone Call Waiting because our customers want
flexible solutions that allow them to surf the Internet without missing incoming calls from
traditional phones," said Bjorn Norrbom, president at Telia Light, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Telia, the leading telecom carrier of the Scandinavia and Baltic regions.
"Our strong working relationship with VocalTec coupled with the flexibility of the VEA
platform allows us to move quickly and deploy new value-added services in response to
customer needs."
With the rise in new Internet applications for e-commerce, research, recreation and
family activities, users are spending more and more time connected to the Internet.
These online connections are tying up phone lines, preventing end users from receiving
regular phone calls and limiting the revenue service providers can generate through call
termination.
VocalTec Internet Phone Call Waiting solves this problem by enabling service providers
to provide a virtual second line service to Internet connected customers. To use this
service, subscribers download from the World Wide Web a free software program
called Internet Phone Lite. Internet Phone Lite alerts online users to incoming calls,
including caller ID information, from regular phones. Using Internet Phone Lite running
on a multimedia PC, the subscriber can accept the call without disconnecting from the
Internet.
"We designed VEA to provide the foundation for a multi-service environment enabling
service providers to launch and manage scalable, new communications services that
deliver leading edge voice quality," said Dr. Elon Ganor, chairman at VocalTec
Communications. "VocalTec Internet Phone Call Waiting allows service providers to
diversify their communications services and terminate more calls by providing end users
with a cost-effective and convenient virtual two line solution. It also offers advantages
for ISPs that charge by the minute and need services to encourage users to stay online."
"The introduction of new solutions, such as Internet Phone Call Waiting, explains why
VocalTec continues to be one of the leaders in a field of large data and telecom
vendors," said Hilary Mine, executive vice president at Probe Research, Inc. "VocalTec
continues to invest heavily in applications as well as fundamental IP telephony
technology, thereby bringing to fruition the real promise of multimedia networking -- a
richer end user experience."
Network Components
VocalTec Internet Phone Call Waiting solution is the latest addition to VocalTec's full
system solutions based on the VocalTec Ensemble Architecture (VEA). VEA is an
open, scalable, modularly designed IP telephony architecture that supports a
multi-service and multi-vendor environment for the growing field of basic and enhanced
communications applications including IN functionality, web-to-call center,
PC-to-Phone, fax-to-fax and phone-to-phone.
Based on the most advanced industry standards and with support for third party billing
and management services, VEA full system solutions include the VocalTec Telephony
Gateway(tm) series that convert voice calls between circuit and packet switched
networks and the VocalTec Gatekeeper(tm) and the VocalTec Network Manager(tm)
that serve as the brains of the network for centralized control over the routing and
management of inter- and intra-domain IP telephony traffic.
These components work in conjunction with the VocalTec Internet Phone Lite client.
Internet Phone Lite is a small easy to download software package that enables both
PC-to-phone and phone-to-PC calling. The Internet Phone Call Waiting service offers
superior audio quality based on VocalTec's advancements in voice compression
technology. A customization kit is also available for customizing Internet Phone Lite to
reflect a service provider's logo and information.
Distribution and Availability
VocalTec Internet Phone Call Waiting is currently in field trials and will be distributed
directly and through selected sales channels in the second quarter of 1999.
Pricing
Internet Phone Call Waiting is sold as part of a VocalTec Ensemble Architecture full
solution including the VocalTec Telephony Gateway 120, VocalTec Gatekeeper and
VocalTec Network Manager. The MSRP for Internet Phone Call Waiting is $250 per
Internet Phone Call Waiting enabled port. The MSRP for the software developers kit
(SDK) for customizing Internet Phone Lite is $25,000.
About VocalTec Communications
VocalTec Communications is a manufacturer of systems that enable audio, video, data,
text and collaborative communications over IP networks such as phone data networks,
corporate intranets and the Internet. VocalTec is a leader in developing innovative, open
standards products that bridge the Internet and the traditional public switched telephone
network (PSTN) and drive the convergence of computing and telephone technologies.
For the latest company information, visit VocalTec on the World Wide Web at
vocaltec.com.
NOTE: VocalTec, Internet Phone, Internet Phone Lite, Internet Phone Call Waiting,
VocalTec Ensemble Architecture, VocalTec Telephony Gateway, Surf&Call, VocalTec
Gatekeeper, VocalTec Network Manager, VocalTec Conference Server, VocalTec
Communications Client, PassaFax and PassaPort are trademarks or registered
trademarks of VocalTec Communications Ltd. Other trademarks are the property of
their respective holders.
Certain statements contained in this release may contain forward-looking information
with respect to plans, projections or the future performance of VocalTec
Communications, the occurrence of which involves certain risks and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to, product and market acceptance risks, the impact of
competitive pricing, competitive products, product development, commercialization and
technological difficulties and other risks detailed in the Company's reports filed from
time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
35 Industrial Parkway, Northvale, NJ 07647 Tel: 201/768-9400 Fax: 201/768-8893
E-mail: info@vocaltec.com
CONTACT: VocalTec Communications Ltd.
Jo Lee, 201/768-9400
Fax: 201/768-8893
pr@vocaltec.com
or
LNS Communications
Marty Querzoli/Meghan Finnerty
617/577-9777
Fax: 617/577-9888
mquerzoli@lnscom.com/mfinnerty@lnscom.com
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