Cincinnati Bell Trials eFusion Technology to Offer Voice-enabled Electronic Yellow Pages; Voice Over Internet Technology Enhances Online Experience - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, August 2, 1999

eFusion, Inc., provider of value added application platforms for the New Public Network, and Cincinnati Bell Directory (CBD), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE:CSN), provider of integrated communications, Monday announced that CBD will trial eFusion's unique Push to Talk technology.

The 60 day trial, scheduled to conclude in September, will initially utilize eFusion's Push to Talk technology as an enhanced value to CBD's voice-enabled online Talking Yellow Pages. The online version is found at CBD's new site, www.CincinnatiExchange.com which was launched July 1, 1999. Yellow Pages listings are delivered in audio format just like the Talking Yellow Pages in CBD's print directories but the audio message is delivered directly through the computer.

During the trial period, additional Push to Talk capabilities will be explored with the new CBD Cincinnati Exchange site, including establishing a direct voice connection with e-commerce merchants using eFusion's Push to Talk capabilities. Once a direct voice connection is established with e-commerce merchants, the Push to Talk Technology will bring higher functionality to the Cincinnati Exchange site. Specifically, visitors of the site will be able to surf the Web, select a desired business, and speak directly with a representative from a selected business while continuing to browse the Internet -- all over a single telephone line.

"We believe we'll find from the trial that eFusion's Push to Talk technology will enhance our e-commerce transactions because it adds a human touch to the transaction," said Vince Weseli, Cincinnati Bell Directory's director of new media. Weseli added that CBD may continue to offer eFusion's Push to Talk technology at the end of the trial period if e-commerce merchants and online users are utilizing and enjoying the functionality the new technology offers.

"We are delighted that Cincinnati Bell Directory is trialing eFusion's technology to power its new service offerings," said Ajit Pendse, president and chief executive officer of eFusion. "These enhanced Internet services, fueled by eFusion technology, will provide voice-enriched Web experiences that increase the level of service and satisfaction for their customers."

"Cincinnati Exchange and eFusion are demonstrating online what the print yellow pages has done for decades -- efficiently connecting buyers and sellers quickly and easily," stated Weseli.

Enhancing Sales, Service and Support Via the Internet The ability to add voice to an Internet session leverages the best of the telecommunications and Internet worlds: infusing the content-richness of the Internet with the warmth of human interaction. The technology also allows businesses with call centers to invite Internet-enabled consumers into their call centers to talk directly to an agent, without the need for a call-back. Consumers can immediately engage in an interactive discussion with a call center agent to solve a problem or make a purchase, which -- like traditional shopping in a store -- is more familiar and comfortable. Online users with multimedia PCs surfing the Cincinnati Exchange site will be able to click the Push to Talk buttons to initiate a real-time voice call.

Cincinnati Bell Directory

Cincinnati Bell Directory provides directory advertising and information services in the Southwestern Ohio and Northern Kentucky areas. Cincinnati Bell Directory also offers Cincinnati Exchange (www.CincinnatiExchange.com), a one-stop, e-commerce and community information solution for Greater Cincinnati. Cincinnati Bell Directory, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

Cincinnati Bell Inc.

Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE:CSN) is a full service, integrated communications company that provides competitive local communications as well as Internet, wireless, entertainment, directory, long distance and data networking services to customers in the Cincinnati, Ohio, metropolitan area and in many other Midwestern cities. Cincinnati Bell is on the World Wide Web at www.cincinnatibell.com.

eFusion, Inc.

eFusion provides value-added Internet applications that enable enhanced interactive communications through a wide variety of multimedia call completion models. Their telecom-grade, business-ready solutions bring real-time human interaction to electronic commerce -- allowing consumers to experience simultaneous voice and multimedia while accessing the Internet. The company is located at 14600 NW Greenbrier Parkway, Beaverton, OR 97006, and can be reached at 1-888-4EFUSION, 503/207-6300, via the Internet at http://www.efusion.com, or by e-mail at info@efusion.com.