Switchboard and Net2Phone Sign Integration Deal - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, Dec 27, 1999

Net2Phone Inc., the leading provider of Internet telephony services, and Switchboard Incorporated, the popular Internet directory subsidiary of Banyan Worldwide, Tuesday announced that Net2Phone's one-click dialing solution, Click2Talk, will be exclusively integrated throughout Switchboard's on-line directories on its flagship web site CBS Switchboard.com and its mapping site MapsOnUs.com.

Net2Phone's Click2Talk service is designed to make phone calls anywhere in the world over the Internet, saving up to 95 percent on traditional long distance calls. Switchboard's users will be able to utilize Click2Talk simply by clicking on a phone number they locate in the Switchboard yellow or white pages.

Net2Phone calls are routed over the Internet from any multimedia PC, offering full-duplex real-time conversation. Call recipients simply answer their telephones as they would when receiving an ordinary telephone call.

"As Switchboard continues to grow its local merchant network, we will continue to provide new and innovative ways for consumers and merchants to interact and exchange information," said Dean Polnerow, president of Switchboard Incorporated. "Now, just a click of the mouse will give users an even faster, more comprehensive way to locate businesses, products and service information around the corner and around the world."

"No longer will people have to dial from a telephone," said Jonathan Fram, president of Net2Phone. "Switchboard is highly focused on helping local merchants generate leads and we are excited to provide technology which can play a direct role in helping to accomplish that objective."

Net2Phone is a leading provider of voice-enhanced Internet communications services to individuals and businesses worldwide. Net2Phone enables people to place low-cost high quality calls from their computer, telephone, or fax machine to any telephone or fax machine in the world.

Net2Phone develops and markets technology and services for IP voice and e-commerce solutions for the web and other IP networks. Net2Phone has directory integration with many other top Internet directory properties including, Infospace.com, Yahoo! People Search, InfoUSA.com, Bigfoot, Inter800, and WorldPages.

Net2Phone was recently named the leader in Internet telephony minutes routed with 39% market share by International Data Corp. FMI: www.net2phone.com.

Switchboard Incorporated is a leading Internet-based local merchant network interconnecting consumers, merchants and national advertisers. Its flagship Web site, CBS Switchboard.com (www.switchboard.com) connects consumers searching for specific products and services and the merchants that provide them.

Switchboard offers a rich suite of online services including yellow and white pages, E-mail and Web site directories, and interactive maps and driving directions. CBS Switchboard.com is viewed more than 50 million times each month and has won numerous awards since its launch, including capturing two positions in Yahoo Internet Life's July '99 list of The 10 Supremely Useful Sites on the Web.

Headquartered in Westboro, Mass., Switchboard Incorporated is a majority held subsidiary of Banyan Worldwide with a minority ownership stake held by CBS Corporation. Switchboard is a registered trademark of Switchboard Incorporated.