Intel Delivers World's First Internet Phone to Use Interoperable Standards and Public Internet Directory Services; Intel's Internet Phone Technology Designed for Interoperability to Enrich Person-to-Person Communications

Business Wire, July 22, 1996

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 1996--Intel today announced a new Internet phone applet for PCs running the Windows(a) 95 operating system designed to interoperate with other upcoming H.323-based communications software from Microsoft and other vendors.

Leading the industry in adoption of this international standard from the International Telecommunications Union, Intel will make a beta version of this applet available free of charge beginning July 24 at Intel's Web site: http://www.intel.com/iaweb/cpc.>The new Intel Internet Phone applet incorporates Microsoft's User Location Service (ULS) technology to locate other Internet phone users through existing Internet Directory Services. These directory services provide an easy way to find other Internet phone users. Once connected via an Internet phone on a multimedia PC, users can talk to each other over the Internet while using other Internet applications, such as browsing the Web, exchanging photos, playing games, and data conferencing.

"In March of this year we announced with Microsoft our intention to advance Internet communications through the adoption of the T.120 and H.323 standards," said Frank Gill, executive vice president and general manager, Intel Internet and Communications Group. "Last week we announced the signing of a technology exchange agreement with Microsoft aimed at making H.323 and T.120 standards-based communication on the Internet commonplace. These steps, combined with today's Internet Phone announcement, demonstrate our vision of the Connected PC -- one that can seamlessly communicate via the Internet with any PC running software built around these standards."

"We are pleased with Intel's decision to maximize interoperability by supporting the H.323 international standards," said John Ludwig, vice president of the Internet platform and tools division at Microsoft. "Microsoft shares Intel's commitment to establish H.323 as the standard for voice and video communication on the Internet. Future versions of Microsoft NetMeeting will support H.323 for universal interoperability with products from Intel and other vendors."

Intel Internet Phone Applet Demonstrates New Standards

Unlike today's proprietary Internet phone software, Intel's H.323 Internet Phone applet sets the stage for interoperability with other products that implement the H.323 standard. Using H.323 means Intel's Internet Phone offers better audio quality than proprietary Internet phone solutions available today.

In addition, Intel's Internet Phone applet offers Public Directory Support not found in today's offerings. It is also the first Internet Phone with a revolutionary user interface that "snaps into" the bottom edge of the user's web browser.

Key features and capabilities of the Intel Internet Phone software include: -0- -- Ability to communicate with any data and/or video conferencing

product/software based on the H.323 standard

-- Designed as an easy-to-install add-on "helper" applet compatible

with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator browsers

-- Supported by leading Internet directory services, such as Four11,

Banyan's Switchboard.Com, WhoWhere, DoubleClick, and BigFoot,

making it easy to find and call other users of H.323-based

Internet Phones

-- Easy-to-use graphical interface designed to complement the point

and click characteristics of popular browsers

-- Quick dial list feature to maintain and call frequently used

numbers

-- Full-duplex audio support, making it possible to support

"natural" telephone-like conversations for personal or business

conversations. Also supports half-duplex sound systems

-- Intel Connection Advisor(tm) utility to provide feedback on the

quality and performance capabilities of an Internet call along with

tips for improving call quality -0- Availability and System Requirements

A beta version of the Intel Internet Phone applet is available free of charge beginning July 24 from Intel's Web site: http://www.intel.com/iaweb/cpc. Recommended system hardware and software for the Intel Internet Phone includes an Intel Pentium(r) processor, Microsoft Windows 95, full-duplex sound system, 16MB of RAM, and Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

In order to further the deployment of H.323 throughout the Internet, Intel and Microsoft will support developers of applications, infrastructure and network services.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking and communications products. Through innovative technologies, Intel is committed to improving the Internet experience for PC consumers. Additional information is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. -0-

Note to Editors: (a) Other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Intel Corporation

Jon Jackson, 503/264-9463