HP and GTE Launch HP Message Board for HP Pavilion Home PCs; Exclusive New Feature Offers Customers a Way to Share Images, Ideas and Information Electronically

Business Wire, June 30, 1998

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 1998-- Hewlett-Packard Company and GTE Internetworking, a division of GTE Corporation (NYSE:GTE), today introduced the HP Message Board service for HP's new family of HP Pavilion home PCs. The HP Message Board service, part of a package of special Internet features included with every HP Pavilion PC, is a feature that allows customers to create, post and exchange rich multimedia messages with others online.

"With the HP Message Board, HP Pavilion PC customers now have an easy way to share images, ideas and information across the Internet," said Harry W. (Webb) McKinney, general manager of HP's Home Products Division. "Whether it's sharing holiday photos with family members or posting a party invitation for friends, the HP Message Board makes the new world of multimedia communication easier and more personal than ever."

Included with every HP Pavilion PC is one-touch Internet access, the easiest, fastest way to dive into all the richness of the World Wide Web. A single press of the Internet button brings customers 50 free hours of no-credit-card-required exploration -- provided by GTE Internetworking -- and a personalized start page, constantly updated with information suited to each customer.

Following the 50-free-hours trial, HP Pavilion PC owners can choose from a variety of GTE's dial-up Internet-access service packages, which range from $19.95 to $29.95 per month. Each option includes e-mail address(es), the HP Message Board and up to 5 megabytes (MB) of storage space for HP Message Board owners to hold their postings and electronic creations, with the option to purchase more space. More information is available at the HP At Home Web site at www.hp-at-home.com.

With HP Message Board, and using a number of creation tools, customers can create messages that combine text, graphics and even animations. Predefined templates also speed the development process. Users can share the addresses to their password-protected HP Message Board with their online communities.

"Working with HP, we have created a service that enables our dial-up Internet subscribers to create their own online presence easily," said Michael Bolduc, director of product management at GTE Internetworking. "The HP Message Board is a great way to complement GTE Internetworking's online service offerings."

ABOUT GTE

GTE Internetworking's consumer and small-business dial-up Internet access service is available nationwide, and dial-up analog access up to 56kbp, with V.90 support, is offered for $19.95 per month for flat-rated use, and includes two megabytes of drive space on a Web server for a personal home page and 24x7 technical support. Additionally, GTE Internetworking offers a wide range of flat-rate dial-up services and e-mailboxes from $24.95 per month premium service package with two e-mail boxes, enhanced Web site customization services and five megabytes of drive space, to a new LAN ISDN package for small businesses. GTE Internetworking has partnered with Encompass, Inc. to make access to its consumer and small business dial-up service quick and easy. Through Encompass' software, the process of getting online is made dramatically simple. Additional information about GTE's Internet service and Encompass, Inc. can be found on the Internet at http://www.gte.net, or http://www.encmpss.com, respectively.

ABOUT HP

HP is the official information-technology hardware and maintenance supplier to the 1998 World Cup soccer tournament.

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 125,300 employees and had revenue of $42.9 billion in its 1997 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

    CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard Company
              Ray Aldrich, 408/343-5627
              ray_aldrich@hp.com
                  or
              GTE Internetworking
              John Vincenzo, 617/873-5644
              jvincenz@bbn.com