ActionLink Awarded Editors Choice Award by Computer Retail Week; ActionTec's Home Networking System Singled Out for Access Speed and DynaSyGate Software

Business Wire, Feb 5, 1999

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 1999--ActionTec Electronics Inc., a leading manufacturer of data communications and wireless products, today announced that Computer Retail Week has selected ActionTec's ActionLink for their coveted Editor's Choice award in the category of home networking systems. Noting the enthusiasm voiced by analysts and retailers for the new category, Computer Retail Week singled out ActionLink for its fast access speeds and proprietary DynaNAT(tm) software technology.

In the product benchmarks and comparisons, ActionLink significantly outperformed the other reviewed products in file access and printing times. ActionLink also achieved the top grade in the categories of "Easy to Install," "Speed," "Flexibility," and "Price."

The ActionLink Home Networking system eliminates the expense and inconvenience of running dedicated networking cables. The Plug-n-Play Home Networking cards are fast and easy to install, and work over existing home telephone wiring without interfering with telephone service.

Unlike alternative solutions, the unique DynaNAT technology dynamically enables any PC with a modem on the network to operate as the Internet gateway, eliminating the need for a designated server. The DynaNAT technology automatically determines which computer on the network is best suited to operate as the Internet gateway and dynamically reassigns the gateway function as networked computers are turned on and off.

ActionTec's proprietary DynaNAT allows all the users in the house to simultaneously share a single ISP (Internet Service Provider) account, telephone line, and modem, reducing Internet access cost. The software also includes "firewall" protection to prevent hackers from breaking into the computers and which allows parents to block out access to undesirable Internet sites.

"As the Home Networking category gains acceptance it could be a boon for retailers servicing multi-PC households," commented the editors of Computer Retail Week, who pointed out that ActionLink provides faster access speeds than the competing products reviewed. The editors also noted that ActionLink includes ActionTec's unique DynaNAT software with a built-in Internet status icon, adding, "A feature like this is bound to attract users' attention."

"To be singled out as the Editors Choice by this leading publication is a marvelous reflection on the efforts that ActionTec continues to make to introduce products that use technology to help consumers," commented Elliot Hadaegh, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for ActionTec. "The unique dynamic server capabilities of ActionLink set it completely apart from competing products in this new and exciting retail category."

About ActionTec

ActionTec has earned an enviable list of awards worldwide, including the prestigious Best of Show award at this summer's Retail Xchange, and the Editors Choice award from CNET's computer.com. ActionTec is also collaborating with Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group in the "The Lucent Edge" campaign.

ActionTec Electronics, Inc. is a significant global player in the data communications marketplace. ActionTec's technically sophisticated products target the needs of SOHO and consumer users of mobile and desktop computers. The company has a track record of growth, attributed primarily to strong relationships in the data communications product marketplace. ActionTec's product line includes a complete line of phone-line based Home Networking products, Mobile and Desktop Fax/Modems, and Ethernet cards, as well as Internal and External PC Card Read/Write Drives for SmartMedia, CompactFlash and ATA Flash PC Cards. ActionTec's broad range of connectivity and storage products enables desktop computer users to increase productivity and allows mobile computer users to communicate effectively from non-traditional locations.

ActionTec products are available through national distribution and retail outlets as well as through private label and OEM relationships. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA and maintains branch offices in Philadelphia, PA, Government Sales in Arlington, VA, and International Sales in Irvine, CA. ActionTec Inc. can be reached via the Internet at http://www.actiontec.com, or by phone at (408) 541-9003.

ActionTec, the ActionTec logo, ActionLink, DynaNAT, and DynaSyGate are trademarks of ActionTec Electronics, Inc. All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.