Connect One Internet Fax Device Lowers Internet Connectivity Cost Barrier for Fax Service Providers; Fax Messenger FSP Opens New Markets Cost-Effectively, Reducing Operating and Capital Costs

Business Wire, Nov 30, 1999

KFAR SABA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 30, 1999--

Connect One Ltd. today announced the release of Fax Messenger FSP(TM), a version of Connect One's Fax Messenger(TM) Internet fax appliance that reduces the cost for fax service providers (FSPs) to offer Internet fax services. The stand-alone device eliminates the need for the expensive servers traditionally required to generate Internet fax traffic for their subscribers.

Fax Messenger FSP sends and receives faxes as e-mail attachments when installed between a fax machine and the phone line. Designed to reduce infrastructure and maintenance costs for the FSP, the device is pre-configured by the service provider prior to being shipped to the customer. Fax Messenger FSP's Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI)-based parameter configuration utility enables the provider to easily configure and update the device. And, because the device is remotely programmable, the fax service provider can download new configuration parameters and operating software after installation by the customer.

"Fax Messenger FSP eliminates the huge up-front cost of investing in local infrastructure in order to open new markets," said Alan Singer, Connect One's vice president sales and marketing. "Instead of installing an expensive Internet fax server in anticipation of signing up many Internet fax customers, fax bureaus can improve their cash flow and reduce their operating costs by deploying one of these low-cost devices for each new subscriber," he added.

When sending an Internet fax, the Fax Messenger FSP device intercepts the phone call from the fax machine, captures the recipient's fax number, and matches the dialing prefix to the call routing table downloaded by the FSP into the device. The device then converts the fax number into an e-mail address, formats the fax as an e-mail attachment and sends it to the fax service provider, which routes it over the Internet according to its call routing policy.

"Fax Messenger FSP provides us and our distribution partners with a cost-effective Internet on-ramp vehicle for our FaxMailer service," said George Frylinck, vice president of international marketing and business development for NetMoves Corporation (NASDAQ: NTMV) of Edison, New Jersey, USA, the world's largest Internet fax service provider. Frylinck continued, "Fax Messenger FSP is a great solution for expanding our business cost-effectively, while expeditiously extending the reach of our services to fax machine users around the world."

Fax Messenger FSP also supports the various methods, such as password stamps and digital signatures, used by fax service providers to authenticate subscriber accounts. The device has been tested with a broad range of ISPs, FSPs, fax machines, and phone systems worldwide. It supports the ITU T.37 store-and-forward Internet fax standard, as well as e-mail, TCP/IP and PPP protocols, including the PAP, CHAP and script implementations of authenticating an ISP account.

Pricing and Availability:

Fax Messenger FSP is available immediately for $200 each in quantities over 100 units.

About Connect One Ltd.:

Connect One(TM) develops and manufactures chips, software, and hardware that enable industrial, commercial and consumer devices to connect to the Internet. iChip(TM) is an embedded TCP/IP peripheral chip that Internet-enables next-generation devices. iWare(TM) is an embedded software solution for host processors. iModem(TM) is a stand-alone or embedded Internet modem replacement for a standard telephone modem. Fax Messenger is an E-Mail/Internet fax appliance that enables any G3 fax machine to send and receive E-Mail and Internet faxes. Fax Messenger FSP is a version of the Fax Messenger designed for fax service providers. Based in Kfar Saba, Israel, Connect One is privately owned. For further information, please visit the company's web site at http://www.connectone.com or send an E-Mail to info@connectone.com

iChip, iModem, iWare, Fax Messenger, Fax Messenger FSP and Connect One are trademarks of Connect One Ltd.