Netopia Previews eCare for Macintosh at MacWorld; Web-Based Support Solution Now Offers Cross-Platform Capability

Business Wire, Jan 8, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Macworld San Francisco 2002

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2002

Netopia, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTPA), a market leader in broadband gateways and Web platform software designed for distributed, small and medium enterprises, today announced that it will preview eCare for Macintosh at MacWorld this week. Netopia's eCare is a Web-based support solution that enables live, online customer interaction and communication over any type of Internet connection to facilitate collaborative customer service and support while reducing operational expenses. With eCare's Macintosh compatibility, companies can now interact with their Mac OS-based customers to improve customer care, support and increase sales.

"eCare's online interaction and communication services enable anyone offering support to greatly enhance their online customer service," said Tom Skoulis, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Netopia. "We are pleased to offer a new Macintosh release that allows customer support agents to access any remote Macintosh desktop over any Internet connection to engage in remote diagnostics, troubleshooting, and collaboration. Based on years of proven Timbuktu technology, eCare is the industry's first Web-based support solution to fully embrace the Macintosh user."

About eCare

The Netopia eCare solution provides a rich service experience that connects support representatives and customers in real-time, using live chat, URL push, file sharing and desktop screen sharing. Based on thin-client architecture, eCare is built for the Web from the ground up. The product offers secure on-demand collaboration via a Web browser, and is compatible with firewalls and proxy servers. Netopia is offering eCare on both a hosted per-user subscriber basis and for in-house licensing by distributed enterprises and independent software vendors. Netopia eCare can be co-branded and integrated into all Web-based environments at a low cost. Additional information is available at http://www.netopia.com/ebusiness/, via email at wpginfo@netopia.com or by calling 800/689-9293.

About Netopia

Netopia, Inc. develops, markets and supports broadband gateways and Web platform software designed for distributed, small and medium enterprises, small offices/home offices, and multi-PC households. Netopia's targeted technology enables carriers and service providers to deliver bundled, value-added services for acquiring and retaining subscribers in large, fast-growing markets. These bundled service offerings often include DSL service bundled with backup, bonding, VPN, voice over DSL, and eSite and eStore hosting with eCare.

Netopia's broadband gateways are interoperable with all major central office equipment suppliers, including Alcatel, Cisco, Copper Mountain Networks, Ericsson, Lucent Technologies, Nokia, Paradyne, Siemens, and Zhone Technologies. Netopia has established strategic distribution relationships with leading carriers and service providers including BellSouth, Comcast, Covad Communications, Earthlink Network, Everdream, France Telecom, MegaPath Networks, Network Telephone, SBC Communications, Telecom Italia, UUNet, Verio, and Verizon.

Headquartered in Alameda, Calif., Netopia's common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the symbol "NTPA." Further information about Netopia can be obtained via phone 510-814-5100, fax 510-814-5021, or on the Web at www.netopia.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

Portions of this release that are not statements of historical fact may include forward-looking statements. Statements regarding Netopia, Inc.'s beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Netopia, Inc.'s actual results could differ materially. Prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, Netopia expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments after the date hereof. Netopia does not undertake to update any oral or written forward looking-statement that may be made by or on behalf of Netopia. For more information concerning Netopia and risk factors that may affect Netopia's future results and may cause actual results to vary from results anticipated in forward-looking statements, investors should review Netopia's public filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available by calling Netopia at 510-814-5260 or online at www.sec.gov.

All company names, brand names and product names are trademarks of their respective holder(s).