Toshiba Announces 'Pay-for-Use' Nationwide Mobile Internet Access Through MyConnect™ Service; Pay-for-Use Gives Mobile Computing Users the Option to Pay for the Time Connected During a Month Based on $3.95 per Hour

Business Wire, August 31, 2005

IRVINE, Calif. -- Toshiba's Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. and provider of industry-leading portable computers, projectors and other mobile-related services and products, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Toshiba's introduction of the first mass-market laptop computer, today announced a new program for its MyConnect(TM) Internet access service that gives mobile computing users the option to pay only for the time they are connected to the Internet.

With the Pay-for-Use program, users can connect throughout the month and pay just $3.95 an hour based on their total connect time to the Internet. Users have the choice to connect to any one of the access types MyConnect offers, including more than 23,000 public Wi-Fi(R) wireless hotspots, broadband locations and local dial-up numbers nationwide, providing unlimited access with no monthly obligation. Users are billed monthly for their usage only - with no monthly charge if they did not connect - and can monitor their usage costs throughout the month online at www.toshibamyconnect.com.

There is a one-time $9.99 plan activation fee for MyConnect users choosing the Pay-for-Use service. Connectivity minutes are totaled every 30 days following the subscriber's anniversary date, divided by one-hour blocks and then rounded to the next full hour. The total number of hour-long blocks are multiplied by the $3.95 hourly rate and the user's credit card is billed.

"Less frequent business travelers, students and other mobile computer users will appreciate the flexibility, ease and low cost of the Pay-for-Use program," said Raja Narayanan, vice president of mobility solutions for Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems. "This 'pay-for-use' service eliminates the excessive charges typical in the Internet connectivity industry for occasional mobile Internet access and helps them manage their costs throughout the month. With Pay-for-Use, if you don't connect, you don't get charged."

"MyConnect plans to introduce other Pay-for-Use customized services to meet the specific needs of mobile computer users in the future," Narayanan said.

A data-only mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), MyConnect works with any brand of notebook PC(1) with Microsoft Windows 2000 or later operating system. The service is available at The UPS Store locations, Barnes & Noble bookstores, Marriott and Hilton hotels, and many other major brand locations, as well as airports, restaurants, rest stops and more.

For more information on the MyConnect service, go to www.toshibamyconnect.com. MyConnect packages for small-to-medium business (SMB) resellers and enterprises are also available.

About Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS)

With headquarters in Irvine, TAIS is comprised of three divisions: Digital Products, Digital Solutions and Storage Device. Together, the three divisions provide mobile products and solutions, Internet access plans, communications, storage and imaging products and services. Products include industry-leading portable computers, projectors, telephony products, digital imaging systems, wireless solutions and services, and DVD/CD recordable products and hard disk drives for computers.

TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independently operated company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp., a world leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems. Toshiba has global sales of over $52 billion and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.toshiba.com.

(1) Notebook computers must include these minimum Operating System
    environments:
    Microsoft Windows 2000, SP4
    Microsoft Windows XP Home, Professional, Tablet PC and Media
    Center Editions

(C)2005 Toshiba America Information Systems Inc. (TAIS). All products, services and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information in media advisories including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information, is current on the date of the press announcement, but is subject to change without notice.