CompuServe Announces Two-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Internet Telephony Agreement With Net2Phone; Value Leader Offers Low-Cost Calling Through Net2Phone Services

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Nov 29, 1999

CompuServe, the value leader in Internet access, Tuesday announced a two-year agreement with Net2Phone, Inc., the leading provider of Internet telephony services, that will provide CompuServe's U.S. members with Net2Phone Internet telephony calling card communications services.

Under the terms of the agreement, CompuServe will promote prepaid and post-paid phone-to-phone Internet telephony cards for CompuServe customers, allowing users to place calls over Net2Phone's IP network to virtually anywhere in the world at reduced rates.

The calling cards will be marketed throughout CompuServe and Net2Phone will handle back-end fulfillment, including the rating, routing, authorization, and customer service. Net2Phone will be the exclusive provider of Internet telephony phone-to-phone calling cards on CompuServe for one year.

"As the Internet's value leader, we are delighted to offer our Custom Solutions, CompuServe 2000, CompuServe 2000 Premier, and Classic members the benefits of Net2Phone's services," said Audrey Weil, General Manager for CompuServe. "With Net2Phone's low-cost IP telephony calling cards, members can communicate with friends, family, and co-workers easily and affordably."

CompuServe, the Internet value leader and a wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc. (NYSE: AOL), provides complete and comprehensive products, access, and innovative, value-oriented Custom Solutions applications for more than 2.2 million worldwide members at home, in the workplace and around the globe.

CompuServe's recently upgraded CompuServe 2000 offers consumers faster Internet connections through V.90/56K bps access, easier installation and registration, expanded customization options, more powerful e-mail features, and simpler navigation all for $9.95 for 20 hours per month of connect time.

In recent months, CompuServe has introduced several rebates to make owning a CompuServe and getting Internet access affordable and easy. Rebate partners include PC manufacturing partners HP, Compaq, eMachines and IBM and retail partners Circuit City, CompUSA, J & R ComputerWorld, and Office Max.

CompuServe also offers a comprehensive, yet easy-to-navigate Web gateway for CompuServe members and Internet users which is available at www.CompuServe.com.