ATCOM/INFO Announces IPORT 2.5 for High-Speed Internet Access.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 1998--

Leading Public High-Speed Internet Solution Now Supports

Pay-Per-Use Capabilities, "On the Go" Printing, and Multiple

Properties In One Location

ATCOM/INFO, the leader in public high-speed Internet access, today introduced version 2.5 of its IPORT(tm) Internet Access System, a complete solution that provides airports, hotels, convention centers and other public areas "plug-and-play" high-speed access to the Internet and corporate networks. With the release of IPORT 2.5, business travelers will now be able to purchase content for one-time use, easily print presentations and documents on the go, and have high-speed Internet access in meeting rooms for presentations.

The new features in IPORT 2.5 allow hotels, apartments and other businesses providing IPORT 2.5 servers to their customers, significant, differentiated services as well as new revenue streams for these high-demand services. IPORT 2.5 provides a customized interface allowing hotels, for example, to highlight their services and customize them for each room.

IPORT 2.5 also allows hotels and apartments with multiple properties in a geographic region to implement IPORT 2.5 from a single central location through a service provider. A significant cost reduction in the Internet service business model is achieved with the new configuration. (See today's related announcement on IPORT Central Office).

"IPORT 2.5 will help usher in an era where the public can access the Internet with unmatched speed, simplicity and convenience. IPORT 2.5 will make it commonplace to simply plug, play and pay," said Tom Caldwell, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for ATCOM/INFO. "In addition, businesses will receive a vast array of benefits such as significant cost savings and an additional revenue stream because the IPORT 2.5 solution requires very little ongoing maintenance. Once the IPORT service is installed it operates without the need of technical staff."

IPORT 2.5 Features IPORT 2.5 not only offers easy access to high-speed Internet services, but also a set of features and cost benefits to the end user, the hotel, apartment, office space, retail property manager or any business using it. IPORT 2.5 adds the following features:

-- Pay-Per-Use Internet Web Content - This allows Web content

providers to offer access to premium content, including audio and

video feeds, on a micropayment basis rather than single-priced

monthly subscriptions. For the end user, having access to premium

Web content on a pay-per-use basis can be much more

cost-effective, particularly for the traveler or business road

warrior.

-- Localized Billing - In conjunction with the micropayment

(pay-per-use) functionality, localized billing enables Web content

providers to charge at a local level for content. In fact the

price, billing method, and content can be configured at a "port"

level. Content providers can activate different pricing levels

according to geographical markets or property types (hotels,

apartments, airports) and by Internet port type within a property

(suite, club room, lobby). Each port can also be configured to go

to a separate web page by default every day the user accesses the

Internet. A business can ensure their brand is seen by the

high-speed Internet user on a daily basis (the frequency is a

configurable option in the system).

-- Meeting Room Management Module - This optional IPORT 2.5 service

opens a new revenue stream for businesses that rent corporate

meeting rooms to companies. The IPORT 2.5 Meeting Room Management

Module will allow hotel conference managers to easily schedule and

control when high-speed Internet access will turn on and off for

meeting room functions - charging users appropriately. End users,

who previously have had to dial out with a modem to display web

sites or access the web, will now be able to take advantage of the

speed and convenience of high-speed Internet access.

-- IPORT 2.5 Printing Module - The printing module allows users to

print documents from their laptops directly to a network printer

located at a hotel business center location, such as the front

desk of a hotel or the courtesy desk of an apartment building. The

system requires no printer drivers or laptop configuration to

print the document. Instead of relaying on faxes, users can now

print and receive documents in the quality and format they prefer.

Businesses offering this service can increase revenue by charging

users according to a policy they can enact.

Pricing and Availability

ATCOM/INFO will price the IPORT(tm) Internet Access System version 2.5 per the following categories: with a base site license for the IPORT-CO server; individual IPORT property site license fees for the connected communities of users; an add-on fee for the IPORT Meeting Room Management Module; and an additional fee for the IPORT Printing Module. The new billing feature for premium content will be included in the base IPORT 2.5 server software. The new IPORT 2.5 system is in beta test by a number of service providers and is scheduled to be released in November. The IPORT 2.5 system is sold through a channel of ATCOM/INFO VARs and service provider partners.

About ATCOM/INFO

Based in San Diego, ATCOM/INFO is a leading provider of public high-speed Internet systems for the 21st century. ATCOM/INFO's Internet systems are targeted for use in facilities throughout the United States and the world, including apartments, retail, airports, hotels, convention centers and other business and commercial applications. ATCOM/INFO's mission is to provide superior software products and services for information delivery to users in public places. This includes pay-per-use public Internet ports, kiosk management software, and custom software solutions designed to meet specific customer needs. For more information on ATCOM/INFO, please call 619-699-4003, fax at 619-699-4040, or visit their Web site at http://www.atcominfo.com.