Farallon Ships Netopia ISDN Modem for Macs; Most Complete Internet Solution for Individuals.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 30, 1996--Farallon Communications, Inc. (Booth 239) today announced the availability of the Netopia ISDN Modem (Macintosh version), a unique high-speed Internet access solution for individuals, SOHO and telecommuters. This announcement rounds out Farallon's complete high-speed Internet solution for individuals and workgroups using PC and Macintosh computers. Farallon is the first vendor to simplify the process of obtaining ISDN and Internet connection services. Individuals and workgroups can now select the Netopia Internet solution that best meets their needs from among Farallon's line of Netopia workgroup ISDN routers and personal ISDN modems, Internet connectivity software, and unique Internet support services, including the unique Up & Running, Guaranteed! program.

Farallon's support services provide one-stop shopping and assist individuals, workgroups, businesses and schools who would like high-speed Internet connectivity but are intimidated by the complexities involved. For individuals who don't have access to corporate support staff, these complexities involve getting the ISDN line provisioned with the telephone company, obtaining Internet service from an Internet service provider (ISP), and configuring the hardware. With its first-of-its-kind Up & Running, Guaranteed! program -- Farallon handles it all for Netopia ISDN Modem customers at a price of $99. The program also includes a year of toll-free technical support to ensure that a user remains "up and running" as well as a free 30-day trial of Farallon's popular Timbuktu Pro remote control software for Windows and MacOS.

"We've been providing award-winning, innovative, plug-and-play solutions for a decade now," said Alan Lefkof, president and CEO. "With the Netopia family, we are bringing that level of ease of use and technology expertise to the Internet."

High-Speed, Cost-Effective Internet Access 

Farallon offers two versions of the Netopia ISDN Modem for individuals: one targeted at PC/Windows users and one designed for Macintosh users, cumulatively supporting MacOS, DOS, Windows, and Windows 95. Features include:

-- Multilink PPP (128K) provides performance of more than four times the speed of analog modems so that individuals can download large files and multimedia content from the Web

-- Voice, fax and data transmission functionality combine (digital and POTS) into a single ISDN line with two B channels, giving users the flexibility to use their existing analog telephone equipment

-- Built-in ISDN NT1 "U" interface, ISDN order codes

-- Easy-to-use configuration software and bundled Internet connection software

-- 30-day toll-free technical support

-- V.120 protocol and Asynch-Synch PPP conversion support, ensuring compatibility with ISPs and corporations and AT command set support for compatibility with a wide variety of communications programs

-- Password authentication protocol (PAP), challenge handshake authentication protocol (CHAP)

-- One year warranty and Farallon reliability

Internet Connectivity Software

So that users can become productive immediately, Farallon has bundled the Internet Valet suite of Internet applications from InterCon, a subsidiary of PSINet. The software starter kit includes an IP stack, a PPP client, Enhanced Mosaic, Eudora Lite, news reader, ftp client, Gopher, MicroPhone Telnet, and a 14-day free trial account with PSINet. Because the software is self-configuring, users are able to gain Internet access in minutes.

Ideal Internet Connectivity Solution for Individuals

The Netopia ISDN Modem is the ideal solution for home users, small businesses operated out of a home or office, telecommuters, and graphic artists. Home users and small businesses will use the product for high-speed Internet access through their Internet service providers. Telecommuters will use the high-speed ISDN line to connect to a corporate remote access server to work from home. Because of its interoperability with the Netopia Internet Router, small businesses can also use the Netopia ISDN modem to dial in to the Netopia router on the office network and share the company's Internet service.

Finally, graphic artists, pre-press shops, multimedia developers, and other graphics-focused individuals will use the product for point-to-point, high-speed file transfers, eliminating the need for Syquest disks, and overnight and same-day delivery services. This in turn enables these deadline-driven users to receive and transfer information in real time and be more productive.

Pricing and Availability

The Netopia ISDN Modem is available immediately in North America with specific versions to be available later for international markets. The Macintosh version (model 411) is available today at a U.S. estimated street price of $419. The PC/Windows version (model 611) began shipping last month at a U.S. estimated street price of $399. For more information contact your nearest Farallon reseller or Farallon Customer Service at telephone [phone], fax [phone] or Internet [e-mail]. A list of Farallon distributors worldwide is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.farallon.com. Founded in 1986, Farallon Communications, Inc. is an industry-leading developer of networking products that mainstream the Internet with high-speed Internet access hardware and real-time, peer-to-peer communications software. Farallon is headquartered in Alameda, Calif. and has European offices in Paris and London. -0-

Note to Editors: The Farallon logo design is a registered trademark, Farallon and Netopia are trademarks, and Up & Running, Guaranteed! is a service mark of Farallon Communications, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Farallon Communications, Inc.

Amal Abed, 510/814-5307

[e-mail]

http://www.farallon.com/www/gen/relpage

or

Thomas Associates, Inc.

Kristin Knudsen, 415/596-2700

[e-mail]