Neon Technology Partners with Ezenet Limited to Bring the Internet into Australasian Homes.

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1999--

Neon's Intel Powered Set-top Boxes Bring the Internet

from the Computer to the Television Set

Neon Technology, Inc. today announced an exclusive license agreement with Ezenet Limited (Perth, Australia) to sell set-top boxes to Australasian consumers.

Ezenet will offer Neon's products through the giant Harvey Norman retail chain. Ezenet is also working with such industry leaders as UUnet and DoubleClick.

Neon Technology's set-top boxes, which will be distributed under the Ezenet brand, feature web browsing and e-mail capabilities, as well as the industry's first available Internet picture phone, all for use with a standard television set. These set-top boxes are specially designed for ease-of-use, especially for those consumers with little or no computer experience.

"Neon's goal is to provide worldwide consumers with the benefits of Internet access, through their televisions, and Ezenet is the ideal partner for our efforts in Australia," said Yen-Pin Chou, CEO of Neon Technology.

"Ezenet's strong partnerships with industry leaders, and the depth of its experience in bringing the Internet to the Australian marketplace will help ensure the success of our joint efforts in providing consumers with a quality Internet experience."

"We are delighted to be the exclusive licensee for Neon Technology in Australia and New Zealand," said Linton Chapman, Ezenet Limited's Managing Director. "We plan to leverage Neon's innovative set-top box technology in taking the Internet from the personal computer to the television set."

"With over 100 stores across Australia and New Zealand, Harvey Norman is uniquely positioned to bring the greatest exposure to Neon/Ezenet's set-top boxes in the Australian market," said Scott Lindsay, Audio Visual Coordinator at Harvey Norman. "We anticipate significant market acceptance for the set-top boxes, and we value our role as the first retailer to bring it to Australia."

UUNet, an MCI WorldCom Company, is providing the network infrastructure for Ezenet Internet services. "We are delighted to be providing the national network infrastructure for a dynamic company such as Ezenet," said David Spence, UUNets Managing Director in Australia.

Features of Neon's Set-top Boxes

Neon Technology's set-top boxes include e-mail that supports voice and picture attachments, and the Internet picture phone that enables real-time voice and video; both connect users worldwide to an on-line community.

The Neon set-top box browser supports HTML 3.2 with frames, tables and Java script, the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol version 3.0 for secure e-commerce transactions, and RealNetworks' RealAudio 5.0 for streaming audio.

The browser software is fully upgradeable on-line. Neon's set-top boxes are based on Intel's x86 platform standard. In maintaining support for current and evolving standards, Neon Technology ensures that the Internet will always have a home on the television.

About Neon Technology

Founded in 1995, Neon Technology, Inc. is a leading provider of Internet appliances worldwide. Neon's standards-based set-tops include features such as web browsing, e-mail and the industry's first Internet Picture Phone. Neon provides complete communications and entertainment solutions for local and international OEM and partners to enter the burgeoning consumer Internet access market.

Neon also works with content and service providers to give our customers easy access to the best the Internet has to offer. Headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley, Neon Technology can be reached at 877/SET-TOPS or on the Internet at www.neontech.com.

About Ezenet Limited

Ezenet Limited is soon to be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). Founded in 1998, it was set up to take a position with the upcoming growth of the convergence of television and the Internet via set-top boxes and has succeeded in developing arrangements with major companies in the supply, content, advertising and marketing areas.

Note to Editor: Neon Technology and the Neon Technology logo are trademarks of Neon Technology, Inc. All other brands or product names are the property of their respective holders.