TelSurf Networks Forms Strategic Partnership With Leading Canadian Web Solutions Provider.Business Editors Spring Internet World 2000 LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 5, 2000 DapaSoft to Invest in Innovative Audio-Internet-by-Phone Service, Will Help Expand Content, Market Penetration Noun 1. market penetration - the extent to which a product is recognized and bought by customers in a particular market penetration - the act of entering into or through something; "the penetration of upper management by women" in Canada In an aggressive move to deliver its breakthrough 888-TelSurf Internet "audio browser A Web browser that provides a text-to-speech capability for the blind and visually impaired. Because Web pages are coded in HTML, the audio browser can readily identify links, article headers, body text and other attributes, allowing users to skip around the page. " service to the Canadian market, TelSurf Networks today announced a strategic partnership with DapaSoft, a leading Canadian software Canadians have been contributing to the development of computer software from the beginning of the 1940s. In 1979 the Basic Software Group was formed by Norm Francis, Ted Comfoltey, Keith Wales and Don Thompson. and Web solutions provider. The company made the announcement at Spring Internet World, here through April 7. Under the agreement, DapaSoft will take an equity position in TelSurf Networks and become TelSurf's hosting partner for 888-TelSurf in Canada. DapaSoft will also represent TelSurf in the Canadian business-to-business audio-browser market segment in Canada, promoting TelSurf Networks' Application Service Provider (ASP) offering, TelService(TM), to companies throughout the country. Patent-pending and fully voice-activated, 888-TelSurf enables subscribers to access select Internet-sourced audio content and communications services through a toll-free number. The service is available over any telephone, wireless or wireline, at no charge to the caller. 888-TelSurf is supported by brief profile-targeted, interactive audio advertisements that play while waiting for the Internet to respond. In addition to offering 888-TelSurf directly to consumers, TelSurf Networks also operates as an ASP, targeting Web portal See portal. operators, wireless and wireline carriers, enterprise intranet operators, and other companies needing to deliver audio telephony Internet access See how to access the Internet. to their users, customers and employees. DapaSoft will also become a Web development partner with TelSurf Networks, helping TelSurf ASP customers to customize and enhance TelService functions to meet their special needs, including the integration of key elements of TelService into TelSurf's ASP customers' Web sites and back-end processes. "This is a key strategic move for TelSurf Networks, because DapaSoft is a leading Canadian web consulting service Noun 1. consulting service - service provided by a professional advisor (e.g., a lawyer or doctor or CPA etc.) service - work done by one person or group that benefits another; "budget separately for goods and services" organization and is well positioned to help us drive the adoption of our technology to companies throughout Canada," said Simon Lam, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and co-founder, TelSurf Networks, Inc. "DapaSoft's investment and its commitment to advancing the voice-accessible Internet are an important extension of our U.S. efforts. In addition, we now have a technology partner enabling us to better serve our ASP customers' special needs." "Telephony access to Web content is a natural progression to extend the reach of the Internet," said Stephen Chan, CEO, DapaSoft. "We're investing in TelSurf Networks to gain the advantage of working with the first company to offer a comprehensive solution for voice accessibility to the Net. TelSurf's complementary technology increases the flexibility and reach of our customers by providing them the option to add telephone and cell phone users access to their web content." TelSurf Networks' ASP product, TelService, is available on a license, royalty and/or revenue-sharing basis, with options ranging from turnkey TelSurf Networks-operated services to software-only deployments. TelService functionality extends from specific operations (such as providing stock quotes) to the full breadth of 888-TelSurf services, enabling an ASP partner's customers to access both the partner's content and 888-TelSurf services via the telephone. Web Content Over Any Telephone 888-TelSurf provides subscribers with a rich complement of interactive information, communications and e-commerce activities -- full-function email, news, stock quotes, weather, traffic conditions and driving directions, sports scores, lottery results, movie reviews and TV listings, horoscopes, book reviews, music samples and jokes as well as 1,000 Internet radio Listening to audio broadcasts via the Internet. There are more than 4,000 broadcasts available on the Internet that can be streamed and played by a software media player in the computer or in a stand-alone Internet radio with the software built in. stations, online shopping and a wide range of Internet audio See RealAudio. streams such as commentary, drama, and celebrity interviews. 888-TelSurf also includes audio instant messaging The inclusion of audio in an instant messaging (IM) system. Audio is provided by adding a voice over IP capability. See instant messaging. and can merge multiple existing email accounts. While 888-TelSurf is supported by brief, interactive audio commercial messages played over the phone, the service also is available at six-cents-per-minute without audio advertising. About DapaSoft DapaSoft, located in Markham Ontario, is a computer consulting firm Noun 1. consulting firm - a firm of experts providing professional advice to an organization for a fee consulting company business firm, firm, house - the members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments; "he worked for a with extended expertise in distribution systems, steel, Internet, intranet and e-commerce. Their customers include NHL Players Association The National Hockey League Players Association or NHLPA is a labour union that represents the interests of the hockey players in the National Hockey League of North America. , Prudential Insurance, Investment Dealer Association (Toronto Stock Exchange Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) Canada's largest stock exchange, trading approximately 1,200 company stocks and 33 options. ), Canadian Worker Compensation Board, Co-Steel, Slater Steel, Orion Communication and many others. About TelSurf Networks TelSurf Networks, Inc., the leader in sponsored telephony access to audio Internet content, is a privately funded startup founded in January 1999 by entrepreneurs and telecommunications pioneers Simon Lam and Ken Guy. TelSurf Network's 888-TelSurf service -- the first audio browser -- delivers the broadest range of user benefits and service functionality of any service announced or currently deployed. The company is headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif. |
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