November 18, 1999

CONTACTS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sherri Zack
Maita/Saviano Public Relations
510 739-0621

SAN JOSE, CA Nov. 18 InternetSpeech.com, an audio Internet Service Provider developing a service that lets people use simple voice commands to verbally surf the Web from any phone, announced today it has retained Maita/Saviano Public Relations of Fremont, CA., to handle its communications account.

Based in San Jose, InternetSpeech.com is a privately held company that soon will offer a service called netECHO, which uses speech recognition and text-to-speech technologies to let people access the Internet without a computer. Users can give simple voice commands to surf the Web, hear their email, send replies, search for and hear Web site information, even conduct e-commerce, from any phone, anytime, anywhere. A computerized voice reads the information requested out loud over the phone, without a computer or phone with a visual display screen.

The netECHO service will be introduced nationwide in early 2000. netECHO is expected to appeal to people who want access to the Net while they are away from their computer, or people who don’t have a computer, as well as people who are visually impaired.

Dr. Emdad Khan, president and CEO of InternetSpeech.com, said the company selected Maita/Saviano because it has a reputation for responsiveness, and a track record of success with high-tech businesses. It also has an in-depth knowledge of telecommunications, an invaluable resource for his company. We’re looking forward to working with Maita/Saviano as we jointly introduce this revolutionary service that will transform an ordinary phone into a high-tech tool.

We hear a lot about new ‘information appliances’ which promise consumers simple, easy access to the Internet, without a computer, said Lou Saviano, a partner with Maita/Saviano. We’re excited about InternetSpeech.com because it will offer an easy-to-use audio Internet access service through a device everyone already uses everyday, the phone. netECHO lets people use any phone to search any Web site no other equipment needed. Checking e-mail is as easy as checking voicemail, as it should be. We expect it will be well-received by consumers.

About Maita/Saviano LLC
Maita/Saviano LLC is a full-service strategic public relations firm that provides highly responsive, personalized service at affordable prices. Based in Fremont, CA, Maita/Saviano offers communications planning, media relations, marketing communications, employee communications, speechwriting, and, through its affiliates, advertising, corporate identity and web design and management. Communication World magazine called Maita/Saviano "a perfect model of the new communicator" fast, flexible independent agencies with senior professionals who can respond quickly to client needs. For more information, visit Maita/Saviano's website at www.maita-saviano.com or call 510 739-0620.

About InternetSpeech.com
InternetSpeech.com is headquartered in San Jose, CA. It was founded in 1998 to provide audio-based access to the Internet via telephone. The company believes that today’s increasingly mobile and information-driven society will require alternative ways to go on-line when away from a computer terminal. They’re also interested in serving segments of the population, such as the visually impaired, that are not well-served by visually-based Internet access, as well as potential users who don’t own or have access to a computer. For more information, visit InternetSpeech.com’s website at www.internetspeech.com or call 408 360-7730.