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Preferred Voice Announces Agreement For VeriSign To Power BusinessConnect
Services For Telecom Carriers
First Contract For Preferred Voice's New Network Services Group
DALLAS,
Texas, October 18, 2001 - Preferred Voice, Inc. (OTC BB: PFVI), headquartered in
Dallas, said today it signed an agreement with VeriSign, Inc. to use the
VeriSign Global Voice Registry to power Preferred Voice's BusinessConnect
service for wireless and wireline telecom carriers. When deployed,
BusinessConnect will enable telephone callers to speak the name of any national
or local business in the U.S. and be connected immediately. BusinessConnect is
expected to come online in several phases with the first pilot programs
beginning in November 2001.
The VeriSign Global Voice Registry will
maintain "voice registrations" for businesses, matching business phone listings
with voice technology and making local, regional and national businesses
accessible to users of BusinessConnect. Preferred Voice will use its voice
recognition technology and through its Network Services Group provide carrier
connectivity, call management, provisioning and service delivery.
Several telecom carriers have agreed to participate in initial pilot
programs for the BusinessConnect service. As wireless and wireline carriers
continue to deploy various types of voice-driven services to their subscribers,
BusinessConnect provides an easy-to-use offering combined with VeriSign's
Digital Trust Services to help carriers generate new sources of revenue. The
service overlays on existing carrier networks and switch environments, as well
as end user's equipment.
"We're pleased to be able to combine our
technology with VeriSign's global infrastructure to offer cross-carrier
connectivity solutions," said Preferred Voice President and COO, Bill Schereck.
"Our technology, powered by the VeriSign Global Voice Registry, will bring safe,
setup-free business dialing to carriers and their subscribers nationwide."
This is the first contract announced by Preferred Voice for its Network
Services Group. This group offers several products and services utilizing it's
own proprietary switch engineering software and its private VoIP network. These
new services are aimed at voice portal providers wireless application providers
and other enhanced feature providers desiring to develop, manage and deliver
their services to both wireless and wireline carriers. Preferred Voice has fully
developed software and management tools necessary to successfully integrate
third party service platforms in all major telecom switch and network
environments, including SS7, ISDN and IS41 protocols. Additionally, the company
has designed and deployed an API interface for seamless integration with carrier
billing software and programs to manage customer subscriptions. Preferred Voice
can now offer other value-added service providers with turnkey network and
engineering programs to quickly and efficiently deliver their products to the
telecom industry. Terms of the agreement will be disclosed in the company's 8K
filing.
About Preferred Voice:
Based in Dallas, TX, Preferred
Voice, Inc. (OTC BB: PFVI) is a leading voice recognition technology company. In
addition to the newly formed Network Services Group, Preferred Voice's Carrier
Services Group markets services to wireless, ILEC and CLEC companies across the
United States. Preferred Voice's enhanced voice services include Safety Talk
voice activated dialing, voicemail navigation, VAC (voice accessed content),
voice calling cards, BusinessConnect voice directory assistance and EmmaPR voice
telephone receptionist. All of these voice services overlay on their existing
wireless and wireline phones as a voice alternative to touchtone. Preferred
Voice has signed agreements with 40 telecom carriers. These telecom carriers
serve more than 4.7 million subscriber lines in 34 states. For more information
please visit www.preferredvoice.com.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This press release
contains forward-looking statements. Since all statements about Preferred
Voice's Plans, estimates, and expectations are based on current projections that
involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change at any time, the
Company's actual results may differ materially from expected results. Readers
should consider these risks and uncertainties, which are discussed in documents
filed by Preferred Voice, Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
These documents identify important factors that could cause the actual results
to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Preferred Voice, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements.
Company Contact:
Bill Schereck
President / COO
(214) 265-9580
wschereck@preferredvoice.com
Agency Contact:
Ira Weingarten
Equity Communications
(805)
897-1880
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