Zoom® Ships First V.92 Modems New standard goes beyond V.90 for faster, more convenient 56K

Zoom Telephonics, Inc. has begun high-volume shipment of its first V.92 modems. The new Zoom /Modem V.92 External model 3049 and PCI internal model 3025 are believed to be the first V.92 modems to ship in volume anywhere in the world. The V.92 standard and its companion V.44 compression standard increase the speed of Web browsing, file uploads, and connect times. QuickConnect is a V.92 feature that can significantly reduce call setup time. The maximum upload speed for V.92 modems has been increased to 48,000 bits per second (bps) from V.90's 33,600 bps, providing a significant advantage for Internet gamers or anyone with a file or email to upload. Perhaps most important, V.44 compression can dramatically speed up Web browsing and other data transfers. V.92 also includes a Modem-on-hold feature that lets you receive a voice call while online, put your online session on hold during the voice call, and then resume your online session. Modem-on-hold frees up the modem's phone line for incoming calls, which is especially important in homes with only one phone line. Modem-on-hold requires Call Waiting and compatible Internet service. "Industry analysts agree that dial-up modems will be the most popular way of accessing the Internet through 2010 and beyond," said Frank Manning, Zoom's President and CEO. "Zoom is committed to Internet access, and V.92 is an important part of that commitment. Along with cable modems, DSL modems, and advanced network products that link multiple users to the Internet, dial-up modems will continue to be important to Zoom. We try to provide customers with the best value in every high volume category of Internet access products; and with dial-up modems, that's V.92." "We don't expect V.92 service to be available from Internet Service Providers until some time in early 2001," said Terry Manning, Zoom's Vice President of Marketing and Sales. "In the meantime we are offering a product that will automatically detect whether a central site has V.90 or V.92, and then connect appropriately. This means that someone can use V.90 now and then use V.92 when their Internet Service Provider is ready." Zoom® Ships First V.92 Modems (cont'd)
"We have geared our packaging and marketing to the fact that most people walking into a store's modem aisles today have never heard of V.92. We are selling V.92 as ‘new improved 56K' and a way to ‘go beyond V.90 with the new 56K standard.' The front of our package lists the main advantages of V.92, and the back of the box answers V.92 questions like ‘How can I take a phone call while I'm online.' We are tying our packaging to a marketing campaign where we will be providing in-store training of retailers' sales staff. We will also have an advertising campaign, including ads run by our retailer partners. And we expect major V.92 promotional support from central site equipment manufacturers and, down the road, Internet service providers." In the coming months Zoom Telephonics plans to expand its line of Zoom brand V.92 modems, and to introduce V.92 modems under its Hayes® and Global Village® brands. Zoom will also continue to ship V.90 modems under the Zoom and Hayes brands. The estimated retail price of the Zoom/Modem V.92 PCI model 3025 is $59.95, and the estimated retail price of the Zoom/Modem V.92 External model 3049 is $99.95. Zoom has just begun shipping V.92 modems, which will be on-sale soon in major retail store chains in the USA, the UK, and other countries. About Zoom Telephonics
Zoom Telephonics, a communications leader since 1977, designs, produces and markets cable and ADSL modems, dial-up modems, wireless LAN products, home phoneline networking devices, and other data communication products under the Zoom, Hayes and Global Village brands. Zoom products are available in over 3,000 of the highest volume computer retailers in the USA and over 5,000 retail outlets worldwide. For more information, please visit www.zoom.com. Forward Looking Disclaimer: This report contains forward-looking information relating to Zoom's plans, expectations and intentions, including statements relating to future dial-up modem usage, V.92 adoption by central site equipment manufacturers and Internet Service Providers, introduction of future V.92 products, and Zoom's ability to exploit the growing market for Internet access products. Actual results may be materially different than those expectations as a result of known and unknown risks, including: uncertainty of new product development and introduction, uncertainty of V.92 adoption and market growth, dependence on one or a limited number of suppliers for certain key components, performance risks inherent in new product introductions, rapid technological change, competition, and other risks set forth in Zoom's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zoom cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Zoom expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Zoom's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstance on which any such statement is based.