For Immediate Release.

November 21, 1988

Westlake Village, CA



Business Editors and Computer Writers

SUMMIT Telecommunications today announced an on-line information network 
that provides customers with easy access to various services for communication, 
business, entertainment or research use. The SUMMIT network is available 
to anyone who has a personal computer (PC), modem and phone line. 
The system will be released nationwide in January, 1989.

Services offered by SUMMIT include news, weather, sports, private 
electronic mail, real-time conferencing, multi-player games, reference 
materials, newsletters, celebrity interviews, travel guides and shopping 
services. Contracts have been signed with over 50 information providers 
and news sources such as USA Today and Business Wire.

SUMMIT features a unique multi-tasking design that allows customers 
to run multiple information tasks simultaneously -- without incurring 
any additional charges. Tasks are controlled by the SUMMIT Communicator, 
a software program supplied free to members. The Communicator can 
display up to four windows, each of which can control any SUMMIT service. 
All choices and options are provided in easy-to-use menus, making 
it unnecessary to learn any computer programming or commands.

According to Bryan Eggers, V.P. of Marketing, "One example of multi-tasking 
would be to monitor up-to-the-minute business news in one window while 
using a second window to compose and send electronic mail. In this 
scenario, the second taks would essentially be free because the multi-tasking 
is allowing more efficient use of the modem bandwidth. SUMMIT reduces 
the connect time required to complete a typical on-line session and 
this results in a cost savings for the customer."

"SUMMIT is the first information network to design both the host computer 
system and the customer's PC software," said Eggers. "This gives SUMMIT 
a competetive edge because the proper integration of multi-tasking 
requires that it be included in the initial design phase, not as an 
afterthought. We designed the entire system to take full advantage 
of our multi-tasking concept."

Forums (Special Interest Groups) provide an on-line gathering place 
for people with common interests. Each Forum includes a public bulletin 
board, conference room, software database, member directory, topic-related 
news, announcements, polls and surveys. Private services are available 
to companies, groups or organizations.

SUMMIT's national network will be supplemented by local services to 
be marketed in select metropolitan areas. Each local service will 
be customized to the needs and interests of the community.

SUMMIT charges $6 per hour during non-business hours (7pm to 6am) 
and $18 per hour during business hours (6am to 7pm). Hourly rates 
include 300, 1200 or 2400 baud access through Tymnet and Telenet lines. 
These lines make SUMMIT available as a local phone call to most U.S. 
cities and over 60 foreign countries.

"Our aim at SUMMIT is to make computer communications more efficient, 
easier to use and more affordable," said Eggers. "Customers can now 
control a powerful, multi-tasking information network using a standard 
PC-compatible computer."

SUMMIT Telecommunications, a privately held company, provides national 
and local information services.

--30--

End of Press Release

Pretty sharp huh? And pay CLOSE attention to that multi-tasking concept! 
This means you can download that program you want in one window, check 
the messages and compose your replies in another and you still have 
two more windows to spare! The concept is truly revolutionary for 
a huge on-line information service. And the software that takes care 
of all this is FREE!

Take my word when I also tell you that this service is major league. 
The size and potential capacities of SUMMIT's systems surpass almost 
any similar operations. Yes, even the big names...combined! It's going 
to be incredible!

And for you desktop publishers out there, SUMMIT will be bringing 
you a forum dedicated completely to your interests! A national one-stop 
gathering place for all of your desktop publishing ideas, comments, 
questions and, of course, the desktop publishing files you've come 
to love from NPE BBS systems across North America!

The desktop publishing forum on SUMMIT will be hosted by myself, NPE 
founder Ed Aborn, and Ron LaFon, West Coast Editor of the NPE Monthly 
and NPE regional coordinator. We'll be bringing you up-to-the-minute 
desktop publishing info from both coasts. We'll even be bringing you 
some of the latest news and trends before they happen! We want to 
let electronic communication live up to its potential--and that is 
to be an instant barometer of events. No need to wait for that paper 
or magazine to come out. You'll know often before they will!

Anyway, just wanted to get the word out and invite everyone to stop 
in at SUMMIT upon it's opening in January. Keep your eyes posted for 
more info as we get it on signing up, tours, test drives etc. Don't 
forget to tell your friends and associates! Thanks and have fun!

     

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