FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACTIONTEC USB CALL WAITING MODEM WILL SUPPORT MACINTOSH

Unique USB Modem Keeps iMac, G3, and other Mac Computer Users In Touch Even
When On-Line

SUNNYVALE, CA (August 3, 1999)– Actiontec Electronics, Inc., a leading
manufacturer of data communication products, announced today the
revolutionary Actiontec 56K USB Call Waiting Modem will support the iMac,
G3, and other USB-equipped Macintosh computers. The modem’s unique Call
Waiting feature ensures users do not miss vital telephone calls while
surfing the Web or checking e-mail.

Using the Call Waiting Service available on most telephone systems, the
modem monitors the phone line for incoming voice calls while the user is
online. The user is notified when a call comes in, and has the option of
ignoring the incoming voice call or picking up the call to see who is
calling without disconnecting the Internet connection! The user then has
the choice of accepting the incoming call or taking a message and remaining
online.

With the tremendous success of the new iMAC and G3 platforms, and a base of
over 31 million Macintosh systems sold to date, the Macintosh represents a
major market opportunity for Actiontec.

“By engineering the 56K USB Call Waiting Modem for Macintosh and PC
cross-platform support, Actiontec has extended the extraordinarily
successful Call Waiting Modem family from the PC to the Macintosh,”
commented Alex Hewko, VP of Channel Sales and Marketing for Actiontec. “The
modem gives Actiontec an entry into the Macintosh channel and provides Mac
users with a unique modem that lets them go on line for the first time
without worrying about missing important calls.”

The 56K USB Call Waiting Modem’s USB connectivity makes installing the
modem into a Mac or even swapping the modem back and forth between a Mac
and PC a matter of simply plugging the modem into an available USB port.
The low power, hot swappable modem draws its power from the USB port,
eliminating the need for an external power supply.

Based on the Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group USB-compliant chip
set, the V.90/K56flex 56K USB Call Waiting Modem delivers powerful
advantages in performance, innovation, power saving, and upward
compatibility. Automatic rate adaptation technology adjusts speeds,
depending on line conditions, to operate at the optimum speeds with the
fewest errors

Supporting even the most sophisticated high speed data communication needs,
the modem operates at up to 56 Kbps, and combines MNP5 and V.42bis data
compression with MNP2.4, V.42, and LAPM error correction to provide full
duplex operation with throughput up to 115,200 bps. The modem is fully
compatible with all common modem standards to ensure reliable connections
when lower speeds are needed. Speed is automatically negotiated on
connection. In the FAX mode, the modem offers send/receive fax capability
up to 14,400 bps and provides Group 3 fax support.

The 56K USB Call Waiting Modem will be available in late August from
Actiontec’s distributors, retail outlets, and on-line store at an estimated
street price of $129.99. The modem is backed by an aggressive five-year
limited warranty and comes with free technical support.

About Actiontec
Actiontec Electronics, Inc. is a significant global player in the data
communications marketplace. The company’s product line includes a complete
line of Call Waiting, Mobile and Desktop Fax/Modems, Home Networking
products, and Ethernet cards, as well as Internal and External PC Card
Read/Write Drives. Actiontec products have been recognized with a Best of
Show award at Retail Xchange, the Editors Choice award from CNET’s
computer.com, and an Editors Choice award from Computer Retail Week.
Actiontec products are available through national distribution, retail
outlets, and Actiontec’s on-line store as well as through private label and
OEM relationships. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, and
maintains branch offices in Arlington, VA, Irvine, CA, The Netherlands and
Taiwan.

For more information contact Actiontec by phone at 408-752-7700 or on the
Web at http://www.actiontec.com.