Acceris Communications Technologies’ Patents Licensed To AccessLine Communications
PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 24, 2003–I-Link Incorporated (OTC-Electronic Bulletin Board:ILNK) is pleased to announce an important new initiative for its recently formed subsidiary, Acceris Communications Technologies, Inc. Acceris Communications Technologies focuses on exploring opportunities to license its patents and proprietary technology to interexchange carriers, CLECs and system integrators. With its patented voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications technology, Acceris Communications Technologies offers businesses a fully developed network convergence solution for voice and data applications.
Today, Acceris Communications Technologies announces that AccessLine Communications Corporation, an industry leader in hosted communications and managed voice services for Fortune 1000 corporations and technology services partners will have the use and protection of the VoIP patents granted to I-Link. “AccessLine is pleased to have our VoIP technology protected by the patents granted to I-Link. VoIP allows AccessLine to provide our customers with the products and services they need in a converged voice and data network,” stated Doug Johnson, President and CEO of AccessLine.
Acceris Communications Technologies’ President, Gary Wasserson, commented, “We are very excited about this deal with AcccessLine Communications. This partnership with an industry leading company validates that Acceris Communications Technologies has leading edge technology and reaffirms that the time has come where the market is ready for VoIP solutions.”
Within the I-Link corporate family, Acceris Communications Technologies joins two additional strategic business units that are focused on complementary aspects of the communications industry: Acceris Communications Partners, which provides a diverse selection of voice and data products and services, affordable domestic and international long distance and other enhanced services to independent agents and their residential and business customers across the United States; and Acceris Communications Solutions, which provides customized, integrated voice and data communications solutions to small- and medium-sized enterprises. I-link is a subsidiary of Counsel Corporation (TSX:CXS / NASDAQ:CSXN).
About Counsel Corporation
Counsel Corporation (TSX: CXS / NASDAQ:CXSN) is a diversified company focused on acquiring and building businesses using its financial and operational expertise in two specific sectors: communications and real estate. Counsel’s communications platform is focused on building upon its existing communications investments, I-Link Incorporated and its wholly owned subsidiary WorldxChange Corp., through organic growth and by acquiring substantial additional customer revenues. Counsel’s real estate platform has a focused strategy of investing in and developing income producing commercial properties, primarily retail shopping centers. For further information, visit Counsel’s website at www.counselcorp.com.
About I-Link Incorporated
I-Link plans to amend its Articles of Incorporation to change its name from “I-Link Incorporated” to “Acceris Communications Inc.,” subject to approval of the amendment at the Company’s next Annual Meeting. The new name reflects the significant changes in the past two years to the Company’s strategic direction. I-Link has developed a proprietary, software-defined communications platform that unites traditional telecommunications capabilities with data Internet Protocol (IP) systems to converge telecommunications, wireless, paging, voice-over-IP (VoIP) and Internet technologies.
I-Link conducts its principal operations through three strategic business units: Acceris Communications Partners (www.accerispartners.com), which provides discounted long distance services to both residential and small business customers, primarily through multi-level marketing and commercial agent programs; Acceris Communications Solutions (www.accerissolutions.com), which offers voice services and fully integrated, fully managed data services to enterprise customers; and Acceris Communications Technologies (www.acceristechnologies.com), a software provider, focused on providing convergence solutions for medium- to large-sized voice and data networks. For further information, visit I-Link’s website at www.i-link.com.
About AccessLine
AccessLine Communications Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of AccessLine Holdings, Inc., is an industry leader in hosted communications and managed voice services for Fortune 1000 corporations and technology services partners. AccessLine’s hosted communications services give businesses the agility to compete in a rapidly changing economy, the flexibility and features they require to support knowledge workers throughout the corporation, and the ability to reduce operating costs and decrease ongoing capital investment. Through AccessLine’s network-based virtual PBX software, enterprise customers including IBM and Sun Microsystems can use these enhanced services across their locations and business units, assuring business productivity and continuity for both day-to-day and urgent communications. AccessLine is a privately held company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. For more information, please visit www.accessline.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements made in this release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address Acceris Communications Solutions’, I-Link’s, WorldxChange’s and Counsel Corporation’s expectations, should be considered as forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on knowledge of the environment in which they currently operate, but because of the factors herein listed, as well as other factors beyond their control, actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ from anticipated results include, but are not limited to, obtaining necessary approvals and other risks detailed from time to time in the Companies’ securities and other regulatory filings.