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Primus Telecom Introduces High Speed Dial-up Internet in Australia

Posted on: Thursday, 4 December 2003, 06:00 CST

MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2003--Primus Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary of McLean, Virginia-based PRIMUS Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (NASDAQ: PRTL), today announced the introduction of a new high speed dial-up Internet service.

Following beta trials and now the full launch, over 400,000 customers of Primus Telecom's Internet Service Provider, iPrimus, have become the first to be able to receive the accelerated dial-up service.

Known as iSpeed, the service will deliver significantly higher connection speeds, providing a more dynamic Internet experience for dial-up users. Testing by Primus Telecom shows that web access is consistently 2-3 times faster than normal.

Primus Telecom General Manager Product Development, Product Management and Strategy, Campbell Sallabank, said iSpeed is an ideal alternative for those customers who may not want to pay for a broadband connection, or cannot receive broadband in their area.

"This will allow people who are unable to make the step to broadband to still receive a premium service with faster downloads of web pages, graphics, photos and some MP3 files.

"The service is more affordable than broadband and has many similar features," he said.

iSpeed is available for A$8.95 a month in addition to the standard monthly dial-up fee and will be available on all iPrimus dial-up plans.

iSpeed will also be available as a bundled offering with Primus Telecom's latest anti- email virus and email spam service, iProtect, for a total of A$10.95 a month.

"It is a very simple five minute installation and does not require any new hardware or modifications," Mr Sallabank said.

An added feature of iSpeed is its ability to block 'pop-up ads' and 'in-page' advertisements, thereby taking more of the frustration out of the Internet experience.

The dial-up acceleration is made possible through special caching, compression and persistent connection techniques which work to speed up delivery of content to a user's computer.

The service is available through the Primus Telecom website www.primustel.com.au

Primus Telecom is Australia's fourth largest fixed-line telecommunications carrier with approximately 750,000 retail customers including over 400,000 Internet customers. The Company offers a comprehensive range of voice, data, Internet and web hosting products, servicing both residential and business sectors. The Primus network offers nationwide coverage through its own backbone network with facilities in 73 cities across Australia. The network enables the Company to provide nationwide long distance competition and local call Internet access to 97% of the population. Primus operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including ISDN, ATM and Broadband DSL. Global connectivity is provided through an extensive voice, IP and ATM network operated by the parent company, Virginia-based Primus Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (NASDAQ:PRTL). Primus Australia news and information are available at the Company's Web site at www.primustel.com.au

PRIMUS Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (NASDAQ:PRTL) is a global facilities-based telecommunications services provider offering international and domestic voice, Internet, data and hosting services to business and residential retail customers and other carriers located primarily in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and western Europe. PRIMUS provides services over its global network of owned and leased transmission facilities, including approximately 250 points-of-presence (POPs) throughout the world, ownership interests in over 23 undersea fiber optic cable systems, 19 carrier-grade international gateway and domestic switches, and a variety of operating relationships that allow it to deliver traffic worldwide. PRIMUS also has deployed a global state-of-the-art broadband fiber optic ATM+IP network and data centers to offer customers Internet, data, hosting and e-commerce services. Founded in 1994, PRIMUS is based in McLean, Virginia.

Statements in this press release concerning future revenue, services and growth constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on current expectations, and are not strictly historical statements. Factors and risks that could cause actual results or circumstances to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in forward-looking statements include, without limitation: changes in business conditions; fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies, particularly any strengthening of the United States dollar relative to foreign currencies of the countries where we conduct our foreign operations; adverse interest rate developments; whether we complete one or more financings; fluctuations in prevailing trade credit terms or revenues due to the adverse impact of, among other things, further telecommunications carrier bankruptcies or adverse bankruptcy related developments affecting our large carrier customers; the possible inability to raise additional capital when needed, or at all; the inability to reduce, repurchase, exchange or restructure debt significantly, or in amounts sufficient to conduct regular ongoing operations; changes in the telecommunications or Internet industry; adverse tax rulings from applicable taxing authorities; digital subscriber line, Internet and telecommunications competition; changes in financial, capital market and economic conditions; changes in service offerings or business strategies; difficulty in migrating or retaining customers, including former Cable & Wireless customers associated with our recent acquisition of this customer base, or integrating other assets; difficulty in providing voice-over-Internet protocol and wireless services; changes in the regulatory schemes or requirements and regulatory enforcement in the markets in which we operate; restrictions on our ability to follow certain strategies or complete certain transactions as a result of our capital structure or debt covenants; risks associated with our limited DSL, Internet and Web hosting experience and expertise; entry into developing markets; the possible inability to hire and/or retain qualified sales, technical and other personnel, and to manage growth; risks associated with international operations; dependence on effective information systems; dependence on third parties to enable us to expand and manage our global network and operations; dependence on the implementation and performance of our global asynchronous transfer mode + Internet protocol communications network; adverse outcomes of outstanding litigation matters; and the outbreak or escalation of hostilities or terrorist acts and adverse geopolitical developments. As such, actual results or circumstances may vary materially from such forward-looking statements or expectations. Readers are also cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date these statements were made. We are not necessarily obligated to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult the discussion of risks and uncertainties under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Short and Long-Term Liquidity Considerations and Risks"; and "-Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" contained in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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