FREMONT, Calif., April 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- More than a year after welcoming iFone S.A. de C.V. as its Mexican and Latin American distribution partner, AltiGen® Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATGN - News), a leading manufacturer of VoIP telephone systems and VoIP call center solutions, announced the expansion of Latin American operations through AltiGen's iFone partnership.

 

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Expanding on its existing partnership with AltiGen -- which focused on providing integral IP telephony and IP contact center technology and services to the Mexican communications market -- iFone S.A. de C.V, a specialized provider of telecommunications and Internet systems/services that has been lauded for initiating new technologies in to the Latin American market, opted to open local offices throughout Latin America.

To bolster the expansion, iFone is collaborating with two channel reseller development experts: Carlos Ranalli and Blas Garcia Moros. Ranalli is iFone's COO for Latin America, and offers key networking contacts with more than 15 years of experience in commercial strategy development in Latin America. Ranalli is joined by García Moros, who brings with him a solid global software background.

"This is an important step in iFone's expansion and is tremendously satisfying for our company. We believe there is significant opportunity in the Latin American market for our offerings. According to research and advisory firm IDC, the IP-PBX market segment will increase more than 25 percent in 2005," said Antonio Trevino, CEO of iFone.

iFone's immediate priority will be creating the necessary infrastructure needed to increase local VoIP technology uptake. In tandem with these activities, iFone will develop AltiGen-centric marketing strategies for key business telephone system products.

"Since our initial partnership with iFone was announced in November of 2003, we have seen positive results," said Gilbert Hu, President and CEO of AltiGen Communications. "iFone has been instrumental in helping AltiGen build and service a solid channel of resellers to cover this strategic and growing international market."

AltiGen, whose Voice over IP telephone systems and contact center solutions are currently distributed to resellers servicing the Mexico and Latin America market, will benefit from iFone's renewed commitment to arming businesses in that region with market-leading IP-powered solutions.

"We view this new iFone strategy as very significant for iFone and AltiGen. The business development and channel experience pedigrees of the new iFone partners are impressive," added Gilbert Hu. "This partnership can take iFone to the next level as it offers both financial resources and tremendous business expertise."

iFone will open offices in the Central America and South America regions, followed by the Brazil and Andean region.

About AltiGen Communications

AltiGen Communications, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of IP phone systems and Call Center solutions that save businesses time and money, and create operational efficiencies by taking advantage of cutting-edge voice and data convergence technologies. AltiGen's AltiServ® VoIP-PBXs and Call Centers have been proven in over 17,000 installations around the globe, and have been recognized for excellence with more than 40 industry awards since 1996. Focused on small to mid-sized and multi-site businesses, AltiGen customers benefit from integrated solutions that protect their existing network and telephony investments, while providing unique new ways to be more competitive and productive.

Each AltiServ phone system is a complete IP-PBX business telephone system that includes automated attendants, simultaneous support for both analog and IP extensions, single and multi-site operator consoles, superior voice mail, comprehensive call detail reporting (CDR), unified messaging, and Gold Certified Microsoft® CRM integration.

For businesses with contact centers or call center needs, AltiServ Contact Center (ACC) is a comprehensive call center module included with all AltiGen systems. For more advanced implementations, AltiContact Manager (ACM) offers a multi-media contact center solution that includes centralized call recording, advanced ACD routing, voicemail and IVR. ACM also offers an advanced call router with answering scripts, call distribution based on call priority and agent skill levels, real-time statistics and call detail reporting software, as well as customized agent and supervisor interfaces to satisfy the needs of an advanced call center.

For more information, call 1-888-ALTIGEN or visit the Web site at www.altigen.com .

About iFone

iFone, S.A. de C.V. is a communications provider focused on selling communication systems and services. iFone offers telecommunications and Internet solutions, installations, software development, technical support, maintenance programs, training and consulting. As AltiGen Distribution Partner for Mexico and Latin America, iFone is developing the distribution channel and is responsible for launching the AltiGen products into the region. For more information, visit www.ifone.com.mx.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements regarding the continued market acceptance of our Voice over IP telephone systems, and call center solutions in the small to midsize marketplace, and our continued success with iFone S. A. de C.V. in the Mexican marketplace and their successful entry into the other Latin American countries. These statements reflect management's current expectation. However, actual results could differ materially as a result of unknown risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks related to AltiGen's limited operating history. For a more detailed description of these and other risks and uncertainties affecting AltiGen's performance, please refer to the Company's most recent 10Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2005 and the recent 10K for the year ended September 30, 2004. AltiGen assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release. AltiGen, AltiGen Communications, the AltiGen Communications logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of AltiGen Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document or Website referenced are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between AltiGen and any other company.