Press Release

uClick, uChat, uSwitch

uSwitch offers additional customer communication channel with FaceTime's instant messaging

London, March 5, 2001 - Choosing a gas and electricity supplier or changing a mobile phone tariff can be confusing, and most of us probably don't shop around before signing up to a service. uSwitch, the independent comparator of home services, provides free information and advice to help users obtain the best deals and choose the right service for their needs. In line with this service, uSwitch has implemented FaceTime's Instant Customer technology to offer users an additional communication channel. FaceTime's product enables users to use real-time text chat to answer any queries they may have.

The 'live help' service can be found in the customer service section of the website. Visitors to the website (www.uswitch.com), can ask questions while online, via instant messaging and get answers without disconnecting from the web to use a phone.

uSwitch looked at a number of companies ranging from larger call centre suppliers to alternative Internet solutions. uSwitch chose FaceTime Instant Customer as it is a totally integrated package that enables correspondence to be tracked. In addition, the package enables agents to guide customers through the site by pushing a URL to the customer's browser. This ensures that the service is totally interactive and is more than just a 'text chat' facility.

"Consumers often stick with their initial supplier as changing can prove to be more hassle. Implementing the FaceTime application was another means of offering a value-added service to our customers. People often don't want to call a help desk, as they are concerned that they will be left holding waiting to be helped. This service ensures that customers can communicate with uSwitch in real-time and have their queries answered." says Barry Holloway, relationship manager for uSwitch.

Marcus Bennett, managing director of FaceTime comments, "For uSwitch it is crucial that customers have a number of mediums to communicate their suggestions or concerns. With FaceTime's solution this enables uSwitch to track all telephone calls and tailor the service to each customer. In addition, Instant Customer enables the customer service agent to take site visitors through the site and transfer them to another section of the website, if appropriate."

About FaceTime Communications
FaceTime Communications, based in Foster City, Calif., is the leader in real-time e-business communications services using instant messaging networks from AOL, Microsoft, and Yahoo. FaceTime provides a wide array of Instant Messaging services for the B2C and B2B markets. Its market-leading customer service applications suite helps e-commerce sites generate sales and build customer loyalty by enabling live, person-to-person communication. More than 200 companies rely on FaceTime products and services, including some of the hottest names in e-business including Travel.com.au, Hartley Poynton; Dingo Blue, RedEnvelope.com, Wingspan.com, and Compaq. FaceTime opened its European headquarters in London, in April 2000. For more information, visit FaceTime Communications at www.facetime.com, call 650-574-1600, or instant message the company live, through FaceTime's AOL Instant Messenger BizBuddyName, FaceTimeLive.

Contacts:

FaceTime Communications
Barry Shurtz
(650) 572-5892
bshurtz@facetime.com

msr.comm for FaceTime
Kerry Coulter
kerry@msrdotcomm.com
(415) 447-6115 x4

Michele Barnum
michele@msrdotcomm.com
(415) 447-6115 x3