August 30, 2000

Fusion Acquires Carrier Access Codes

On August 30, Fusion Communications Corporation was given two carrier access codes by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications based on its license as a Type-I telecommunications carrier license (that was received on July 27, 2000). The carrier access codes are 0038 for Fusion's basic domestic telecommunications services, and 0037 for its value-added services.

Next spring, Fusion will initiate long-distance telephone services via the 0038 access number. At the same time, Fusion will also launch various nationwide services via the 0037 access number, including Internet connection services and toll-free services (similar to the toll-free services provided by NTT Communications Corp.).

Fusion's most distinctive characteristic will be the provision of long-distance telephone services at one low price available nationwide, essentially eliminating the traditional communications industry fee schedule that is based on the distance of each individual call.

Through the introduction of cutting-edge technologies utilizing IP (Internet Protocol), Fusion is building a highly reliable low-cost network and aims to achieve efficient management through the rationalization of operations. Future reductions in NTT's interconnection fees will also be reflected in the call rates of Fusion's nationwide, one-price, low-cost, long-distance telephone services.

At present, the providers of nationwide long-distance telephone services in Japan are limited to NTT Communications, Nippon Telecom, KDD, and DDI. From next spring, Japanese consumers across the country will be given the additional choice of utilizing Fusion's long-distance services via the 0038 access number.

Fusion plans to establish an easy-to-understand fee schedule that offers prices that are substantially lower than the competition. The company also hopes to gain the patronage of a large number of customers via the MYLINE/MYLINE PLUS Carrier Selection Service, which will be launched by NTT group firms next May.