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Contact: Tony Welz
Welz Communications
(703) 323-6006
Tony@WelzComm.com
    

THOMSON PROMETRIC SELECTS NETIFICE COMMUNICATIONS AND NETOPIA TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL BROADBAND VPN

Netifice Offers Expansive Coverage Unavailable from Other VPN Service Providers

ATLANTA, March 23, 2004 -- Netifice Communications, Inc., a leading provider of flexible IP Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions to businesses worldwide and Netopia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NPTA), a market leader in broadband equipment, software and services, today announced that Thomson Prometric, the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services and part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), is deploying Netifice’s Managed Broadband service and Netopia routers and management software to support critical online exams and back-office applications at its test centers throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Thomson Prometric chose Netifice because it was able to provide greater reach throughout the U.S. and Canada than the business’ existing service provider.

“Our existing service provider could only offer us access to about forty percent of our sites, so Netifice is critical to implementing a complete and secure international broadband network,” said Bob Barnes, Manager of Data Communications at Thomson Prometric.  “By moving to a broadband network, Thomson Prometric has been able to reduce our wide area networking costs while increasing the bandwidth to our testing centers.  This is a huge benefit because the more bandwidth we have the more customers we can serve, which translates directly into increased revenue and profitability.”

Previously, Thomson Prometric used a combination of dial and ISDN to provide access to its testing centers.  The business chose to migrate to broadband because dial could not offer the high performance, “always on” connectivity that the business needed and ISDN was becoming cost prohibitive.  With ISDN and dial, the business was paying based on the amount of time they were using the connection.  Once it started offering Internet-based exams that can take hours to complete, these costs became excessive.  Netifice’s Managed Broadband provides the business with a higher bandwidth, reliable and always on connections that is cheaper than competitive technologies.  

“Netifice has built our reputation on providing customers with flexible broadband VPN services that ensure 100 percent coverage for all sites, and this deployment by Thomson Prometric is a perfect example of the benefits we deliver,” said Stafford Brown, Vice President of Sales at Netifice.  “Netifice is enabling Thomson Prometric to reduce its networking costs and increase its revenues with our fully managed broadband solution.”

Thomson Prometric conducts Internet-based and other computer-based exams such as information technology certifications, and academic, professional, government and corporate testing and assessments.  These exams require a high performance solution to support multiple concurrent exams.  Netifice’s broadband access offers over three times the bandwidth of the business’ old ISDN connections, which means the company can support three times as many exams at the same time.  Thomson Prometric also uses its broadband network to support critical back-office applications for scheduling candidates, reporting key operational metrics and billing.

To support its Managed Broadband service, Netifice leverages Netopia routers and management software because they offer increased flexibility and reliability, which enables customers to deploy a wide range of critical applications.  Netopia’s diverse product line also allows Thomson Prometric to implement a standardized CPE platform across multiple access technologies.  This single vendor approach allows for a more efficient, error-free implementation process, provides uniform functionality at all sites, and greatly simplifies troubleshooting and end-user support.  In addition, Netopia customized their firmware to support the specific requirements of Thomson Prometric’s international connectivity.

“We were impressed that Netopia could provide a standardized CPE platform that accommodated every type of access technology.  This ensures consistent service and reliability across our entire network,” said Bob Barnes, Manager of Data Communications at Thomson Prometric. “Plus, they were flexible in accommodating our international requirements, so we were able to use their equipment at all of our sites throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as the rest of our global sites in the EMEA, Asia Pac, and Latin American regions.”

Netifice Solutions
Netifice delivers the most flexible IP VPNs available, enabling businesses to integrate all of their mission-critical applications onto a single secure and scalable network platform that spans the entire enterprise.  Netifice can tailor a solution that is cost-effective and fits its customers’ specific requirements -- whether they need to run performance-sensitive applications between the corporate headquarters and branch offices via the Netifice MPLS fiber optic network, or extend their infrastructure to include numerous other carrier networks, increasing their reach to thousands of remote users and retail sites via broadband, wireless, satellite and global dial access.

About Netopia, Inc.
Netopia, Inc. is a market leader in broadband and wireless products/services that simplify and enhance broadband delivery to residential and business-class customers. Netopia's offerings enable carriers and broadband service providers to improve their profitability with feature-rich DSL smart modems, routers and gateways, software that simplifies installation and reduces ongoing support needs, as well as value-added services to enhance their revenue generation. Netopia's WiFi-CERTIFIED™ gateways include 3-D Reach™ technology delivering enhanced wireless range, security and performance.

Netopia's DSL smart modems, routers and gateways come with a suite of installation wizards and support utilities that offer a comprehensive approach to installation, deployment, service provisioning, application setup, self-diagnostics and troubleshooting. Netopia provides value-added services with its server software platform, including the netOctopus® suite of gateway and PC management and customer support software solutions, as well as the Web eCommerce server software. netOctopus Desktop Support and eCare software enable broadband service providers and enterprises to support customers and devices by remotely viewing and operating the desktop or other device.

Netopia has established strategic distribution relationships with leading carriers and broadband service providers including BellSouth, Covad Communications, EarthLink, Eircom, France Telecom, Hong Kong Telecom/PCCW, MegaPath Networks, Netifice, SBC Communications, Swisscom, Telecom Italia and Verizon.

Headquartered in Emeryville, Calif., Netopia's common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market® under the symbol “NTPA.” Further information about Netopia can be obtained via phone 510-420-7400, fax 510-420-7601, or on the Web at www.netopia.com.

About Netifice Communications, Inc.
Netifice Communications is a global provider of flexible IP VPN solutions that enable businesses to lower costs, increase scalability and expand the deployment of enterprise applications and communication systems. Netifice customizes its clients IP VPNs using the widest selection of access, security and communication options, combined with advanced systems for managing and monitoring their IP VPN. Customers can easily deploy expansive networks so that their corporate headquarters, regional offices, remote workers, and retail outlets can communicate with each other as if they were in the same location.  Netifice is recognized by customers for delivering the highest quality service and support with industry-leading Service Level Agreements that guarantee site-to-site performance and reliability.  For more information go to www.netifice.com or call 1-877-NETIFICE.

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