Beginning in November, Semi-Tech will deploy the internet-enabled televisions through Guestlink International Ltd. (an affiliate of Akai), which currently provides interactive hotel services to 1,000 hotels in over 200,000 rooms in Europe and Asia.

Akai's Guestlink and NCI's technology will bring an easy-to-use, Internet-based service to hotel guests around the world. From the convenience of their hotel room, guests can check electronic mail, news, stock quotes, weather forecasts and browse the Web. NCI's technology will also provide a standard Web interface for Guestlink's existing services such as gaming, video on demand, advanced messaging and (wake-up) services. Performing at speeds of up to 10 megabits per second, the Guestlink service will download information and content faster than conventional modems or connections.

NCI's TV Navigator technology delivers an integrated television and Internet experience which allows hotel guests to access Internet content and other services without having to switch between the Internet and television. NCI's TV Navigator technology also clearly displays and scales any Internet content authored in standard HTML and JavaScript on the television. Finally, NCI's technology built inside of the Akai television will simplify hotel deployments by eliminating the requirement for an additional set-top box while integrating with a hotel's existing high-speed coaxial antenna network.

"Our work with with Semi-Tech and Akai demonstrates how NCI is colonizing existing consumer electronic devices with information appliance technology," said David Roux, CEO of NCI. "NCI's TV Navigator technology embedded inside of Akai televisions will transform thousands of hotel televisions into Internet-enabled devices that provide easy access to email, news and information."

Guestlink International Ltd. plans to offer the new service with NCI's technology to their current and future subscribers throughout Europe and Asia later this year. The Guestlink service is currently deployed at leading hotels such as The Hilton Heathrow, London, Sheraton Palace, Milan and Holiday Inn, Paris. Guestlink International Ltd. (www.glplus.com), a member of the Semi-Tech group, is a leading supplier of Interactive Hotel Communication Systems to the hospitality industry. Its distribution network covers all Europe, parts of Middle East Africa and Asia Pacific. Over 200,000 rooms in more than 1,000 hotels are installed with the Akai Guestlink(TM) system.

Semi-Tech Corporation (www.semitechglobal.com) is a Canadian-based multinational company engaged in the retailing and distribution of consumer durables and sewing-related products and the manufacture and distribution of consumer electronic products principally through its subsidiaries and affiliates. Semi-Tech operates in over 120 countries, employing about 100,000 people.

Network Computer, Inc. is an affiliate of Oracle Corp. and Netscape and is a leading provider of information appliance software. Founded in 1996, NCI brings its technology to homes, schools and businesses through its strategic worldwide alliances. NCI is based in Redwood Shores, Calif., and can be reached at 650-631-4600. NCI's Web site is www.nc.com.

NOTE: TV Navigator and NCI are trademarks of Network Computer, Inc. All other trademarks are used for identification purposes and may be the property of their respective owners.