The FREETALK Connect simplifies set up, enabling small business users that are not tech savvy to use it quickly

In Store Solutions today unveiled the FREETALK(R) Connect, the first communications system designed from the ground up to allow small and medium business owners to enable Skype calls from supported office phones. With the FREETALK Connect, companies can make free Skype-to-Skype calls with the more than 520 million registered Skype users worldwide and can view and manage Skype contact lists using their supported office phones. Companies can also receive inbound voice calls from users of Skype around the world via the FREETALK Connect. They can also participate in the Skype for SIP open beta, which will enable them to take advantage of Skype's low-cost global calling rates for calls to landline or mobile phones around the world from their desktop phones.

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The FREETALK Connect simplifies set up, enabling small business users that are not tech savvy to use it quickly and simply, without formal training. Supported telephones are plugged into the company's network and the FREETALK Connect auto-detects and configures them. An on-screen wizard then guides the customer through a few business-related questions that help configure the company's communication system and enables Skype calling from every supported desktop phone in the office. Adding users and administering the system after installation is just as easy.

"Simply put, this product enables Skype calls from every employee's desktop phone (or handset) in a small business, and it gives business owners all of the advantages of Skype's low-cost global calling rates and free Skype-to-Skype calls," said Andrew Hansen, FREETALK's Manager for B2B. "This quickly adds up to incredible savings."

Designed for offices with between two and 50 users, the FREETALK Connect offers true unified communications functionality, including Find Me, Follow Me; a unified voice mailbox; automated attendant and auto call distribution. Further distinguishing the FREETALK Connect is its intelligent routing capabilities. Incoming Skype calls, as well as calls over SIP, the PSTN and IAX2, can be routed by the FREETALK Connect to any local or remote Skype user, SIP endpoint, analog or mobile phone.

"FREETALK and Skype are dedicated to developing solutions that break new ground, like the FREETALK Connect," said Perry Teevens, director of business development & strategic partnerships for the Skype for Business team. "This solution addresses the needs of the many Skype users who have been asking for a simple way to use Skype in their small- and mid-size business environment."

Beginning in March, the FREETALK Connect will be available for purchase in the U.S. via the Skype Shop, (http://skype.com/shop) from In Store Solutions.

For more information about the FREETALK Connect communications system or to order a unit, visit http://freetalkconnect.com.

About FREETALK

FREETALK is a product innovation catalyst - identifying market gaps and working with its global partners to design, manufacture and quickly bring to market products that disrupt traditional categories. Leveraging untapped market opportunities, FREETALK products are designed to be environmentally friendly, sold online and delivered globally at aggressive price-points. Always at the forefront of innovation, FREETALK is known for creating synergistic products that add unique value to its partners' branded points-of-sale.

About Skype

Skype is software that enables the world's conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Every day, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.

Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone services and cannot be used for emergency calling. Skype for SIP is meant to complement existing traditional telephone services used with a corporate PBX, not as a stand-alone solution. Skype for SIP users need to ensure all calls to emergency services are terminated through traditional fixed line telephone services, connected to the local exchange, or through other emergency calling capable telephone services.

Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the "S" symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.

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FREETALK

CONTACT: Sue Huss, +1-619-379-4396, sue.huss@comunicano.com, for In StoreSolutions

Web site: http://freetalkconnect.com/http://instoresolutions.com//

According to court documents, Holloman has worked full-time for the State Department since November 1980, as a file assistant within the Bureau of Consular Affairs

A State Department employee was sentenced today to 12 months of probation for illegally accessing 70 confidential passport application files, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. Susan Holloman, 58, of Washington, D.C., was also ordered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Kay in the District of Columbia to perform 75 hours of community service. On Nov. 9, 2009, Holloman pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information charging her with unauthorized computer access.

According to court documents, Holloman has worked full-time for the State Department since November 1980, as a file assistant within the Bureau of Consular Affairs. In pleading guilty, Holloman admitted that she had access to official State Department computer databases in the regular course of her employment, including the Passport Information Electronic Records System (PIERS), which contains all imaged passport applications dating back to 1994. The imaged passport applications on PIERS contain, among other things, a photograph of the passport applicant as well as certain personal information including the applicant's full name, date and place of birth, current address, telephone numbers, parent information, spouse's name and emergency contact information. These confidential files are protected by the Privacy Act of 1974, and access by State Department employees is strictly limited to official government duties.

In pleading guilty, Holloman admitted that between Feb. 13 and Dec. 5, 2007, she logged onto the PIERS database and repeatedly searched for and viewed the passport applications of 70 celebrities and their families, actors, professional athletes, musicians and other individuals identified in the press. Holloman admitted that she had no official government reason to access and view these passport applications, but that her sole purpose in accessing and viewing these passport applications was idle curiosity.

To date, nine current or former State Department employees or contractors, including Holloman, have pleaded guilty in this continuing investigation. On Sept. 22, 2008, Lawrence C. Yontz, a former Foreign Service Officer and intelligence analyst, pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing nearly 200 confidential passport files. Yontz was sentenced on Dec. 19, 2008, to 12 months of probation and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service. On Jan. 14, 2009, Dwayne F. Cross, a former administrative assistant and contract specialist, pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing more than 150 confidential passport files. Cross was sentenced on March 23, 2009, to 12 months of probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. On Jan. 27, 2009, Gerald R. Lueders, a former Foreign Service Officer, watch officer and recruitment coordinator, pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing more than 50 confidential passport files. Lueders was sentenced on July 8, 2009, to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

In addition, on July 10, 2009, William A. Celey, a file assistant, pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing more than 75 confidential passport files. Celey was sentenced on Oct. 23, 2009, to 12 months of probation and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service. On Aug. 26, 2009, Karal Busch, a former citizens services specialist, pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing more than 65 confidential passport files. Busch was sentenced on Dec. 15, 2009, to 24 months of probation and ordered to perform 25 hours of community service. On Aug. 17, 2009, Kevin M. Young, a contact representative, pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing more than 125 confidential passport files. Young was sentenced on Dec. 9, 2009, to 12 months of probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. On Oct. 28, 2009, Yvette M. Burrison, a passport specialist, pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing nearly 100 confidential passport files. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled for Burrison. On Dec. 11, 2009, Debra Sue Brown, a file assistant, pleaded guilty to unlawfully accessing more than 60 confidential passport files. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on Mar. 23, 2010.

These cases are being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Armando O. Bonilla of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section. The cases are being investigated by the State Department Office of Inspector General.

U.S. Department of Justice

CONTACT: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs,+1-202-514-2007, TDD, +1-202-514-1888

Web site: http://www.justice.gov/