Zoom PCI Modem Earns Microsoft and WHQL Certification

Boston, MA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--January 27, 2000 -- A data/fax modem manufactured by Zoom Telephonics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZOOM) has earned unqualified Microsoft® WHQL approval to carry the "Designed for Windows NT® and Windows® 98'' logo. Passing the stringent WHQL (Windows® Hardware Quality Labs) tests, administered under the Microsoft Windows® Logo Program for Hardware, means the Zoom modem may be integrated into PCs by manufacturers seeking the valuable and highly marketable "Designed for Windows®'' logo for their overall systems.

The Zoom Model 1123, a controllerless 56K V.90 PCI data/fax modem, was found to be compliant with Microsoft's Windows 95/PC99, Windows 98/PC99, and Windows NT4 x86/PC99 standards. It also met the basic compatibility requirements for use with Windows 2000 x86 systems.

The WHQL-approved modem Model 1123 is nearly identical to the Zoom/FaxModem 56K PCI model 2925, but adds "D3 cold start'', a WHQL requirement. The retail model is shipped in high volume to Best Buy, Fry's, Future Shop, MEI, Office Depot, Staples and others. Because Zoom's Model 2925 has been sold in large numbers, it is consumer-proven to be a solid, reliable performer in a very broad range of brand-name and privately assembled PCs.

Model 1123 also features the industry-leading ZoomGuard™ sidactor lightning protection found in all Zoom modems. Industry researchers list lightning as a leading cause of modem field failures. Zoom's lightning protection circuit has proven to be significantly more effective in preventing electrical surge-induced modem failure than Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) protection devices. The Zoom modem's resulting lower rate of failures and returns effectively reduces the per-modem cost to PC manufacturers and assemblers integrating Zoom modems into their systems. Model 1123's consumer-oriented features include voice mail/answering device capabilities (when used with a sound card), and videophone readiness.

"Model 1123's WHQL certification and overall quality and reliability lowers total system cost and simplify system integration,'' said Frank Manning, President of Zoom Telephonics.

About Zoom Telephonics

Zoom Telephonics, a communications leader since 1977, designs, produces and markets fax modems, cable modems, wireless LAN products, Home Phoneline Networking devices, ISDN products, and other products that link people and their personal computers to the international telephone network, the Internet, and corporate networks. Zoom products are available in over 3000 of the highest volume computer retailers in the United States and over 5000 retail outlets worldwide. Zoom Telephonics is publicly traded on NASDAQ (NASDAQ: ZOOM - news). Zoom products are marketed under the Zoom and Hayes brands.

Press Contact:
Dan Brunelle
brunelle@zoom.com
617-753-0060

Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking information relating to Zoom's plans, expectations and intentions. Actual results may be materially different than those expectations as a result of known and unknown risks, including those set forth below. The technologies being pursued by Zoom are subject to the significant risks and uncertainties generally applicable to modem and data communications products, including rapid technological change and intense competition, uncertainty of new product development, uncertainty of component availability, early stage of development of certain data communications markets, uncertainty of market growth, as well as other risks set forth in Zoom's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zoom cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Zoom expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Zoom's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstance on which any such statement is based.