Washington, D.C., (August 22, 2000) - Bantu, Inc., a leader in Web-based instant communications, today announced Texas Instruments (TI) will utilize its instant messaging service, Bantu Messenger, to improve instant messaging communications for its employees and extended business community worldwide.

TI, the world leader in digital signal processing and analog technologies - the engines of the Internet age - needed an instant messaging (IM) solution that would work across multiple computer platforms and provide enhanced, real-time communications in a hassle-free environment to its worldwide employees and TI's extended community of partners and suppliers.

Web-based Bantu Messenger satisfied these requirements by using patent-pending encryption techniques to operate securely across different computer platforms, such as Microsoft Windows and Unix. Bantu Messenger also allows TI employees to communicate with people outside the company using any of the following Instant Messaging services: Bantu, ICQ, Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger.

"After reviewing the options, we realized that a Web-based solution was needed to fill all these requirements, and Bantu fit the bill," said Marshall Woolard, Manager of Virtual Teams in TI's information technology operations. "Instant messaging is filling a need in our communications infrastructure and Bantu Messenger is helping us take that infrastructure to the next level. With a Web-based architecture, there is nothing to download so it can easily be used across multiple technology platforms and is scalable as we expand the use of instant messaging with suppliers and subcontractors."

Corporations and Web sites select Bantu Messenger because it is interoperable, easily customizable and requires minimal maintenance. The agreement with TI extends Bantu's strong position in the business market for Web-based instant communication, where it already has entered significant distribution partnerships and installed its private label Bantu Messenger on more than 40 consumer and business-to-business Web sites.

"Large corporations are looking for communications applications that are Web-based, secure and interoperable," said Bantu CEO, Larry Schlang. "We are excited to be working with companies like TI to bring Bantu Messenger to new users who can benefit from its features."

About Bantu \ban' too\ 1 : Swahili word for "The People;" 2 : A leading provider of Web-based instant communication solutions to businesses, ISPs and Web sites. Bantu's flagship product, Bantu Messenger, is the first hosted instant messaging application that enhances Web communities and improves business productivity. Based on patent-pending techniques, Bantu Messenger combines easy-to-use functionality with secure, interoperable technology. It is the only thin-client messenger that is easy to implement and customize, multilingual, and firewall friendly. By interoperating with other IM Networks, Bantu's network reaches 87 million users. Bantu, Inc., is based in Washington, D.C., and boasts an impressive customer list including Canoe.com, Click2Asia, KiwiBox, Lycos Latin America, myEcamp.com, Texas Instruments, Webforia and Quepasa.com. To learn more, visit www.bantu.com.