Metro One Wins Call Connection Authorization Patent

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

    PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2005--Metro One Telecommunications, Inc. (Nasdaq:INFO), the leading provider of Enhanced Directory Assistance(R) and other enhanced telecom services, today announced that it has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 6,871,082 for a method of controlling usage of a telephone.
    The patent describes a call management method for authorizing and screening or blocking incoming calls. For example, before a call is connected, a determination is made as to whether the calling party is pre-approved to receive the call, and if not, the called party needs to provide a valid access code in order to receive the call. This functionality is particularly meaningful in a wireless environment, because of the concerns regarding the cost of incoming calls, unauthorized phone use and privacy.
    "This patent is part of a portfolio of patents that make the phone an easier, more useful tool for business or personal matters," said Timothy Timmins, president and chief executive officer of Metro One Telecommunications. "We are pleased to continue to receive formal recognition of our pioneering efforts that have helped make the telephone one of the most useful resources in today's wireless world."

    About Metro One Telecommunications:

    Metro One Telecommunications, Inc. is the leading developer and provider of Enhanced Directory Assistance and other enhanced telecom services. The Company operates a network of call centers located strategically throughout the U.S. Metro One handled approximately 306 million requests for information in 2004. Infone is Metro One's premium personal assistant telephone service, for which consumers can sign up by visiting www.infone.com or by calling 888-411-1111. Infone(R) is a registered trademark of Metro One Telecommunications, Inc. For more information, please visit www.metro1.com or www.infone.com.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these risks and uncertainties.

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CONTACT: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc. Duane Fromhart, 503-643-9500 or Financial Dynamics Jim Byers, 415-439-4504 (Investors) or Edelman Stacy Doyle, 503-227-5767 (Public Relations) stacy.doyle@edelman.com

KEYWORD: OREGON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS PRODUCT SOURCE: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.

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