A settlement has been announced in the first formal cell phone access
complaint under Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.  I
normally don't distribute press releases, but this news is too
significant to hold while we wait for enterprise reporting or me to track
down all the details and write them up for distribution.  I did attempt
to reach a company spokeswoman tonight to ask for a few more details but
she was neither at her desk nor reachable on her cell phone at about 8:30
New York time.  I am confident there will be additional details
forthcoming in the upcoming days and weeks.

Kelly


    Press release

distributed by PR Newswire

    Dr. Bonnie O'Day and Audiovox Announce Settlement in Section 255
Formal Complaint Proceeding


    HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Audiovox
Communications Corp., a majority owned subsidiary of Audiovox
Corporation (Nasdaq: VOXX), and a leading provider of mobile phones,
announced today that it has reached a settlement of litigation with Dr.
Bonnie O'Day concerning the accessibility features of Audiovox mobile
telephone equipment. In a formal complaint filed with the FCC last
February, Dr. O'Day, who has impaired vision, had contended that
Audiovox mobile telephone equipment was not accessible to people with
visual disabilities to the extent required by the Telecommunications Act
of 1996. As a result of the settlement, in which Audiovox does not admit
any violation of law, the parties have moved to have the complaint
dismissed. The specific terms of the settlement are confidential. The
parties did disclose, however, that Audiovox is making a number of
significant improvements. For example, Audiovox's 9900 series, which is
to be released during December, provides a more accessible keypad and
audible announcement of certain visually displayed information, such as
dialed and incoming phone numbers battery power, and roaming status. In
addition, the company will make instruction manuals and other
information more user friendly for blind and low vision individuals,
will develop an accessibility plan for its website, and will undertake
additional employee training on disability issues. The company is
currently assessing additional, more advanced speech output capabilities
for its mobile handsets with a view toward incorporating these
capabilities in the future. Dr. O'Day hailed the settlement, stating, "I
filed the complaint because blind and low vision people were frustrated
with the pace of progress achieved by the wireless industry. Audiovox's
commitment in this settlement, however, makes them a leader in providing
wireless access to blind and visually impaired consumers." Audiovox's
President and CEO, Philip Christopher, added that "As wireless
technology evolves and our industry provides enhanced communications
capability to 150 million wireless subscribers in North America, it is
important to improve wireless access for the 10 million Americans who
have visual impairments. That's why Audiovox is taking seriously its
commitment to implementation of Section 255 of the Telecommunications
Act and our efforts to add value to these subscribers' wireless
experience."

    About Audiovox Corporation Audiovox Corporation is an international
leader in the marketing of cellular telephones, mobile security and
entertainment systems, and consumer electronics products. The Company
conducts its business through two subsidiaries and markets its products
both domestically and internationally under its own brands. It also
functions as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supplier to
several customers. For additional information, please visit Audiovox on
the Web at http://www.audiovox.com.

    About Audiovox Communications Corporation Audiovox Communications
Corp. (ACC), a subsidiary of Audiovox Corporation (Nasdaq: VOXX), is one
of the leading suppliers of wireless products with more than 15 years of
experience in the wireless industry. ACC markets its products under the
brand "Audiovox" or private labels for its customer base. ACC has
operations and sales offices in 10 countries and through its customer
base, markets and distributes product in 42 countries on six continents.

For more information, visit http://www.audiovox.com.

    Contact: Joan Cear G.S. Schwartz & Co. (212) 725-4500 ext. 309


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