WEST CHESTER, PA � November 30, 2000 � MEI, the world�s leading supplier of high-performance electronic payment systems, has announced that its AE2600 bill acceptor was selected for use by Advants Public Internet Access, Inc. (Advants), a national system of public Internet access kiosks. MEI AE2600 bill acceptors have been specified into all Advants public Internet access kiosks, 220 of which have been deployed so far to bowling alleys, convenience stores, supermarkets, bars, highway truck stops, senior homes, and malls in 16 states across the country. Advants, Inc. is building a nationwide network of public Internet access terminals and expects to install more than 30,000 terminals over the next three years.

According to Brad Tait, COO of Advants, the bill acceptor is a critical feature of a public Internet access kiosk. �Consumer behavior studies show that a large percent of people still deal in cash. Without a cash acceptor, we would lose that entire market,� he said. �MEI was the obvious choice to provide the bill acceptor component - their products are the most widely used, are the most technologically advanced, and have the best performance ratings in the field.�

�We�re pleased to see our products in more and more Internet kiosk applications, and to be teaming up with leading kiosk OEMs like Advants,� said Fiona Naughton, global business development manager for MEI. �MEI AE2600 cash acceptors provide the security and reliability that make these applications a success.�

About MEI�s AE2600

The AE2600 bill acceptor allows users to insert $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20 bills facing up, down, or either direction � even bills that are torn, wrinkled, and dirty. The AE2600 uses complex optical technology, the industry�s most effective method to maintain high acceptance and low jam rates, while maintaining high security. Complex optical technology uses advanced light to read the variations in the magnetic ink on any bill, enabling the bill acceptor to not only validate the bill with a higher rate of accuracy, but to transport bills without physically touching them -- dramatically reducing the chances of the bill jamming.

MEI incorporates self-calibration technology with its complex optical technology to enable the bill acceptor to automatically compensate for dirt and debris in the cavity of the bill path by increasing the strength of the optical light. The AE2600 bill acceptor also features MARS� FLASHPORT� re-programmable flash technology, which enables operators to quickly and cost-effectively update software files to recognize new currency designs.

For more information on MEI�s bill acceptors, visit MEI�s web site at www.meiglobal.com or call 1-800-345-8215.

About Advants

Twin Cities-based Advants, Inc. is a majority owned subsidiary of Choicetel Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:PHON), which has leased, operated and managed telecommunications since 1989. To further the distribution of the company's Internet access terminals, Advants this year has signed agreements with several Internet companies as well as with various retail businesses.

About MEI

MEI (formerly Mars Electronics International) and a division of Mars, Incorporated, has been developing the world�s most advanced, secure, and high-performance electronic payment systems since 1969, and has the world�s largest installed base of electronic coin mechanisms and bill acceptors. By working with customers, MEI has not only contributed to the success of vending, but is also the world leader in the application of cash payment systems in the retail, telecom, gaming, amusement, lottery, and transportation industries. MEI�s range of products includes electronic cash acceptors, coin change-giving machines, card-based cashless payment systems, and electronic audit systems. MEI employs 1,200 associates worldwide, with four ISO-certified manufacturing plants on three continents, sales offices in 10 countries, and a distribution network covering more than 100 countries.

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www.meiglobal.com

MEI is a division of the worldwide Mars, Incorporated group