California Schools Award Contracts to FVC.COM, Lucent and Bay Networks for Build-Out of the Next Generation Internet (NGI)
October 22, 1998 08:31 AM
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 1998--
Best of Breed Technology Providers Team to Allow School Districts to "Open Classrooms to the World" Using Next Generation Internet Video Network
FVC.COM FVCX , the leading provider of Next Generation Internet video applications, today announced that it has won contracts with Lucent Technologies to install NGI video networks in two California School Districts.
The Next Generation Internet (NGI) is the new broadband Internet, being deployed by service providers and enterprises for the integrated delivery of voice, video and data applications.
FVC.COM, Lucent and Bay Networks will partner to provide the schools with a real-time video learning network that taps the power of the NGI to enable faculty and students access to a broad range of course materials, content rich multimedia and distance learning applications. These contracts represent the first phase of what are expected to be five-year build-out plan of the school districts.
Installation of the network will bring NGI video applications to the Temple City Unified and Ravenswood City School Districts in Northern California. The contracts involve the installation of FVC.COM video switches, gateways, interface cards and Multimedia Operating Software. Lucent is providing service, integration and voice hardware, Bay Networks is providing network infrastructure equipment.
"We needed a new generation of the Internet to enable our kids to take advantage of applications such as real-time video," said Dr. Charlie Knight, Superintendent of Ravenswood City Schools. "Our kids want so much to explore what goes on outside these walls. To make their experience meaningful we needed to deliver the power of real-time two-way video and interactive multimedia access to museums, libraries and events around the world. We expect schools from around the country to look and learn from what we've done here."
"NGI video applications are transforming the current school curriculum and significantly increasing the resources available to the NGI-enabled school," said Ralph Ungermann, President and CEO of FVC.COM. "But, more than technology or networking, this is about redefining what using the Internet and going to school means to our kids. We will open our classrooms to the world through real-time, interactive visual communications."
Each classroom will have an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) attachment to 30" monitors with pan tilt zoom cameras for interactive video instruction. The core application of these networks is two-way videoconferencing between schools in the same district. Classrooms will also have Ethernet-attached multimedia PCs, connected by T1 lines, for general student use.
About the Next Generation Internet (NGI)
The Next Generation Internet (NGI) is the new broadband Internet, being deployed by service providers and enterprises for the integrated delivery of voice, video and data applications. A key characteristic of the NGI (www.ngi.gov) is the ability to handle multimedia applications such as real-time interactive video, as well as stored and live video-on-demand. FVC.COM utilizes its expertise in Internet application integration, Quality of Service (QoS), and video technology to deliver networked video over the NGI for applications such as distance learning, criminal arraignment, and alternative retail delivery.
About FVC.COM
FVC.COM is the leader in video applications over the Next Generation Internet (NGI). FVC.COM's products enable end-to-end video in a wide range of room and desktop environments for video applications such as distance learning, distance meetings, and distance medicine. Founded in 1993 by technology pioneer Ralph Ungermann, FVC.COM designs, manufactures and supports a full video networking product family that includes NGI access devices, adapters, gateways and video storage servers.
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