Bell Atlantic Partners with FVC.COM to Deliver Broadband Video
Services over Statewide "Access New Jersey" Network
Bell Atlantic Investing $55 Million to Deliver on Governor Whitman's
Commitment to Schools
NEWARK, N.J. and SANTA CLARA, Calif. - September 28, 1999 - New
Jersey's students will be moving into the fast lane of the Information
Highway over a $55-million, broadband digital video network. The network,
known as "Access New Jersey," is an innovative partnership between
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey and FVC.COM.
In deploying the broadband network, the two companies are stepping up
to New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman's promise to "deliver
high-speed access to every classroom in New Jersey by 2002." Access
New Jersey will use FVC.COM video networking equipment to deliver live
and stored video resources to schools throughout the state, reaching over
600,000 students by the end of this year.
Explains Governor Whitman, "By working with Bell Atlantic and
FVC.COM to video-enable our classrooms, we are leveling the playing
field for New Jersey's students by delivering the finest quality educational
resources to all schools, regardless of geographic or socioeconomic
boundaries."
Through Access New Jersey, classroom sessions can be broadcast live
to multiple sites, maximizing the impact of guest speakers or subject
matter experts. For example, several video classrooms can participate in
a real-time interactive interview with a Senator or Curator of a museum.
This interview can be broadcast live to classrooms throughout the state,
while simultaneously being recorded for replay at a later time as part of
another class session.
"We are proud to partner with FVC.COM to create a robust network that
provides options to educational organizations in their efforts to enrich
curriculum," said William M. Freeman, president and CEO of Bell
Atlantic - New Jersey. "Access New Jersey is further evidence of Bell
Atlantic's commitment to bring the benefits of the Information Age to
every citizen of the Garden State."
"Bell Atlantic is the first regional bell operating company to deliver
broadband video services on a large scale to its customers. Now they
have raised the bar for telecommunications carriers around the country,"
explains Rich Beyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of FVC.COM.
"Through our continuing partnership, we look forward to delivering
broadband video services to other parts of the Bell Atlantic region."
The network's video capabilities are accessed through FVC.COM's new
web-based video portal interface, bringing unprecedented ease-of-use to
video applications in the classroom. Through the video portal, users can
place a live video call, broadcast the call to multiple sites, record material
and view it later on demand. These services are delivered over Bell
Atlantic's broadband network using video networking products from
FVC.COM and private backbone networking products from Cisco
Systems, Inc. Bell Atlantic Data Solutions Group will provide all on-site
network monitoring and support to schools using the network.
About Bell Atlantic
Bell Atlantic (NYSE:BEL) is at the forefront of the new communications
and information industry. With more than 43 million telephone access
lines and nearly 10 million wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic
companies are premier providers of advanced wireline voice and data
services, market leaders in wireless services and the world's largest
publishers of directory information. Bell Atlantic companies are also
among the world's largest investors in high-growth global communications
markets, with operations and investments in 23 countries.
About FVC.COM
FVC.COM (NASDAQ:FVCX), the world leader in broadband video
networking, designs, manufactures and supports a wide family of
products for real-time interactive video, streamed video and broadband
access. Designed for high-quality video delivery integrated with voice and
data, these products enable applications such as video calls, video
conferences, video mail, conference overflow and video events. FVC.COM
has an installed base of 20,000 broadband video seats worldwide.
FVC.COM's distribution and system integration partners include leading
telecommunication and networking companies throughout the world.
Cautionary Statement
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains
forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words,
''believes,'' ''anticipates,'' ''expects'' and words of similar import. Such forward-looking
statements will have known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause the actual results, performance or achievements of FVC.COM, or industry results, to
be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others:
FVC.COM's limited operating history and variability of operating results, market acceptance
of video technology, dependence on ATM backbone technology and the Next Generation
Internet, potential inability to maintain business relationships with distributors and suppliers,
rapid technological changes, competition in the video networking industry, the importance
of attracting and retaining personnel. Management of FVC.COM's growth, consolidation
and cost pressures in the video networking industry, dependence on key employees and
other risk factors referenced in FVC.COM's public filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the company's report on Form-10 K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998.
fvc.com
Long FVCX - 15 5/16 |
