PR: Ambient Corporation's Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) Technology
[FAC: Jim, what was I just saying about copper? smile. I lifted this press release about powerline telecom technology from the GTF, thanks to poster Crafty.]
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NEW YORK, July 10 /PRNewswire/ -- In what may be the forerunner of rural America's full involvement in Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) technology, Ambient Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: ABTG - news), the world leader in Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) technology, and Cedar Falls Utilities (CFU), the State of Iowa's largest combination municipal utility, announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that contemplates the joint development of Ambient's Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) technology, to full commercial status. The MOU contemplates a full written commercial agreement including but not limited to exclusive license rights, royalties, and other fees to be agreed upon by the parties.
The Memorandum sets forth the principal terms of a strategic alliance between the parties concerning the testing of Ambient's Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) technology, and the implementation of a development program designed to deliver Ambient's PLT technology to CFU customers in areas not previously considered for first development, and in areas already considered viable, with a larger basket of services.
Bob Rodi, CFU General Manager and CEO stated, ``This strategic alliance with Ambient is a continuation of CFU's proud tradition of developing innovative technologies for the advantage of our customers. This opportunity underscores our commitment to offer enhanced services for our community.''
``Mark Isaacson, CEO of Ambient stated, ''We have been saying from the inception that it is the utilities who are our true partners in Powerline Telecommunication (PLT) technology. The Memorandum of Understanding between CFU and Ambient not only validates this belief, but emphasizes that it is not just the large urban utilities that stand to benefit from the PLT revolution, but smaller municipal and rural utilities have a major role to play as well.
``This Memorandum will serve as the blueprint for bringing powerline telecommunications to rural America. The utility infrastructure and size of Cedar Falls offer Ambient an attractive development site to begin the process of bringing PLT technology to rural America. We are especially impressed with the leadership and vision of the people at CFU and in the community of Cedar Falls,'' Isaacson further stated.
Ambient Corporation has developed and owns innovative technology that facilitates the transfer of Internet and high-speed data through ordinary electric powerlines. The same electric wiring that is ordinarily used to transmit electrical power to individual homes and businesses can also be used to transmit high-speed data. Ambient's Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) technology is designed to enable utilities and power companies to partner with Ambient in creating baskets of utility and consumer services.
These utility services may include features such as automatic meter reading (AMR), load switching/balancing, demand management, outage reporting, real-time billing, and alarm monitoring. Consumer services may feature Internet, telephony, video-on-demand, content, and smart appliances. Both baskets of services will be achieved using Ambient's Powerline Telecommunications technology (PLT) across electrical powerlines and utilizing existing infrastructure.
Last November, Ambient jointly announced with Consolidated Edison of New York the successful first-phase testing of Ambient's Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) technology. In January, Ambient announced successful testing in Osaka, Japan, that exceeded the results of the Con Edison tests.
On January 25, 2001, Ambient Corp. announced it had conducted in Hong Kong the first ever successful testing of its Powerline Telecommunications Technology in an actual residential building. These tests established successful connectivity from the electric distribution closet, to the furthest apartments on all 8 floors. In addition connectivity between each floor was successfully proven. Throughput data rates of up to 8 Mbps were recorded, with raw speed exceeding 25 Mbps.
On January 31, 2001, Ambient announced a development and licensing agreement with Cisco Systems Inc.
On March 21, and May 22, 2001, Ambient Corporation and Bechtel Telecommunications, announced new technical services agreements that initiated development of a strategic alliance. Bechtel will support Ambient in the market delivery of Ambient's PLT technology by providing general contracting related to system mapping surveys, demonstrations, lab testing, project management, crew support, and commercial implementation support. Bechtel will also assist Ambient with compliance with utility commission or utility board regulations and guidelines, and applicable state and federal laws, both in the United States and abroad.
On April 03, 2001, Ambient Corporation announced that it will commence relocation of its world headquarters to New York. Ambient Corp. currently headquartered in Brookline, Massachusetts, will begin a phased transfer of its executive, financial, and operational functions to New York over the next months.
On June 13, 2001, Bechtel announced an agreement with Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) to collaborate on testing advanced technology. As part of the agreement Bechtel and INEEL will also conduct specialized independent research for new products and technologies, such as powerline technology. Bechtel is currently negotiating to be the first company to conduct large-scale testing and analysis of Ambient Corporation's propriety technology at the (INEEL) facilities. Bechtel plans to use the INEEL power distribution grid, which encompasses 54 laboratories, to test the functionality, modem connectivity, and other aspects of Ambient's proposed communication infrastructure. Bechtel and INEEL also would work with Ambient to conduct radio frequency emissions tests required by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines.
On July 2, 2001, Ambient Corporation and Bechtel Telecommunications, a unit of Bechtel Corporation announced the formalization of their commercial relationship with the signing of a comprehensive strategic alliance agreement. The agreement represents the progression of Ambient and Bechtel's relationship into a structured, contractual alliance. Bechtel will provide Ambient with project management and market build-out of Ambient's proprietary Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) technology. This includes, but is not limited to, engineering services, construction management, service crews and regulatory and marketing assistance. In addition, as part of the strategic alliance, and the relationship between the companies, Bechtel had acquired an option to take a financial stake in Ambient though the issuance of warrants that have been awarded to Bechtel by Ambient.
About Cedar Falls Utilities:
Established in 1888, Cedar Falls Utilities is the largest municipally owned four-service utility in Iowa, providing electric, natural gas, water and communications to a community of over 37,000 people. CFU is organized into four strategic business units: Customer Services and Business Development: Operations Services; Finance and Organizational Services; and Employee, Legal, and Governmental Services
CFU has built a strong, solid reputation for outstanding service. CFU has a national reputation for outstanding performance management. Their customers range from the residential homeowner to the world's largest agricultural equipment manufacturer. CFU provides the same level of dedicated service to all of our customers. cfu.net
About Ambient Corporation:
Ambient Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: ABTG - news) is a publicly traded company incorporated in the United States that operates technology companies, focusing on Powerline Telecommunication (PLT), telephony-related product offerings, Internet and E-Commerce for a variety of exciting new consumer applications, plus a basket of utility related services. ambientcorp.com
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Ambient Corporation with the SEC, including the company's most recent report on Form 10-K and 10-Q, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.
Ambient is a trademark of Ambient Corporation registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
For further information, please contact the relevant party:
Ambient Corporation:
Tel: (617) 735-9395
E-mail: info@ambientcorp.com
Visit us at: ambientcorp.com
Hilly Gross, VP of Corporate Communications:
Tel: (212) 873-6177 or (917) 692 5101
E-mail: hilly.gross@ambientcorp.com
Alan Schwartz, VP of Strategic Development
Tel: (617) 735-9395
E-mail: alan.schwartz@ambientcorp.com
Pini Althaus, Director of Business Development
Tel: (718) 953-6340
E-mail: pini.althaus@ambientcorp.com
Cedar Falls Utilities:
Tel: (319) 266-1761
Visit us at: cfu.net
David Martin, Director of Customer Services and Business Development
Tel: (319) 266-1761
E-mail: dmartin@cfunet.net
Robert Rodi, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (319) 266-1761
E-mail: rjrodi@cfunet.net
SOURCE: Ambient Corporation |
