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To: DiViT who wrote (28887)	1/28/1998 6:32:00 PM
From: BillyG	Respond to of 50808

ATM & MPEG-2 (and IBM)............. FIRST VIRTUAL: First Virtual Corporation & IBM sign licensing agreement M2 PRESSWIRE-28 January 1998-FIRST VIRTUAL: First Virtual Corporation & IBM sign licensing agreement (C)1994-98 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD * First Virtual expands its product offerings to include standards-based H.310 MPEG-2 over ATM Codec First Virtual Corporation, a leading provider of video networking equipment, and IBM have signed a licensing agreement which provides that First Virtual will develop, sell and support a Video Access Node (VaN) H.310 MPEG-2 over ATM Codec based upon the IBM 8300 VaN technology. The VaN expands First Virtual's existing H.320 and H.323 video networking product line to include H.310 products, offering a wider range of choices to their customers. About the VaN The VaN delivers broadcast quality video by transmitting MPEG-2 compressed video over ATM using the industry standard H.310 protocol. This enables real-time, interactive delivery of videoconferencing, video-on-demand and video broadcast over local or wide-area ATM networks at significantly lower cost than the H.320 high-end room systems currently used in these environments. The VaN is the lowest-latency MPEG-2 codec in its class, with a latency of less than 150 milliseconds from end-to-end. This premium quality is required in applications such as distance learning and telemedicine. "North Carolina State University has been using VaNs operationally over the last six months and we are impressed with its video quality and industry leading low latency features," stated Dr. Mladin Vouk, Professor of Computer Science of NCSU and a recent recipient of an IBM Internet II grant. "The planned integration with First Virtual's product line will greatly enhance its usability and functionality for distance learning applications." About H.310 The H.310 standard, ratified by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) member committee in 1996, is the only ITU standard for broadcast quality managed video transmission using MPEG-2 over ATM. The H.310 standard covers applications such as videoconferencing, video-on-demand and video broadcast. First Virtual is a participant in the ITU H series sessions and has led the effort in the formation of H.321 (the standard for H.320 video over ATM). First Virtual will continue to participate in the ITU to ensure that the latest video technologies are considered in standardisation efforts. Planned Enhancements to the VaN First Virtual plans to make the following enhancements to the VaN in 1998: 1) Interoperability with the entire First Virtual product line 2) Support for First Virtual's V-Locator directory services software which simplifies the placement of video calls 3) The ability to record and broadcast content in addition to the existing videoconferencing capability 4) Delivery of a turnkey VaN videoconferencing package About IBM IBM's networking Hardware Division (NHD) develops and manufactures industry-leading networking technologies and products, providing global end-to-end solutions for Token-ring, Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, ATM, IP and SNA networks. Headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, IBM NHD also provides consulting, education, service and support worldwide to help customers achieve their business objectives. For additional information on IBM's networking solutions, visit our Website at www.networking.ibm.com or call 800-IBM-3333 or outside the U.S. dial 770/644-5997. About First Virtual Corporation First Virtual Corporation is the leading provider of products that implement business video over the corporate intranet. Business, government and education utilise First Virtual video networking systems to increase productivity and lower costs. Founded in 1993 by technology pioneer Ralph Ungermann, First Virtual designs, manufactures and supports a full multimedia product family that includes LAN switches, adapters, gateways, and video storage servers, all of which include the company's award-winning MOS software. Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause First Virtual's actual results to differ materially from those discussed here, including the risk that First Virtual's planned enhancements to the VaN will not be achievable on schedule, or at all, First Virtual's early stage of development, its reliance on the efforts of its partners and general economic conditions that may affect First Virtual's actual results and developments. Additional factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in First Virtual's Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 24, 1997, as amended. CONTACT: Anne Mitchell, CTC Eurobase Ltd/CTC Public Relations Ltd Tel: +44 (0)118 930 4090 Fax: +44 (0)118 930 4124 e-mail: anne.mitchell@ctcpr.com