Formidable Strategic Alliance Announces Production of Advanced Telecommunications Services On Demand Network FYI
December 15, 1998 -- SourceNet Corporation today announced that it has
forged a strategic alliance with technology leaders to develop and produce a
complete end-to-end Advanced Telecommunications Services solution called
the On Demand Network™ (ODN™). SourceNet has brought together, and
formed formal relationships with, Advanced Fibre Communications, Inc.,
Efficient Networks, Inc., Minerva Systems, Inc., Newbridge Networks, nCUBE,
and Stellar One Corp.
"The alliance of companies participating in the On Demand Network represent
the best-of-the-breed,'' said Tony Atwater, Chief Executive Officer at
SourceNet. "We field-tested many products. It is this group, however, that has
been able to provide the scalability, features, performance and value needed to
make the On Demand Network a commercial success. The alliance recognizes
that an aggressive development and marketing posture is required to capture
the potential market. This posture must be established with careful investment
of time and resources, with special attention paid to an acceptable return on
investment for all parties concerned. We believe we have created the right
business models and brought together leading edge technology in order to
make this happen. What this means to the consumer is access to some very
new and exciting interactive experiences on their TV and or PC.''
"While many in the industry are dipping their toes into the waters of
broadband services, Source Net has taken the plunge,'' says Gerry Kaufhold,
analyst with Cahners In-Stat Group. "They've put together a working
interactive network using equipment that is available today from six leading
companies.''
The On Demand Network provides high-speed "always-on'': Internet access
and data transport, true Video on Demand, Multichannel Broadcast Video,
Pay-per-View, and voice service over a single copper-pair connection to the
home. Service can be delivered from a central office ATM device, or from a
remote subscriber location via the Advanced Fibre Communications UMC 1000
multi-service access platform. Although the ODN is media independent, the
initial focus will be Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology.
Alliance members providing key components for the On Demand
Network are:
Advanced Fibre Communications Inc., of Petaluma, CA., for DLC
access multiplexer functionality
Efficient Network Inc., of Dallas, TX., for customer premises DSL
equipment.
Minerva Systems, of Mountain View, CA., for video encoders utilizing
the MPEG-2 format.
nCUBE, of Foster City, CA., using the Oracle Video Server software
solution, for broadcast-quality MPEG video servers.
Newbridge Networks Inc., of Kanata, Ontario, Canada, for ATM
switching and DSLAM.
Stellar One, of Redmond, WA., for the broadband set top box.
Pre-Deployment Testing in Homes Already in Progess
The ODN is currently deployed in a 48-customer test application that offers
"always on'' high speed Internet access at several speeds up to committed T-1
rate, true Video on Demand, multichannel Broadcast Video, and voice service
over twisted pair copper telephone cable plant. The customer devices, either
interactive broadband TV set-tops or personal computers, are already
deployed in the customers' homes. Existing telephones, televisions, and
personal computers are all compatible with the ODN. The complete On Demand
Network entertainment package includes popular movie titles, educational
programming, network programming, syndicated shows, and music.
SourceNet Corporation, of Reno, NV., is the system integrator for the On
Demand Network, and also provides proprietary software that implements key
features of the ODN, such as VOD ordering and delivery, channel changing
capability for broadcast video, administration and billing from user friendly
customer interfaces.
Although any access network may be used, SourceNet's initial deployments
will be over Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology. "SourceNet's
lightning-fast DSL implementation will put homes on-line at warp speed,'' said
Greg Langdon, Vice President of Marketing at Efficient Networks. "Today,
Internet browsing just got a major performance boost.''
ATM provides the core of SourceNet's access network. Unlike the typical
approach for phone calls, where the conversation ties up the entire line, ATM
packet switching over DSL allows a phone conversation, multiple video on
demand and broadcast video channels, and Internet browsing, all on the same
shared line. "SourceNet looked to us to deliver much more than an ADSL
transport system,'' explained Conrad Lewis, Chief Technology Officer and
Executive Vice President, Access Products Group, Newbridge Networks. "It is
a powerful, integrated system that opens additional revenue streams for
service providers, and is highly affordable from a total cost of ownership
perspective. We look forward to working with SourceNet and other companies
that are looking to leverage the opportunity to integrate xDSL in a
multiservices setting to provide real ROI for customers.''
Minerva real time MPEG II video encoders provide high quality digital
television channels for the ODN system. "SourceNet is the first company to
integrate all the pieces for a true IP based, broadcast quality delivery solution'',
states Reed Majors, Director of Video Networking Products at Minerva
Systems. "We are very excited about the project, and pleased SourceNet has
selected VNP for the encoding platform. Minerva looks forward to
continuously providing the latest in MPEG network technology for the On
Demand Network.''
nCUBE's video servers are the only proven systems that are configurable to
deliver up to 20,000 broadcast quality MPEG video streams with a single
system. Product features include support for the major network architectures
of the video market, including ATM/STM-1, 10 or 100BaseT Ethernet, QAM,
DVB, and ADSL. "We've worked closely with SourceNet to deploy broadcast
quality video programming utilizing nCUBE's highly scalable video server
technology,'' said Ian Johnstone, Chief Operating Officer at nCUBE.
"SourceNet's new platform creates a revolutionary path for delivering a wide
variety of first-rate video entertainment to the home.''
nCUBE video servers incorporate Oracle Video Server software. The Oracle®
Video Server, with other Oracle products and services, is an end-to-end video
solution used in the broadcast and interactive television markets providing
telephone companies, broadcasters and cable TV operators a safe, reliable,
step-by-step approach towards realizing new revenue through broadcast
digital television services. In addition, Oracle Video Server offers a practical,
cost-effective transition from analog to digital while meeting broadcasters and
cable TV operators' need for reliability, speed, and quality. The recently
released Oracle Video Server 3.0 includes mission-critical features such as
real-time video feeds and real-time encoding, increased scalability, logical
content management, a broadcast scheduler for near-video-on-demand
services, and VCR functionality.
SourceNet also utilizes Oracle database management software in deploying the
On Demand Network. This allows comprehensive customer services that
include movie ordering and delivery, channel-changing capability for
broadcast video, subscriber information, and administration and billing
through user-friendly on-screen program guides.
"Stellar One is seeing an incredible amount of activity from the Local Exchange
Carriers who are doubling up their efforts in this area to differentiate
themselves from other network owners,'' said Steve Voit, Executive Vice
President, Sales and Marketing for Stellar One. "Stellar's open systems
approach with NETRIS 3000 broadband set-top terminals makes it easy for
these aggressive network operators to provide new broadband services over
any network.''
For further information, contact ODN at 503-612-4444.
About SourceNet
SourceNet Corporation of Reno, NV., is a privately funded, privately held
company specializing ins seamlessly integrated narrowband and broadband
network solutions for voice, data, and video services. SourceNet is the system
integrator for the On Demand Network. SourceNet provides proprietary
software that implements key features of the ODN, such as VOD ordering and
delivery, channel changing capability for broadcast video, administration and
billing from user-friendly customer interfaces. SourceNet currently offers
Internet access services and software solutions for businesses that want
high-speed data access, as well as the ODN system.
About Advanced Fibre Communications, Inc.
Advanced Fibre Communications, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of
telecommunications systems for the "local loop'' between telephone service
users and public telephone networks worldwide. AFC has pioneered a single
platform that supports any network, any transport, and any service. AFC's
flagship product the UMC 1000 3rd Generation Digital Loop Carrier provides
any service from POTS to xDSL over copper, fiber, and wireless transport
media. Additional information about AFC can be found on the Internet at
fibre.com.
About Efficient Networks, Inc.
Efficient Networks, Inc. is a premier supplier of ATM over DSL customer
premises equipment (CPE) to the worldwide data and telecommunications
markets. The company's SpeedStream product line includes a broad range of
internal and external modems all designed for simple installation. As a
recognized leader in ATM technology, Efficient Networks is a member of the
ATM Forum, the ADSL Forum, and the Universal ADSL Working Group. With
headquarters in Dallas, Texas, Efficient Networks also has offices in
Amsterdam, Chicago, Walnut Creek, Calif., and Arlington, Virginia. Efficient
Networks will provide customer premises DSL equipment for the ODN project.
Efficient's SpeedStream cell-based DSL CPE products are designed for network
service providers to enable deployment of a new class of remote access
applications, including high performance Internet access, image distribution,
video conferencing and other multimedia applications. Efficient has leveraged
its existing, proven ATM technology to provide a high degree of integration
and interoperability for its DSL CPE products. SpeedStream ATU-R products
are differentiated through the use of industry-tested silicon and software
technology, with an emphasis on simple installation and configuration to
minimize management and support costs. For more information, see Efficient's
World Wide Web home page at www.efficient.com.
About Minerva Systems, Inc.
Minerva Systems, Inc., founded in 1992, is the leading supplier of high-quality
MPEG-based digital video publishing and distribution solutions. Minerva's
products are used in telephone and cable television network facilities,
educational institutions, advertising agencies, post-production facilities, and
corporations worldwide. Minerva is backed by leading venture capital firms,
including Accel Partners, Kodak Corporation's Aperture Fund, Merrill Pickard,
Anderson & Eyre, U.S. Ventures, and ETF. Minerva Systems is headquartered
at 1585 Charleston Road, Mountain View, CA, 94043. Tel.: 650/940-1383 Fax:
650/940-1450. Address on the World Wide Web: minervasys.com
About nCUBE
Founded in 1983, nCUBE is a privately held company specializing in
broadcast-quality video delivery systems. nCUBE's expertise and unique
system scalability has made it the video server of choice in the world's leading
video-on-demand trials and deployments. As an Oracle Alliance Program
Partner, nCUBE is solidly positioned to meet the demands of a rapidly
expanding interactive multimedia marketplace. The company is based in Foster
City, Calif., with offices worldwide. For more information about nCUBE, please
call 800-654-2823 or visit our Worldwide Website at ncube.com
About Newbridge Networks
Newbridge Networks designs, manufactures, markets and services networking
solutions to organizations in more than 100 countries. The Company leverages
its relationship with a growing family of Newbridge Affiliate companies and
strategic alliances with Siemens and 3Com Corporation to deliver seamless,
end-to-end solutions. Newbridge customers include the world's 300 largest
telecommunications service providers and more than 10,000 corporations,
government organizations, and other institutions. Founded in 1986, the
Company employs more than 6,000 people on five continents. For more
information on the Newbridge ADSL solution, visit us at
newbridge.com. News and information are available at
newbridge.com
About Stellar One
Stellar One is a leading provider of interactive broadband set-top devices and
broadband systems integration services. Stellar One is making it possible for
people to send and receive Internet, video, audio, business information, and
PC data over broadband, high-speed switched-digital networks. This
information ends up on your TV screen for you to interact with, in real time, on
demand. Stellar One's new NETRIS™ 3010 line of Set-Top Devices offer much
more than a cable "Set-Top Box'' including, high-speed, high quality audio and
Video-on-Demand, Internet access and E-mail -- through one device to the end
user. The NETRIS 3010 brings television into the future, turning the TV into a
dynamic, useful and powerful tool. The Company also provides systems
integration and consulting. For more information, hit us at www.stellar.com
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