there goes my 1 1/4 add. press attached
MSU Corporation, an Internet Set-Top BoxCompany, Adds Enhancements to Its
Low-Cost Internet Access Device
February 18, 1999 10:42 AM
MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 18--MSU Corporation MUCP an
Internet set-top box company, today announced the redesign of Slipstream, its Internet
Access Device (IAD). The newly redesigned Slipstream with stunning video quality, now
includes Java-script, SSL, Frames, and a Smart Card Reader function and an ethernet
version. In addition, the cost has been reduced to the $140/$150 range including an infra
red keyboard, when ordered in volume. The company anticipates further enhancements
and price reductions over the next twelve months.
Wynford P. Holloway, president, chairman and CEO of MSU Corporation, commented,
"Our strategy of offering the maximum functionality at the lowest possible price is now
bearing fruit. MSU has received significant inquiries recently from several highly credible
companies and institutions.
"MSU's growth strategy differs from our competitors, who have concentrated on adding
functions such as DVD and video-on-demand, which primarily add value to the TV viewing
experience. While these features have tremendous consumer appeal, they add cost and
position the product more in the PC arena. MSU focuses on enhancing the Email and Web
Browsing experience at a price point that opens up exciting opportunities to E commerce,
hotels, education, institutional applications, and the consumer market. The greatest
demand will be for the simple, high-quality, and cost-effective IADs for the secondary
televisions in the home and in less developed countries, where the lowest price is
essential. There is also a large market for people who are intimidated by the P.C. and do
not need all of its funtionalities.
"MSU's IAD has a completely open platform that gives the user the freedom to select any
Internet Service Provider they choose, and we have the ability to upgrade and update
software over telephone lines. Both of these features give MSU an advantage over most
other IAD providers who do not always feature this flexibility. MSU is the only IAD provider
that uses its own Chipset, E mail client and Browser, reducing time to market and allowing
us to economically fulfill enhancement requests."
According to industry sources, it is estimated that Internet use by the year 2005 will
exceed 126 million users in the U.S., 34 million in Japan, 17 million in Germany, and 17
million in Canada. In China, where there were only 600,000 users in 1997, 10 million are
projected for the year 2000, and that number is projected to grow to 37 million by the year
2005.
In a related development, MSU also announced that the company now has engineering
teams working to develop new products for the Internet and Telecommunications markets
where the company's consumer oriented approach and ability to integrate audio, visual and
data streams position MSU for significant opportunities.
MSU Corporation designs and develops computer chips and chip sets principally for use in
consumer electronic products. Most of the company's chips are capable of multiple
functions and eliminate the need for additional chips. Moreover, they diminish the risk of
malfunction and error, permit more efficient circuit-board designs and are available at a low
cost. In addition to computer chips, MSU develops consumer electronic products and
reference platforms for itself and other companies. Its SlipStream Internet access
technology enables anyone with a television and regular telephone line to access the
Internet and send and receive e-mail. And when used with MSU's customized, proprietary
browser, SlipStream allows users to access and interact with foreign web sites in their
native language. MSU also offer custom services in chip design, hardware and
operating-system development, computer peripheral-design development and
application-software development, consulting and sourcing. For more information, visit
MSU Corporation's web site at msu.co.uk.
This release contains forward-looking statements which are based on current information
available to management and which are subject to other important factors disclosed from
time to time in the company Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, Registration Statements and other
Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including specifically, among other factors,
changing market and economic conditions.
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