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Chantilly, VA and Andover, MA, February
14, 2001: Sonic
Telecom, Ltd., The originator of broadband bandwidth on demand and
billing by the byte, today announced that it has entered into a
service agreement with PictureTel's 1414c (NASDAQ: PCTL). Under
the agreement, 1414c will utilize Sonic Video1, in its offerings
to its customer base of over 100 companies, the majority of which
use videoconferencing on a worldwide basis. According to Frost
& Sullivan Research, the market for videoconferencing
equipment generated revenues of $587 million in 1999 and is
projected to reach $1.54 billion by 2006. The growth in equipment
sales will generate similar growth in network transport of
videoconferences. Sonic Video1 is the new alternative to
international ISDN videoconferencing that connects quickly and
supports transmission speeds up to 512kbps.
With Sonic Video1 there are no local loop charges, no port
charges, no need for technical support and anyone with local ISDN
service can use it. Sonic Video1 will enable 1414c to deliver a
higher level of service, with single-point global accountability
at highly competitive rates.
1414c, Inc., a subsidiary of PictureTel Corporation, delivers
web-based conferencing services and technologies that allow
organizations and service providers to schedule and manage global
video, audio, and data calls, from an easy-to-use web portal.
These services enable users to collaborate with each other via
endpoint-agnostic technology over either ISDN networks or over
their own corporate LAN & WAN IP networks, sharing any
combination of data, voice, or video, depending on connection
speed.
PictureTel equipment and 1414c services, coupled with Sonic
Telecom transmission quality, end-to-end accountability, and
affordable pricing present a true alternative to business travel.
"For a network usage charge of about $120 dollars, customers
can have a one hour meeting from Paris to New York with image and
sound quality that approaches broadcast standards," stated
Leah Maher, Director Marketing and Business Development for 1414c.
Sonic Video1 is available through 1414c between Amsterdam,
Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Paris and the USA. Service to Milan,
Madrid and Singapore will be available in the near future. The
service works with any videoconferencing equipment using standard
H.320.
Dieter Riegelhof, Vice President of International Business
Development for Sonic Telecom stated: "PictureTel has been a
leader in the visual communications industry for years. We see
this agreement with 1414c as an endorsement of Sonic Video1 and
the value our combined offering for global business."
Sonic Telecom provides comprehensive solutions for video
transmission and can deliver a complete system to customers that
include camera, monitor, codec and other video conferencing
peripherals. The Company counts RTL Television-Germany, NBC, Fox
News, CBS and other major broadcasters among its clients.
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