Keiko's Historic Move to be Broadcast Live on the Internet at www.keiko.org; Ericsson and RealNetworks Team Up on Webcast Expected to be Watched by Millions

Business Wire, Sept 3, 1998

NEWPORT, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 3, 1998--Ericsson, a world-leading supplier in telecommunications, RealNetworks, the recognized leader in streaming media, and the Free Willy Keiko Foundation, which owns the world-famous whale, today announced a collaboration to broadcast live over the Internet Keiko's historic journey home to Iceland.

The Webcast can be accessed at www.keiko.org.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time on September 9, Ericsson will use its expertise in wireless networks and RealNetworks will provide its industry leading streaming media technology to Webcast Keiko's move from his pool in Newport, Ore., to his new home in the Westman Islands in Iceland.

Viewers will watch as Keiko is lifted in a nylon stretcher onto a UPS flatbed truck in Newport and loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane in a custom-built transport container filled with cold seawater. Throughout the nine-hour flight, Internet users can listen to a live RealAudio(R) Webcast and watch Keiko in RealVideo(R) as he is transported on the plane.

The Webcast will follow Keiko as the C-17 lands in the Westman Islands and track his progress as he makes the last leg of his journey, the scenic 3-mile route to the harbor in Westman Islands and the placement of Keiko in his sea pen in a sheltered bay.

"Ericsson and RealNetworks are giving the entire world an amazing opportunity to take part in a truly historic event," said Bob Ratliffe, executive vice president of the Free Willy Keiko Foundation, which owns Keiko. "Through the generosity and technical expertise of Ericsson and RealNetworks, Keiko's supporters around the world will be able to watch an exclusive Webcast as Keiko makes his journey home."

Ericsson will deliver text, pictures and video to RealNetworks, which will stream RealAudio and RealVideo coverage of Keiko's journey to millions of people around the world. RealNetworks Real Broadcast Network, a joint collaboration between MCI and RealNetworks, will supply the necessary bandwidth and infrastructure to make the Webcast possible. The U.S. Air Force Communication Agency's HAMMER ACE team also has provided technical expertise, including logistics and satellite communications support, to make the Webcast possible.

Ericsson also will provide e-commerce and Web design services to the www.keiko.org Web site so visitors can make donations online to the Free Willy Keiko Foundation. The company is developing an e-commerce catalog that will enable Keiko's millions of fans to purchase T-shirts, stuffed animals, photos and other Keiko memorabilia. All proceeds will help cover the cost of transporting, feeding and caring for Keiko during his continuing rehabilitation in Iceland.

"This is very exciting for all of us at Ericsson," said Karl Dahlin, director of business development at Ericsson Inc. "Ericsson has been using its products and solutions to help free millions of people around the world for years by enabling anytime, anywhere communications. We are proud to use this same enabling technology in the spirit of freedom and create innovative solutions that will help return this very special whale to his native waters in Iceland."

Alex Alben, vice president of Media Publishing, RealNetworks, Inc, said, "RealNetworks is thrilled that Keiko's journey will be brought to Internet users across the world exclusively in RealAudio and RealVideo. We are happy to support the Free Willy Keiko Foundation and to be a part of this unique live event on the Web."

About Ericsson

Ericsson's 120,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries. Their combined expertise in wired and wireless networks, mobile phones, datacom networks, IP services, Internet and Web-based applications makes Ericsson a world-leading supplier in telecommunications.

About Real Broadcast Network

The Real Broadcast Network, a collaboration between MCI and RealNetworks, is one of the first Internet broadcast networks designed to reliably reach large-scale audiences. The Real Broadcast Network was designed as a cost-effective, high-quality service for broadcasters, content providers and large corporations to broadcast live, on-demand RealAudio and RealVideo programming to large-scale audiences.

About RealNetworks

RealNetworks Inc. (NASDAQ:RNWK), based in Seattle, is the recognized leader in the streaming media market. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. RealNetworks can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.real.com.

About the Free Willy Keiko Foundation

The Free Willy Keiko Foundation has been working to move Keiko to a natural environment in the North Atlantic. The foundation scouted 5,000 miles of eastern North Atlantic coastline, including Iceland, looking for appropriate sites for Keiko's floating pen. In June, Iceland's government agreed to host Keiko. Weather permitting, Keiko will be moved to his new home in Iceland's Westman Islands on September 9-10. The Free Willy Keiko Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1994. People may follow Keiko's move and progress on the Internet at www.keiko.org.