SkyStream Networks Teams with RealNetworks to Enhance Delivery of Streaming Media over Broadcast and Broadband Infrastructures

Business Wire, July 10, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2000

Two Companies Participate in Broadband Trials to Explore New Ways to

Bring Outstanding Video Quality to Service Providers and Consumers

SkyStream Networks, a leading provider of broadcast Internet equipment, today announced it is working with RealNetworks (Nasdaq:RNWK) in broadband trials to explore methods to improve the quality of streaming media delivered over the Internet through satellite, cable and DSL networks to Internet service providers and consumers. SkyStream's Source Media Routers and Edge Media Routers provide the means for broadcasters and ISPs to deliver and receive audio and video streams via broadcast technology such as satellite in order to bypass digital traffic jams that slow down the public Internet. SkyStream is working with RealNetworks to explore technologies that will enable broadband service providers to distribute and receive the highest quality broadband streaming media from the edges of their networks.

In the broadband trials, SkyStream and Real will work to develop newer and more efficient methods for the delivery and consumption of streaming media to meet the growing demands of the Internet audience. As a result of the efforts of the two companies, Web sites with streaming audio, video and live Webcasts will be richer in quality and will be rapidly transported to users over satellite and other broadcast infrastructures.

Content will be delivered to the consumer via SkyStream Source Media Routers at the uplink and SkyStream Edge Media Routers and RealNetworks RealSystem 8, both deployed in DSL, cable, and satellite last-mile "edge" facilities. The result is a complete solution that enables last mile service providers to deliver the highest quality broadband streaming media services to customers.

"We are pleased to be working with RealNetworks, a leading company in the broadband industry in these trials," said Jim Olson, president and CEO of SkyStream Networks. "By combining SkyStream's full-scale Internet content delivery networking technology with RealSystem 8, a scaleable and reliable streaming media platform, viewers will be able to receive television-quality streaming video over their existing DSL Internet connection."

"We are pleased to team with SkyStream Networks to explore broadband delivery technologies," said Ben Rotholtz, general manager, Media Systems, RealNetworks, Inc. "With SkyStream's networking solutions integrated with RealNetworks RealSystem, service providers will be able to deliver the highest quality content to consumers."

SkyStream product information and availability

SkyStream offers a full-scale content distribution solution for ISPs, cable providers and broadcasters who want to deliver and receive multimedia-rich Internet content via satellite, digital television or cable networks. SkyStream's products are available directly from the company and via SkyStream's authorized resellers and distributors.

About SkyStream Networks

SkyStream Networks develops and sells a new category of networking products -- media routers -- that enable the Internet to connect with broadcast infrastructures. SkyStream's media routers enable service providers to combine the quality, scalability and efficiency of broadcast networks with the personalization of the Internet to deliver multimedia-rich content simultaneously to a large number of users. SkyStream's customers are broadcast service providers, Internet service providers, telecommunication service providers and content distribution providers around the world, including CableCom, EchoStar Communications Corporation, Geocast Network Systems, Granite Broadcasting, iBEAM Broadcasting, Loral CyberStar, Pacific Convergence Group and Telefonica. SkyStream Networks' Web site can be found on the Internet at http://www.skystream.com.

Note to Editors: SkyStream is a trademark of SkyStream Networks, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual companies and are respectfully acknowledged.