Georgia Telco Deploys IP Television Over ADSL Using Minerva Networks

Minerva(R) Networks, the leading provider of IP Television solutions, today announced that Ringgold Telephone, a local exchange service provider in Georgia, has selected Minerva hardware and video services management software to deliver live television and interactive entertainment services over their digital subscriber line (DSL) network. Ringgold subscribers will enjoy 130 channels of live television and music, video-on-demand (VOD), pay-per-view (PPV), web access, and caller-ID on their television screen in addition to their existing web and telephone service. The first of three groups in this phased installation will be online by August 2002, and up to 1,000 subscribers by the end of the year.

The voice telephone business has diminished for rural telcos nationwide. Multimedia broadband services have become a revenue opportunity, future-proofing their networks and allowing them to bundle service packages more attractive to their customers. By installing an IP Television headend consisting of Minerva iTVManager software, Minerva VNP broadcast quality MPEG 2 encoders and Minerva MediaGateway DVB-to-IP demultiplexers; these telcos can generate additional revenue without requiring changes to their network infrastructure.

"To remain viable in an increasingly competitive marketplace, it's imperative that we bundle video with our voice and Internet services," said Phil Erli, general manager at Ringgold Telephone. "We compared several vendors in this space before making our decision. Minerva not only had the features and functionality we were looking for, but their vision of the rural IP Television market is most consistent with our own--and that makes this feel like much more of a partnership."

Ringgold selected Minerva iTVManager video service management software to easily administer IP Television services to their subscribers. Consisting of both a video services management module and an interactive client user interface, iTVManager offers subscriber and device management, live and stored asset management, package creation and parental controls. From the iTVManager client user interface branded to Ringgold's specifications, subscribers enjoy a variety of standard television services and can sign up for additional services like caller ID. By simplifying the tasks associated with managing hardware components and hundreds of channels of content, iTVManager keeps operating expenses low.

"Telephone companies are seeing residential revenue squeezed from decreases in long distance access fees and competition from cable and wireless companies for local phone service," said Michelle Abraham, analyst for Cahners In-Stat Group/MDR. "Easy to implement and manage, Minerva's IP Television headend solution offers telephone companies an effective way to add video to their service offering and increase their revenue per customer."

"Minerva's IP Television headend solution is perfect for xDSL, and telcos like Ringgold can easily deploy these services over today's networks," said Reed Majors, vice president of marketing and business development for Minerva. "By rolling out IP Television, Ringgold will not only increase per-subscriber revenues using their existing copper infrastructure, but maintain their customer base losing fewer subs to cable MSOs."

About Minerva Networks, Inc.

Minerva Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of carrier-class solutions that enable the delivery of broadcast-quality television and video services over broadband IP networks. Our IP Television management software, encoders and media gateways are integrated into a complete IP Television headend solution for the delivery of video services over broadband IP networks. Broadband network operators worldwide use Minerva Networks' products and services to deliver next-generation entertainment, communication and e-commerce applications. Minerva Networks is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA and is available on the Internet at www.minervanetworks.com.

About Ringgold Telephone

Established in 1912 and serving Catoosa County, Georgia, Ringgold Telephone Company is a 14,300-access line local exchange service provider. Ringgold delivers the most modern, up-to-date services in the region including DSL and Internet access, long distance and local telephone service. Ringgold Telephone recently received franchise authority from the City of Ringgold and Catoosa County to provide digital interactive entertainment and video services. Ringgold Telephone Company looks forward to the future, concentrates on the present and takes pride in its rich heritage. You can find them on the web at www.rtctel.com.