ACT Networks Introduces SkyPerformer VSAT Integrated Access Solution for VSAT and Hybrid Terrestrial/Satellite Networks.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2000

ACT Networks (Nasdaq:ANET) -- a leading provider of multi-service access products

-- announced today at the Satellite 2000 Conference the availability of their SkyPerformer(TM) solution for transmitting packetized voice, fax and data traffic over VSAT or hybrid terrestrial/satellite networks.

SkyPerformer operates over public and private VSAT networks and is ideal for multi-site enterprise networking or for extending carrier service offerings to areas where outside plant infrastructure is poor or nonexistent.

ACT's innovative Multiple Addresses Per Carrier technology (MAPC) uses a single satellite frequency to broadcast to multiple remote locations. The receiving earth stations can either accept or refuse information based on preconfigured addressing policies. SkyPerformer can also combine IP or Frame Relay switching and filtering over a single satellite frequency to substantially reduce hardware capital costs and recurring charges for space segments.

By supporting a variety of satellite network topologies, including single or distributed star, partially or fully meshed and point-to-point, SkyPerformer can be deployed with satellite modems from any major equipment manufacturer. SkyPerformer eliminates the requirement for expensive hubs or demand assigned multiple access (DAMA) controllers and provides toll-quality 8Kbps voice compression with dynamic fallback to 6Kbps in congestion situations.

Monaco-based VSAT operator and system integrator SONEMA recently built a SkyPerformer network for military troops stationed in Kosovo. The integrated voice and data service supports a combination of prepaid long-distance calling cards and toll-free 800 numbers over both satellite and terrestrial network segments.

&uot;With ACT's solution-SkyPerformer access devices, satellite antennas and PBXs, our company quickly set up a flexible and mobile network,&uot; said Yves Dollo, Marketing Manager for SONEMA. &uot;And, with SkyPerformer's voice compression and optimum bandwidth usage, we are able to provide a large number of toll-quality voice calls along with synchronous and asynchronous data transmissions over a single, cost efficient network.&uot;

&uot;SkyPerformer extends the NetPerformer(R) integrated access devices' end-to-end voice, fax, and LAN internetworking capabilities to VSAT or hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks,&uot; commented Andre' de Fusco, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACT. &uot;Our SkyPerformer customer premise equipment (CPE) solution allows us to address VSAT opportunities as a vertical market via specialized service providers and selected OEM partners.&uot;

About ACT Networks

ACT Networks develops, manufactures, and markets multi-service Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) access products, which support a broad range of integrated voice, video and data networking applications. Service providers and enterprise customers use the Company's products to build bandwidth-efficient, cost-effective, easy-to-manage converged networks.

ACT's award-winning NetPerformer(R) and ServiceXchange(TM) product lines incorporate advanced voice and data compression algorithms, enhanced switching and traffic management, and state-of-the-art telephony integration technologies that provide the highest voice quality solutions for voice-over-packet and data solutions. For more information about ACT Networks, headquartered in Calabasas, go to www.actnetworks.com.

Note to Editors: This press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company's business, introduction of new products, the timing of new product introductions, capabilities of new products, customer prospects or other factors that may affect future earnings or financial results. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties which would cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements, including without limitations, the possibility that the proposed new products and new product features will not be released when anticipated or work in accordance with expectation. These and other potential risk factors are discussed in the company's most recent 10K and 10Q filings. SkyPerformer is a trademark and NetPerformer and ACT Networks are registered trademarks of ACT Networks, Inc.