Artel Opens Training Program for MPEG Digital Video Networking; New Service Offers Customers Technical Expertise On Digital Television Networking.

Business/Technology Editors

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2001

Artel Video Systems has opened a new training center for digital television networking technologies focused on MPEG video switching. This technology is the key to digital television, video-on-demand and interactive TV, which cable TV and telecommunication service providers are rolling out. As television networking changes from analog to digital, broadcast to interactive and starts to include packet-based technologies like ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) and IP (Internet protocol) for the transport and delivery of entertainment quality television, there is a growing need for equipment providers to transfer technical knowledge to network operator customers.

"Customer training is a key driver of bottom-line results. We understand that our customers are faced with rapidly changing technologies and require us to transfer knowledge to them as well as provide them with quality products," said Hal Charnley, Artel's President and CEO. "Understanding the critical success factors of world-class customer service systems, such as customer training, is essential to achieving world-class satisfaction and customer retention."

Artel's training courses will focus on video networks such as DVB-ASI, quality of service (QoS) parameters for packet-network transport of digital video and ATM and IP protocols as well as MPEG compression and remote equipment management for cable TV and telecommunications networks. Artel's Customer Care service can be contacted at [phone] within the US and at [phone] from outside the US.

About Artel Video Systems

Artel provides video networking systems to cable TV and telecommunications service providers who need to satisfy the consumer's ever growing appetite for broadband digital entertainment. Artel's products are transforming the world's networking infrastructures by enabling the transmission of broadcast and interactive TV over standards based multi-service networks. Artel is headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA, with sales and service centers worldwide. Further information about the company is available on the World Wide Web at www.artel.tv.