BIFS Technologies Corporation Selects WebNet Incorporated as its ISP to Manage Network Operations Center for its first TV plus Internet Installation.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 28, 2001

BIFS Technologies Corporation, (NQB:BIFT) announced today that it has selected WebNet Inc as its preferred ISP to manage its Network Operations Center (NOC) for the first commercial TV+ Internet system installation. The partnership arrangement between the two companies expands WebNet's engineering and development role in the TV+ Internet program to now include support and management of NOC functions for the system. TV+ Internet is designed to provide broadband connectivity and access to the Internet by customers in suburban and rural areas, using digital television technology (DTV) as the wireless transmission medium and embeds down channel data traffic within the normal broadcast signals of locally operated television stations. The program provides local broadcasters with the ability to compete in the ISP market and uses a strategic alliance format to create an entirely new revenue stream for broadcasters who are converting from analog to digital format.

Under the program, WebNet Inc. will provide management services and technical support for regional network operations centers that service these broadcasters. WebNet is a multifaceted ISP that currently delivers T1 and T3 services to residential and business customers, along with DSL, wireless LAN, and integrated voice and data services. WebNet maintains a considerable number of strategic alliances with major telecommunication companies such as, Verizon, SprintLink, and KMC Telecom and has been actively involved with selected engineering aspects of the TV+ Internet program for the past year.

Al Keyser, Chairman and CEO of BIFS Technologies Corporation spoke to the development by saying, "WebNet has been selected to provide NOC support and operations management of the TV+ Internet program because of their years of experience in delivering high end telecommunications services and their familiarity with the TV+ Internet system architecture. The recent demise of many of the larger Internet service providers has clearly set the stage for other companies, who have better ideas, more cost efficient technologies, and stronger business plans to fill the void and provide service to those customers they left behind. The demand for low cost broadband Internet and other telecommunications services is still there, in both the rural and urban areas, and it's those companies that have paid attention to not only the technological issues, but also to the business fundamentals, that will be offering these types of services in the years to come. As we move forward with our plans to deploy the TV+ Internet system, WebNet will play an important role in assuring that it maintains a reliable level of network operations support and growth."

Bill Prast, President and Chief Operating Officer for WebNet commented on the recent partnership by saying, "WebNet's proud to have been selected by BIFS to manage the network operations center for the first commercial TV+ Internet installation. Our past affiliation with the engineering and development aspects of the project have convinced us not only of the technical viability of the system, but in its prospects for making a significant difference in the service levels provided to rural area Internet customers. Because of the high costs associated with hardwired infrastructure deployments to these types of areas, most major companies are simply not willing to provide services to these areas and potential customers are subsequently left with only dial up services as their method of connecting to the Internet. With TV+ Internet, these customers can now enjoy the same broadband Internet services that people who live in urban areas receive. The truly remarkable dimension of the program is that the deployment costs associated with TV+ Internet are only a fraction of the amount required for hardwired systems of similar capability."