BT Establishes New Research Laboratory At Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 2000

BT is joining forces with some of the world's best brains to identify and develop new `disruptive' technologies which will change the way businesses operate and how people organise their everyday lives.

A new laboratory, specialising in the creation of ideas that offer alternatives to existing business models and generate new commercial opportunities is to be opened today at the world-famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Operating within the MIT Media Lab, the "BT Disruptive Lab" represents a commitment by BT of several million pounds running over five years.

On the same day, BT is to sign an agreement with the Cambridge-MIT Institute Ltd (CMI), a DTI-backed alliance between the University of Cambridge in England and MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to create a `technology triangle' involving BT's globally- renowned research and development facilities at Adastral Park, Suffolk, the University of Cambridge and MIT.

The agreement, worth (pound)2.5 million over five years, kicks off a major initiative which seeks to create a bridge of minds across the Atlantic. The BT alliance with CMI will enable the two universities to undertake joint research and teaching projects in new IT and telecommunications technologies.

Chris Earnshaw, BT's group engineering director and chief technology officer, said: "The two events are part of BT's strategy of building a global innovation footprint which includes its own R&D sites such as Adastral Park in the UK, targeted academic investments worldwide and equity stakes in high technology companies.

"The establishment of the new laboratory in an environment which attracts the cream of scientific and technological talent from around the world will stimulate interaction between researchers, students and all branches of our business."

Research at the laboratory will focus on looking for new technologies and novel uses of existing technologies that have the power to `disrupt' or transform existing ways of doing business or effect rapid or radical changes within business and society.

The signing of BT's membership of the CMI will take place at Boston Harbour today aboard a virtual BT Global Challenge yacht. The virtual environment will enable dignitaries from both Cambridge, England, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, to `come-together' on-board to sign the agreement.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Disruptive Technologies

`Disruptive Technologies' are new or existing technologies used in novel ways - or radical new business models that become viable as a result of this innovation, all of which have the power to disrupt or transform existing ways of doing business or effect rapid or radical changes within business and society.

These innovations are the modern day equivalent of the steamship displacing sailing ships or the silicon chip displacing the thermionic valve and enabling completely new businesses and capabilities along the way.

Adastral Park

Extending over 110 acres in Martlesham, Adastral Park is around 80 miles (120 Km) north east of London, near the town of Ipswich, Suffolk. It is home to BTexaCT, which develops advanced communication technologies for the companies across BT Group and for selected other businesses.

The Park's name provides a link to its former use as a part of RAF Martlesham Heath and is derived from the Royal Air Force's motto - Per Ardua Ad Astra , or through adversity to the stars. Opened in 1914, RAF Martlesham Heath was used for aviation research until World War II. Part of the airfield was acquired by the British Post Office in 1968 to provide a new home for their Research Department, previously based at Dollis Hill, London. When British Telecommunications was created, the Post Office Research Centre was renamed BT Laboratories, changing its name to Adastral Park in 1999.

The Park's logo is based on Ursa Minor (the Little Bear). This constellation includes the Stella Polaris (Pole Star) at the furthest point of its 'handle' - the star used by navigators to determine their location and guide their journey.

BTexaCT

BTexaCT was created in July this year as part of BT's restructuring programme. Headquartered at Adastral Park, Martlesham, near Ipswich, Suffolk, it provides a valuable centre of expertise for the BT Group. It ensures strong interaction between the different technology domains within BT and works with BT businesses worldwide to achieve competitiveness and customer satisfaction and to develop and retain ongoing business. It will be key to positioning BT ahead of the next wave in communications.

BTexaCT's sphere of work includes multimedia, Internet Protocol and data networks, mobile solutions, advanced research, network management solutions, systems integration and design solutions for BT's interests worldwide.

MIT Media Lab

The MIT Media Laboratory is concerned with people, computers, and the quality of life in the electronic age. Originally centred around creating a new vision of multimedia and man/machine interface, today's research agenda focuses increasingly on how bits meet atoms - how electronic information overlaps with the everyday physical world. The Laboratory has been a pioneer in the collaboration between academia and industry, and provides a unique environment to explore basic research and applications, without regard to traditional divisions among disciplines. Approximately 170 corporate sponsors from throughout the world support the laboratory's work, which focuses on software agents, physics and media, how children learn, human and machine vision, audition, speech interfaces, wearable computers, affective computing, advanced interface design, object-oriented video, interactive cinema, digital expression, and new approaches to spatial imaging. Research at the Media Laboratory is tightly coupled with the graduate academic Program in Media Arts and Sciences, which offers Master's and doctoral degrees.

CMI

The Cambridge-MIT Institute Limited (CMI) is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, England, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Backed by the DTI, it brings together the best in education and research for the benefit of the UK's future as a world leader in technology and innovation.

CMI's mission is to provide a catalyst to improve economic competitiveness and productivity, while working with UK universities to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in higher education. Four key programmes support this mission: Integrated Research, Undergraduate Student Education and Exchange, Professional Practice Programmes and the National Competitiveness Network.

Inquiries about this release should be made to the BT Group newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369 From outside the UK, dial [phone] All BT Group news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/mediacentre