Internet Photonics Introduces LightStack Gateways To Enable Profitable Delivery of VOD Services and HDTV Across Legacy Cable Infrastructures.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SHREWSBURY N.J. & MARLBOROUGH Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2002

Internet Photonics Inc. today introduced video multiplexing and conversion gateways that cost-effectively extend legacy cable infrastructure to enable the immediate and profitable delivery of Video On Demand (VOD) and High-Definition Television (HDTV) over a high-quality optical Ethernet transport network. Developed through a partnership with Path 1 Network Technologies Inc., the LightStack Gateways are the first solutions to deliver conversion between the broadly installed legacy Digital Video Broadcast-Asynchronous Serial Interface (DVB-ASI) protocol and Gigabit Ethernet (GbE). These products enable cable operators to realize the cost, performance, simplicity, and scalability advantages of GbE while sharply expanding the service capacity and management of existing networks.

The new gateways deliver breakthrough density that reshape the economics of VOD over legacy infrastructure, providing the port-capacity needed to fill GbE channels. They enable operators to utilize the capacity advantages of GbE for HDTV delivery. LightStack Gateways convert ASI streams from servers to GbE, or they can be placed at distribution hubs to convert GbE channels to ASI streams, thus preserving the operator's legacy server or QAM investment.

According to Gary Southwell, Vice President of Marketing for Internet Photonics, "We're bringing new service capacity to existing networks, letting operators implement `cap-and-grow' migration strategies that allow them to cost-effectively evolve their networks to Gigabit Ethernet. This way, they can generate new revenues from high-value VOD services across their legacy equipment and can deploy HDTV via the added capacity of 10 Gbps DWDM."

This new solution allows operators to multiplex over 230 IP-encapsulated MPEG-2 video streams received by the GbE interface into MPEG streams transmitted over ASI interfaces. The gateways can be deployed with next-generation LightStack(TM) MX DWDM platforms from Internet Photonics to multiplex up to eight GbE "Virtual Fibers" over a single 10 Gbps wavelength. Operators can use unique "SONET Wraparound" capabilities to create bandwidth and offer the VOD traffic alongside existing SONET/SDH traffic without disruption.

    The following is a brief description of the new products:

    --  LightStack Server Gateway - Extends the life of legacy ASI
        servers that are typically installed in regional headends by
        providing ASI-to-GbE conversion. Optimized to fill a single
        GbE channel, it is available in a standard configuration with
        6 ASI ports and a single GbE port. The LightStack Server
        Gateway de-multiplexes Multi-Program Transport Streams (MPTS)
        onto IP-encapsulated MPEG-2 Single Program Transport Streams
        (SPTS) for compatibility with GbE input to a QAM modulator.

    --  LightStack QAM Gateway - Extends the life of legacy ASI QAMs
        that are typically located in regional hubs by providing
        GbE-to-ASI conversion. Optimized to fill a single GbE channel,
        it is available in a standard configuration with a single GbE
        port and 6 ASI ports. The LightStack QAM Gateway multiplexes
        IP-encapsulated MPEG-2 SPTS flows into MPTS flows for ASI
        output into a QAM modulator.

    --  LightStack ASI Bridge - Solution for utilizing GbE transport
        in legacy ASI environments. Optimized to fill a single GbE
        channel, the LightStack ASI Bridge is available in two
        configurations: ASI-to-GbE conversion and GbE-to-ASI
        conversion. Operators deploy one LightStack ASI Bridge at the
        regional headend and another at a remote distribution hub so
        they can use cost-effective GbE transport over the fiber
        infrastructure without replacing legacy servers and QAMs. MPTS
        and SPTS flows are bridged between sites in their native
        formats, and operators can reclaim existing fiber and put it
        back into productive use.

Path 1 developed these products and the development was co-funded by Internet Photonics. Using a state-of-the-art embedded platform as well as patented algorithms, these products shield video signals from the impairments imposed by IP networks while preserving the broadcast-quality video demanded by cable operators. All three products will be available in controlled release in November and general release in December directly from Internet Photonics.

About Internet Photonics

Internet Photonics, Inc. is an innovative early-stage company delivering the first carrier-grade managed Optical Ethernet solutions with 10 Gigabit DWDM transport to allow service providers and cable operators to sell profitable high-bandwidth data services alongside existing legacy services. Based jointly in Shrewsbury NJ and Marlborough MA, the Company's next-generation optical transport products are scalable, simple-to-install, and provide carrier-grade reliability and manageability. Investors include The Sprout Group, ComVentures, Telesoft Partners, AT&T (NYSE:T) and New Venture Partners LLC, formerly the New Ventures Group at Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU). For more information, please visit www.internetphotonics.com.

About Path 1

Path 1 Network Technologies Inc. (OTCBB:PNWK): San Diego, CA is an industry leader in providing broadcast quality video over packet-based networks. From the delivery and distribution of broadcast materials to Video On Demand, Path 1's video infrastructure platforms allow high quality transmissions of point-to-point and multiplexed data over legacy IP systems. Patented technology and unique know-how enable stable and error-free transport of real time video, including broadcast and entertainment content exchanges. Path 1's capabilities have appeal to carrier, broadcast, networking, and entertainment companies as well as enterprise and government markets. For additional information please visit www.path1.net or call 877/ONE-PATH (663-7284).