Platforms International Corp. Featured on Caspar Weinberger's ``World Business Review'' TV Series.

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 1999--Multi-Media Productions (USA) Inc. Tuesday announced the appearance of Howard A. Foote, president and chief executive officer of Platforms International Corp. (OTC BB:PLFM), on "World Business Review."

The weekly television series focuses on technology and is hosted by Caspar Weinberger, chairman of Forbes magazine and secretary of defense during the Reagan administration. The topic of discussion is Airborne & Wireless Telecommunications.

"Platforms International Corp. was selected to appear on the show because it is a company on the leading edge of wireless technology, and is delivering tomorrow's communications systems today," said Sam Stockharner, the show's associate producer.

Platforms International is a pioneer in the field of unmanned or remote-controlled vehicles, including aircraft, spacecraft and submarines. "The uses for unmanned aircraft alone are far reaching," said Foote. The company is based at the National Test Pilot School in Mojave, Calif., and has a letter of agreement to test and operate its aircraft in the Edwards Air Force Base test ranges.

Among its many projects, the company is ready to implement an airborne wireless communications system using high altitude aircraft for regional coverage.

"This effectively eliminates many components of a typical land-based system," said Foote, "including poles and wires -- or can be used to augment existing infrastructure."

The aircraft, an unmanned vehicle that resembles a drone, is capable of flying at high altitudes and can remain in the same location above the ground, rotating with the earth like a satellite. Platforms sees this as an ideal vehicle for transmitting cellular communications, including telephone, pagers, direct TV, and Internet access.

The system will work anywhere in the world, and provides coverage of 200 miles in diameter as soon as the plane is launched. Developing nations that wish to build out cellular communications in an effort to generate revenues to support the development of a ground infrastructure are the most likely customers for this technology, said Foote.

The system is expected to be used first to provide phone service in Europe and South America, and plans are in the works to introduce the system in other areas where the communications infrastructure is either not sufficiently developed or in need of augmentation.

The company conducted a successful demonstration of the system in May 1998.

"We have demonstrated a full capability with a cellular demonstration in downtown San Diego, Calif., where we laid down a GSM cell architecture (the European standard, similar to the CDMA standard used in the United States). We were able to show the interface into existing ground wire network through the base station, so we were part of the standard local loop," said Foote.

The system is scheduled for an initial launch in the second quarter of 1999, and Foote expects it to be deployed globally over the next year.

Standard handsets integrate with existing cellular technology and standard telephone systems. This general purpose air vehicle can be used for a number of purposes, since they are high altitude and long endurance, they can be used for surveillance, such as for the Border Patrol or in a military theater (equipped with infrared equipment) or in science, for atmospheric studies or lab experiments. And since all payloads are separate from the aircraft, they can be removed and upgraded as needed.

Other divisions of the company, and their individual missions include: Orbital Networks Services Corp. (Orbnet). The primary mission of this company is to bring to market the ability of an air launch platform for satellites. Foote said the company is initially looking at a number of global players in need of satellite launch services. The company has been authorized to acquire 3 supersonic platforms, or aircraft, which will be used to air-launch low-earth orbit (LOE) satellites, similar to what is being done with the Lockheed L-1011.

Through another subsidiary, called Flight Dynamics Corp., Platforms International manufactures advanced composite structures, used in the construction of general aviation composite aircraft. It also works with unmanned submarines, which will be used for the collection of data -- a new concept, but one Foote thinks has great potential.

About "World Business Review"

"World Business Review," with host Weinberger, takes the viewer behind the scenes to examine the leading-edge technologies and innovative business solutions shaping our future. Blending interviews and panel discussions with global field reports and technical reviews, each half-hour broadcast is designed to enable leaders from a variety of industries to offer their insight into the challenges and opportunities businesses face as the 21st century nears.

Taped in Washington, D.C., "World Business Review" currently airs on PBS, The Business Channel, and in prime business time slots in numerous Public Television markets including San Francisco, New York, Denver and Miami. The weekly series can also be viewed on United Airlines or from any desktop computer via AENTV.

Individual videotapes or continuing education systems (via Indiana State University) are available by calling 800/WBR-1032, or by visiting www.wbrtv.com, which showcases featured topics and specific companies' technologies.