Alticast Selects Espial Escape Browser for MHP and OCAP Functionality

Released_By: Espial Corporation

For_Immediate_Release

Alticast Selects Espial Escape Browser Bringing MHP AND OCAP Functionality to Terrestrial, Cable, and Satellite Operators

Cost-Effective MHP Platform Speeds Ability of Operators to Generate Revenue Through Reuse of Existing Walled-Garden and Interactive Content, Browser-Based Email, and Internet Access

OTTAWA, Canada-September 10, 2002-Espial, a leading provider of software and services for smart Internet devices, today announced that Alticast has selected the Espial Suite for TV for advanced MHP implementations. Alticast, a pioneer in providing total interactive TV solutions, provides end-to-end solutions for the delivery and reception of interactive TV content based on DVB-MHP and OCAP open standards.

Espial Suite for TV will be displayed in the Alticast booth (4.271) at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, September 13-17.

"The integration of the Espial Suite for TV into Alticast's solution set, once again provides the versatility of our Java technology," said Dr. Neale Foster, marketing director for TV at Espial. "Working closely with the leading semiconductor, operating system, and Java virtual machine companies has allowed us again to optimize and fully demonstrate the portability, robustness, and performance that is critical for MHP's success."

The challenge for many set-top box manufacturers is to build a device that is advanced enough to remain compliant with evolving industry standards and remain cost efficient enough to meet revenue targets for cable operators. The advantage of the Espial Suite for TV in these designs is the ability to meet all digital standards while providing the upgradability required to meet future interactive TV needs. Espial Suite for TV enables the necessary revenue generating MHP interactive services such as rendering HTML from the video stream, photo image display, walled-garden display, browser-based email, and full Internet access.

"We are extremely impressed with the advanced engineering that has been built into the Espial Suite for TV," said Dr. Eunsang Yun, Ph.D., vice president of sales and marketing, Alticast. "As cable operators look to improve revenues by providing more services, the set-top box must be able to serve as a profitability platform. Espial Suite for TV with built-in MHP functionality allows broadcasters to utilize their legacy content to bring compelling Internet functionality and interactivity to the box."

MHP is becoming the worldwide de facto open standard for digital cable, TV and satellite operators. The volume of set-top boxes being deployed this year is predicted to be more than 40 million devices worldwide, with more than 19 million units assigned for satellite broadcasting and 17 million for cable TV. MHP enabled set-top boxes will begin shipping later this year.

About Alticast

Alticast is a pioneer in the field of interactive digital TV, providing end-to-end services and software solutions for the creation, delivery, and reception of interactive television content based on DVB-MHP and OCAP open standards for digital broadcasting. Alticast is "first-to-market" with commercially deployed DVB-MHP products for Terrestrial, Cable, and Satellite operators.

Alticast's business areas include iTV end-to-end services, content management, transaction fulfillment, and technology licensing. Alticast software solutions include interactive services automation systems, digital receiver middleware, authoring tools, and iTV testing systems. A privately owned company, Alticast has R&D facilities in Seoul, South Korea, and a marketing center in Austin, Texas, USA, with offices in Beijing, China, and Frankfurt, Germany. For more information on Alticast products and services, visit Alticast at www.alticast.com

About Espial Escape Espial Escape is the first 100% Java browser to offer a scalable configuration that supports key Internet standards. Thanks to its exceptional feature set, Escape has emerged as one of the only Java browsers to have been successfully deployed on multiple Java Virtual Machines (JVMs). Now in its fourth major commercial release, Escape is proven Java browser technology that has been commercially deployed and works across a range of smart Internet device categories, including: Internet appliances, interactive digital TVs, wireless devices and automotive infotainment systems, For more information on Espial Escape, visit http://www.espial.com/escape.

About Espial With more than 90 device design wins with companies such as Intel, Motorola, On Command, Philips, Sony and Samsung, Espial has deployed proven solutions for devices relying on Internet connectivity. Espial software allows customers to create services, deliver devices, manage infrastructure while building revenue in a cost effective manner. Espial technology applies universally, across sectors as TV, wireless, and automotive. Visit www.espial.com .

For further information please contact:

Craig Olson Media Relations, Espial
+1 515 224 7641
colson@espial.com