Press Release

Thursday 9 March, 2000

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

GULLEWA LIMITED

POWERLAN ADDS VIDEO CONFERENCING TO ITS SOON TO BE LAUNCHED ASP PORTAL

PowerASP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Powerlan Limited and Gullewa Limited today announced a joint venture for the development of the first Australasian internet protocol (IP) video conferencing service, Videcom Ltd. This ground breaking service will offer audiovisual and data communications to multiple users, charged on a per minute usage basis at rates competitive with voice telephony. Videcom will launch its first level of service within 8 weeks.

Powerlan will provide the software development expertise and will host the service as one of the key offerings on its PowerASP portal. In return Powerlan will own 45% of Videcom. Gullewa will provide the funding necessary to develop, launch and continually market the service. In return Gullewa will own 45% of Videcom. The remaining 10% of Videcom is owned by management.

The Videcom service will use the White Pine MeetingPoint 4.0 server software. This software is the world’s first standards based software only internet protocol (IP) conferencing solution that fully utilises multicast technology to optimise bandwidth consumption and reduce the network resources consumed by group multimedia communication. Colleagues, customers and business partners can join a Meeting Point conference at any time, from any place in the world, using a range of H323 software, including Microsoft NetMeeting, Intel ProShare, PictureTel LiveLAN, Polycom ViewStation, White Pine CU-SeeMe Pro and others.

As Internet access bandwidth is becoming ever more affordable and computer processors are becoming faster, low cost software video conferencing solutions are now replacing expensive dedicated hardware solutions in business environments and are gaining acceptance by home users in social interaction.

Videcom will allow users to participate in real-time, high quality multi-point video, audio and data conferences over the Internet seamlessly via a web browser. The Videcom system will manage behaviour, access, centralised billing and capacity usage. Users will be able to instantly create rooms, book rooms and control entry to their Meeting Point conference. Essentially, with the minimal requirements of a web camera, speakers and microphone, Videcom will offer a fully integrated solution to business users and a simple instantaneous video chat room for families and friends.

Other Benefits

• Videcom can host fully interactive events with a customised level of audience participation. Events can be presented live or pre-recorded and datacast.

• Videcom will offer its services for re-branding to corporate clients and other service providers.

• Videcom will provide dedicated user rooms embedded in a clients web page.

• Videcom can tailor make revenue generating rooms on a per minute basis for consultancy based businesses.

• Videcom provides a solution for corporate training and distance learning.

• Videcom will provide 24 hour central monitoring and security control.

• Utilising White Pine’s CU-SeeMe-Web technology, a unique interface which provides users with simple one stop solution conferencing with "point and click" navigation, Videcom will enable "real live person" direct 24-hour audio/visual helpdesk without the need for client software or the end user having a camera. There is strong market potential in the supply of web based, no client software required help/sales desks for online banking, retailing and technical support.

Videcom will target ISP, ASP, Search Engines and major web sites for portal channel distribution. These preferred partners will recognise the need to provide their clients this value added service in addition to their existing services.

Videcom will target the business sector to provide simple, cost efficient conferencing service with minimal capital outlay. Business targeted will be those which currently have no conferencing systems or are keen to extend the reach of the current conferencing capabilities.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Theo Baker
Managing Director
Powerlan Limited
Phone: 612 9418 3600
e-mail: tbaker@powerlan.com.au
web: www.powerlan.com.au
 

Copyright © 2003 Powerlan Ltd.