Companies news

Columbus Launches Cutting-Edge Navigation Solution for Emergency & Rescue Services

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Columbus Geographic Systems (GIS) Ltd. ("Columbus") (Pink Sheets: CGSE) today launched a cutting-edge navigation and geographic information system (GIS) for emergency & rescue services.

The new solution, based on the Company's SmartView product, is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of police, fire, and other services dealing with emergency events such as accidents, natural disasters, and forest fires. This solution includes tools to quickly and easily visualize the critical areas and resources needed to analyze, plan, respond, and manage emergency incidents.

Key features include: -- Dynamically analyses the geographical conditions and topography of the emergency site before rescue teams even arrive at the scene. This saves critical time and ensures the rescue teams arrive fully prepared. -- Tracks exact location of all resources involved, contributing to better coordination between all teams - police, fire, ambulance etc. -- Supports real-time decision making, including allocating missions to individual teams, vehicles, and other resources such as search & rescue boats or casualty evacuation helicopters.

"Our solution enables emergency teams to more effectively plan and coordinate response to events. The result is faster response times with the right resources, which is critical in any emergency situation," said Tsvika Freidman, CEO of Columbus. "This application has been successfully used by the Israeli police rescue service in all types of weather and terrain. Building on this success, we plan to aggressively market this application to emergency & rescue services around the world."

About Columbus Geographic Systems

Columbus Geographic Systems (GIS) Ltd. is a rising player in the field of geographic information systems (GIS) and navigation applications. The Company brings advanced software capabilities to a wide range of users and devices, previously only accessible to trained professionals on dedicated devices.

Main products: -- Highly-effective off road, outdoor GPS navigation tools, working on a full range of devices including Car PC, PDA, and Personal Navigation Devices (PND), with options for 3D imaging. -- Innovative, affordable GIS tools easily used in a range of applications, including businesses, agriculture, surveys, and government agencies. -- Aerial GIS applications for military and civilian aircraft operating in complex or threatening environments. For more information, please visit http://www.columbusgis.com/. Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release may contain 'forward-looking' information within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release may include forward- looking statements that may involve risks and uncertainties.

There can be no assurance that such statements will be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward- looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances or to reflect unanticipated events or developments.

Columbus Geographic Systems

CONTACT: Columbus Geographic Systems (GIS) Ltd., +972 8 8601001,
info@columbusgis.com

Web site: http://www.columbusgis.com/

STMicroelectronics Leads European MPEG Decoder Shipments for Integrated Digital TV ApplicationsLeading TV manufacturers choose ST's proven set-top-box technologies for feature-rich standard- and high-definition MPEG-2 and H.264 integrated digital TV sets

GENEVA, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics , the world's foremost supplier of ICs for TV set-top boxes (STBs)(1), today confirmed its leadership position for the shipment of MPEG-2 and H.264 decoder chips for use in integrated Digital TV sets (iDTVs) for the European market. These iDTVs are TV sets that integrate a digital TV receiver, and are today primarily aimed at the digital terrestrial broadcast market.

In 2007, ST again increased its MPEG-2 market share shipping 10 million decoders, primarily from its STi510x family, for use in iDTV applications, measured against a total European market of 12 million iDTV sets(2). The 2007 totals compare with 3.1 million decoders shipped by ST, and 5.2 million integrated TV sets sold in Europe(2) in 2006.

LCD TV sales are growing rapidly towards market domination, especially in Europe, as display prices fall. Sales of integrated digital TVs, increasingly popular with consumers because of their convenience, are further encouraged by the planned analog switch-off across Europe, and mandates such as the French requirement that all TV sets should integrate a digital decoder by March 2008.

Additionally, early adoption of the H.264 standard -- also known as AVC (Advanced Video Coding) and MPEG-4 Part 10 -- as the European high-definition (HD) standard has gained added impetus from a French ruling that by December 2008, all 'HD-Ready' TV sets sold in France must integrate a high-definition decoder.

Leading TV manufacturers are now capitalizing on the proven capability of ST's H.264 decoding technology -- with its widespread use in both high- definition and standard-definition set-top boxes -- when designing new iDTV products, or adding H.264 capability to their existing platforms. The rich feature set and embedded connectivity of ST's STi710x high-definition H.264 decoder family enables the later enhancement of H.264 TV set platforms with built-in features such as DLNA 1.5 compliant Digital Media Players, IPTV (Internet Protocol TV), or DVRs (Digital Video Recorders), as well as simplifying the addition of hard-disk drives, image sources and network capabilities. The family also includes a dedicated 24-bit digital-video output to gluelessly connect to market-leading analog TV scalers.

"With TV industry leaders choosing ST's H.264 decoder technology for their 2008 models, we are well on the way to becoming the leading supplier of H.264 chips for iDTV, to match our leadership position in MPEG-2," said Philippe Lambinet, Corporate Vice-President and general manager of ST's Home Entertainment and Displays Group. "Two of the three 'TNT HD' sets currently selling in France use ST's chips, and others are on the way."

About H.264

The H.264/AVC standard is an ultra-efficient, fully scalable video technology that produces high quality video at lower data rates than other solutions, and can be used in applications from HDTV and DVD to 3G (third generation) mobile phones. Services broadcast using H.264 use considerably less bandwidth than the widely used MPEG-2 coding scheme, and at a much lower bitrate, allowing broadcasters economically to transmit more high definition programming. Compression efficiency is improved by more than 50%.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2006, the Company's net revenues were $9.85 billion and net earnings were $782 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com/.

(1) 'MPEG Video ICs: H.264 in the Limelight' published by InStat. June 2007 (2) iSuppli -- DTV Semiconductors Market Tracker -- Q3 2007

STMicroelectronics

CONTACT: Michael Markowitz of STMicroelectronics, +1-212-821-8959,
michael.markowitz@st.com

Web site: http://www.st.com/

Network Enhancements Give Verizon Wireless Customers in Jefferson County, Missouri Something to Talk AboutVerizon Wireless Activates New Cell Sites in De Soto

DE SOTO, Mo., Jan 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless, the only major carrier with a 30-day network test-drive pledge that pays for calls if a customer isn't satisfied and switches to another carrier, announced today that it has activated two new cell sites in De Soto.

These network enhancements improve coverage and enable more Verizon Wireless customers living in and visiting the area to use their wireless phones to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; and download games and ringtones while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

The network enhancements will improve coverage for the many travelers along U.S. Highway 67 as far north as Festus, Mo. and as far south as State Highway 110.

"This network enhancement reflects our ongoing commitment to meet the growing needs of our customers and to provide them with the reliable, high quality service they expect from Verizon Wireless," said Lou Sigillo, president-Kansas/Missouri Region for Verizon Wireless.

Reliable service is fundamental to customer loyalty, and Verizon Wireless boasts the highest customer loyalty in the industry, as measured by the company's low percent of customer turnover.

"The value we offer our customers is closely tied to our industry-leading customer retention," Sigillo said. "Wireless consumers today understand that value is not defined by price alone. A major reason our customers choose Verizon Wireless and stay with us is because we offer the nation's most reliable network."

These new cell sites are part of Verizon Wireless' continual effort to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Missouri and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $40 billion since it was formed-- more than $5 billion on average every year -- to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest US wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, with 68,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com/. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Cheryl Bini Armbrecht, Cheryl.Bini@verizonwireless.com, or
Brenda Hill, Brenda.Hill@verizonwireless.com, both of Verizon Wireless,
+1-314-920-4444; or Caroline Villanueva, +1-314-725-5645,
Caroline@sequel-llc.com, for Verizon Wireless

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/

Small Businesses Get the Competitive Edge with HughesNetSurvey identifies customer communication as key to rural small business adoption of broadband

GERMANTOWN, Md., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a survey conducted by Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite network solutions and services, rural small businesses state that staying connected to their customers is the primary reason for needing a reliable broadband connection. The survey of nearly 600 self-identified small business owners and managers indicated that customer communications, research, and order processing were primary needs addressed by broadband services.

Of the small businesses surveyed, 95 percent used their connection to send and receive customer e-mail. Sixty-four percent of respondents indicated that they used their HughesNet(R) broadband satellite Internet connection to conduct research.

"As a real estate agent, it is virtually impossible to download MRIS listings on a dial-up connection," said Lee Sherbeyn, a rural Virginia-based HughesNet subscriber. "It would take literally 45 minutes to run a search for a particular housing listing when I was using dial-up."

"HughesNet changed the way I run my businesses. Real estate database searches that previously took nearly an hour now can be completed in seconds. I can upload, download, and email photos of houses to my clients without worrying about tying up my phone line for extended periods of time," continued Sherbeyn. "HughesNet is the difference between making a sale and watching my client miss out on the house of their dreams."

In addition to using the Internet to stay connected to customers, nearly 50 percent of survey respondents use the Internet to process customer orders. Respondents indicated that they spend more than 40 hours per week using the Internet for business purposes.

In a 2006 speech, President Bush called for terrestrial broadband access to be completely deployed in rural communities by the end of 2007. Yet today there are still an estimated 10 million households or more in rural areas of the US that are not served by terrestrial broadband providers. Fortunately, for these consumers and small business owners, HughesNet is available to fill the gap.

"To be successful in today's competitive marketplace, small businesses must be able to obtain and promptly respond to orders online, conduct research, purchase inventory, access electronic documents from suppliers, and receive large e-mail attachments with ease," said Peter Gulla, vice president of marketing for North America, Hughes.

"To send and receive this information efficiently and quickly, small business owners need broadband access. HughesNet gives small businesses -- regardless of geography -- the broadband access they need to be successful," Gulla added.

HughesNet is available throughout the continental U.S., and currently serves more than 365,000 consumers and small businesses in nearly 26,000 zip codes underserved by cable and DSL. For more information about HughesNet consumer and small business broadband satellite services, please visit http://www.hughesnet.com/ or call 1-866-859-2268.

The survey was conducted by email and distributed to more than 20,000 current HughesNet subscribers. More than 580 respondents identified themselves as "small business owners," or "small business managers," and provided input to questions about usage trends, business needs and business growth.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) is the global leader in providing broadband satellite networks and services for large enterprises, governments, small businesses, and consumers. HughesNet encompasses all broadband solutions and managed services from Hughes, bridging the best of satellite and terrestrial technologies. Hughes has shipped more than 1.2 million systems to customers in over 100 countries. Its broadband satellite products are based on the IPoS (IP over Satellite) global standard, approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU standards organizations.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes maintains sales and support offices worldwide. Hughes is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Communications, Inc. . For additional information, please visit http://www.hughes.com/.

Hughes and HughesNet are trademarks of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.

Hughes Network Systems, LLC

CONTACT: Judy Blake of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, +1-301-601-7330,
jblake@hns.com; or Donna Armstrong of Brodeur for Hughes Network Systems, LLC,
+1-202-775-2650, dtaylor@brodeur.com

Web site: http://www.hughes.com/
http://www.hughesnet.com/

VMware Wins Desktop Virtualization Technology of the Year AwardVMware Workstation 6 Desktop Virtualization Software Wins 2008 InfoWorld Technology of the Year Award

PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VMware Workstation 6 has won InfoWorld's 2008 Technology of the Year Award for desktop virtualization. Winners were announced earlier this week on the InfoWorld site: http://www.infoworld.com/archives/t.jsp?N=s&V=94327.

"The annual Technology of the Year Awards recognize the best and most innovative products reviewed by the InfoWorld Test Center in the past year that are transforming, and will continue to transform, IT in the coming year," said Doug Dineley, Executive Editor, Test Center at InfoWorld. "2007 was a big year for virtualization, and VMware continues to lead the way."

InfoWorld's 2008 Technology of the Year Awards recognize 49 IT products across 9 general categories and identify the highest scoring products and technologies reviewed in the past year by the InfoWorld Test Center. Selected by InfoWorld Test Center editors and reviewers, the annual awards identify the best and most innovative products on the IT landscape. InfoWorld's Technology of the Year Awards are not open to outside nominations. Winners are drawn from all of the products tested during the past year, with the final selections made by InfoWorld's Test Center staff.

VMware Workstation, the industry standard for desktop virtualization software, helps companies roll out applications faster; save on hardware costs by testing multiple operating system and hardware configurations on a single client or PC; and increase business productivity by instantly provisioning desktop systems for new users.

"We are honored that VMware Workstation 6 has been named Technology of the Year by such a trusted organization," said Jeff Jennings, vice president of desktop solutions at VMware. "VMware Workstation continues to prove itself as a best-in-class product chosen by thousands of software developers who are serious about maximizing the benefits of desktop virtualization."

More information about InfoWorld Technology of the Year Awards is available at http://www.infoworld.com/awards/. More information about VMware Workstation is available at http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/.

About InfoWorld Media Group

InfoWorld Media Group helps IT solutions management choose the right technology, within the context of a cohesive strategy, for business impact at their organizations. Rather than merely covering the enterprise technology market, InfoWorld identifies and promotes emerging technology segments that add unique value for the organizations that implement them, as well as the vendors that provide those solutions. Using an integrated communications approach including online, events, research, and a continued investment in an independent Test Center, InfoWorld analysts and editors provide both hands-on analysis and evaluation, as well as expert commentary on issues surrounding emerging technologies and products. Visit InfoWorld at http://www.infoworld.com/.

About VMware, Inc.

VMware is the global leader in virtual infrastructure software for industry-standard systems. Organizations of all sizes use VMware solutions to simplify their IT, fully leverage their existing computing investments and respond faster to changing business demands. VMware is based in Palo Alto, California and majority-owned by EMC Corporation . For more information, visit http://www.vmware.com/.

VMware is a registered trademark or trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Greg Eden VMware Public Relations eden@vmware.com 650-427-1095 Andrew Schmitt OutCast Communications for VMware Andrew@outcastpr.com 415-392-8282 x706

VMware, Inc.

CONTACT: Greg Eden of VMware Public Relations, +1-650-427-1095,
eden@vmware.com; or Andrew Schmitt of OutCast Communications, +1-415-392-8282,
ext. 706, Andrew@outcastpr.com, for VMware

Web site: http://www.vmware.com/
http://www.infoworld.com/

Covista Communications, Inc. Completes Acquisition of GT3 Holdings Corporation (General Telecom) and ClearEnd Corporation~Kevin Alward Returns as President and Chief Executive Officer~

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., and NEW YORK, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Covista Communications, Inc. (Pink Sheets: CVST), a 25-year-old, full-service, facilities-based telecommunications company headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, today announced the completion of its acquisition of two New York City based telecommunications companies, GT3 Holdings Corporation and ClearEnd Corporation, creating two wholly-owned subsidiaries.

Along with the merger, Covista Communications announced the appointment of Kevin Alward as President and Chief Executive Officer, marking his third tenure with the company. Alward was Chief Operating Officer of Covista Communications from 1992 to 1998 and then from 2001 to 2004.

The merger will extend Covista Communications' Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) product offerings and will increase its network footprint to include a nationwide fiber network and seven regional data centers. "The combined infrastructure and resources of the three companies will strengthen our overall business as well as increase and diversify our product offerings to a combined customer base of approximately 100,000," said Alward.

GT3 Holdings, which has been operating under the name of General Telecom, is an IP service provider to over 50 major telecommunications companies and transmits over 10 million voice minutes a day over an all IP access network. The acquisition of General Telecom positions Covista Communications as a market leader in the IP communications space with three major next-generation data centers and bundled IP products required for the future.

ClearEnd is a provider in the hosted IP-PBX (Private Branch Exchange) and unified communications market. By acquiring ClearEnd, Covista Communications plans to accelerate and strengthen its position in the hosted IP-PBX arena, while providing the infrastructure needed to scale the growth in this business segment.

According to Alward, "This is a major step for Covista in its transformation into an IP telephony based company. The expertise at General Telecom and ClearEnd bridges the gap between legacy and next-generation services and leapfrogs Covista's managed and hosted IP voice and unified communications capabilities. The combined acquisitions support our overall growth strategy by accelerating our next-generation products and services initiative. Covista Communications is now uniquely positioned to deliver voice and unified communication services over an all IP network and increase our market share through existing and new sales."

About Covista Communications

Founded in 1983 and currently headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Covista Communications, Inc. is a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) operating in 48 states as well as an FCC 214 international facilities-based carrier. The company's fully-redundant nationwide sonet network architecture provides mission-critical voice and data applications to customers throughout the United States. The Covista Communication product portfolio extends from traditional switched and dedicated telephone services to the most sophisticated voice and data solutions, hosted IP- PBX services, enhanced wireless services, data storage, and business continuity/disaster recovery services. For more information, please visit http://www.covista.com/.

About General Telecom

General Telecom, headquartered in New York City, was founded in 1990 and was the first to offer carrier-neutral switch partitioning in 1991. General Telecom offers a comprehensive suite of TDM and IP switching services, co-location/interconnection facilities and fully-provisioned, always-on back-up networks for the voice and data requirements of global carriers and small-to-medium sized businesses and maintains strategically located facilities in New York, Los Angeles and Miami along with a 24x7 Network Operations Center. For more information, please visit http://www.gentel.net/.

About ClearEnd

ClearEnd, founded in 2004, provides hosted IP and IT consulting services to both small and large companies looking for solutions to their complex communications requirements. The company seamlessly connects disparate networks onto a managed network for multiple locations, in multiple cities with voice, data and Internet access. ClearEnd offers hosted IP solutions and unified communications services that deliver a combination of cost savings, flexibility and robust features, providing businesses with increased functionality over traditional telephone service. For more information, please visit http://www.clearend.com/.

Information relating to forward-looking statements: This press release contains historical and forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements such as statements of the company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions involve risks and uncertainties. The cautionary statements made in this release should be read as being applicable to all related statements wherever they appear. Statements containing terms such as "believes," "expects," "plans," "projects," "intends," "estimates," "anticipates," or similar terms, are considered to contain uncertainty and are forward-looking statements. The actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Factors that could contribute to such differences include: changes in market conditions and increased competition from other telecommunications and internet service providers, including wireless providers; government regulations; the volatile and competitive environment for internet telephony; advances in competitive products or technologies that could reduce demand for services; availability of transmission facilities; management of growth; customer concentration and attrition; the ability to successfully integrate acquired companies; the ability to successfully develop and bring new services to market; inaccurate or incomplete assumptions on the part of management; and other risks discussed in the company's SEC filings, including form 10-k and form 10-q, which can be accessed at http://www.sec.gov/.

Covista Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: Marlene Den Bleyker of Covista Communications, Inc.,
800-676-0500, 0199, MDenBleyker@Covista.com

Web site: http://www.covista.com/
http://www.clearend.com/
http://www.gentel.net/

TravelCLICK Elects Robert E. Dowdell Chairman

CHICAGO, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- TravelCLICK, Inc., the leading provider of emarketing solutions for the global hotel industry, today announced that Robert E. Dowdell has been named Chairman of the Board. The selection of Dowdell follows the recent addition of TravelCLICK to the Genstar Capital, LLC portfolio of companies through its acquisition in December.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080108/AQTU128)

"We are delighted to have Bob join our already strong Board of Directors," said Robert Post, President and CEO of TravelCLICK. "His in-depth knowledge of the information services business combined with his ability to grow companies will be invaluable as we continue to expand in both domestic and international markets."

Mr. Dowdell is a founder and Chairman of Career Education Corp. and has been a Director of the company since its inception in 1994. Mr. Dowdell is also Chairman Emeritus and former Chief Executive Officer of Marshall & Swift / Boeckh (MS/B), a web-hosted software application company. He also currently sits on the board of 21st Services, a leading data and information service provider to the insurance and life settlement industries.

"I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead," said Dowdell. "TravelCLICK's proven brand, strong reputation and talented people have positioned the company to deliver enhanced value to its hotel customers through expanded emarketing and revenue management solutions."

From September 2006 through March 2007, Mr. Dowdell served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Career Education Corp. From 1994 to 2005, Mr. Dowdell served as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of MS/B. From 1998 to 2006, Mr. Dowdell served as General Partner of RGD Partners, L.P., an investment business. From 1984 to 1988, Mr. Dowdell was President of National Education Centers, Inc., a subsidiary of National Education Corporation, Inc. Mr. Dowdell received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

About TravelCLICK

TravelCLICK (http://www.travelclick.net/) is the leading provider of emarketing solutions that help hotels sell rooms smarter and drive long-term profitability. TravelCLICK helps hotels maximize asset ROI by combining innovative market analysis and proven industry best practices with advanced technology to develop and implement high-return strategies. The company offers a full set of solutions, including reservations and distribution management, market intelligence-based decision support and marketing services. Serving the hospitality industry since 1999 and headquartered in the Chicago area, TravelCLICK has more than 12,000 customers in 140 countries.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080108/AQTU128
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com TravelCLICK, Inc.

CONTACT: Katrina Pruitt-Andrews of TravelCLICK, Inc., +1-410-257-9154,
kpandrews@travelclick.net

Web site: http://www.travelclick.net/

Chatsworth Data Announces Additions to Sales Team

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chatsworth Data Corporation ("CDC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Chatsworth Data Solutions, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: CHWD) (the Company"), announced today that it has made three top-flight appointments to its sales team. Effective immediately, Brittani Donnachi will be responsible for sales into CDC's vote tabulation vertical market; Mark Hammergren will be responsible for sales into the government vertical market; and Javier Chavez will be responsible for sales into the education vertical market. All were employed by Election Systems & Software prior to joining CDC. Brittani, Mark and Javier will be located at CDC's office in Chatsworth, CA and can be reached at (818) 341-9200.

In making the announcement, Louis W. Dedier III, CDC President and CEO, noted, "The addition of these experienced professionals is definitely a giant step forward for us. I am confident that Brittani, Mark and Javier will integrate nicely with our existing sales team, complement and energize their sales efforts, and move CDC closer to achieving the sales mentality we need to take the company to the next level."

About Chatsworth Data Solutions, Inc.

Located in Chatsworth, CA, the Company is the parent of Chatsworth Data Corporation ("CDC"), of Chatsworth, CA. CDC has been trusted worldwide for 35 years as a provider of innovative, highly accurate and economically priced intelligent data capture technology. CDC provides the front end optical mark sensing and image scanning systems designed to meet the forms capture and document management needs of value added resellers, system integrators and applications developers who embed CDC technology into solutions tailored for several key markets. Chief among them are gaming, educational testing, elections, surveying, and intelligence gathering. Over a million reader and optical head assemblies have been sold by CDC to date. Shares of Chatsworth Data Solutions, Inc. are traded on OTC:BB under the symbol CHWD. For more information about the Company and CDC, visit http://www.chatsworthdata.com/.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains or may contain certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All such forward-looking statements are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, the Company's management as well as estimates and assumptions made by the Company's management. When used in this release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "future", "intend", "plan" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to the Company or the Company's management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors (including the risks contained in the sections of the Company's reports filed or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission entitled "Risk Factors") relating to the Company's industry, the Company's operations and results of operations and any businesses that may be acquired by the Company. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

Chatsworth Data Corporation

CONTACT: Joe Allen of Allen & Caron Inc, +1-212-691-8087,
joe@allencaron.com; or Sid L. Anderson, Chairman of Chatsworth Data Solutions,
Inc, +1-918-645-3701, sid@slacollc.com

Web site: http://www.chatsworthdata.com/

Tektronix Receives 7th Technical Emmy AwardReal-time Transport Stream Monitoring for ATSC & DVB Conformance Award Goes to Tektronix for MPEG-2 Contributions

BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Tektronix, Inc., a leading worldwide provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation, announced the company has received a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) for "Real-time Transport Stream Monitoring for ATSC & DVB Conformance." The award recognizes the contribution of Tektronix for MPEG-2 Transport Stream monitoring and analysis, and was presented Monday, January 7th at the 58th Annual Engineering & Technology Emmy Awards during the CES show in Las Vegas. This is the seventh Emmy awarded to Tektronix, demonstrating a strong history of providing innovative technologies for the television and film industries.

MPEG-2 is a key technology in the new digital world with products widely used today in a variety of content delivery and consumer electronics applications. Networks, distribution channels and consumers benefit from this technology by receiving reliable, compressed video and audio content for viewing with high confidence of proper decoding.

The Tektronix MPEG products including the MTM400 MPEG Transport Stream Monitor and MTS400 Series MPEG Analyzers are widely used by technical and operations staff in broadcast television networks, cable and satellite program providers, satellite teleports, mobile truck uplinks, digital television stations, IPTV operators, and other facilities supporting content delivery worldwide. Networks, distribution channels, terrestrial DTV stations and consumers benefit from this technology by receiving reliable MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 compressed television programs for viewing with high confidence of proper decoding.

"Tektronix has been and continues to be a pioneer in the television and video industries," said Arif Kareem, Vice President, Video Product Line, Tektronix. "We are honored to once again be selected for a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award, this time for contributions to MPEG-2 transport stream monitoring and analysis. This is the seventh Emmy awarded to Tektronix, reflecting the continuous innovation at the company."

About the MTM400

The Tektronix MTM400 Transport Stream Monitor is a scalable solution that detects systems degradation and enables operators to easily perform diagnostics and rapidly pinpoint problems, reducing time to insight and increasing network reliability. The product enables network-wide integrated RF, IP & MPEG Transport Stream 24x7 monitoring, scaleable from confidence monitoring to diagnostic analysis.

About the MTS400

The Tektronix MTS400 series offers the most innovative, fastest, accurate and broadest range of easy to use and easy to understand solutions for analyzing and isolating problems with compressed video products or services used in cable, satellite, terrestrial, fixed and mobile networks.

About Tektronix

Tektronix is a leading supplier of test, measurement, and monitoring products, solutions and services for the communications, computer, and semiconductor industries -- as well as military/aerospace, consumer electronics, education and a broad range of other industries worldwide. With 60 years of experience, Tektronix enables its customers to design, build, deploy, and manage next-generation global communications networks, computing and advanced technologies. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Tektronix has operations in 19 countries worldwide. Tektronix' Web address is http://www.tektronix.com/.

Tektronix is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Tektronix, Inc.

CONTACT: Gary Grossman, Worldwide Sr. PR Manager of Tektronix,
+1-503-627-1097, gary.grossman@tektronix.com

Web site: http://www.tektronix.com/

Group Hommell chooses Nstein for the Web publishing of 5 of its magazinesSuccessful launch of the European publisher's TV magazine portal www.telecablesat.fr and progressive launch of 4 other titles with Nstein's solutions

MONTREAL and PARIS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Nstein Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: EIN), a leader in online publishing solutions for newspapers, magazines and online content providers, announced that France's Group Hommell has selected Nstein's solutions to manage and publish content for its leading publications: Auto Hebdo, Tele TNT Programmes and 4x4 Mag. Telecable Satellite Hebdo (http://www.telecablesat.fr/) was the first of these titles deployed on the Nstein's new platform, with the remainder launching throughout 2008.

Nstein's Web Content Management (WCM) now enables Group Hommell, a leading publisher of speciality magazines, to unify its different content (tests, photos, video, uploads, etc.) and to enable the repurposing of their assets. Nstein's solution allows to automate and optimize the publication of web content while providing the magazines' readers with a richer and community-driven online experience.

The first site, Telecable Satellite Hebdo, was rapidly launched in 3 months, and now offers online readers dynamic content such as video, forums, polls, quiz, game zone in flash, slideshows, video podcasts, movie database and covers, contests, etc., The next phase of the project will link WCM to the magazine's print workflow, thereby centralizing all digital assets and enabling journalists to edit content that will feed both the printed and digital versions of the magazines. The project will also enable Hommell to unify its subscription process, tying both paper and online readers into a unique user database for a seamless experience.

"We've worked with Nstein for several years now and their knowledge of the intricacies of print media workflows is very evident," said Jean-Yves Coatanoan, Delegate IT Director at Group Hommell and Director of RIP, a consulting group. "Unlike other CMS solutions on the market, Nstein's WCM platform has been designed especially for the publishing industry-two important factors for our Group. We're happy to extend our business relationship with Nstein, which is allowing us to move quickly on our strategy of expanding our print successes into the online world. Thanks to WCM and Nstein's team of experts, Group Hommell was able to launch Telecable Satellite Hebdo very quickly and efficiently."

Luc Filiatreault, President and CEO of Nstein Technologies declared: "The group has extremely popular print brands, and we're glad Hommell again chose Nstein as they now extend those brands onto the Net. WCM provides editors such as Hommell with tools that allow them to leverage their print assets so they can generate new revenue sources through multichannel delivery of their content."

Group Hommell is the 15th major media company to have chosen in 2007 Nstein's content management solutions (previously named 'Ntelligent Content Management') for the media and electronic publishing industry.

Nstein is the online provider of choice for many of the leading French media companies, including: Group Hommell (http://www.telecablesat.fr/), 20 minutes (http://www.20min.fr/), Le Nouvel Observateur (tempsreel.nouvelobs.com), 01Net (http://www.01net.com/) and L'Express (http://www.lexpress.fr/).

About Nstein Technologies Inc.

Nstein Technologies (TSX-V: EIN) develops and markets multilingual solutions that power online publishing for the most prestigious newspapers, magazines, and content-driven organizations. Nstein's solutions generate new revenue opportunities and reduce operational costs by enabling the centralization, management and automated indexing of digital assets. Nstein partners with clients to design a complete online strategy for success using publishing industry best practices for the implementation of its Web Content Management, Digital Asset Management and Text Mining Engine products. http://www.nstein.com/

- The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. - The financial value of the contract, on an individual basis, is not financially material to the affairs of Nstein Technologies Inc. The specific financial terms of the contracts can not be disclosed since knowledge of these transaction terms could represent a significant loss of competitive advantage to the Company as competitors would gain access to its pricing model. The Company believes that the disclosure of agreements by means of a press release is necessary to demonstrate the ability of the Company's technology to meet the requirements of its potential clients in the publishing, media and entertainment industries. Further, the completion of these types of agreements demonstrates the ongoing ability of the Company to capture an increasing share of this market and generate market acceptance for its products. The software license revenues resulting from this contract have been included in the Company's second quarter results (quarter ending June 30, 2007). - Any statement that appears prospective shall not be interpreted as such.

Nstein Technologies Inc.

CONTACT: Nstein Technologies Inc.: Investor Relations: Bruno Martel,
Chief Financial Officer, Nstein Technologies Inc., (514) 908-5406,
bruno.martel@nstein.com; Media: Rina Marchand, Marketing Manager, Nstein
Technologies Inc., (514) 908-5406, rina.marchand@nstein.com

NPR, Harris Corporation and Towson University Launch Global Effort To Make Radio Accessible to Hearing and Sight ImpairedFirst Over-The-Air Transmission From Special CES Station

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (LVCC S227) -- NPR, Harris Corporation and Towson University today announced a new initiative to make radio more accessible to the hundreds of millions of hearing and visually impaired people around the world.

At a press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the three organizations announced the global accessible radio technology initiative and provided the first live demonstration of the accessible radio technology. The group also announced a new research center for developing future technologies on the campus of Towson University near Baltimore, MD. Additional plans call for the establishment of an international consortium of equipment manufacturers, broadcasters and other organizations to help foster broad adoption of the initiative.

The initiative will be spearheaded by the three founding organizations and will leverage cutting-edge HD Radio(TM) technology to enable hearing-impaired people to "see" live radio content on specially equipped receivers by applying television closed-captioning processes to radio broadcasts. The technology also will provide audio cues and voice prompts, as well as advanced radio reading services, for those visually impaired and blind.

"Digital radio technology makes it possible -- for the first time -- to serve the sensory impaired," says Mike Starling, vice president and chief technology officer of NPR. "Beyond developing the technology, this initiative will ensure the accessibility of these radio services at minimal costs."

During the press conference, the organizations showcased the first over- the-air transmission of the accessible radio technology using a signal from WX3NPR, a special temporary station authorized by the FCC for the live broadcast. Attendees at the press conference watched the text transcript of the NPR flagship morning news magazine "Morning Edition" on the HD Radio receiver's viewing screen, which is what a hearing-impaired listener will see using the technology. Additionally, the demonstration carried a digital radio reading service that will assist the visually impaired with daily readings of current books, newspapers and magazines.

Following the demonstration, the participating organizations unveiled details for the International Center for Accessible Radio Technology (ICART), which will be headquartered at Towson University in Towson, MD. Towson will house the primary administrative and academic research office for the initiative, with NPR Labs in Washington, DC, providing technology R&D and software development, and Harris Corporation supplying transmission and research support at its radio broadcast technology center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Members of the global initiative went on to detail plans to further study and understand the challenges faced by the sensory-impaired population in accessing radio broadcasts, and develop methodologies to address those issues through cutting-edge technologies. To ensure that the effort represents the widest range of participants and fosters the broadest possible adoption, organizers said they will work to bring together policymakers, broadcasters, transmission equipment companies and receiver manufacturers from around the world. Presently, the initiative has more than a dozen members, representing virtually every aspect of the "microphone to loudspeaker" chain: broadcasters, network content providers, infrastructure and transmission equipment companies, and receiver manufacturers. In addition to founding members NPR, Harris and Towson University, supporting organizations include iBiquity Digital Corporation, Delphi, NDS, Radiosophy, Helen Keller Institute, Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH(NCAM), Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, and the G3ict, an Advocacy Initiative of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development.

NPR, Harris and Towson will jointly determine strategic direction of the organization, with assistance from the initiative's full membership. NPR will provide much of the content, Harris will provide much of the transmission- related technologies, and Towson will provide research into the needs of the sensory-disabled population and will house the primary ICART facility on its campus.

"We're working very closely with radio stations around the world to ensure they have the right technical infrastructure in place for this initiative," said Howard Lance, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Harris Corporation. "The new HD Radio transmission systems we're installing are tailor-made for this effort, as their digital capabilities will make it relatively easy for stations to transmit live textual transcripts to HD Radio receivers."

"There is tremendous need for accessible radio for sensory-impaired people, including the deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, visually impaired, print impaired, deaf/blind, and mobility impaired," said Dr. Ellyn Sheffield, assistant professor of psychology at Towson and co-director of ICART. "There is no question this initiative will have a profound impact on the quality of millions of people's lives. Finally, sensory-disabled individuals will have access to all radio programming, as well as radio emergency alerts and vital disaster recovery information."

HD Radio enables station operators to split their broadcasts up into multiple channels, providing several CD-quality channels for their audiences. Through this accessible radio initiative, a small amount of the total data capacity will be used to carry textual data that will be shown live on a screen on new versions of HD Radio receivers, essentially providing a closed- captioning transcript of live broadcasts for the deaf. Initially, the closed- captioning text will be created by live, court-reporting-type captioners at individual stations and networks. Ultimately, the initiative is hoping to leverage advanced speech-to-text translation software applications that one day allow expansion of captioning across the radio dial. Specially equipped HD Radio receivers are in development with several features to provide the visually impaired audience with better access to broadcasts, such as audio prompts that notify which direction the tuner is going, what channel the radio is on, and larger, easier-to-read text on the radios.

More than 1,500 radio stations are currently broadcasting in HD Radio in the United States. Over half of the CPB-qualified stations have been awarded HD Radio conversion grants by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. According to current estimates, by 2010, all 825 public radio stations should be broadcasting digitally.

More information on the initiative can be found at http://www.i-cart.net/. About NPR

Since its launch in 1970, NPR has evolved into a leading multimedia company, award-winning primary news provider and dominant force in American life. NPR produces and/or distributes 1,500 hours of programming weekly, including more than 150 hours of news, information, talk, entertainment and cultural shows for the 800-plus NPR Member stations around the country, attracting 26.5 million listeners weekly. NPR also programs two 24/7 channels for Sirius satellite radio and five 24/7 music multicast channels for digital HD Radio, having served as an industry leader in HD research and development; additionally it produces nearly 90 podcasts, making it the biggest podcaster among American media companies. http://www.npr.org/ offers extensive original video and audio content, hourly newscasts, concerts and free audio streaming of current and archived NPR programs.

About Towson University

Founded in 1866, Towson University is recognized among the nation's best regional public universities, offering more than 100 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and applied professional fields. Located in suburban Towson, eight miles north of Baltimore, the university's beautifully landscaped, 328-acre setting offers a pleasant environment for study and a diverse campus life, as well as easy access to a wealth of university and community resources. With nearly 20,000 students, Towson University is the second-largest public university in Maryland. As a metropolitan university, Towson combines research-based learning with practical application. Its many interdisciplinary partnerships with public and private organizations throughout Maryland provide opportunities for research, internships and jobs. The university's radio station, WTMD, will soon convert to digital format and will serve as the initial testing ground for the initiative. Towson University is a founding member of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU); TU President Robert Caret holds the office of president. Additional information can be found at http://www.towson.edu/.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of over $4 billion and 16,000 employees-including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications(TM) products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at http://www.harris.com/.

HD Radio(TM) is a proprietary trademark of iBiquity Digital Corp.

Harris Corporation

CONTACT: Jim Burke of Harris Corporation, +1-321-727-9131,
jim.burke@harris.com; Neal Stein of Technology PR Solutions,
+1-321-253-8225, nealjstein@techprsolutions.com; Anna Christopher of NPR,
+1-202-513-2304, achristopher@npr.org; or Carol Dunsworth of Towson
University, +1-410-704-4672, cdunsworth@towson.edu

Web site: http://www.harris.com/
http://www.towson.edu/
http://www.npr.org/

ShopLocal Delivers Seamless Shopping Experience, Supports Record Consumer Traffic During 2007 Holiday Season With Microsoft SoftwareConsumers preparing for holidays drive 84 percent increase in ShopLocal traffic; nonstop availability throughout holiday season is supported by Microsoft technologies.

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced that ShopLocal, a leader in multichannel shopping and marketing services, successfully managed an unprecedented growth in online consumer traffic during the 2007 holiday shopping season, supported by its use of multiple Microsoft technologies, delivering 100 percent uptime and a seamless shopping experience for the record number of visitors to its ShopLocal-powered Web sites.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

ShopLocal kicked off the season by handling a record 267 million page views during the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Day, amounting to an 84 percent jump in activity over 2006. With Microsoft server infrastructure, including Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft SQL Server 2005, scaling to process massive increases in user activity, ShopLocal saw more consumers than ever researching online before buying in a store.

"We spend all year planning to support our unique peak of online traffic," said Ed McLaughlin, senior director of technology at ShopLocal. "Microsoft provides ShopLocal with a cost-effective, scalable technology architecture that helped enable our site to accommodate a holiday increase of more than 600 percent over nonholiday traffic levels. Microsoft technologies enabled us to achieve 100 percent uptime for our retail clients and deliver the most up-to-date sales and product information to busy holiday shoppers."

Integrating Online and Store for Multichannel Shoppers

ShopLocal's comparison shopping site, ShopLocal.com, serves as a timely, localized resource for consumers to readily find online and in-store offers from such leading retailers as Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, CVS and Sears. In addition to using Microsoft technology to help securely integrate retailers' online and local ads, ShopLocal uses Microsoft software for its front-end applications that provide several interactive ways for consumers to become savvier shoppers through product reviews, category searches, hosted forums, maps, dynamic shopping lists and more.

"Today's digital consumers want to be more knowledgeable about products, brands, features, pricing and even sourcing before they buy," said Geoff Thomas, general manager for the U.S. Retail and Hospitality Group at Microsoft. "We are pleased with ShopLocal's success using Microsoft software and solutions to help empower shoppers to be more in control of their interactions and experiences with retailers. Microsoft is committed to helping retailers and companies like ShopLocal offer consumers as seamless an experience as possible, whatever channel they choose to shop and make purchases."

The Microsoft Technologies That Enable ShopLocal's Success

To prepare for the 2007 holiday shopping season, ShopLocal grew its IT environment four times its typical size, adding servers running Windows Server 2003, an integrated, highly secure and easy-to-manage server infrastructure that powers ShopLocal's applications, networks and Web services.

Additional Microsoft technologies behind ShopLocal's successful Web sites include SQL Server 2005, an integrated data management and analysis platform to help ShopLocal gain greater insight into critical information and run its business applications. For the consumer-facing components, ShopLocal uses Visual Studio and .NET Framework for its range of tools that enable its developers to build dynamic and compelling features and experiences into the ShopLocal.com site.

"We have a very homogeneous Microsoft environment at ShopLocal that allows us to scale each tier of the architecture independently," said McLaughlin. "Because Microsoft technology is tightly coupled across the architecture tiers, we don't have to worry about integration issues. Instead we can focus on delivering new features and advanced functions to meet shoppers' escalating demands for knowledge and service and our retail customers' strong desire to keep consumers happy."

About ShopLocal

ShopLocal, the leader in multi-channel shopping services, offers a complete suite of solutions connecting advertisers and consumers online and in-store. The company's consumer Web site, ShopLocal.com, provides users with choice and control in their shopping experience by offering the most comprehensive selection of timely online and in-store offers on one easy-to-use site. With ShopLocal.com, consumers can find millions of products and up-to-date weekly sales, deals, and coupons for consumer electronics, apparel, groceries and more. ShopLocal's industry leading SmartCircular and SmartCatalog solutions are used by more than one hundred of the nation's top retailers, including Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, CVS and Sears. ShopLocal powers multi-channel shopping for hundreds of newspaper Web sites and other leading local and shopping sites, such as Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Arizona Republic, Google and SuperPages.com. ShopLocal is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. , Tribune Company , and The McClatchy Company . For more information, visit http://www.aboutshoplocal.com/.

About Microsoft in Retail

Microsoft's U.S. Retail Industry Group provides software that helps empower retail's biggest assets -- its people -- to make better decisions at every stage of the value chain. Microsoft software helps enable retail employees to strengthen customer relationships, build high-value business connections and improve operations by addressing key areas such as store systems, real-time analytics and supply chain management. Through a combination of Microsoft- and partner-provided solutions, retail customers enable their employees to deliver an outstanding customer experience across various channels by turning data into insight, transforming ideas into action and turning change into opportunity. More information about Microsoft's work in the Retail industry can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/industry/retail.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Laurie Woicik of Ignite Corp., +1-206-706-3346,
lauriew@ignitecorporation.com; or Ted Ladd of Microsoft Corp.,
+1-646-225-4722, tedladd@microsoft.com

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/
http://www.aboutshoplocal.com/

Sundance Channel Programming Now Available on Verizon Wireless' V CAST ServiceDaily Updates from 2008 Sundance Film Festival will be Available Jan. 17-27

NEW YORK, BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- From 2008 International CES, Sundance Channel and Verizon Wireless announced today that Sundance Channel's short form programming is now available on Verizon Wireless' V CAST Video service. The perfect mobile companion for customers who prefer independent films and programming, Sundance Channel on V CAST includes video clips from prior Sundance Film Festival coverage, as well as animated and live action short films and Sundance Channel original programming. In addition, daily video clips from Sundance Channel's "Festival Updates" from the 2008 Sundance Film Festival will be available to V CAST customers from Jan. 17-27, 2008.

Verizon Wireless V CAST Video customers can check out the following programming on Sundance Channel on V CAST:

-- Daily updates from the 2008 Sundance Film Festival starting Jan. 17, 2008 -- Clips from prior Sundance Film Festival coverage featuring Robert Redford and Crispin Glover -- Animated green short films including "Yung Yeti" by Cole Gerst, "Breakfast" by Bob Fox and "Wasted" by Casey Safron -- Live action short films including "Electric Chairs" directed by Anita McGee and "Not Pretty, Really" directed by Mark McKinney -- Segments from Sundance Channel's original series "Big Ideas for a Small Planet"

"We are thrilled to bring Sundance Channel content to Verizon Wireless' mobile audience," said Christopher Barry, senior vice president of digital media and business strategy for Sundance Channel. "We also look forward to showcasing original film projects that are developed with the small screen in mind during 2008."

Ryan Hughes, vice president of digital programming for Verizon, said, "Verizon Wireless provides customers the content they want how they want it, and we are thrilled to extend an array of content from Sundance Channel to our customers."

Throughout the year Sundance Channel's content line-up will also include film and documentary clips, thematic stunts around key events (e.g., Earth Day) and short film projects developed for the small screen.

Customers with select V CAST-enabled phones can check out V CAST whenever they want for just $3.00 for 24-hour use or by signing up for the $15.00 V CAST VPak monthly subscription, which also includes access to Verizon Wireless' ESPN MVP, Get It Now(R) and Mobile Web 2.0(SM) services. Customers get unlimited basic video -- including Sundance Channel -- but application download fees apply for 3D games and premium video. There are no airtime or megabyte charges to download, stream or watch V CAST content with any V CAST subscription.

For more information about V CAST from Verizon Wireless, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to http://www.verizonwireless.com/.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 63.7 million customers. The largest U.S. wireless company and largest wireless data provider, based on revenues, Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 68,000 employees nationwide. The company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com/. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Sundance Channel

Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a venture of NBC Universal, CBS and Robert Redford. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel's website address is http://www.sundancechannel.com/.

Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: Jeffrey Nelson of Verizon Wireless, +1-908-559-7519,
Jeffrey.Nelson@verizonwireless.com; Sarah Eaton, +1-212-708-8043,
sarah.eaton@sundancechannel.com, or Katie Lanegran, +1-212-708-8044,
katie.lanegran@sundancechannel.com, both of Sundance Channel

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia
http://www.sundancechannel.com/

Webcast Alert: Cree Inc. Announces 2008 Second Quarter Earnings Call

DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cree Inc. announces the following Webcast:

What: Cree Inc.'s Conference Call When: January 22, 2008 @ 5:00 pm Where: http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=44844 How: Live over the Internet -- Simply log on to the web at the address above. Raiford Garrabrant Director, Investor Relations Cree, Inc. Ph: (919) 313-5397 Fax: (919) 313-5615 Email: raiford_garrabrant@cree.com About Cree, Inc.

Cree, Inc. is a market-leading innovator and manufacturer of semiconductors that enhance the value of solid-state lighting, power and communications products by significantly increasing their energy performance and efficiency. Key to Cree, Inc.'s market advantage is its world-class materials expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) for chips and packaged devices that can handle more power in a smaller space while producing less heat than other available technologies, materials and products.

Cree, Inc. drives its increased performance technology into multiple applications including exciting alternatives in brighter and more-tunable light for general illumination, backlighting for more-vivid displays, optimized power management for high-current, switch-mode power supplies and variable-speed motors, and more-effective wireless infrastructure for data and voice communications. Cree, Inc. customers range from innovative lighting- fixtures makers to defense-related federal agencies.

Cree, Inc.'s product families include blue and green LED chips, lighting LEDs in all colors, LED backlighting solutions, power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices. For additional information please refer to http://www.cree.com/.

Cree, Inc.

CONTACT: Raiford Garrabrant, Director, Investor Relations of Cree, Inc.,
+1-919-313-5397, Fax, +1-919-313-5615, raiford_garrabrant@cree.com

Web site: http://www.cree.com/

BET Digital Media Group Launches Vertical Advertising NetworkNew Platform from BET Networks Allows Advertisers to Reach the African American and Urban Communities Across More than 30 Targeted Websites

NEW YORK, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks announced today that the BET Digital Media Group will be launching a vertical advertising network focused on music, entertainment, and lifestyle content relevant to the urban and African American communities.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO)

BET's new advertising network will allow advertisers to easily target African American consumers across relevant and professional websites. In turn, BET's vertical advertising network will offer website publishers increased revenue opportunities by aligning publishers with top quality advertisers trying to reach urban and African-American consumers. Currently, BET has more than 30 premium content sites in the network. According to Jupiter Research, African Americans are likelier to positively respond to online advertising, and are the second largest online minority after Hispanics with 22.7 million users.

"By joining BET's vertical advertising network, publishers will gain access to high quality branded advertising, with the network allowing them to target campaigns most relevant to their audience," said Denmark West, President of BET Digital Media Group. "The BET vertical advertising network offers a compelling solution for sites that have a large scale of premium inventory but don't necessarily have a sales force to match."

"BET's vertical advertising network will give our advertising clients an exciting new platform to meet their goals, whether they are aiming to build brand awareness, drive sales or generate leads," said Louis Carr, President of Media Sales, BET Networks.

BET.com is the leading provider of music, entertainment and lifestyle information for the African American and urban online audiences, and BET on Blast is the #1 streaming video broadband service targeted to African Americans. To learn more about how publishers can join BET's vertical advertising network, please email alison.rabschnuk@staff.bet.com.

For up-to-the-minute and archival press information including releases and photographs, visit BET's press-only Web site at http://www.bet.com/pr.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. , is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com BET Networks

CONTACT: Bernadette Simpao of BET Networks, +1-212-846-6722,
bernadette.simpao@bet.net

Web site: http://www.bet.com/
http://www.bet.com/pr

Comcast Interactive Media Launches Fancast.comSite Enables Consumers to Create a Personalized Entertainment Experience

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Interactive Media (CIM) today launched http://www.fancast.com/, the first online destination that enables users to watch, manage and find entertainment content wherever it is available -- on Fancast, on television, online, on DVD or in theaters. On Fancast, users can view an expanding free library of full episodes and clips from top networks and movie partners, find the content they are looking for across multiple platforms and create a personalized entertainment experience.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080108/NETU074 ) Watch It -- Want to watch a previous episode of your favorite series that you missed? On Fancast consumers have instant access to over 3,000 hours of streaming free, full-length content from networks -- including CBS, NBC and Fox (provided by Hulu), MTV Networks and BET Networks -- movie trailers, short videos and interviews. -- Can't find what you want to watch on Fancast? The site's "Watch it" tool will tell users where they can get it, on Fancast, on television, online, On Demand, on DVD or in the theater. -- Fancast shows you what is on the TV line-up in your area no matter who your provider is. Find It -- Need to decide what to watch tonight? On Fancast users can search for video content and entertainment information they're looking for on over 11 million web pages including information on more than 50,000 television shows, 80,000 movies and 1.2 million people combining multiple sources of entertainment information. -- If users don't know exactly what content they're looking for, they can visit Fancast and discover new content through the site's personalized recommendations based on what they have chosen in the past. -- Want to know who your favorite movie actor married or what TV show he appeared in before he made it big? Explore the connections between TV shows, movies, cast and crew on "Six Degrees." Manage It -- Want to control your DVR from the road? Coming soon in 2008, Fancast will enable users to program their DVR recordings in advance, from their computers, ensuring that they will never miss a show again. -- Want a more personalized viewing experience? Fancast's "Watch List," will organize and catalog upcoming programming, set a personalized play list and send reminders to users about what they should watch in the future based on previous preferences. -- In 2009, users will be able to mark and add content to a folder in their video on demand menu, directly from their computers. -- If a movie is playing in the theaters, Fancast will link users to Fandango one of the Web's top movie destinations to purchase tickets online.

"Our goal with Fancast is to make entertainment consumption amazingly simple," said Amy Banse, President of Comcast Interactive Media. "In this new age of interactive media where entertainment is available everywhere, Fancast helps consumers find what they are looking for and manage their entertainment experience across multiple platforms. For people who want their content and information immediate and easy to find, Fancast is the ultimate one-stop shop."

Fancast will continue to add new features and additional content throughout 2008 and beyond.

For a webcast of Chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts' CES keynote address and for additional press information on Comcast announcements at CES, please visit http://www.comcast.com/ces.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (http://www.comcast.com/) is the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services. With 24.2 million cable customers, 12.9 million high- speed Internet customers, and 4.1 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten regional Comcast SportsNets and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

About Comcast Interactive Media

Comcast Interactive Media (CIM), a division of Comcast Corporation , develops and operates Internet businesses focused on entertainment, information and communication, including Comcast.net. CIM's products include Fandango.com, a top movie and entertainment destination, selling movie tickets at over 15,000 screens; Fancast.com, a national online entertainment site; Ziddio.com, a national multi-platform user-generated site; GameInvasion.net, a national online site offering for hardcore gaming enthusiasts; and thePlatform, the industry-leading provider of digital media publishing solutions over broadband and wireless networks.

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AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN17
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Comcast Corporation

CONTACT: Jenn Khoury, +1-215-320-7408, press_ces@comcast.com, or Kate
Noel, +1-215-320-8793, press_ces@comcast.com, both of Comcast Corporation

Web site: http://www.comcast.com/
http://www.fancast.com/
http://www.comcast.com/ces

Move Over Bells: Comcast Corporation Becomes The Fourth-Largest Phone Service Provider in the U.S.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Corporation , the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today announced it has become the fourth-largest residential phone service provider in the United States.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080108/NETU073 )

The announcement comes less than three years after having officially launched Comcast Digital Voice(R), an innovative alternative to the plain old telephone service traditionally offered by the Bells. Comcast Digital Voice is the first true home phone replacement service to deliver a seamless and converged communications experience across all of Comcast's services (including cable and high-speed Internet) and customers' devices.

"Comcast Digital Voice is the fastest-growing home phone service in the country and we're reinventing the way consumers think of home phone service in the process," said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation. "Our rapid rollout of advanced services like Comcast Digital Voice has enabled us to transform Comcast into the only company in the U.S. to offer integrated video, high-speed Internet and phone services to more than 40 million households."

This year Comcast will roll out a number of major enhancements to Comcast Digital Voice service that will be integrated with Comcast's video and high- speed Internet services, including:

-- Universal Caller ID to the TV and PC - customers can view caller information while watching TV or using their computer. -- SmartZone(TM) Communications Center - a central online location where Comcast customers can use "viewable voicemail" to listen to calls or forward them like email, send and receive email and, in the future, remotely program their DVRs. -- Enhanced Cordless Telephone - that will enable home phone users to check email and voicemail, send instant messages and access a "universal" personal address book as well as a yellow pages directory.

In addition, Comcast Business Class Digital Voice is now widely available to small businesses.

Comcast Digital Voice is an award-winning* and reliable phone service that packs better features than traditional phone companies for a better price. Customers can save hundreds of dollars annually on home phone service from Comcast when compared to similar offers from the RBOCs. According to a recent study by Microeconomic Consulting and Research Associates (MiCRA), phone competition resulting from cable's entrance into residential and business marketplace will save consumers more than $100 billion over the next five years. Consumers have already saved $23.5 billion, including $13 billion in 2007 alone.

Comcast Digital Voice service includes: -- Unlimited local and domestic long distance direct-dial calling - including calls to Canada and Puerto Rico - with competitive international rates to more than 200 countries. -- 12 popular calling features plus enhanced voicemail - includes 3-way calling, call waiting and caller ID for no additional charge. -- 911/E911. -- Battery backup that lasts up to 8 hours during power outages. -- Compatibility with a majority of home alarm systems including industry- leaders ADT and Brink's. -- Ability to retain existing telephone numbers when switching from another provider. -- Professional installation.

*Winner of Frost & Sullivan's 2007 Customer Value Enhancement Award for IP Communications Services.

For a webcast of Chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts' CES keynote address and for additional press information on Comcast announcements at CES, please visit http://www.comcast.com/ces.

About Comcast Corporation

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080108/NETU073
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN16
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Comcast Corporation

CONTACT: Charlie Douglas, +1-215-264-8020, press_ces@comcast.com, or
Lynsey Grady, +1-267-257-2812, press_ces@comcast.com, both of Comcast
Corporation

Web site: http://www.comcast.com/
http://www.comcast.com/ces
http://www.cesweb.org/

Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts Announces Project Infinity: Strategy to Deliver Exponentially More Content Choice on TVComcast To Give Consumers More than 1,000 HD Choices in 2008Announces Roadmap to Add 6,000 Movies with 3,000 in HD

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Comcast Corporation , the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today announced three major content initiatives at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts unveiled the Company's plan to give consumers more than 1,000 HD choices in 2008, its strategy to begin adding additional HD movies, and announced Project Infinity -- its vision to give consumers the ability to watch any movie, television show, user generated content or other video that a producer wants to make available On Demand.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080108/NETU072 )

"Project Infinity plans to give consumers the best and most content they will find On Demand anywhere -- more HD, more sports, more movies, kids' programs and network TV," said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation. "Project Infinity builds on our commitment to bring more content to people across all platforms at home and on the go, and we'll work with our partners, programmers and video producers to deliver on this vision."

More Choice -- Project Infinity

Project Infinity envisions ever-increasing customer choice that continues the evolution of time-shifted viewing that began with the huge success of Comcast On Demand. Comcast's vision is to give customers exponentially more content choices -- all available to consumers at the click of the remote without having to buy any additional equipment.

Project Infinity is a logical extension of Comcast's television and online content strategy, which has fundamentally changed the way people watch video. As Comcast's On Demand library has expanded to offer more than 10,000 selections each month, viewership has grown dramatically, surpassing six billion views since 2003. Comcast customers now are selecting On Demand 100 times per second, with 275 million views monthly.

Comcast will support its plan for Project Infinity using its existing fiber network and national IP backbone. The Company plans to create a system of library servers that will efficiently serve VOD content to consumers from several key locations across the country. This system would enable Comcast to offer exponentially more VOD content.

More HD

Comcast plans to expand its current HD lineup beyond the hundreds of HD choices available today, which is already more than any other provider offers. By the end of the year, Comcast will make available more than 1,000 HD movies and TV shows every month, as well as the most popular television networks in HD as they debut. HD content is the fastest-growing category in Comcast's On Demand library.

More Movies

With 1,300 movie titles available each month, Comcast Digital Cable customers already have access to more movies On Demand than they can find anywhere else. Beginning next year, Comcast plans to offer more than 6,000 movies a month, and more than 3,000 of them will be available in HD. Today, Comcast Digital Cable customers can choose from new releases as well as hundreds of free movies from Sony, MGM, FEARNet and Encore as well as movies from premium networks like Starz, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and The Movie Channel -- all available at their fingertips with no additional equipment.

More Content Online

Today the company also launched Fancast.com, the first online destination that will enable customers to find, manage and watch television and movie content wherever it is available -- on Fancast, on television, online, on DVDs or in movie theaters. Fancast will provide consumers with an easy way to manage their entertainment experience as the number of viewing choices that are available across platforms continues to grow rapidly. In addition, Comcast currently makes more than 90,000 videos available at any time on Comcast.net.

For a webcast of Chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts' CES keynote address and for additional press information on Comcast announcements at CES, please visit http://www.comcast.com/ces.

About Comcast Corporation

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080108/NETU072
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AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN15
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Comcast Corporation

CONTACT: Jenn Khoury, +1-215-320-7408, or Jenni Moyer, +1-610-506-8951
or +1-215-286-3311, both of Comcast Corporation, press_ces@comcast.com

Web site: http://www.comcast.com/
http://www.comcast.com/ces

Satyam Unveils Enhanced Set Top Box SolutionNew software framework speeds time to market for STB manufacturers

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Satyam Computer Services Ltd. , a leading business and information technology services provider, today announced that it has released an enhanced version of its Set Top Box (STB) middleware framework at the International Consumer Electronics Show (ICES) here. The new framework enables manufacturers of STBs, devices that transform external signals into content delivered via a television screen, to offer a rich variety of features and functions via a standard "plug-and-play" middleware platform. As a result, these organizations can target segments of the STB market more quickly and accurately, and bring more competitive products to these segments faster, and at lower costs.

"Satyam's STB SW Framework provides the stability and precision we require, and their expert project planning and execution is very impressive," said Paul Hong, Multimedia Business Manager of Vegatech, a major Framework customer. "We are also pleased with the solution's ability to scale to support new features and technologies, as well as the fact that we can customize it to accommodate our specific requirements," he added.

Satyam's flexible framework supports satellite, cable, terrestrial, and Internet protocol STBs. It also features robust application programming interface support, and is "technology agnostic." Moreover, it boasts a long list of features, including PVR, twin-tuner support, DVB/ATSC compliance, and MPEG-2/H.264 standard support.

"Our enhanced STB solution reflects the marketplace's desire for fast, flexible solutions," said TSK Murthy, head of Satyam's Integrated Engineering Solutions group. "It is a strong example of our team's ability to deliver broad and deep engineering innovation and provide comprehensive, integrated life-cycle support."

About Satyam

Satyam , a leading global business and information technology services company, delivers consulting, systems integration, and outsourcing solutions to clients in 20 industries and 57 countries.

Satyam leverages deep industry and functional expertise, leading technology practices, and an advanced, global delivery model to help clients transform their highest-value business processes and improve their business performance. The company's 45,700* professionals excel in engineering and product development, supply chain management, client relationship management, business process quality, business intelligence, enterprise integration, and infrastructure management, among other key capabilities.

Satyam development and delivery centers in the US, Canada, Brazil, the UK, Hungary, Egypt, UAE, India, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia serve 599 clients, 173 of which are Fortune Global 500 and Fortune US 500 corporations. For more information, see http://www.satyam.com/.

*As of Sept. 30, 2007 Satyam Contacts For clarifications, write to us at MediaRelations@Satyam.com Or contact our global PR representatives at: India: Archana Muthappa, archana_muthappa@satyam.com, +91-98451 83710 US: Siobhan Aalders, Sioban.Aalders@ogilvypr.com +1-212-880-5341, +1-347-387-0733, Europe: Clare Gibbins, clare.gibbins@uk.ogilvypr.com +44-20-7309 1037 Asia-Pacific: Reshma Wad Jain, Reshma@wer1.net +65 6737 4844, +65 981 40507, Simon Murphy, simon@howorth.com.au +61 (02) 8281 3826, Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Satyam undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of the risks associated with our business, please see the discussions under the heading "Risk Factors" in our report on Form 6-K concerning the quarter ended June 30, 2006, furnished to the United States Securities Exchange Commission on July 28, 2006 and the other reports filed with the Securities Exchange Commission from time to time. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov/.

Satyam Computer Services Ltd

CONTACT: Archana Muthappa (India), +91-98451 83710,
archana_muthappa@satyam.com, or Siobhan Aalders (US), +1-212-880-5341,
+1-347-387-0733, Sioban.Aalders@ogilvypr.com, or Clare Gibbins (Europe),
+44-20-7309 1037, clare.gibbins@uk.ogilvypr.com, or Reshma Wad Jain
(Asia-Pacific), +65 6737 4844, +65 981 40507, Reshma@wer1.net, or Simon
Murphy, +61 (02) 8281 3826, simon@howorth.com.au, all for Satyam Computer
Services Ltd.

Web Site: http://www.satyam.com/
http://www.sec.gov/

Comcast Corporation to Participate in Citigroup Investor Conference

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tomorrow, Michael J. Angelakis, Chief Financial Officer of Comcast Corporation , will participate in Citigroup's 18th Annual Global Entertainment, Media and Telecommunications Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

A live webcast of the event will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website at http://www.cmcsa.com/ or http://www.cmcsk.com/ on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. An on-demand replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the presentation.

To automatically receive Comcast financial news by e-mail, please visit http://www.cmcsa.com/ or http://www.cmcsk.com/ and subscribe to E-mail Alerts.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, Comcast SportsNet and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

Comcast Corporation

CONTACT: Comcast Corporation Investor Relations, +1-215-981-7537

Web site: http://www.cmcsa.com/
http://www.cmcsk.com/
http://www.comcast.com/

Verizon Extends Industry Lead in Broadband and Video With G-PONFirst Widespread Deployment of G-PON Technology Can Increase Industry-Leading FiOS Downstream Speeds by Four Times and Upstream Speeds by Eight Times

NEW YORK, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon technicians are upgrading FiOS with next-generation electronics to dramatically enhance the speeds, and thus the capabilities, of Verizon's all-fiber-optic FiOS broadband, video and voice network.

Known as gigabit passive optical network (G-PON) equipment, the new electronics can increase the line-rate bandwidth on the Verizon fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network by four times downstream to the customer and eight times upstream back to the network. This provides the capability for future enhancements to Verizon's industry-leading FiOS Internet and FiOS TV products as new applications are developed and as customers demand more bandwidth.

Mark Wegleitner, Verizon Telecom's senior vice president-technology, said Verizon has already started to deploy G-PON broadly across the company's FiOS system. The new equipment is being used in communities where Verizon is building FTTP for the first time. "Already, our all-fiber network is proving that it can deliver faster Internet speeds," Wegleitner said. "G-PON electronics position us for the next level of even faster Internet speeds and even more interactive FiOS TV with new features.

"The G-PON deployment also illustrates the future-proof aspects of FiOS: We can use the same fiber network we use today but enhance the speed and capacity with new electronics in our central offices and at the customer premises."

The states where Verizon began initial deployment of G-PON are: California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Texas.

Today's announcement builds upon the initial announcement made at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference & Exposition and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference in March 2007, and follows the successful initial field deployments of G-PON in Kirklyn, Pa.; Lewisville, Texas; and Hingham, Mass. Thus far, Verizon has been deploying B-PON (broadband passive optical network) technology to provide market-leading Internet access performance.

"Both B-PON and now G-PON give us all the headroom we need to continue evolving our products to meet growing customer demand for more bandwidth, both downstream and upstream," Wegleitner said. "However, moving to technologies like G-PON helps ensure that we stay ahead of the competition."

Delivered over Verizon's all-fiber network, FiOS TV is a formidable competitor to cable and satellite TV. FiOS TV on Verizon's FTTP network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. The company's fiber network also delivers Internet download speeds today of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) today and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice service.

Verizon is building its FTTP network in 16 states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington. FiOS Internet is available in all 16 states, and FiOS TV is available in 13: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Oregon.

Verizon is the only major telecom company building a fiber-optic network all the way to customer's homes on a mass scale.

Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 62 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at http://www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

Verizon

CONTACT: Jim Smith of Verizon, +1-908-559-3477,
james.albert.smith@verizon.com

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html

The Light Shines Brightly in New Jersey: Verizon Marks One-Year Anniversary of FiOS TV in the Garden StateIndustry-Leading Fiber-Optic TV and Broadband Service Now Available in About 270 New Jersey Cities and Towns, With More Soon to ComeCompany Celebrates Anniversary With Great Offer: Consumers Who Sign Up by Feb. 3 are Eligible for a Free 19-Inch LCD HDTV

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- A growing number of New Jersey consumers are saying "show me the light" when talking about Verizon's FiOS, as the company today marks the one-year anniversary of its industry-leading FiOS television service in the state.

"This has been a remarkable year for Verizon and the thousands and thousands of consumers who have joined the fiber-optic revolution," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey. "The reaction from consumers has been nothing short of incredible, and we expect that trend to continue into 2008 and beyond."

Verizon launched FiOS TV in the state in about 100 communities. As of today, the company's FiOS TV and broadband network passes more than 1 million New Jersey homes in about 270 communities in 15 counties, with much more to come.

In 2008, Verizon expects to launch FiOS TV in 75 to 100 additional communities. Verizon announced Tuesday (Jan. 8) the availability of FiOS TV in 11 Gloucester County communities, the first time the service has been made available in that county. [Note: For more details, see companion news release on this announcement.]

"Fiber optics all the way to a consumer's home changes everything, and consumers know it," said Bill Foshay, general manager for Verizon's New Jersey region. "Each and every day, consumers are cutting their cable and taking hold of the fiber-optic advantages. As a result, New Jersey is among the leading markets in the nation for Verizon's FiOS TV and broadband products."

Verizon's FiOS network offers state-of-the-art fiber optics directly to customers' homes and businesses. This is unlike cable TV systems and has never been done on a large scale before in the United States. Verizon now provides FiOS to as many communities in the state as those served by cable companies that have been in business for decades but choose not to compete against one another.

Verizon is employing nearly 2,000 technicians and contractors to deploy and install FiOS service around New Jersey. The company passes nearly 40,000 homes each month with new fiber.

"It's time to celebrate with a New Year's resolution: Cut your cable and take advantage of Verizon's FiOS -- a spectacular network for 2008 and beyond," said Bone. "FiOS TV brings something to consumers they've never had before, with incredible pictures and sound clarity and innovative new services -- all from a brand they know and trust."

New Jersey consumers can check online at http://www.verizon.com/nj/savebig to see if FiOS TV is already available in their area, or to request that Verizon contact them when FiOS TV becomes available. Customers also can call their local Verizon sales office or 1-877-4-FIOS-TV (1-877-434-6788).

Service Highlights

The company's FiOS TV Premier package delivers 200 all-digital channels for $42.99 per month. The package includes 29 high-definition (HD) channels in the New Jersey market and access to more than 10,000 on-demand titles. All Verizon FiOS TV-eligible customers in New Jersey have the option to trim their monthly bill by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Essentials voice service -- all for under $95 a month. In addition, consumers who sign up for the bundle by Feb. 3 and get it installed by March 1 are also eligible for a free Magnavox 19-inch LCD high-definition TV.

Consumers can check online at http://www.verizon.com/fiostv to see if FiOS TV is available in their area, or to request that Verizon contact them when FiOS TV becomes available. Customers also can call their local Verizon sales office or 1-877-4-FIOS-TV or 1-877-434-6788.

Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.

Verizon

CONTACT: Rich Young of Verizon, +1-973-649-2279,
richard.j.young@verizon.com

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/
http://www.verizon.com/nj/savebig
http://www.verizon.com/fiostv
http://www.verizon.com/news

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html

Comcast to Host 4th Quarter and Full Year 2007 Earnings Conference Call

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Comcast Corporation will host a conference call with the financial community on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) to discuss financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2007 and the Company's outlook for 2008. Comcast will issue a press release reporting its 2007 results and 2008 outlook earlier that morning.

The conference call will be broadcast live via the Company's Investor Relations website at http://www.cmcsa.com/ or http://www.cmcsk.com/. A recording of the call will be available on the Investor Relations website starting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Thursday, February 14, 2008.

Those parties interested in participating via telephone should dial (800) 263-8495 with the conference ID number 30449562. A telephone replay will begin immediately following the call and will be available until Friday, February 15, 2008 at midnight Eastern Time (ET). To access the rebroadcast, please dial (800) 642-1687 and enter conference ID number 30449562.

To automatically receive Comcast financial news by email, please visit http://www.cmcsa.com/ or http://www.cmcsk.com/ and subscribe to Email Alerts.

Comcast Corporation (http://www.comcast.com/) is the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. With 24.2 million cable customers, 12.9 million high-speed Internet customers, and 4.1 million voice customers at September 30, 2007, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content. Comcast's content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, Comcast SportsNet and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates Comcast's Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in Comcast Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.

Comcast Corporation

CONTACT: Marlene S. Dooner, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations,
+1-215-981-7392, or Daniel J. Goodwin, Senior Director, Investor Relations,
+1-215-981-7518, both of Comcast Corporation

Web site: http://www.cmcsa.com/
http://www.cmcsk.com/
http://www.comcast.com/

Eutelsat Communications annonce la date de publication de ses resultats semestriels 2007-2008

PARIS, January 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris : ETL, code ISIN : FR0010221234), l'un des premiers opérateurs mondiaux de satellites, annonce que la publication de ses résultats semestriels, clôturés au 31 décembre 2007, aura lieu le jeudi 14 février 2008 avant l'ouverture des marchés.

A cette occasion, une réunion de présentation des résultats (en français) se tiendra le 14 février 2008 à 10h00 au siège social d'Eutelsat :

Eutelsat Communications 70, rue Balard - 75015 Paris Métro: Balard ou Javel

La société tiendra une conférence téléphonique (en anglais) le 14 février 2008 à 15h00, heure de Paris (14h00 heure de Londres - 09h00 heure de New York). Un complément d'informations sera disponible sur le site http://www.eutelsat.com dans le courant du mois de janvier 2008.

A propos d'Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris : ETL, code ISIN : FR0010221234) est la société holding d'Eutelsat S.A. Avec des ressources en orbite sur 24 satellites offrant une couverture sur toute l'Europe, le Moyen-Orient, l'Afrique et l'Inde et sur de larges zones de l'Asie et du continent américain, Eutelsat est l'un des trois premiers opérateurs mondiaux de satellites en termes de chiffre d'affaires. Au 30 septembre 2007, les satellites Eutelsat diffusaient plus de 2 730 chaînes de télévision à plus de 160 millions de foyers. Parmi ces chaînes, plus de 1 000 sont transmises sur la position HOT BIRD(TM) d'Eutelsat pour la vidéo qui dessert quelque 120 millions de foyers équipés pour recevoir le câble ou le satellite en Europe, au Moyen-Orient et en Afrique du Nord. La flotte d'Eutelsat sert également une large gamme de services fixes et mobiles de télécommunications et de diffusion de données pour les réseaux vidéo professionnels et les réseaux d'entreprise, ainsi qu'un portefeuille d'applications haut débit pour les fournisseurs d'accès Internet, les collectivités locales et les transports routiers, maritimes et aériens. Filiale d'Eutelsat dédiée à l'exploitation de services IP sur les téléports d'Eutelsat en France et en Italie, Skylogic commercialise ses services en Europe, en Afrique, en Asie et sur le continent américain. Eutelsat, qui a son siège à Paris, emploie, avec ses filiales, 529 collaborateurs originaires de 27 pays.

http://www.eutelsat.com

Pour plus d'information, Contacts presse: Vanessa O'Connor Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 voconnor@eutelsat.fr Frédérique Gautier Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 fgautier@eutelsat.fr Relations investisseurs: Gilles Janvier Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-35 investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Eutelsat Communications

Pour plus d'information, Contacts presse: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frédérique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Relations investisseurs: Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-35, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Siemens PLM Software Recognized in Leaders Quadrant in Magic Quadrant for Product Lifecycle ManagementLeading Technology Research and Advisory Firm Evaluates Siemens PLM Software Based on "Ability to Execute" and "Completeness of Vision"

PLANO, Texas, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of Siemens Industry Sector and a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services, today announced that Gartner, Inc., a leading technology research and advisory firm, has positioned Siemens PLM Software in the leaders quadrant of its "Magic Quadrant for Product Life Cycle Management, 4Q07" report. The "PLM Magic Quadrant" graphically portrays PLM vendors based on an evaluation of a company's vision and its ability to execute. Gartner published the "Magic Quadrant for Product Lifecycle Management, 4Q07" on January 4, 2008.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO )

"We are particularly gratified to have been positioned in the leaders quadrant, which we believe reflects our success in balancing the UGS-Siemens integration with our continuing ability to perform well in the market and stay clearly focused on supporting our customers," said Tony Affuso, chairman and CEO of Siemens PLM Software. "In the meantime, we continue to advance our vision of enabling Global Innovation Networks, which the world-class resources and commitment of Siemens will strengthen as we go forward."

With its Teamcenter 2007 portfolio, Siemens PLM Software supplies the digital PLM backbone that keeps more than 40 BSH factories around the world consistently updated with the latest product information," said Uwe Tontsch, head of IT for Product Development and Industrial Engineering Solutions, BSH. "The product consolidation in Teamcenter 2007 has lead to the creation of a total solution portfolio. While there is still progress to be made, Siemens PLM Software is very well positioned to support BSH with its current and future PLM requirements in the area of digital product development and digital manufacturing. They are the right choice as a strategic PLM partner for BSH and they gave us full confidence they could help us achieve our product development goals."

According to Gartner, Inc., "Manufacturing PLM leaders command not only a firm grasp of today's evolving PLM market conditions, they also see and convincingly communicate the future opportunities of cross-functional, enterprise-oriented PLM applications that support commercial activities with product-centric content." The evaluation process involved the assessment of companies' overall viability; its product; sales execution and pricing, and market responsiveness and track record. In addition, Gartner considered each firm's market understanding, and its marketing, sales and product strategy.

The full report, compliments of Siemens PLM Software, will be available at http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/newsroom/analyst.shtml. (Gartner, Inc. "Magic Quadrant for Manufacturing Product Life Cycle Management, 4Q07" by Marc Halpern and Dan Miklovic, January 4, 2008.)

About the Magic Quadrant

The Magic Quadrant is copyrighted 2007 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner's analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the "Leaders" quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Siemens PLM Software

Siemens PLM Software, a business unit of Siemens Industry Sector, is a leading global provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) software and services with 4.6 million licensed seats and 51,000 customers worldwide. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, Siemens PLM Software's open enterprise solutions enable a world where organizations and their partners collaborate through Global Innovation Networks to deliver world-class products and services. For more information on Siemens PLM Software products and services, visit http://www.siemens.com/plm.

About Siemens Industry Sector

The Siemens Industry Sector and its products and solutions address industry customers in the fields of production, transportation and building systems. The sector, newly formed on Jan. 1, 2008, is primarily comprised of the business activities of the former Siemens Groups A&D, I&S, SBT, Osram and TS. Approximately 209,000 employees currently work in the Industry Sector. The sector's businesses generated revenues of roughly Euro 40 billion in fiscal 2007. Further information about the Siemens Industry Sector is available at http://www.siemens.com/industry.

Note: Siemens and the Siemens logo are registered trademarks of Siemens AG. NX and Teamcenter are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries. All other trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk: photodesk@prnewswire.com Siemens PLM Software

CONTACT: Mendi Paschal of Siemens PLM Software, +1-972-987-3210,
mendi.paschal@siemens.com

Web site: http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.automation.siemens.com/

Lockheed Martin Receives Contracts Totaling $556 Million for the Combat-Proven PAC-3 Missile Program

DALLAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed Martin has received contracts totaling $556 million from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) for hardware and services associated with the combat-proven Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile program.

The contracts include production of 148 hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missiles, 17 launcher modification kits, spares and other equipment, as well as program management and engineering services. Production of all equipment will take place at Lockheed Martin manufacturing facilities in Dallas and Lufkin, TX, Chelmsford, MA, Ocala, FL, and the PAC-3 All-Up Round facility in Camden, AR. Deliveries on the contracts will be completed by July 2010.

"The PAC-3 Missile offers combat-proven hit-to-kill lethality to protect the Warfighter," said Mike Trotsky, vice president - Air & Missile Defense Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "We continue to see interest in the PAC-3 Missile Segment around the world, and Lockheed Martin remains focused on producing this vital technology for our customers, both here and abroad."

As part of these contracts, Lockheed Martin will be producing and delivering equipment to begin upgrading all U.S. Army Patriot fire units to the current Configuration-3 capability (two PAC-3 launchers per fire unit), allowing all fire units in the Patriot fleet to be capable of firing the PAC-3 Missile. This U.S. Army initiative, called "Pure Fleet," was launched in 2006 and will provide consistency across the fleet for the user anywhere Patriot is deployed or trained.

"The PAC-3 Missile will continue to provide theater-level defense of critical assets for years to come," said Richard McDaniel, director of PAC-3 Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "PAC-3 provides our Soldiers with lethality overmatch against the ever-advancing threat on today's battlefield."

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canisters (which each hold four PAC-3 missiles, with four canisters per launcher), a Fire Solution Computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System.

The PAC-3 Missile is currently the world's only fielded pure kinetic energy air defense missile. The PAC-3 Missile is the world's most advanced, capable and powerful theater air defense missile. It defeats the Patriot Air Defense System threat: tactical ballistic missiles, evolving cruise missiles and fixed and rotary winged aircraft. PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase the Patriot system's firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load out on a single Patriot launcher, compared with four legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles.

Lockheed Martin achieved the first-ever hit-to-kill intercept in 1984 with the Homing Overlay Experiment, using force of impact alone to destroy a mock warhead outside of the Earth's atmosphere. Further development and testing produced today's PAC-3 Missile, which won a competition in 1993 to become the first hit-to-kill interceptor produced by the U.S. government. The PAC-3 Missile has been the technology pathfinder for today's total conversion to kinetic energy interceptors for all modern missile defense systems.

Currently, the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis Weapon System, PAC-3 Missile, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System, the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) and the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) utilize this proven advanced technology to deliver lethality against today's most dangerous threats.

The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile has been selected as the U.S. primary interceptor for the multi-national MEADS, a model transatlantic program for the next generation of air and missile defense. MEADS will focus on risk reduction, application of key technologies and validation of a system design incorporating the PAC-3 MSE Missile as the primary interceptor.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. It also has considerable experience in missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

For additional information, visit our Web site: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

Lockheed Martin

CONTACT: Craig Vanbebber of Lockheed Martin, +1-972-603-1615,
craig.vanbebber@lmco.com

Web site: http://www.lmco.com/

South Jersey Consumers Have Even More Reasons to Celebrate the New Year: Verizon's FiOS Arrives, Bringing a New Choice for TV in 11 Gloucester County CommunitiesGloucester Consumers Can Now Cut Their Cable and Join the Fiber-Optic RevolutionConsumers Who Sign Up by February 3 Are Eligible for a Free 19-inch TV

NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Gloucester County consumers have yet another reason to ring in the New Year as Verizon announced Tuesday (Jan. 8) that its industry-leading FiOS TV and broadband products are now available in parts of 11 Gloucester communities, with more to come soon.

The company is bringing consumers an alternative to cable with its FiOS TV and broadband services, which are provided on the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network straight to consumers' homes.

"It's time to celebrate with a New Year's resolution: Cut your cable and take advantage of Verizon's FiOS -- a spectacular network for 2008 and beyond," said Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey. "FiOS TV brings something to consumers they've never had before, with incredible pictures and sound clarity and innovative new services -- all from a brand they know and trust."

Verizon is taking orders for FiOS TV in parts of Deptford, Franklin, Glassboro, Mantua, Monroe, National Park, Pitman, Washington Township, West Deptford, Woodbury and Woodbury Heights. With today's announcement, Verizon now offers FiOS TV in nearly 270 New Jersey communities, with many more scheduled to go online later this year.

"Verizon is the only company providing fiber all the way to homes and businesses, where it makes a huge difference in the voice, Internet and TV service customers receive," said William Foshay, general manager for Verizon's New Jersey region. "FiOS is the most reliable voice, the best TV picture quality and the fastest Internet. Period."

Bone added, "We've harnessed the speed and capacity of fiber-based broadband with the power of broadcast to create a revolutionary, new entertainment experience."

Service Highlights

Verizon's FiOS TV Premier package delivers 200 all-digital channels, including 29 high-definition (HD) channels in the South Jersey market and access to more than 10,000 on-demand titles, 60 percent of which are free.

All Verizon FiOS TV-eligible customers in New Jersey have the option to trim their monthly bill by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Essentials voice service -- all for about $95 a month. In addition, consumers who sign up by February 3 and have the service installed by March 1 are also eligible for a free Magnavox 19-inch LCD high-definition TV.

Verizon offers three set-top boxes: standard definition for $4.99 per month; high definition, which includes HD channels, for $9.99 per month; and a dual-tuner, HD-capable digital video recorder for $12.99 per month. Verizon also offers innovative features not available from other providers, such as Home Media DVR (digital video recorder) and FiOS TV Widgets. Home Media DVR has a multi-room DVR feature enabling up to three simultaneous viewings of recorded programs without requiring customers to set up a complex home network or buy extra equipment. Customers also can access photos and music on their PCs and play them on their TV. FiOS TV Widgets is a free interactive feature that provides viewers with local weather and traffic information while they're watching their favorite shows.

Delivered over Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, FiOS TV is a formidable competitor to cable and satellite. Verizon's FTTP network delivers amazingly sharp pictures and sound, and has the capacity to transmit a wide array of high-definition programming that is so clear and intense it seems to leap from the TV screen. The company's fiber network also delivers Internet download speeds of up to 50 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps, as well as high-quality voice service.*

The value of FiOS TV extends to the installation and customer support. Specially trained Verizon technicians will install the service and acquaint subscribers with FiOS TV features and services. Verizon is waiving the installation fee for up to three existing TV outlets, and there is no charge to install a needed optical network terminal at the subscriber's home. Charges for other installation services, such as additional outlets, may apply. Verizon provides 24 x 7 technical assistance by phone from its specialized Fiber Solutions Centers.

* NOTE: actual (throughput) speeds will vary.

Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.

Verizon

CONTACT: Rich Young of Verizon, +1-973-649-2279,
richard.j.young@verizon.com

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/
http://www.verizon.com/nj/savebig

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html