World Economic Forum To Use Intel Video Conferencing

Desktop Video Conferencing Technology Will Link 500 Business and Government Leaders across 54 Countries

HILLSBORO, Ore., March 31, 1998 -- Intel Corporation announced today that 500 members of the World Economic Forum will use the company's desktop video conferencing technology to increase the frequency and spontaneity of their communications on urgent global issues, such as the Asian economic crisis.

The World Economic Forum is a nonprofit foundation composed of leaders in business, government, academia and the media. The forum works to identify new business opportunities and address key economic, social and political issues. Forum constituents include Kofi Annan, secretary general of the United Nations; Renato Ruggiero, director general of the World Trade Organization; Peter Sutherland, secretary general of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); and Donald J. Johnston, secretary general for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. They are among the first forum constituents to install Intel Business Video Conferencing 4.0 with ProShare® Technology on their desktop personal computers. By the end of June, the video conferencing technology will link 500 forum members across 54 countries, including Russia, India and Argentina.

The video conferencing units are the latest components in the forum's private visual communications network, known as the WELCOM network -- short for World Electronic Community. Operated by Boston-based Advanced Video Communications (AVC), the WELCOM network provides forum constituents with secure, round-the-clock communications services that include multiparty conferences, directory services, multimedia library, live content and 24-hour concierge services.

"Intel Business Video Conferencing's ease of use and its immediate, intimate and informal feel enhances communications among world leaders who may not be comfortable even using a PC," said Hans-Jorg Schwab, AVC president. "However, the system is sophisticated enough to complement a highly complex and advanced visual communications network such as the WELCOM network."

According to officials at World Economic Forum, the WELCOM network with Intel Business Video Conferencing has already demonstrated its effectiveness in improving communication and business planning. Forum constituents use the network to quickly work on solutions on issues such as the Asian financial crisis.

"Our video conferencing technology will help the world's most influential leaders break the barriers of time and space to meet face-to-face and accomplish important tasks quickly," said Scott Darling, general manager for the Business Communication Products Operation of Intel. "The World Economic Forum's use of our technology demonstrates the growing importance of video communications in the global marketplace."

Intel is the world market segment share leader in desktop video conferencing. Intel Business Video Conferencing gives PC users the ability to hold interactive audio, video and data exchanges over ISDN and corporate intranets. In Europe, Intel ProShare video conferencing products are marketed by Deutsche Telekom, British Telecommunications plc., France Telecom, PTT Netherlands and Telefonica of Spain.

AVC Inc., located in Burlington, Mass., is a leading provider, developer and manager of interactive, visual online communities. Offering unique, value-added services and features supported by desktop videoconferencing, AVC virtual communities combine the latest multimedia technology and Internet applications. The customers of AVC include both the high-profile WELCOM community, which operates under the auspices of the World Economic Forum (based in Geneva, Switzerland), in addition to organizations, businesses and governments who utilize AVC's Private Visual Networks.

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