FVC.COM and Lucent Technologies Partner to Revolutionize School Education with Next Generation Internet Video Networks

Strategic Insights -

In a historic move, FVC.COM, a leading provider of Next Generation Internet (NGI) video applications, and Lucent Technologies have partnered to bring cutting-edge educational technology to two school districts in Northern California. The pioneering project aims to "open classrooms to the world" by leveraging the power of real-time video and interactive multimedia access to museums, libraries, and events globally. With a five-year build-out plan in place, this is the first phase of what promises to be a transformative educational initiative.

Key Takeaways:

  • FVC.COM has won contracts with Lucent Technologies to install NGI video networks in the Temple City Unified and Ravenswood City School Districts in Northern California, representing the first phase of a five-year build-out plan.
  • The partnership will provide schools with a real-time video learning network, enabling faculty and students to access a broad range of course materials, content-rich multimedia, and distance learning applications.
  • Lucent will provide service, integration, and voice hardware, while Bay Networks will provide network infrastructure equipment. FVC.COM will supply video switches, gateways, interface cards, and multimedia operating software.
  • Each classroom will be equipped with an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) attachment to 30" monitors with pan tilt zoom cameras for interactive video instruction.
  • Classrooms will also have Ethernet-attached multimedia PCs, connected by T1 lines, for general student use, facilitating two-way videoconferencing between schools in the same district.
  • This initiative marks a significant step towards redefining what it means to use the Internet and go to school, as showcased by FVC.COM's President and CEO, Ralph Ungermann.
  • The Next Generation Internet (NGI) is a new broadband Internet, being deployed by service providers and enterprises for the integrated delivery of voice, video, and data applications. A key characteristic of the NGI is its ability to handle multimedia applications such as real-time interactive video, as well as stored and live video-on-demand.

Statistics:

  • The partnership involves the installation of FVC.COM video switches, gateways, interface cards, and multimedia operating software, as well as Lucent's service, integration, and voice hardware.
  • The two school districts, Temple City Unified and Ravenswood City School Districts, will have their classrooms equipped with 30" monitors, pan tilt zoom cameras, and Ethernet-attached multimedia PCs connected by T1 lines.
  • This project represents the first phase of a five-year build-out plan, with the partnership aiming to expand to more schools across the country in the coming years.

Sources:

  • FVC.COM, the leading provider of Next Generation Internet video applications
  • Lucent Technologies, a leading provider of service, integration, and voice hardware
  • Bay Networks, a leading provider of network infrastructure equipment
  • The Next Generation Internet (NGI) (www.ngi.gov)
  • Business Wire, October 22, 1998