ATLANTA, Aug 20, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cox Communications, Inc. (NYSE: COX) today announced the launch of its new FreeZone service in San Diego.

FreeZone, channel 997 for digital cable subscribers, is a first-of-its-kind video on demand channel that offers subscribers a slate of free entertainment and commercial information made possible by advertising support (see companion release for additional information on the service and advertisers). Cox is working with Concurrent Computer Corporation (NASDAQ: CCUR) and N2 Broadband to deliver this new interactive service.

"Cox is among the first cable operators to present ad-supported content in the VOD world and to test this new concept as a viable revenue model for the industry," said Reggie Bradford, president and CEO of N2 Broadband. "The new technologies we've developed will help Cox prove this business case, usher the deployment of new digital services and also facilitate new sources of cash flow."

The N2 Broadband components are part of a broader platform called Adbank(TM), which is designed to support multiple VOD systems, cable operators, networks, advertisers and the business of on-demand advertising. N2 Broadband created two essential components - the content packager and the ad server. The packager gives Cox the ability to define navigation paths and the associated content provided to viewers. It allows the definition and bundling of menu choices, still images, video segments, and storyboard information. Cox can create its own branded environment in the user interface and also has the flexibility to associate varied content with different layers of the user interface, rather than offering only a static environment.

The packager also associates sequences with specific advertiser content that allow cable viewers to request more information from advertisers. Request For Information (RFI) sequences can be used to provide leads to advertisers. The packager output is Asset Distribution Interface (ADI) compliant and can be stored in user-defined output locations. Output can be distributed to multiple digital cable headends via an automated asset distribution system, such as the N2 Broadband MediaPath(TM) Secure Content Delivery System, DLT tapes, or file transfer mechanisms.

The ad server created by N2 Broadband resides at Cox's VOD-equipped cable system headend. The ad server receives the ad content packages and also stores information about the packages it imports, including the associated assets and metadata. When requested, the ad server sends data necessary to define navigation for a content package to a user interface and menu generation system. The data sent by the ad server instructs the menu generation system to build the navigation as defined by the package. The server also sends tailored data with the video segments to insure compatibility with the target VOD System, in this case Concurrent Computer Corporation's MediaHawk(R) 3000.

Concurrent's MediaHawk 3000 Video Server System (MH 3000) is designed to support many interactive applications, including interactive advertising. "The MH 3000 allows for one common platform when selling advertising spots, entertainment on demand (movies, concerts, sports...) or subscription video on demand from premium channels," said John Hildebrand, Cox's vice president of multi-media technology. "Operationally, content for advertising is managed in the same fashion as that of Cox's other video on demand products." The MH 3000 supports the import of metadata through an open XML interface and it allows the specification of an n-tier menu system -- videos can be launched from any tier and may be followed by menus, videos or RFI sequences. This provides Cox the ultimate flexibility in building product offerings.

The user interface (UI), or client on-screen navigator, was designed with input from Cox whose goal was to provide a similar experience that customers would see with Cox's Entertainment on Demand movie product. To accommodate viewer request for additional information (RFI) functionality, Concurrent enhanced the UI to include specific requirements for RFI and also to log impressions.

Cox's integrated system also performs aggregate reporting functions. Concurrent's system supports tracking UI activity within the menu screens. Any and all pages can be marked for logging, depending on the needs of the application and the impressions that are exposed. The UI data is exported to the N2 Broadband server where it is matched with associated content, allowing Cox to determine aggregate activity and usage for specific pages and ad content. Reports are also generated for RFI's based on data from Concurrent's Business Management System (BMS).

"As the VOD provider with the most digital subscribers nationwide, we are always looking for ways to increase the revenue for our cable operator partners," said Steve Necessary, president of Concurrent's XSTREME VOD division. "Cox has put a stake in the ground as leaders in evolving advertising-supported television from a push model to a pull model of on-demand digital television, and we're pleased to be the first VOD company to support it."

Acerca de Cox Communications

Cox Communications (NYSE: COX), a Fortune 500 company, is a multi-service broadband communications company serving approximately 6.3 million customers nationwide. Cox is the nation's fifth-largest cable television provider, and offers both traditional analog video programming under the Cox Cable brand as well as advanced digital video programming under the Cox Digital Cable brand. Cox provides an array of other communications and entertainment services, including local and long distance telephone under the Cox Digital Telephone brand; high-speed Internet access under the brands Cox High Speed Internet and Cox Express; and commercial voice and data services via Cox Business Services. Cox is an investor in programming networks including Discovery Channel. More information about Cox Communications can be accessed on the Internet at www.cox.com/espanol.

About Concurrent

Concurrent Computer Corporation (http://www.ccur.com) is a leading provider of high-performance computer systems, software, and servers. Concurrent Computer Corporation's XSTREME Division is a leading supplier in the emerging digital video server marketplace. This market includes broadband VOD and rich streaming media applications such as corporate training, education, hospitality, and digital video-to-the-home. Concurrent is also a leading provider of high-performance, real-time computer systems, solutions, and software for commercial and government markets. Concurrent's 35-year-old Real-Time business focuses on strategic market areas that include hardware-in-the-loop and man-in-the-loop simulation, data acquisition, industrial systems, and software. Operating worldwide, Concurrent provides sales and support from offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Concurrent brings over 35 years of real-time experience to the broadband VOD and rich streaming media industries and has become a market leader. Today, Concurrent's worldwide broadband VOD and rich streaming media trials and deployments include: AOL Time Warner Cable - 15 markets; Beijing Fengtai Cable - China; Blue Ridge Communications - Pennsylvania; Charter - multiple markets; Cogeco Cable - Quebec and Ontario, Canada; Comcast - 9 markets; Cox - 3 markets; Horizon.com - Singapore; Mediacom - one market; NXTV Inc. - 4 hotels; OLYMPUS Optical - Hamburg, Germany; Safari Technologies - 16 educational institutions throughout North America; Shanghai Telecom - China; and VOD Pty Ltd./TransAct - Australia.

About N2 Broadband

N2 Broadband is the only provider of scalable, open-standards technologies that enable content providers and cable operators to offer on-demand services. The company's N2 Network(TM) - the only complete delivery management, back office and usage reporting system - includes MediaPath(TM) for secure content delivery; MediaPoint(TM) Business Management System for back-office management; and MediaPoint(TM) Asset Management System for managing the receipt of digital media assets from multiple independent sources. With unmatched experience in digital cable technology, the N2 Broadband team also offers the most advanced Operational Support Services (OSS) to ensure the highest level of network reliability, and a range of customized professional services for the rapid, scalable deployment of on-demand services. N2 Broadband provides these solutions to leaders in the entertainment and cable industries.

CONTACT: Cox Communications David Grabert, 404/269-7054 David.Grabert@Cox.com or For Concurrent Computer Corporation HighTech Public Relations Tammy Snook, 407/667-9355 TammySnook@hightechpr.net or For N2 Broadband, HighTech Public Relations Terry May, 904/387-3899 TerryMay@hightechpr.net