SAN JOSE, CA and LAS VEGAS, NV--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 15, 2008 -- Cisco (NasdaqGS:CSCO - News) today announced that SES AMERICOM is using Cisco® Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Advanced Video Coding (AVC) high-definition (HD) encoders to launch 40 additional HD channels on its IP-PRIME® Internet Protocol television (IPTV) service. IP-PRIME is an end-to-end, turnkey entertainment distribution service that enables rural local exchange carriers (RLECs) in North America to offer a full and diverse menu of hundreds of SD and HD television channels to their subscribers.

The Cisco MPEG AVC HD encoders (Model D9054) are being added to the 300 Cisco SD and HD encoders already in service at IP-PRIME's Broadcast Center in Vernon Valley, New Jersey. Cisco's MPEG AVC encoding provides bandwidth maximization technology to support advanced services, and accelerate the ability to launch new or expanded customer-driven services, such as HD and Video on Demand (VoD).

"It's clear that consumers are almost insatiable when it comes to HD; once they've seen IP-PRIME's HD channels, they want and expect more, so we are doubling our HD program offerings making our RLEC customers even more competitive in their communities," said Robert Phelan, senior vice president of product development, IP-PRIME. "Increasing Cisco's MPEG-4 AVC encoding equipment reinforces our commitment and recognition of their video expertise at a time when viewers' demand for high quality television is also ramping up, a demand being met by IP-PRIME."

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     National Association of Broadcasters Show
     Las Vegas Convention Center
     Las Vegas, NV
     April 14-17, 2008
     Booth SU6120