"For example, a home user with a 56K dial-up modem would perceive that his or her modem has been accelerated to over 250kbps. In addition (and more significant at high connection speeds), the data volume flowing over the connection is reduced by approximately 80%."

Artera Group, Inc., a subsidiary of NCT Group, Inc., announced Fujitsu Siemens Computers as the supplier of server hardware for Artera's Internet optimization network of data centers called the Artera Worldwide Optimized Backbone.

"The implementation of the Artera Worldwide Optimized Backbone enables us to effectively deliver optimizations to any region throughout the world," said Michael J. Parrella, CEO, Artera Group, Inc. "Each Artera Data Center is able to recognize the others and optimization choices are made based on user location, data location and best routing paths. We believe the deployment of this backbone to be a true breakthrough in data delivery."

To validate Artera technology, Fujitsu Siemens, along with other related business partners, commissioned an independent testing facility to perform a complete analysis of Artera performance. The results indicate that, for web content, Artera Turbo(TM) shows substantial benefit over unaccelerated browsing, in terms of both perceived data rate and traffic volume through the network. The headline performance improvement figure for perceived data rate is around 5 to 5.5 times for slow ISP connections, dropping off slightly to a still respectable 3 plus times for 1Mbps connections. For example, a home user with a 56K dial-up modem would perceive that his or her modem has been accelerated to over 250kbps. In addition (and more significant at high connection speeds), the data volume flowing over the connection is reduced by approximately 80%.

Mr. Parrella continued, "With the convergence of voice, TV and data, customers require network efficiency. The Artera Worldwide Optimized Backbone is especially valuable to users and businesses in countries with weak network infrastructures and can change the delivery of information to third world countries. No matter where an Artera Turbo user goes, no matter what access they use, Artera Turbo acceleration and optimization technology can deliver improved efficiencies."

With the Artera Worldwide Optimized Backbone, any regional network can be a customer and achieve a worldwide reach for its users by installing Artera Data Centers within the regional network. "Last Mile" traffic as well as traffic within the network is optimized.

Each Artera Data Center can handle all types of data flow, including VOIP and IPTV. Unlike most competitive technologies that are limited to dial up, the Worldwide Optimized Backbone can optimize all types of "Last Mile" access including dial up, T1, E1, DSL, ISDN, frame relay, Satellite, CDMA, GPRS, UMTS, WiFi and WiMax.