PictureTel's New Prism Videoconferencing Servers Enable Users to Create
Their Own Multipoint Videoconference

NEW BREED OF PERSONAL BRIDGES MAKES SMALL MULTIPOINT VIDEOCONFERENCES
AFFORDABLE AND ON-DEMAND

DANVERS, Mass. -- May 13, 1996 -- PictureTelc Corporation, the global
leader in videoconferencing, today unveiled the Prism Multipoint
Videoconferencing Servers, the industry's first family of personal bridges
that enable users to set up their own multipoint videoconferences on
demand. With very low entry cost and the added ability to distribute
network connections for desktop video users throughout a facility, the new
Prism family makes videoconferencing easy and affordable to a much broader
base of customers.

Prism slashes setup time and eliminates the need for a full-time
videoconferencing administrator. Videoconferencing users can simply dial
externally to other sites, internally to desktop systems located on the
same premises or into the multipoint bridge. PictureTel technicians can
also perform remote diagnostics, eliminating the need for in-house
technical support.

Prisms prices start at less than $20,000. Its combination of low price and
ease of use make Prism an ideal bridging solution for entry-level or
small-scale multipoint videoconferencing users, the estimated 70 percent
of users who require four or fewer links.

TWO MODELS FOR DIFFERENT NEEDS

The two models of Prism bridges, the Value Multipoint Conferencing Server
and the Switching Multipoint Conferencing Server, link videoconferencing
systems over wide area networks (WANs) via ISDN or T1 lines. The Value
Server acts as a traditional MCU and connects using ISDN BRI lines for
112/128 kbps customers. T1 IMUXing for higher quality 384 k6 conferences
is an option and users can also connect or cascade with any bridge that
complies with H.243, a bridging communication standard. Continuous
presence, or seeing all other sites on screen at once, is an option
available in both models.

For users who want to link several sites within the same building or
campus, the Switching Multipoint Conferencing Server has the added
capability of connecting up to 16 videoconferencing systems internally
over existing internal telephone lines. The Switching Server can establish
conferences with other locally connected users or with videoconferencing
sites across the globe.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Prism Value Multipoint Conferencing Servers and Switching Multipoint
Conferencing Servers will be marketed worldwide. Value Server pricing
starts at about $19,000, and Switching Server pricing starts at about
$24,900.

ABOUT PICTURETEL

PictureTel Corporation (NASDAQ: PCTL) is the world leader in developing,
manufacturing and marketing a full range of visual communications
solutions. The company's products serve videoconferencing needs from the
desktop to the boardroom. PictureTel also markets network products and a
comprehensive portfolio of enterprise-wide services. Additional PictureTel
information is available on the Internet at http://www.picturetel.com.

Recent PictureTel news releases are available by calling 1-800-716-6000,
extension 4 (U.S. and Canada only).
 
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