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Iowa Telco Launches Myrio Video Solution Over Statewide INS Telecommunications Network

April 2, 2003
Heart of Iowa Communications Utilizes Iowa Network Services (INS) centralized headend to offer new video services Kirkland, Wash. - Myrio Corporation, the leading provider of software and integration services that enable broadband service providers to offer Digital TV, VOD, and other advanced entertainment services, announced today that Heart of Iowa Communications Cooperative (HICC), an independent telephone company serving over 3,800 subscribers, has begun rolling out Myrio’s video solution to their subscribers over their existing ADSL network utilizing the INS centralized headend.

INS awarded the statewide video services contract to Myrio in June 2002, after evaluating all other leading providers. INS now makes Myio’s entire suite of video software products and services available to their 147 network owners and users throughout the state of Iowa.

HICC is the first of the INS network participating companies to offer Myrio’s solution. HICC licenses Myrio’s video applications from INS. By utilizing the INS centralized headend, HICC and other participating telcos can offer premium video and entertainment services cost effectively to their subscribers. HICC’s initial offering includes over 200 channels of high-quality digital TV, Pay-per-view, and music. VOD, PVR, high-speed Internet access and other features are also being considered for future release.

HICC experienced strong consumer demand first hand during a recent open house in Albion, Iowa, where dozens of customers signed up for HICC’s new services. “Myrio’s software and services and the INS headend enabled us to quickly offer video to our subscribers who may not otherwise have access to advanced services like these,” said David Schmidt, general manager of HICC.

“Heart of Iowa is leading the charge for Iowa telcos, proving IP video from our centralized headend is viable both economically and technologically,” added Howard Juul, vice president of Network Planning at INS. “We expect several additional Iowa telcos to utilize the INS network and offer Myrio’s solution in the coming months.”

“Myrio is extremely pleased to have the opportunity to partner with INS and HICC and deploy our joint capabilities to end customers,” said Kevin Kosche, vice president of Sales at Myrio. “We look forward to leveraging our mutual success throughout Iowa by enabling video operations profitably to the remaining 146 INS members and users.”

Heart of Iowa Communications Cooperative is headquartered in Union, Iowa. The Cooperative has served area communities since 1958. Heart of Iowa Communications strives to offer services that are on the cutting edge of technology and work to meet the changing needs of our customers. Heart of Iowa's products and services are also competitively priced. Heart of Iowa Communications offers Local and Long distance, and stands alone in offering High Speed Internet, Voice Messaging, Caller ID Name & Number, Telemarketer Screening and many other communications services to our customers.

INS was organized in 1988 and is owned by 127 Rural Iowa Independent Telephone Companies. INS began providing centralized equal access service to its shareowner companies in 1989. In addition to centralized equal access, it now provides a number of other network related services to 147 Iowa independent telephone companies that serve about 280,000 subscribers in 330 communities. The INS network includes two access tandems, over 1900 miles of fiber optic cable, several ATM switches, the largest ISP in Iowa and a digital video head end.

Myrio is the leading provider of software and integration services that enable new video revenue opportunities for broadband service providers by leveraging their existing infrastructures. With Myrio's solutions, operators can offer next generation, TV-based services and media to their customers. In turn, operators can protect their valuable residential assets from competitors, such as cable and satellite companies. A pioneer in the industry, Myrio has commercially deployed its solutions to operators throughout the United States, and is conducting customer trials internationally as well.

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