Espresso and BBC Worldwide to explore future commercial service
The European Space Agency and Espresso Productions today announce the successful conclusion of the innovative trial which has successfully established the concept of data broadcasting by satellite in the UK.
During 1999, 75 sites have received weekly downloads of data delivered at speeds up to a hundred times faster than conventional Internet delivery (assuming 28k modem). The data delivered was the unique Espresso for Schools service (BETT STAND M87) which integrates full-screen video, multimedia, websites and a great deal of focussed educational material in a browser format delivered to computer desktops.
Espresso has been part-funded by the ARTES-3 Multimedia Programme of the European Space Agency.
European Space Agency project director Francesco Feliciani commented: "Espresso for Schools represents one of the most exciting and promising initiatives undertaken in the ARTES-3 programme. Espresso provides clear evidence of how satellite communications can be an effective and affordable way to bring multimedia to schools. After having watched Espresso working many times, it'' still amazing to see how a relatively simple concept of data delivery - when associated with a valuable content production chain - can become a powerful service to help teachers improve the educational standards in classrooms".
Editorial Director Lewis Bronze commented: "The trial has proved the demand for these kind of resources and satellite has shown they can be delivered in a cost-effective way which is superior to virtually all land-based wire technologies. We would like to thank the European Space Agency for their sponsorship of the trial, and also all the content providers who have enabled us to use material free of charge".
Espresso has relied upon several key content providers during the trial, principally BBC Worldwide Ltd, Channel 4 Learning Ltd and the Electronic Telegraph.
BBC Worldwide contributed video from Newsround and Tomorrow's World. Espresso selected three reports a week from Newsround and one from Tomorrow's World for their curricular relevance and beamed them to schools computers.
Following the trial, Espresso Productions is in discussions with BBC Worldwide Ltd. in terms of a possible collaboration in a commercial broadband service to schools.
For further press information or paper versions of this release please contact:
Espresso Marketing, Riverside Studios, Crisp Road, Hammersmith, W6 9RL
Tel: +44(0)20 8237 1200
Fax: +44(0)20 8237 1201
Email: info@espresso.co.uk
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