Thus Wins MPLS IP VPN Contract

LONDON -- THUS plc today announced that Chrysalis Radio, owner of Heart, Galaxy, LBC and The Arrow radio stations, will use THUS's national MPLS IP network to carry data and broadcast traffic between its five major UK sites.

Chrysalis Radio is replacing its current point-to-point network connecting London with Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham with a converged MPLS IP network from THUS. The network will utilise MPLS' inherent Class of Service differentiation technology enabling Chrysalis to prioritise broadcast traffic over all other data on the network. This will ensure the audio quality is maintained regardless of the volume of other traffic on the network.

Chrysalis Radio broadcasts live from all of its sites each day and it is imperative that the network is reliable as any interruption to service will be immediately audible by listeners. The new network will ensure that transmission quality is preserved at the same time as enabling the sites to efficiently share content such as networked programming or live studio session. The new THUS network will provide Chrysalis Radio with valuable scalability and flexibility through access to its technologically advanced national network. This will allow Chrysalis Radio to integrate any new sites to the national network easily and cost effectively.

The new network also supports Voice over IP (VoIP) enabling Chrysalis to move away from traditional telephony between its sites to a fully converged VoIP environment when the time is appropriate.

"We wanted to link our five sites with a flexible, cost effective converged network that could be developed to incorporate new technologies," said Bruce Davidson, Group Technology Director, Chrysalis Radio. "We chose THUS because of its vast experience in, and understanding of, the broadcast industry and its willingness to work closely with us to design a solution around our existing equipment."

When providing critical network solutions it is imperative that a supplier know its customer's business inside out," said Phil Male, Chief Operating Officer, THUS plc. "THUS is now a mature player in the broadcast industry having developed a unique depth of experience working with the UK's five largest commercial radio groups. Our national MPLS IP network will ensure that Chrysalis Radio can manage its voice, data, and broadcast traffic efficiently and cost effectively."

THUS worked closely with Chrysalis Radio's broadcast equipment supplier, The UK Office, to design a solution that complements Chrysalis' existing network equipment, a key requirement in the decision-making process.

---In a separate release---

LONDON -- THUS plc today announced that it has signed up its fifth UK commercial radio broadcaster to use its innovative network technology. Chrysalis Radio, owner of Heart, Galaxy, LBC and The Arrow radio stations, joins other major commercial radio broadcasters using THUS's network technology, including GWR Group, Capital Radio Group and Scottish Radio Holdings.

THUS is providing broadcasters with flexible and reliable networks that are both efficient and cost effective. The telecoms company has delivered to each radio group an individually tailored network designed to meet their precise requirements. In addition, a fundamental understanding from THUS of the needs of the media industry has enabled radio broadcasters to achieve technology firsts such as live audio multicasting over MPLS.

The demand for more capability and business agility follows the passing of the Communications Act 2003 which opens the market to more aggressive commercial activity and the continual need for innovation as the industry moves into the digital broadcasting era. THUS's network solutions enable broadcasters to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, allowing sites to be added and removed from networks in an instant.

Broadcasters also have a critical need for an extremely reliable network to ensure that there is no 'radio silence'. The quality of transmission has to be maintained regardless of the volume of data on the network. THUS's network solutions achieve this high quality of transmission and have clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of convergence technologies in delivering real business benefit in a dynamic and demanding market.

"THUS has developed a unique understanding of the broadcast industry working closely with radio broadcasters such as Capital Radio Group, the GWR Group and now Chrysalis Radio Group," said Phil Male, Chief Operating Officer, THUS plc. "Our advanced national network now supports the UK's five leading commercial radio broadcasters - proof of its flexibility, resilience and reliability. The technology firsts that we are achieving are testament to our innovative approach to meeting the needs of the radio broadcast industry."

Thus plc