Telluride Bluegrass Festival Goes Wireless With ABEO's AgileAIR Mesh Networking; Advanced Network to Provide Voice, Video, Data Services

Telluride Bluegrass Festival Goes Wireless With ABEO's AgileAIR Mesh Networking; Advanced Network to Provide Voice, Video, Data Services

TELLURIDE, Colo., June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Music lovers who attend this week's world-renowned Telluride Bluegrass Festival will have the first-ever chance to blend the old and new, as they utilize wireless Internet technology even as they enjoy four days of virtually non-stop music.

Festival organizers today announced that they have selected ABEO Corporation, a national provider of information technology, wireless, and engineering solutions, to provide wireless Internet services for the 10,000 people who are expected to attend the Festival, which begins Thursday morning. ABEO will set up a wireless Ethernet network using its newly-announced AgileAIR(TM) integrated mesh networking solution in less than two days, giving Festival attendees reliable Wi-Fi Internet access, and organizers access to a secure, private wireless network capable of transmitting data, voice and video for administrative purposes.

Every summer, music lovers from around the globe make a loyal pilgrimage high into to the mountains of Colorado for the world-renowned Telluride Bluegrass Festival. This year's festival highlights include Alison Krauss and Union Station, Earl Scruggs, Stanley Clarke, Bela Fleck, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jewel, Bobby McFerrin, Wilco and many others.

"ABEO's AgileAIR network will provide Festivarians with a unique and enhanced experience," said Craig Ferguson, chairman of the yearly event. "We are encouraging them to bring their wireless-enabled laptops and PDAs for the first time. In doing so, they can share the fun and immediacy of the Festival through email, instant messaging, and photos with their friends and relatives worldwide. We believe this will help the Telluride festival continue to grow in popularity." Ferguson also noted that a special website, available to users of the AgileAIR network, will allow them to check updated performance and workshop schedules, weather forecasts, as well as giving them the opportunity to visit their favorite performing artists' websites, and more.

ABEO's nationwide experience in quickly setting up temporary and flexible wireless networks was a key factor in its selection by the Festival's organizers. AgileAIR networks, like the one being used at Telluride, can be set up within hours, as opposed to the weeks or months required by more traditional solutions. By eliminating the need to install miles of cable, the ABEO team can quickly deploy additional routers and access points, easily scaling the network to handle increased Wi-Fi traffic from points around the Festival grounds. ABEO's Telluride network, which will utilize Firetide(TM) HotPort(TM) wireless mesh routers and ValuePoint(TM) rugged access points, is specifically designed for outdoor use, deploying quickly and running smoothly, regardless of the weather. This capability was of key concern to Festival organizers; the Festival is renowned for its "show must go on" approach, regardless of the weather. Festival administrators will also be using the AgileAIR network to accommodate Packet8 VoIP services and VideoPhone hardware for event management.

"People have become accustomed to staying connected, regardless of where they are," said Michael Borcherding, ABEO's Chief Executive Officer. "Telluride's organizers want and need proven performance to give them this

capability at the Festival, both for their patrons as well as for their own organizational needs. We're pleased to be able to provide it to them."

About ABEO Corporation

ABEO (http://www.abeocorp.com/), based in Herndon, Virginia, architects and implements second-generation wireless platforms and solutions for government and commercial customers seeking to unwire their operations for improved business performance. With proven skills installing wireless systems in universities, hospitals, and corporate offices, ABEO has the experience to ensure that companies' wireless investment supports and is consistent with their strategic technology initiatives. More information on ABEO is available by calling 703-842-5475.

About Firetide

Firetide is a privately held wireless mesh technology company that develops networking equipment to deploy high performance, scalable wireless mesh networks quickly, easily and affordably. Firetide's Instant Networking solution is ideal for building backbone infrastructure for Wi-Fi networks, video networks, and temporary networks in a variety of environments, such as Internet HotZones, airports, hotels, campus environments, or other locations where wiring is too difficult or expensive to install. Investors include Menlo Ventures, HMS Ventures, Hawaiian Electric Industries, and Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.firetide.com/.

About ValuePoint

ValuePoint is a manufacturer of Rugged Access Points and Controllers. ValuePoint's products are designed for the unique needs of Service Providers, Wireless ISPs, Billing Providers, and Venue Operators in the burgeoning public access and mobile computing space. For more information on ValuePoint's Controllers, Rugged Access Points, and Accessories, please visit http://www.valuepointnet.com/.

About Packet8

VoIP (voice over internet protocol) service provider 8x8, Inc. offers internet-based telephony solutions (http://www.packet8.net/) for individual residential and business users as well as small to medium sized business organizations. Packet8 Virtual Office, 8x8's VoIP system for small to medium sized businesses, is a hosted PBX solution comprised of powerful business class features. For additional company information, visit 8x8's web site at http://www.8x8.com/.

Source: ABEO Corporation

CONTACT: Bruce Buxton, ABEO Corporation, +1-717-439-1678,
bbuxton@abeocorp.com; or Steve Friedberg, MMI Communications, +1-610-518-7474,
steve@mmicommunications.net, for ABEO

Web site: http://www.8x8.com/

Web site: http://www.packet8.net/

Web site: http://www.valuepointnet.com/

Web site: http://www.firetide.com/

Web site: http://www.abeocorp.com/

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