Tut Systems Announces Its First All IP Digital Cable TV Deployment at Citizens Cable

Tut Systems Announces Its First All IP Digital Cable TV Deployment at Citizens Cable

Cable operator Uses Astria(R) Content Processor to Deliver Standard and High-Definition TV Over Its Cable Network

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tut Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:TUTS), an industry leader enabling the delivery of next-generation data and video services over broadband networks, today announced it's first commercial deployment of an all-IP digital TV headend by a traditional Cable TV operator. Citizens Cable Communications, of Mammoth, PA, deployed the Tut Systems Astria content processor (CP) platform to capitalize on the operational and economic benefits of IP-based networks for the delivery of video, voice and data services.

Citizens Cable's new digital TV service offers its customers the highest quality entertainment available in a package of 130 standard-definition ("SD") TV channels, 47 digital music channels and 10 high-definition ("HD") TV channels. The company is using Tut Systems' Astria CP digital headend solution to deliver an all-digital SD and HD channel line-up.

Prior to the deployment of the IP headend, the company delivered its entire channel line-up using analog technology. Citizens Cable now uses the Astria CP platform to distribute 100% IP video channels from its digital headend facility to digital cable at the edge of the network. In addition, the company has the ability to deliver IP-based digital TV to consumers over their fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network that is currently being deployed.

"Offering a competitive digital entertainment package requires service providers to add new channels and high-quality HD TV content, which, in turn, demands more bandwidth," said Dennis Cutrell, General Manager, Citizens Cable. "Evolving to all IP network architecture positions us well to serve this trend. The flexibility and superior quality of the Tut Systems Astria CP platform equips us with all of the video processing capabilities we need to deliver high-end digital TV services over any access network -- be it coax or fiber. Further, by using a common backbone IP network to serve all of our customers, we significantly reduce both our capital expenditures and on-going operational costs."

"Citizens Cable is breaking ground as one of the first cable operators in the U.S. to deliver IP video to the edge of their traditional cable network," said Mark Tiedeman, Vice President of Marketing for Tut Systems. "We're seeing strong demand for IP video transport solutions from triple-play service providers looking to deliver video, voice, and data services to their customers. Citizens is a true leader in this trend, demonstrating how next generation IP networks enable the converged delivery of all of our communications services."

The Industry's Leading IPTV Platform for Service Providers

More than 150 service providers across North America, Europe and Asia deliver IPTV powered by Tut Systems digital headends. The Astria family of video processing platforms, which serves as the core of the company's digital headend solution, processes both analog and digital video streams from multiple satellite and local sources in a variety of formats. The Astria CP supports MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC video compression, local ad insertion, forward error correction and provides real-time conditioning for distribution of video and audio over any ATM, IP, or RF broadband network. The Astria VSP provides the highest density, carrier class, single chassis product for the delivery of IP video over RF broadband access networks, including coax and FTTP (Fiber to the Premises).

About Citizens Cable Communications

Citizens Cable was established in 1995. By obtaining a franchise agreement in Mount Pleasant Township in Westmoreland County in October of 1995, Citizens offered cable television service to customers via a hybrid-fiber coaxial cable system in February of 1996. Today, Citizens Cable is the first cable television system in the area to provide a 100% digital offering to their customer base. Citizens Cable is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens Telephone Company of Kecksburg which has a long history of providing the latest technologies to its customers. Citizens Telephone Company of Kecksburg, which will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2006, was the first to offer push button calling in the 60's, digital switching in the 80's, and now offering triple play services (voice, video and broadband internet) via a single fiber optic cable connected directly to each home or business. For more information call 724-423-3000.

About Tut Systems, Inc.

Tut Systems, Inc. delivers content processing and distribution products for deploying next-generation data and video services over broadband networks. Service providers, content providers and government agencies worldwide use Tut Systems solutions to deliver broadcast-quality video over broadband networks.

Tut Systems is headquartered in Lake Oswego, OR with regional offices across North America, Europe and Asia. For more information visit www.tutsys.com or call 971-217-0400.

NOTE: Astria is a registered trademark of Tut Systems, Inc.

Source: Tut Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Hilary Goetz of Tut Systems, +1-971-217-0441, or
hgoetz@tutsys.com

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

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