Tight integration between the solutions of Minerva, Latens and Amino as well as proven security and scalability cited by Com Net as key reasons for selection

NOVEMBER 6, 2006 - Latens Systems, a pioneer and leading supplier of dynamic, software-based Conditional Access, today announced that Com Net Inc., an Ohio-based company offering advanced telecommunication services to 21 Independent Local Exchange Companies (ILECs), has for the first time successfully deployed secured Personal Video Recording (PVR) functionality on its IPTV Network. The solution comprises Latens FCAS security system integrated with Minerva’s iTVManager IPTV platform running with Amino’s AmiNET500 to provide Com Net with a secured end-to-end PVR delivery platform.

“PVR is one of the must have features for IPTV service providers competing with their satellite and cable rivals. Because standards are currently so fragmented we have to rely heavily on our partners to deliver integrated solutions that allow us to deploy advanced new services,” says Randall Plaisier, CTO, Com Net, Inc. “Following a rigorous in-house evaluation and testing process, we have successfully deployed the integrated Latens, Minerva and Amino solution. We chose this solution as it provides the best combination of robustness, scalability and content packaging flexibility.”

“Encrypting PVR is a complex process especially in trick play mode. We had to ensure that Com Net satisfies the studios’ requirements for 100% encryption at all times during trick play. The fact that FCAS is a robust Conditional Access solution made it so much easier to manage encryption for Com Net in that mode,” says Dean Kashlan, GM and VP at Latens Limited. “We look forward to continuing to be the first content and revenue protection vendor to support advanced new business models and content packaging schemes that our customers want to deploy in order to maximize their competitive advantage.”

“The unique integration of Latens FCAS with our iTVManager platform provides Com Net with a robust, scalable and cost-effective solution for its PVR roll-out,” says Matt Cuson, Minerva’s Vice President of Marketing. “We are excited to be able to assist Com Net in launching secure PVR services which will enhance their position in a competitive market.”

The Latens FCAS system is a next generation, standards compliant conditional access systems optimized for the broadband IPTV market designed to maximize the revenue earned and retained by service providers. Latens’ highly scalable FCAS solution is technically advanced and provides operators with unsurpassed levels of security and flexibility.

“The close collaboration between Latens and Amino enables Com Net to deploy their PVR with the highest possible levels of security, ensuring that Com Net can meet the present and future security requirements of programmers and studios,” says Roy Kirsopp, VP and General Manager, Amino. “The integration of Latens FCAS with Minerva middleware and AmiNET500 platform ensures that service providers deploying this solution can both gain customers and increase revenues by launching secured PVR services for their subscribers.”

About Com Net, Inc.

Com Net, Incorporated was formed in September 1993 through the collaborative efforts of twenty-one (21) Independent Local Exchange Companies (ILECs) and one (1) Electrical Cooperative across Ohio.

Initially, Com Net built a Signaling System 7 (SS7) Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) in Northwest Ohio, enabling the member ILECs to offer calling features to their customers. Com Net also offers a trademarked bright.net reseller program that provides its local Internet Service Provider (ISP) partners with high-quality, cost-effective Internet operating services, which have grown to include a wholesale Network Operations Center, a Technical Support Center, and an Internet Protocol (IP) regional broadband network.

Recently, Com Net's added a Service Bureau to its offerings. This comprehensive Service Bureau provides Com Net's customers with a feature-rich system that can fulfill a company's billing needs for data, Internet, telephone, video, and other utility-based services that are delivered to residential and business customers.

Today, Com Net continues this tradition of providing member ILECs with telecommunication services that they cannot justify pursuing individually. They have recently built a fiber optic ring in Northwest Ohio that links many of its shareholders in order to provide these advanced services.

About Amino

Amino Communications (www.aminocom.com) supplies the AmiNET™ series of set-top boxes renown for their low-cost and reliability. The AmiNET range materially reduces service operators’ capital expenditure, whilst offering the full range of specification required; MPEG2 and MPEG4 encoding standards, standard and high definition TV, personal video recording and home networking. The high performance coupled with the innovative design of Amino’s set-top boxes, have brought the series industry accolades and the company a leading position within the IPTV market.

The AmiNET series of IPTV set-top boxes has been used by more than 500 customers in commercial deployments and trials in over 50 countries worldwide. The set-top boxes have also been sampled by another additional 800 customers. Amino Communications’ principal customers are telecommunications, broadcast and hospitality service operators. Generally, AmiNET products are supplied with the IntAct™ IPTV software stack pre-loaded. Amino Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amino Technologies plc. listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM, symbol AMO. Amino is based near Cambridge, UK, and has offices in Atlanta Georgia and Hong Kong.

About Latens Systems

Latens is a privately held company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, founded by broadcast technology experts. Latens' sole mission is to provide the industry’s leading software-based Content & Revenue Protection Systems for pay-TV and IPTV operators, as software security replaces legacy Conditional Access (CA) technology.

Latens uses Secure Software Modules to maximize security and minimize the risk of attack. Latens technology has the added benefit that it is easily extended to provide security for the PVR (Personal Video Recorder) and multiple set-top boxes homes. Latens business benefits include lower implementation and running costs, increased business flexibility and major cash-flow advantages. For more information, please visit: www.latens.com

About Minerva Networks, Inc.

Minerva Networks, Inc., is the leading provider of open-platform, carrier-class solutions for the delivery of television services over broadband IP networks. More than 100 broadband network operators worldwide use Minerva's products and services to deliver next-generation entertainment and communications applications. Minerva Networks is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, and on the Internet at http://www.minervanetworks.com.

For further information, please contact:

Randall Plaisier         David Bramley,            Michael Volpatt,
Com Net, Inc.            Platform PR for Latens    Larkin/Volpatt for Minerva
[email protected]  [email protected]      [email protected]
Tel: +1 (419) 793-3100   Tel: +44 (0)20 8964 9149  Tel: +1 (415) 994-8864

Joanne Martin-Loat,
Amino Communications
[email protected]
T: +44 (0) 1954 234 100