Digital Video-on-Demnd to be Installd in Australia Hotels
PRNewswire (10/29/2002 5:10 PM ET)

/PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Interactive's Intrigue(TM) Multimedia System will be installed by Tele2000 Limited, of Sydney, Australia, in the prominent Rydges Parramatta Hotel in Sydney. Rydges Hotels has more than 5,000 rooms in its upper scale hotels in the Australasian market, making it the third-largest chain in the region. Intrigue is an interactive, multimedia in-room entertainment and information system. It features access to the Internet at speeds up to 50 times faster than dial-in links, true digital video-on-demand (DVOD), electronic shopping, video games and other hospitality services and options, all via a television in guests' rooms or via their own laptop computers. The Intrigue package is also integrated with the host hotel's reporting and billing capabilities. Tele2000 will begin deploying the Intrigue system in January 2003, rolling out the system to the entire Rydges chain later that year. Tele2000 and General Dynamics Interactive signed a channel partner licensing agreement in September. The agreement enables Tele2000 to deploy the General Dynamics Intrigue solution in hotels throughout the Australian and New Zealand markets. General Dynamics Interactive will provide the Intrigue system, ongoing system and software upgrades, entertainment content, and technical support. Tele2000 will be responsible for the sales and marketing of the system, distribution of the entertainment content, Internet connectivity, and hotel customer service. Peter Dykes, the Executive Chairman of Tele2000 Limited, said, "The Intrigue digital video-on-demand system, in our opinion, is superior to anything in the marketplace -- and Tele2000 plans to be the dominant player in the marketplace from this day forward." Al Whitmore, vice-president and general manager of General Dynamics Interactive, said, "We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Tele2000 to deploy the General Dynamics Intrigue system throughout the Rydges Hotel Group in Australia. Australasia's hospitality industry is an exciting new market to which Intrigue will bring a high-performance, flexible multimedia experience." About General Dynamics Interactive General Dynamics Interactive is a part of General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). It brings decades of experience in providing integrated solutions for reliable, complex communication systems for its broad spectrum of customers. Intrigue is its digital interactive information and entertainment system, delivering high-speed Internet access, electronic commerce, video-on-demand, and audio and video communications services. General Dynamics has been installing its Intrigue system in hotels worldwide for nearly two years, and more than 5,500 rooms are now equipped. General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 54,000 people worldwide and anticipates 2002 revenues of $14 billion. The company has leading market positions in land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical information systems and technologies, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. About Tele2000 Limited Tele2000 Limited (ASX: TLE) is a telecommunication sales and marketing and technology company with its headquarters in Sydney, Australia. Tele2000, via its subsidiary, IQ Advanced Technologies has been involved in the digital video on demand and interactive entertainment solution business since November 2000 and offers significant technical expertise, market intelligence and commercialization capabilities. Tele2000 also operates a telecoms sales and marketing reseller/agency business, which employs approximately 200 people, generates in excess of 40,000 subscribers and 60,000 product sales per annum and generates $30-40M in annualized customer revenue ($6-8M in commission revenue). Make Your Opinion Count - Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X58821497