Asian Multimedia Forum Holds Plenary Meeting

At the meeting, the forum reviewed the successful achievement of international multimedia trials. In the international Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)(*2) internetworking trial, ATM backbone was established between six countries and some trials such as Switched Virtual Channel (SVC) (*3), Voice and Telephony over ATM (VTOA)(*4) and IP over ATM(*5) were carried out. The terrestrial-satellite hybrid network trials took place between Japan and seven countries, and has been tested out as a means of providing a cost-effective solution to some applications such as distance education.

In addition to the development of multimedia networks, some new applications have been successfully tested. The cross-language information retrieval system(*6) is one of such new applications that enables us to retrieve information written in various languages with any of one selected language (at this moment, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean) on the Internet. The web-based computer aided instruction system, called "CALAT"(*7) is also being used as a platform for distance education system on the Internet. Using CALAT, Philippine Science High School and Keio Shonan Fujisawa Junior/Senior High School have started to make cultural exchanges based on teaching materials. (See attachment for trial results.)

The AMF discussed about future 1999 forum activities which will begin in July. The AMF confirmed that it will further promote the forum activities by structuring multimedia platforms throughout Asia. As one example of such new activity, the AMF decided to create the "AMF Multimedia Mall", a window to multimedia in Asia. The Mall will be available on the AMF web site (http://www.asiamf.org) early next year. The Mall will consist of a unique directory of wide range of multimedia services provided by forum members, from basic telecommunications like telephone and internet to data communications, equipment, and system integration. Users will be able to find out what services are provided in the region, what the costs are, and how they can apply over the Internet. The Mall is expected to facilitate the use of multimedia in Asia.

At this plenary meeting, a new president of the AMF was elected. Dr. Thongchai Yongchareon, President of Telephone Organization of Thailand, will serve a one-year term.

NTT will continue to actively promote the activities of the AMF as its administrative office.

*1 AMF: The AMF is a non-profit organization founded in June 1997. Fifty-four members extensively participate in the AMF from telecommunications carriers, ISPs, venders to users. The goal of AMF is jointly developing, promoting the usage of and structuring platforms for multimedia applications and services in the Asia-Pacific region. Homepage for AMF http://www.asiamf.org

*2 ATM: Asynchronous Transfer Mode. Communications technology most suitable for multimedia communications, supporting low-speed communications such as voice as well as high-speed data communications.

*3 Switched Virtual Channel (SVC): A communication channel established between sender and destination on demand.

*4 VTOA(Voice and Telephony over ATM): Tests to verify the practicability of low-priced telephone service that transmits compressed and coded voice via ATM circuits.

*5 IP over ATM: Transmission technology for IP-based application over ATM network.

*6 Cross-language information retrieval system: A new cross-language search system that enables us to retrieve information written in 3 different languages (for example, Chinese, Japanese, Korean) by inputting keywords written in one language. This system utilizes NTT's TITAN service technology which searches for information over the internet in one language (for example, Japanese) that is written even in another language (for example, English). Homepage for TITAN http://titan.mcnet.ne.jp

*7 CALAT (Computer Aided Learning and Authoring Environment for Tele-education): Internet-based intelligent CAI system developed by NTT. Homepage for CALAT http://calat.isl.ntt.co.jp

Norihiko Ohkubo or Megumi Inaji
Public Relations Office
NTT Long Distance and Global Provisional Headquarters
Phone: +81 3 3500 8020

Miyuki Sano or Hiroshi Abiko
Global Business Division
NTT Long Distance and Global Provisional Headquarters
Phone: +81 3 3539 2451