LONDON and SEATTLE, September 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- Operators can monitor on- and off-deck video usage on networks

- Video quality improvements achieved with live rate adaptation

- Enables new business models to monetize advanced networks

RealNetworks(R), Inc. (RNWK), the digital entertainment services company,
today released a new version of its Helix(TM) Media Delivery Platform (Helix
Platform)-including tools to rapidly build and deploy mobile TV services to
subscribers-with the new features that operators are looking for to help them
control and monetize their 3G/4G networks. The new Helix Platform lets
operators take control of video usage on their network, the quality of video
delivered to subscribers and their ability to test new business models and
monetize mobile video.

A number of key partners have run extensive trials of the Helix Platform,
including Sky and SFR. Real's beta customers have successfully streamed
video-including live sports events, news and user-generated content-to tens
of thousands of concurrent subscribers using 3GPP-compliant devices, such as
the iPhone. Further, system integrators such as Atos, Nokia Siemens Networks,
F-Secure (formerly Steek) and Thomson have selected the Helix Platform as the
foundation of their mobile video offerings to operators.

"Quality and reliability are among the top concerns when delivering our
content to mobile network operators," said Ben Nielsen, Product Manager
Mobile TV at Sky. "Because the Helix Media Delivery Platform is deployed both
at the MNO and here at Sky, we can use Helix splitting technology to ensure
our content looks great, conserves bandwidth and provides the best end user
experience."

The Helix Platform's new features include:
    - Enhanced monitoring and control for both live and on-demand video in
      the new Helix Session Manager allows operators to better understand and
      manage the ways their network is being used for on- and off-deck video
    - Live rate adaptation in Helix Mobile Server ensures subscribers have
      the same consistent video quality with live events that they have for
      on-demand content in fluctuating networks
    - Play-list creation functionality in Helix Mobile Server provides
      operators ad-insertion capabilities and thus the opportunity to 
      experiment with business models for mobile video. This also allows both 
      end users and operators to create custom video channels that imitate 
      linear programming
    - Multi-format live and on-demand support in the next-generation Helix
      Mobile Producer and Server enables delivery of video to any 3G/4G 
      enabled device, including Apple's iPhone



"We chose to partner with RealNetworks, as they offer unrivalled
streaming media technology," said Alexander Cassasovici, Head of Mobile at
F-Secure Storage and Digital Content. "As the leading supplier to ISPs and
Mobile Operators, F-Secure's solutions must be of the highest quality and
reliability, and RealNetworks' Helix Media Delivery Platform represents the
best quality and reliability available today."

Scott MacKenzie, director of product management for Helix, RealNetworks
added: "Mobile video is becoming an increasingly important service as
operators look to differentiate themselves. As mobile networks improve,
streaming is becoming more prevalent due to its capability and cost. New
products and features make the new Helix Media Delivery Platform a perfect
solution for the delivery of streamed mobile video, capable of handling all
aspects of the content delivery chain, from media encoding and asset
authentication through to accounting and playback."

RealNetworks develops market-leading software for encoding, delivery,
management and playback of digital audio and video over mobile and broadband
networks. With a reputation for reliability and world-class customer support,
Helix is the choice of more than 100 mobile operators, many Global 1000
enterprises and the top universities. More about Helix Products may be found
at http://www.realnetworks.com/helixplatform.aspx

ABOUT REALNETWORKS

RealNetworks, Inc. delivers digital entertainment services to consumers
via PC, portable music player, home entertainment system or mobile phone.
Real created the streaming media category in 1995 and has continued to lead
the market with pioneering products and services, including: RealPlayer(R),
the first mainstream media application to enable the downloading and transfer
of online video to mobile devices; the Rhapsody(R) digital music service,
which delivers a catalog of more than 8 million songs to users at home, work
and on-the-go; GameHouse.com, one of the premier casual games destinations on
the Web; and a variety of mobile entertainment services, such as ringback
tones, offered to consumers through leading wireless carriers around the
world. RealNetworks' corporate information is located at
www.realnetworks.com/company.