March 26, 2010 - Next generation cellular digital signage prototype developed by members MediaTile and Alcatel-Lucent establishes new standard for high-speed brand-to-consumer communications.

The ng Connect Program today announced that its LTE-enabled HumanKiosk(TM) solution concept developed by MediaTile, a world-leading provider of cellular digital signage solutions and Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU), has won a first place CTIA Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Award in the Enterprise & Vertical Market Solution -- Mobile Marketing or Advertising category.

More than 80 prominent media and industry analysts judged the 300-plus entries submitted for the E-Tech Awards program this year. Products and services were judged on innovation, functionality, technological importance, implementation and the overall "wow" factor.

ng Connect Program members MediaTile and Alcatel-Lucent worked together to create an innovative, interactive display showcasing the next generation of digital signage - a prototype called the HumanKiosk(TM). In order to establish a new level of brand-to-consumer communications, the kiosk can run digital promotions and includes video technology that can only operate over a high-bandwidth wireless IP connection enabled by LTE, utilizing Alcatel Lucent IMS.

The ng Connect Program is demonstrating the LTE-enabled HumanKiosk solution concept at CTIA Wireless in the Alcatel-Lucent Booth # 2506 located in the Central Hall.

"We are honored to be recognized at CTIA Wireless for our innovative LTE-enabled HumanKiosk solution concept that was developed as part of our contribution to the ng Connect Program," stated Simon Wilson, CEO of MediaTile and member of the ng Connect Program. "We are working hard to bring digital signage into the next generation utilizing LTE technology, and this win acknowledges the real potential for in-store advertising to be taken to the next level with high-speed digital signage solutions similar to the LTE-enabled HumanKiosk."

The LTE-enabled HumanKiosk is a revolutionary technology enabling live two-way video communication, including the capability to display interactive promotional messages. This level of interpersonal interaction provides an ideal opportunity for a wide range of retail and e-healthcare markets to directly communicate with consumers or patients. The prototype utilizes a high-bandwidth wireless IP connection over 4G/LTE networks provided by Alcatel-Lucent, and MediaTile's 4G Video Presence technology.

"It's exciting to see ng Connect Program members recognized at CTIA Wireless for the innovative LTE-Enabled HumanKiosk solution concept," stated Derek Kuhn, vice president, Emerging Technology and Media, Alcatel-Lucent and founding member of the ng Connect Program. "MediaTile and over 30 member companies are collaborating intensively to deliver on the ng Connect Program's mission to accelerate the development of new, proven applications and services for next generation LTE networks, and bring them to market more quickly."