NTT and Silicon Graphics of the USA signed a memorandum agreeing to joint development of interactive multimedia systems on June 8, 1994 (Heisei 6). The aim of the research is to use NTT's digital network technology, including asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) exchange technology, and Silicon Graphics' multimedia server technology to develop high performance services such as video on demand (VOD). The necessary software and related equipment are to be developed jointly.