Diamond Multimedia and Earthlink Begin Dual-Line Modem Trials Utilizing
Diamond's Shotgun Technology
VANCOUVER, WASH. (Jan. 28) BUSINESS WIRE -Jan. 28, 1998--
Modem Innovator Diamond Multimedia
and Premier Internet Service Provider EarthLink Network
Begin Aggressive Testing Efforts
for Highest Speeds Yet Over Ordinary Phone Lines
Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:DIMD), a leader in
interactive multimedia acceleration, and EarthLink Network, Inc.
(NASDAQ:ELNK), a leading Internet Service Provider (ISP), recently
began trial tests utilizing Diamond's new Shotgun(TM) modem technology.
Targeted at homes and small businesses with two ordinary phone lines,
Shotgun technology bonds both lines together for Internet download
speeds of up to 112 Kbps, or twice the speed of 56K modems.
To date, trial tests have demonstrated that using the bandwidth of two
lines with Shotgun technology as much as doubles transmission speeds.
Shotgun technology is easy to implement for ISPs, and it is expected
that providers will offer dual-line access when Diamond's Shotgun
software and its SupraSonic II dual-line modem are available at retail.
Diamond Multimedia intends to ship SupraSonic II and Shotgun software
at the end of the first quarter.
"EarthLink is committed to making the Internet a relevant,
entertaining and personal tool for its members," said Barry Friedman,
director of product management for EarthLink. "Shotgun technology helps
us deliver on that commitment by enabling faster downloads of rich
Internet content over ordinary phone lines."
EarthLink Network specializes in providing inexpensive, fast and
reliable Internet access for home and business users. With more than 1,
200 dial-up numbers throughout North America, EarthLink is the nation's
largest independent Internet service provider.
"Diamond initiated trials with Earthlink because of their nationwide
service and the fact that EarthLink's subscriber base provides a solid
foundation for Shotgun technology," said Jim Cady, vice president and
general manager of Diamond Multimedia's Communications Division.
"Diamond intends to build on this success with additional ISP trials in
February." About Shotgun Technology
Developed by Diamond Multimedia in partnership with Ascend
Communications, Shotgun technology bonds two ordinary phone lines
together and additionally delivers voice priority, which monitors the
second line and disconnects for incoming and outgoing voice calls while
maintaining a connection on the first line.
Shotgun's bandwidth-on-demand feature connects a second phone line
during times of peak Internet usage and disconnects during low traffic.
Diamond's Shotgun technology incorporates Multichannel Protocol Plus
(MP+), which was developed by Ascend Communications and has been
time-tested in real-world implementations since 1992. MP+ allows any
Internet Service Provider (ISP) that uses Ascend equipment to support
Shotgun bonding.
MP+ has been included in Ascend's product line since 1993, and 85 of
the top 100 ISPs, including EarthLink, house Ascend's MAX family of WAN
access switches.
For more information on Diamond's Shotgun technology and ISP test
program, visit the company's web site at www.diamondmm.com. Diamond
Multimedia
Diamond Multimedia is driving the interactive multimedia market by
providing advanced solutions for home, business and professional
desktop computer users, enabling them to create, access and experience
compelling new media content from their desktops and through the
Internet.
Diamond accelerates multimedia from the Internet to the hard drive
with products that include the Stealth and Viper series of media
accelerators, the Monster series of entertainment 3D and sound
accelerators, the Fire series of professional 3D and SCSI accelerators,
and the Supra series of modems. Diamond also markets DVD and video
phone kits.
Diamond's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the
symbol DIMD, and its web site address is www.diamondmm.com. How to
Contact Diamond Multimedia
There are many ways to reach Diamond for sales support, technical
assistance, Driver updates and general information: Internet Web Site:
diamondmm.com Diamond Multimedia's Headquarters and
Multimedia Division: 408-325-7000; Fax: 408-325-7070 Communications
Division (Supra brand modems) Main Phone Number: 360-604-1400; Fax:
360-604-1401 European Division (Germany): +49-8151-266-0; (UK):
+44-1189-444400; (France) +33-1-47561157 Korean Office (Seoul):
+82-2-551-2700; Fax: +82-2-551-2710 Japanese Office (Tokyo):
+81-3-5695-8401; Fax: +81-3-5695-8403 ASEAN Office (Singapore):
+65-353-9511; Fax: +65-353-9510 Hong Kong Office: +852-2375-9023; Fax:
+852-2375-9021 Australian Office (Sydney): +61-2-9460-2356; Fax
+61-2-9460-2360 Product Support (Voice), United States: 541-967-2450;
Europe (Germany) +49-8151-266-330; Europe (UK) +44-1189-444444; TDD/TTY
Support 541-967-2451 Product Support (Fax), United States:
541-967-2401; Europe (Germany) +49-8151-266-331; Europe (UK):
+44-1189-444445; (France) +33-1-47561139 Pre-sales Information:
1-800-468-5846 Investor Relations: 408-325-7476; 1-888-474-3463 (U.S.
and Canada) 24-Hour Fax-On-Demand Service: 1-800-380-0030 FTP site:
ftp.diamondmm.com BBS: 541-967-2444 (to 33.6 Kbps) or 408-383-0551
(ISDN); Europe (Germany) BBS at +49-8151-266333 (to 28.8 Kbps) or
+49-8151-266334 (ISDN); Europe (UK) at +44-1189-444415 (to 33.6 Kbps)
Note to Editors: Monster 3D and Supra are either trademarks or
registered trademarks of Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. Viper(R) is a
Registered Trademark of Directed Electronics, Inc., Used under License.
All other trademarks referenced are the service mark, trademark or
registered trademark of their respective manufacturers. This
announcement relates to products whose launch are in the United States
of America. The product name contents, prices and availability may
differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and
requirements.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set
forth in this press release, such as statements relating to the
Company's ability to successfully exploit technological and market
developments, the timing and success of new product introductions by
the Company and its competitors, and the Company's ability to invest in
new technologies and to enhance its existing systems are
forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties,
including the impact of competitive products and pricing and
alternative technological advances, the timely and successful
development and market acceptance of new products and upgrades to
existing products, and other risks as detailed from time to time in
Diamond Multimedia's SEC filings, including its most recent Forms 10-K
and 10-Q.
-0- ms/sf* jar/sf
CONTACT: Diamond Multimedia
Douglas Little, 360/604-1469
DougL@Diamondmm.com
or
Faiola Davis Public Relations
Norma Velvikis or Sara Faiola, 213/933-4959
FDPR2@aol.com |
