Four Companies Intend to Build Products
Based on Cable Modem Standard;
Leading Consumer-Electronics
Companies Join Cisco Systems to
Accelerate Use of Data Services Over
Cable
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 1997--Cisco
Systems, Inc., and three major consumer-electronics
companies today announced their support for an industry
standard for cable modems and advanced subscriber units,
and their intent to deliver products based on that standard.
Joining Cisco were Hayes Microcomputer Products, Samsung
Electronics Corp., Ltd., and Thomson Consumer Electronics.
Discussions with additional companies are underway to join
the initiative.
The announcement means that consumers and cable
television system operators will have the assurance of
industry standards as they purchase cable modems and
similar equipment, or deploy advanced data and multimedia
services over cable television systems.
The four companies have announced their intent to build
equipment based on the Data Over Cable Service Interface
Specification (DOCSIS), which defines technical
specifications for equipment at both subscriber locations and
cable operators' headends.
Adoption of DOCSIS by system operators and
equipment-makers will accelerate deployment of
data-over-cable services by ensuring that consumers can
obtain reasonably priced cable modems at retail outlets or
through service providers. The standard also will ensure
interoperability of equipment throughout system operators'
infrastructures, including a range of consumer devices.
Hayes, Samsung and Thomson have announced their intent to
build cable modems or advanced subscriber units based on a
DOCSIS-compliant product design from Cisco, which
incorporates the MCNS DOCSIS Silicon Platform from
Broadcom Corporation. Cisco intends to announce details of
its MCNS Internet cable solution by the end of 1997.
The DOCSIS standard is managed by Multimedia Cable
Network System (MCNS) Partners Ltd., an organization
formed by four major cable television system operators --
Comcast Cable Communications Inc., Cox Communications,
Tele-Communications Inc., and Time Warner Cable. The effort
also is supported by Rogers Cablesystems Ltd., MediaOne
and Cable Television Laboratories Inc. (CableLabs).
CableLabs is a research-and-development consortium of cable
system operators representing more than 85 percent of cable
subscribers in the United States and 70 percent of
subscribers in Canada.
The announcement among the four companies is intended to
accelerate availability of data communications over hybrid
fiber-coaxial networks. DOCSIS-compliant cable modems and
advanced subscriber units will provide cable-subscribing
households the ability to access the Internet and other data
services at speeds far greater than currently available through
analog modems.
Cisco will certify subscriber units for interoperability in its San
Jose cable facility in coordination with CableLabs.
Dr. Richard R. Green, president and CEO of CableLabs, said,
"We greatly appreciate efforts such as Cisco's, which further
the cable industry's goal of achieving interoperable high-speed
cable modems as soon as possible. Cisco is to be
commended for its pursuit of interoperability."
"Widespread availability of data services over cable networks
will only occur with the existence of a standard, so DOCSIS is
an important step forward for consumers and the cable
industry," said Bob Schack, marketing director of Cisco's
Network-to-User business unit. "This alliance with these
companies will help Cisco deliver advanced network
technology to enable a range of multimedia services and
provide for Internet-based consumer products delivered by our
partners." About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide
leader in networking for the Internet. News and information are
available at cisco.com . About Hayes
Microcomputer Products
Communications technology pioneer Hayes Microcomputer
Products markets its brands of cable modems, analog
modems and remote access servers worldwide. Hayes
introduced the PC modem in 1981 and has since driven
consumer communications technology. Today, with
distributors in more than 45 countries, Hayes is one of the
largest manufacturers of modems in the world.
For more information about Hayes and the company's
award-winning products, visit the Hayes Web site at
hayes.com . About Samsung Electronics, Corp.
Ltd.
Samsung Electronics, Corp., Ltd., part of the Samsung
Group, is recognized worldwide for bringing advanced, high
technology consumer electronics to market. Samsung's
product and technology expertise encompasses digital
telecommunications systems, multimedia products and home
appliances.
The Samsung cable modems are being developed by
Samsung Information Systems (SISA), a Samsung research
and development center, located in San Jose, Calif. The
Samsung Group, with worldwide revenues of $87 billion, has
256,000 employees, 340 offices and facilities in 66 countries
worldwide. About Thomson Consumer Electronics
Thomson Consumer Electronics, as one of the world's leading
suppliers of digital decoders, plans to integrate
DOCSIS/MCNS-based technology into a wide variety of cable
networked products providing high-speed Internet access,
data services, and video services to a broad spectrum of
consumer households throughout the Americas.
Along with RCA-brand DSS systems and RCA IDS Cable
Set-tops/Modems, Thomson designs, manufactures and
markets RCA, ProScan, and GE brand consumer electronics
products including color TVs, VCRs, camcorders, Network
Computers, audio and communications products.
Cisco IOS is a trademark, and Cisco, Cisco Systems, and
the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco
Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All
other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property
of their respective owners.
North America,United States of America
BUSINESS WIRE
Author: Business Editors/Computer Writers
September 18, 1997 |
