[MCI ADSL Announcement !!]
<<NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 1997--Com21, Inc., developer and manufacturer of the first
ATM-based cable modem communications system, today announced its participation in MCI's high speed data trials in
Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.
MCI, one of the largest and fastest growing telecommunication companies in the world, is conducting several trials using
multiple advanced technologies (including cable modems, ADSL and HDSL) over hybrid coaxial cable and twisted pair
networks in northwestern Iowa. These trials will serve as the foundation for MCI's rapid push into broadband communications.
Over the past year, MCI has worked with Northwest Iowa Telephone Company (NWIT), a local carrier with cable holdings
in Sergeant Bluff, to lay the groundwork for these trials. In order to test cable modem technology, MCI has installed Com21's
cable modems for a small trial of residential and on-line service users.
"We selected Com21's technology over other available modem technologies because it is ATM based," said Bob Massarella,
manager for transmission and facility engineering at MCI. Massarella added, "MCI is very interested in next generation
technology using ATM."
Com21's ComUNITY Access system is an advanced ATM-based cable modem system that uses its ATM architecture to
allow MSOs to cost-effectively increase revenues with additional value-added networking or multi-level Internet services.
Comprised of the ComCONTROLLER, ComPORT cable modem, and Network Management and Provision System
(NMAPS) management software, the Com21 system provides QoS (bandwidth-allocated quality of service and associated
multi-tier pricing), VLANs and a migration path to other non-Internet-based services.
Com21 is conducting several worldwide trials of its ComUNITY Access cable modem system. Commercial product
availability is April, 1997. Com21 will demonstrate this system at the NCTA Cable '97 Show in New Orleans on March
17-19, 1997, at Com21's booth no. 4553.
Com21, Inc. with corporate headquarters in Milpitas, Calif., designs, manufactures and markets an ATM based scalable cable
modem communication system which enables high speed Ethernet Internet data and telecommunications services, QoS and
private networks for work-at-home applications, to be delivered into residential, business and commercial sites via the cable
TV network.
The ComUNITY system is application transparent. For further information, please visit: com21.com .
MCI, headquartered in Washington, D.C., provides a full range of integrated communication services to more than 20 million
customers. Credited with opening up the U.S. long distance market for competition, MCI is now leading the charge to bring
competition to the $100 billion local market, offering American consumers for the first time the freedom to choose their local
carrier.
With 1996 revenue of $18.5 billion, MCI is one of the largest and fastest growing telecommunication companies in the world.
On November 3, 1996, MCI announced a definitive agreement to merge with BT to form Concert plc, the world's first global
communications company.
CONTACT: Com21, Inc.
Sandy Gordon, 408/953-9165
sandyg@com21.com>> |
