SFA wins contract for delivery of a minimum of 250,000 set- tops!!! Contract is with the United Kingdom's largest
broadband communications operator!
Scientific-Atlanta Wins Contract With NTL to Provide European Digital Set-Tops to UK's
Largest Cable Operator
Scientific-Atlanta to Build Set-Tops Using Explorer 3000 Design Plus New Features for European Market
ATLANTA, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientific-Atlanta (NYSE: SFA) today announced a contract with NTL (Nasdaq: NTLI), the United Kingdom's largest
broadband communications operator, to provide interactive digital set-tops for the UK market. The agreement calls for delivery of a minimum of 250,000 set- tops
over a three-year period, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement. Scientific-Atlanta will develop the new European digital set-top model based
on the design of its Explorer(R) 3000 set-top.
NTL had previously selected the PowerTV(R) operating system for its interactive platforms (PowerTV Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Scientific-Atlanta.).
"This agreement brings together two of the world's pioneers in interactive digital services for cable subscribers," said Jim McDonald, president and CEO of
Scientific-Atlanta. "For Scientific-Atlanta, it's an opportunity to deliver our innovative Explorer set-top technology to additional global subscribers and build another
cornerstone for expanding our worldwide digital set-top business. We'll be working with a strong partner to deliver interactive applications using the world's most
advanced set-top technologies."
"NTL will have the UK's most comprehensive array of digital services, including video-on-demand. Digital is such a vital part of our business that we have adopted a
twin supplier strategy and this agreement with Scientific- Atlanta completes that digital STB strategy. The Explorer line has all the hallmarks of the technology we
need to drive penetration of interactive services with a rapidly expanding subscriber base. We look forward to working closely with Scientific-Atlanta in deploying
their new set-top boxes into UK consumer homes," said Barclay Knapp, President and CEO of NTL Incorporated.
The set-top will be compatible with the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) standards that prevail in Europe and will include a tuner compatible with PAL (Phase
Alternate Line), the format used for color TV signals in the UK and much of Europe. In addition, the set-top will feature a smart card slot capable of accepting
alternative conditional access implementations.
In the North American market, Scientific-Atlanta is currently extending the popular Explorer set-top product line with several new models, including the Explorer
3000. Available early this year, the Explorer 3000 set-top will double the memory and CPU speed of the widely deployed Explorer 2000 set-top. The Explorer
3000 model can be delivered with an optional hard drive.
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (http://www.sciatl.com ) is a leading supplier of broadband communications systems, satellite-based video, voice and data communications
networks, and worldwide customer service and support.
"Forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 may be included in this news release. A variety of factors could
cause the Company's actual results to differ from the anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking statements. Investors are referred to the Company's
Cautionary Statements (Exhibit 99 to the Company's most recent Form 10-Q), which statements are incorporated into this news release by reference.
Explorer is a registered trademark of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. PowerTV is a registered trademark of PowerTV, Inc.
More on NTL:
* NTL uses world-leading technology to deliver telephone, tv, internet
and interactive services to UK homes and businesses.
* 22 million homes watch ITV, C4 and C5 thanks to NTL's transmission
network: 5.6 million of those homes are within its "speed of light"
fibre-optic broadband network.
* NTL helped pioneer digital tv and is involved in digital terrestrial,
cable and satellite and launched the UK's first interactive service in
March 1999.
* NTL's national network carries such names as Virgin, Orange and AT&T.
* With businesses in France, Australia and Ireland, NTL's headquarters is
in Hook, Hampshire, UK. It has over 10,000 associates and is listed on
NASDAQ.
* In July 1999, NTL announced its intention to acquire the consumer
operations of Cable and Wireless Communications.
SOURCE: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
CONTACT: Peggy Ballard of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., 770-236-7871, or peggy.ballard@sciatl.com , or David Doolittle of Ketchum Public Relations, 404-287-2000 ext. 200, or
david.doolittle@ketchum.com , for Scientific-Atlanta, or Paula Averley of NTL, or (0044) + 1256 751570, or paula.averley@NTL.com |
