Headline: Com21 Licenses DVB Technology From Philips; First DVB Headend
Products Expected Q4
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DELFT, The Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 2000--Com21,
Inc., a leading global provider of system solutions for the broadband
access market, announced today an exclusive deal to license specific
DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) INA (Interactive Network Adapter)
technologies from Philips Research, part of Royal Philips Electronics,
Europe's largest consumer electronics company and a major supplier of
Digital TV solutions.
Availability of the Com21 DVB headend solution will enable
European cable operators to deliver high-speed Internet access
services to residences and businesses, using product based on the DVB
interoperability specification approved in 1999 by the EuroModem
Consortium. Com21's decision to license the Philips technology for its
INA product is in direct response to urgent market demand for a
DVB-based European solution.
The new Com21 DVB headend is due for release in the final quarter
of 2000.
DVB is an initiative being driven by over 250 companies from 30
countries to define a common platform for digital transmission of
video, data and telephony over both traditional hybrid fibre coaxial
(HFC) broadband cable systems and also over various forms of wireless
technology. The DVB standard supports the integration of cable modems
and set-top boxes for cable operators, thus allowing for a common
delivery platform for broadcast video, interactive video, data
broadcasting, interactive data services and telephony.
Dave Torr, general manager of Com21's DVB Business Unit, says: "At
Com21 we are very committed to the introduction of standards-based
products in a manner which complements and further enhances our
broadband access solutions portfolio. We are European market leaders
with our ATM-based solutions and are now in the enviable position of
also being able to offer a full range of both DVB and DOCSIS products
thus supporting the standards our customers require." "By licensing
this advanced DVB technology we will be able to accelerate the
introduction of our DVB INA headend product offering both In-Band and
Out-of-Band end-to-end solutions and satisfy the cable modem,
interactive set-top box and cable telephony markets. This deal will
present a fantastic opportunity for Com21 to establish itself as a
leading global player in the DVB market."
Fred Snijders, Group Leader "Broadband Communication and Video
Systems" of Philips Research, added "Philips has always been a strong
supporter of the DVB standard; we have chaired several consortiums and
made contributions to the entire standards development process.
Philips is an active member of the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB)
project. This deal with Com21 will add our technical expertise and
knowledge of the DVB video market to Com21's leading position in the
cable modem industry, accelerating the introduction of complete DVB
systems into the growing global market."
Com21 is also a member of the DVB/DAVIC Consortium, which promotes
and supports product interoperability between member vendors employing
the DVB-RCCL/DAVIC international standards. The DVB RCCL committee --
which specifically establishes standards for interactivity on cable
and LMDS (Local Multipoint Distribution Systems) -- is chaired by
Com21's Director of European Standards and Technology, Mr.
Jean-Charles Point.
About Com21, Inc.
Com21, Inc. is a leading global supplier of system solutions for
the broadband access market. The Company's DOCSIS, DVB, and ATM-based
products enable cable operators and service providers to deliver
high-speed, cost-effective Internet and telephony applications to
corporate telecommuters, small businesses, home offices, and
residential users. To date, Com21 has shipped over 700,000 cable
modems worldwide, along with twelve hundred headend controllers. Com21
systems offer commercial service in cable systems passing 15 million
households worldwide.
Com21 is an ISO 9001 registered company with over 400 employees in
14 countries. The Company's corporate headquarters is located in
Milpitas, California, USA, with its European headquarters in Delft,
The Netherlands. In addition, Com21 maintains research and development
facilities in Ireland, Israel, and Maryland, as well as sales and
support offices in the United States and Canada, Europe, Asia, and
Latin America.
For further information please visit www.com21.com
About Philips and Philips Research
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's
biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR
31.5 billion in 1999. It is a global leader in colour television sets,
lighting, electric shavers, colour picture tubes for televisions and
monitors, and one-chip TV products. Its 226,900 employees in more than
60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer
electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, medical
systems, and IT services (Origin). Philips is quoted on the NYSE
(symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges.
News from Philips is located on: www.news.philips.com
Philips Research, part of Royal Philips Electronics, is
headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and has laboratories at
different locations in Europe, the United States, and Asia
(collectively some 3,000 people). Philips Research concentrates on
investigating promising options for innovations, which are turned into
new or improved products of the Philips product divisions. About 0.9%
of sales of Philips is spent on these corporate research activities,
while total R&D efforts amount to approximately 6% of sales.
More information on Philips Research on: www.research.philips.com |
