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U.S. Robotics Set To Launch Trials With Charter, Insight For Internet Access Over Cable System
Business Wire - June 04, 1997 11:00
FINANCIAL U-S-ROBOTICS USRX ILLINOIS INDIANA MISSOURI INTERACTIVE MULTIMEDIA INTERNET COMPUTERS ELECTRONICS COMED TELECOMMUNICATIONS V%BW P%BW
SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 1997--
Technical, Support, Marketing Trials to Showcase U.S. Robotics New Business Model for Rapid, Cost-Effective System Deployments
U.S. Robotics(R) has announced plans with two leading cable operators to conduct technical and field trials of the U.S. Robotics system for high-speed cable-based Internet access.
Under the agreements announced today, the three-phase trials will be conducted with Charter(R) Communications and Insight(R) Communications Co. The trials will provide select subscribers with high-speed Internet access over the operators' existing networks. Each trial also will include the first regional retail sales of standards-based cable modems, and both are expected to begin summer and fall 1997.
Charter Communications will employ the U.S. Robotics system in St. Louis, where the company serves more than 200,000 subscribers. Insight will conduct a trial in Insight's suburban Indianapolis cable system, which consists of about 30,000 subscribers.
The trials also represent the industry's first Multimedia Cable Networks System (MCNS) standards-based telco-return cable access system. MCNS is an organization formed by leading cable operators to develop industry-wide specifications for cable modems.
Introduced earlier this year, the U.S. Robotics cable access system is designed for rapid deployment, as well as long-term flexibility for cable operators. The system initially utilizes a telco-return architecture that is compatible with cable operators' current network infrastructures, yet also provides an easy, inexpensive pathway to two-way cable as operators upgrade their networks in the future. Further, the cable access system capitalizes on U.S. Robotics' consumer product expertise and powerful retail distribution network to transform cable modems from costly, leased products into inexpensive, interoperable products that customers will be able to purchase directly.
"These trials combine the strengths of these operators' advanced cable networks and U.S. Robotics' brand loyalty and retail distribution expertise," said Semir Sirazi, vice president and general manager of the U.S. Robotics Cable Access Business Unit. "For this reason, these trials are a significant milestone in the widespread availability of cable-based Internet access."
"The U.S. Robotics system gives us broad market coverage capabilities," said Tom Jokerst, senior vice president of engineering for Charter Communications. "The telco-return solution addresses the one-way portion of our St. Louis complex, while the two-way portion will use U.S. Robotics' next-generation two-way products. Their headend system integrates both return architectures, using common hardware, software and network management."
"We think data-over-cable will be one of the most important developments in our business since Home Box Office launched the industry's first satellite-delivered service twenty years ago," said Michael Willner, president of Insight. "U.S. Robotics offers the technological and marketing expertise and brand strength that will help us deliver this service quickly and cost-effectively. The telco-return solution and easy upgrade to a two-way cable network maximizes the potential of our infrastructure and gives us full market coverage to reach all of our customers for online and Internet access applications."
The U.S. Robotics system's telco-return architecture uses the existing cable network for high-speed downstream data delivery and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for the return path, an approach that is well suited to the demands of today's Internet applications. This same turnkey system can be upgraded to operate on a two-way network with the simple addition of network cards at the headend, thereby further protecting the operators initial investment.
Cable subscribers will access the network through a standards-based cable modem that will be available in retail stores for prices comparable to those of analog modems being sold today. The U.S. Robotics cable modem will be available in internal and external configurations.
U.S. Robotics currently is in discussion with other leading cable operators and expects to announce additional system trials within the next few months.
Charter Communications is a privately held, St. Louis-based telecommunications company that has experienced unprecedented growth in its four-year history. It currently services more than 1 million customers in 18 states.
Nationally, New York-based Insight Communications serves just under 200,000 subscribers in seven states.
U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and systems that provide access to information. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers and concentrators, enterprise communications systems, desktop/mobile client products and modems and telephony products that connect computers and other equipment over analog, digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax, voice and multi-media information. Its customers include Internet service providers, regional Bell operating companies, inter-exchange carriers and a wide range of other large and small businesses, institutions and individuals.
U.S. Robotics is a registered trademark of U.S. Robotics Corporation.
Charter Communications is a registered trademark of Charter Communications Inc.
Insight Communications is a registered trademark of Insight Communications Co.
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Scott Phillips, 312/943-8858 |
