Comcast Cable to Launch Interactive Digital Service in
Charleston, S.C. Using Scientific-Atlanta Network and
Set-Tops Comcast selects Charleston, S.C., as third city,
along with Baltimore, Md., <>
[All, How much of this timing do you attribute to the ATT/TCI deal? Frank C.
"... will be able to enjoy Internet access, video-on-demand and
IP telephony via the TV when these applications become
available."]
August 4, 1998
ATLANTA, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge
Corporation -- Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. announced today
that Comcast Cable Communications, Inc., will offer
Charleston, S.C., consumers interactive digital services
using Scientific-Atlanta's Explorer(R) 2000 advanced
digital set-tops and interactive network. Comcast is the
fourth-largest cable system operator in the United States,
with 4.4 million subscribers.
"Our customers in Charleston will soon benefit from the
most advanced interactive cable technology available
today," said William R. Goetz, Jr., regional senior vice
president for Comcast. "This high-speed, high-
performance connection to our customers' television sets
will deliver an attractive suite of digital services through
our two-way, Internet Protocol (IP)-based broadband
network."
The Charleston cable system, serving 80,000 homes, is
the third Comcast system to deploy digital interactive
services using Scientific-Atlanta's interactive network
and advanced set-tops.
Comcast is also launching services using
Scientific-Atlanta technology in its Baltimore, Md., and
Chamblee, Ga., systems. Consumers in all three cities will
be able to enjoy Internet access, video-on-demand and
IP telephony via the TV when these applications become
available.
"Comcast is committed to the needs of its customers,
and we're pleased to be a part of their tremendous digital
deployment program," said Michael P. Harney,
Scientific-Atlanta's corporate vice president and general
manager, Digital Subscriber Networks. "We said digital
interactive was going to happen in 1998, and it is."
Comcast expects commercial deployment beginning in
the third quarter of calendar year 1998.
In Charleston, Comcast is deploying Scientific-Atlanta's
digital network, including headend components, a digital
network control system (DNCS) and Explorer 2000
advanced digital set-tops.
Scientific-Atlanta's Explorer 2000 set-top and
interactive network -Technical Background
The Scientific-Atlanta Explorer 2000 advanced digital
set-top and interactive network has high-throughput
two-way communications and sufficient processing
power, memory, and graphics to enable a variety of
two-way, interactive applications for consumers,
including Internet access, video-on- demand and
IP-based applications.
Features of the Explorer 2000 set-top and interactive
network include the following:
-- Instantaneous, two-way communications based on
Internet Protocol
-- The most powerful high-speed RISC processor
presently available in the
cable set-top industry
-- Based on OpenCable(TM) specifications (ensures
system meets industry
standards)
-- Ethernet 10BaseT and universal serial bus (USB)
interface (supports
hook up to the PC, printers, and other peripherals)
-- PowerTV(R) Operating System
-- Multiple middleware choices including HTML, and
JavaScript,
PersonalJava(TM) (for application development)
-- PowerKEY(TM) Security System (for E-commerce)
-- Smartcard slot (for added security and electronic
commerce
transactions)
-- Eagle(TM) multimedia technology (for high resolution,
photo-realistic
graphics)
-- Dolby AC3 digital audio
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation is principally engaged in the
development, management and operation of broadband
cable networks, cellular and personal communications
systems and the provision of content. Comcast, the
fourth- largest domestic cable company, also provides
satellite video service through its equity interest in
Primestar and holds ownership interests in cable and
telephony businesses in the United Kingdom. Comcast's
cellular operations serve markets with a population of
more than 8.4 million, while personal communications
services are provided through the company's investment
in Sprint PCS. Comcast provides content through its
majority-owned subsidiaries, QVC, the world's premier
electronic retailer, E! Entertainment Television,
Comcast-Spectator and Comcast SportsNet and through
other investments including The Golf Channel,
Speedvision and Outdoor Life.
Comcast's Class A and Class A Special Common Stock
are traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the
symbols CMCSA and CMCSK, respectively. More
information on Comcast Corporation can be found on the
company's Web site on the Internet at
www.comcast.com.
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (NYSE: SFA) (
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
Scientific-Atlanta's actual results to differ from the
anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking
statements. Investors are referred to Scientific-Atlanta'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 and PowerKEY is a
trademark of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. PowerTV is a
registered trademark and Eagle is trademark of PowerTV,
Inc. All other products or brand names are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
/CONTACT: Kerri Dimke, Scientific-Atlanta,
770-903-6306, Fax: 770-903-3088, or email:
kerri.dimke@sciatl.com; Caroline March-Long, Crescent
Communications for Scientific-Atlanta, 404-287-2000 ext.
124, Fax: 404-287-2001, or email: cmlong@crescomm.com;
or Joe Waz, Comcast Corporation, 215-981-7607 (office),
Fax: 215-981-7712, or email: joe_waz@comcast.com/
/Web site: sciatl.com (SFA)
[Copyright 1998, PR Newswire]
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