<<I tried calling the conference number, 3 times, and
it was busy.>>
Likewise, but I pulled this off the wire:
3Com's Bi-directional Cable Access System Gives Cable Operators New Platform for High-speed Internet Access, Other Digital Services
BusinessWire, Monday, October 26, 1998 at 15:20
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 1998--
Global Deployment of Headend Equipment, Cable Modems
Based on Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS) today announced the immediate
availability of its bi-directional Cable Access system for delivery of
broadband communications. This high-speed, cable-return Internet
access system includes 3Com's Total Control(TM) Cable Modem
Termination System (CMTS) and network management software for the
headend and the U.S. Robotics(R) Cable Modem CMX for consumers. The
system components are all based on the Data Over Cable Service
Interface Specification (DOCSIS).
3Com's end-to-end system enables offices and homes to access the
Internet via cable connections and receive multimedia information and
entertainment at speeds up to 100 times faster than conventional
analog modems. In addition, the system will support future digital
services such as Internet telephony and videoconferencing. The 3Com
Cable Access system is scheduled for deployment by
Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI), and is currently in use by
FiberTel-TCI2 (Argentina), Northern Cable (Canada), ISP Channel and
BlazeNet (U.S.), and other operators in the United States, Germany,
Holland, Switzerland, Spain and Taiwan.
"Our technology helps make cable networks the preferred on-ramp
to the digital highway which can now deliver more than static
information," said Richard Edson, senior vice president for 3Com's New
Business Initiatives group. "The state-of-the-art headend system and
cable modems will enable new services and revenue opportunities for
individuals, businesses and cable operators around the world."
"This is the result of significant and continued investment by
3Com in the emerging cable industry, DOCSIS standards and the retail
channel," said Levent Gun, vice president and general manager of
3Com's Cable Access group. "Partners like TCI have helped us design
the optimal platform for current high-speed Internet access services
and for new applications to be delivered by communications leaders of
the next century."
3Com Supports Flexible Loads and Centralized Management
3Com's CMTS is built on the leading Total Control remote access
platform, making it an easy and reliable choice for cable operators'
delivery and management of high-speed digital services.
The system consists of both hardware and software, providing a
reliable, modular architecture (upstream and downstream access cards
are de-coupled) that includes the capability to support cable-return
(two-way) and telco-return (one-way) cable modems from a single Total
Control chassis. This enables cable operators to build high-density
scaleable systems, generating one of the lowest costs per marginal
subscriber in the field.
Unlike most routing-based approaches with limited scalability,
the 3Com remote access platform preserves headend investments by
accommodating multiple "hot-swappable" cable access cards in each
chassis. The system can easily expand to meet user demand by adding
more cards in nearly any upstream/downstream ratio. Furthermore,
3Com's network management software is SNMP-based allowing centralized
control of all network components. Operators can manage and run
diagnostics remotely on the system's user-friendly interface.
The Total Control chassis allows cable operators to use
voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) gateways available from 3Com. In
addition to VoIP capabilities, other 3Com Total Control servers
provide caching and provisioning functions associated with cable
subscriber services.
3Com U.S. Robotics Cable Modem CMX is User-Friendly and Retail-Ready
The 3Com U.S. Robotics Cable Modem CMX is simple to install, easy
to use and supports raw throughput of up to 38 Mbps downstream and up
to 10 Mbps upstream. The modem is based on the same size and stackable
design as 3Com's popular OfficeConnect(R) family of networking
equipment for consumers, and small and medium-sized businesses. The
new cable modem also supports Windows, Macintosh and UNIX computers
through a standard Ethernet interface. Based on 3Com's own media
access control technology and silicon, the 3Com U.S. Robotics Cable
Modem CMX is thoroughly designed for interoperability with other
DOCSIS-based systems and forthcoming industry standards.
A CMX Network Interface Card (NIC) Kit is also available. The kit
bundles the industry-leading 3Com EtherLink(R) XL PCI NIC with the
cable modem for significant cost and convenience improvement for
operators and consumers. Later this year, 3Com will also ship a CMX
Dial-Up Kit that includes a U.S. Robotics analog modem for operators
with telco-return cable plants. This kit will allow end-users to gain
the high-speed benefits of a cable downstream connection with the
familiarity of a telephone line upstream connection, making the CMX
Cable Modem the first on the market to interoperate with both digital
and analog systems.
All 3Com modems ship with a Cable Connections(TM) CD-ROM that
provides the latest broadband applications, installation software and
tools to maximize the high-speed Internet experience. Earlier this
month, 3Com announced the addition of .comfax software to the Cable
Connections CD. With this software, 3Com cable modem users can send
and receive digital faxes over a global network of Internet fax
servers, bypassing traditional dial-up telephone networks. 3Com cable
modem users can substantially reduce fax charges and dedicated phone
lines.
The 3Com Cable Access system and modem family enables high-speed
data communications over cable networks and is compatible with all
3Com routers, switches and NICs. The 3Com CMTS is currently supporting
multiple Internet telephony demonstrations, and the U.S. Robotics
cable modems are available in select markets and retail storefronts in
North America.
Pricing and Availability
3Com Total Control CMTS equipment is available now and can be
purchased directly from 3Com. A complete two-way CMTS single
downstream/dual upstream system sells for approximately US$48,000 and
includes the Total Control chassis, upstream and downstream card sets,
a network management card, and Cable Access Router and network
management software. Cable operators can contact their respective
sales representative for more information.
The 3Com U.S. Robotics Cable Modem CMX is available now for a
suggested retail price of US$319.99. The CMX NIC Kit retails for
US$359.99. These products are available from cable operators and
select retail stores. For more information about 3Com cable products,
please visit www.3com.com/cablenow on the World Wide Web.
About 3Com
3Com Corporation enables individuals and organizations worldwide
to stay more connected by communicating and sharing information and
resources anytime, anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent
suppliers of data, voice and video communications technology, 3Com has
delivered networking solutions to more than 200 million customers
worldwide. The company provides large enterprise, small and medium
enterprise, carriers and network service providers, and consumers
comprehensive, innovative information access products and system
solutions for building intelligent, reliable and high performance
local and wide area networks. For further information, visit 3Com's
World Wide Web site at 3com.com or the press site at
3com.com.
3Com, U.S. Robotics, OfficeConnect and EtherLink are registered
trademarks and Total Control and Connections are trademarks of 3Com
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other
registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
(c) 3Com Corporation.
CONTACT: 3Com Corp.
Craig Grabiner, 847/262-2329
craig_grabiner@3com.com
or
Coltrin & Associates
Brad Thatcher, 212/221-1616
brad_thatcher@coltrin.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED TELECOMMUNCIATIONS
PRODUCT
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet
with Hyperlinks to your home page.
URL: businesswire.com
Copyright 1998, Business Wire
Companies or Securities discussed in this article:
Symbol Name
NASDAQ:COMS 3com Corp (De)
Return to Company Headlines
Select news or report:
Company News
S&P Company Report
First Call Earnings
Vickers Insider Trading
S&P Industry Report
To receive headlines or reports, enter a symbol in the box below or search for a symbol.
|
