3Com Achieves Interoperability With G.lite ADSL Products;
Leading DSL CPE Provider Focuses On Delivery of Interoperable Products
for High-Speed Connectivity
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- June 8, 1999--In a move designed to spur
widespread deployment of digital subscriber line technology, 3Com Corporation
(Nasdaq:COMS) today confirmed that its G.lite capable product line is interoperable with
numerous vendors' central office products and several G.lite platforms. Today's
announcement from 3Com addresses more than 90 percent of the expected worldwide G.lite
market.
3Com's ADSL products have attained interoperability with five different G.lite platforms and
more than 10 central office equipment vendors. This encompasses more than 10 major
DSLAMs (also known as central office equipment products), including those based on ADI,
Alcatel, Globespan, PairGain Technologies Inc. and Texas Instruments platforms.
As a result of its G.lite interoperability achievements, 3Com is a participating customer
premises equipment (CPE) vendor in the Universal ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber
Line) Working Group's (UAWG) G.lite Interoperability Showcase being held this week in
conjunction with SUPERCOMM '99 in Atlanta.
The G.lite standard, expected to be ratified this summer (as G.992.2) by the International
Telecommunications Union, will offer seamless, high-speed connections to customers. As a
major CPE vendor, 3Com views the interoperability among CPE and central office products
as essential to mass market deployment of ADSL, both for business and residential customers.
Additionally, 3Com fully supports the movement toward G.lite standard-based deployment as
a cost-effective, reliable networking solution and develops its ADSL products based on the
upcoming G.lite standard ratification. To lead the way in G.lite ADSL implementation, 3Com
joins other vendors in its interoperability achievements, including Alcatel, Cisco Systems, ECI
Telecom Ltd., Ericcson, Inc., Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., NEC Corp., Newbridge
Networks Corp., Nortel Networks, PairGain Technologies Inc., Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd. and Siemens Information and Communication Networks. In addition, 3Com has already
forged partnerships with cutting-edge service providers, such as BellSouth, to deliver
broadband connectivity to its customers as soon as possible.
"As a market leader in delivering high-speed Internet access, BellSouth seeks companies such
as 3Com that share our goals for the best possible customer experience," said Bob Cunha,
vice president of broadband services at BellSouth. "We have partnered with industry-leading
CPE companies like 3Com in order to supply customers with a seamless, interoperable
networking environment."
"3Com continually strives to deliver technology that is ahead of the industry curve, " said Al
Brisard, director of marketing and product development for 3Com's personal connectivity
division. "Today's interoperability success for our G.lite ADSL products is a major milestone
not only for 3Com, but for the entire industry. Moving forward, we plan to strengthen and
extend our interoperability relationships across the industry and envision a market where
ADSL will be a viable solution for every customer."
Availability of G.lite-Supported Products
3Com is scheduled to begin shipping its HomeConnect(TM) ADSL modem PCI, using the
Alcatel chipset, and its HomeConnect ADSL modem Ethernet, with ADI's 918 chipset by the
end of June 1999. Both products will support the G.lite standard upon ratification, which is
anticipated this summer. For more information about 3Com's ADSL products, please visit the
Web site at www.3com.com/solutions/dsl/index.html.
About 3Com Corporation
With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people
to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative
information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small
enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com -- More
connected.(TM) For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at
www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
CONTACT: 3Com Corporation
Dave DeVries, 847/262-2323
dave_devries@3com.com
or
The Weber Group
Jennifer Reinhard, 617/520-7263
jreinhard@webergroup.com
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