Com21 Launches New DOCSIS 1.1 Headend System
The DOXcontroller CMTS is Designed to Enable Advanced Broadband Services
MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 1999--Com21, Inc. (NASDAQ:CMTO - news), a leading global
provider of system solutions for the broadband access market, announced today its new DOXcontroller(TM) Cable
Modem Termination System (CMTS) based on the emerging DOCSIS 1.1 cable modem specification. The
DOXcontroller CMTS is designed to provide cable operators with a scalable and easy-to-use, cable-specific solution for
the delivery of tiered services and media-rich broadband content. Com21 plans to demonstrate the new DOXcontroller
CMTS -- for the first time -- at the upcoming Western Cable Show in Los Angeles, December 15-17 in booth No. 2203.
Built from the ground up for DOCSIS 1.1, the new DOXcontroller CMTS is designed to support advanced services,
including: voice-over-cable, multimedia streaming and Quality of Service (QoS). Cable operators will be able to offer
tiered or multiple classes of service with minimum and/or maximum data rates and traffic prioritization.
Key differentiating factors include the following:
-- Supports up to 4,000 cable modems;
-- Handles data and management packets in parallel and minimizes
upstream traffic latency with a distributed processor
architecture;
-- Enables toll-quality voice and minimizes voice-traffic jitter.
The DOXcontroller is designed to handle multiple protocols including PPPOE, IPX, Appletalk and NETBUI. To further
enhance network flexibility, the DOXcontroller CMTS reduces leakage of traffic between subscribers by blocking layer 2
traffic forwarding, preventing neighbors from seeing each other's traffic or being able to access each other's PCs.
With planned CMTS qualification beginning in Q2'00, Com21 now offers a true DOCSIS end-to-end solution with a
family of high speed DOXport(TM) cable modems and the new DOXcontroller headend system for emerging high-speed
Internet access services. The DOXcontroller CMTS is planned to be available in the fall of 2000.
''Com21's DOXcontroller CMTS has the power to support DOCSIS 1.1 QoS (Quality of Service) requirements and, we
believe, no one else has more experience in QoS than Com21,'' said Peter Fenner, president and chief executive officer,
Com21. ''Com21 focused on creating a comprehensive solution from the ground up to resolve cable-specific issues. This
product is designed to meet the performance and latency requirements necessary to support voice-over-cable and tiered
services giving cable operators the ability to generate new and recurring revenue.''
Dan Pike, senior vice president, science and technology, Prime Cable, a multiple system operator and customer of Com21
since 1997, said, ''With tiered services, the cable operator realizes the highest use of their bandwidth -- giving consumers a
choice of services. The standards-based, advanced features in the Com21 DOXcontroller CMTS meets the needs of the
marketplace,'' added Pike.
Industry experts believe that the introduction of cable telephony and other broadband services will accelerate the
subscription rate for advanced cable services. Market experts estimate newly offered telephony services will drive an
increase in data-over-cable subscribers in from approximately one million this year to over 19 million by 2003.
About Com21, Inc.
Com21, Inc., is a leading global provider of system solutions for the broadband access market. The Company's DOCSIS,
DVB and ATM-based products enable cable operators and service providers with the abilities to deliver high-speed,
cost-effective Internet and telephony applications to corporate telecommuters, small businesses, home offices and
residential users. Com21 has shipped 268,000 cable modems worldwide through September 30, 1999.
This ISO 9001 certified company is headquartered in Milpitas, California, USA, and maintains domestic and international
sales and support locations in the United States and Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Safe Harbor Act
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933
and Section21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbors created by those sections.
Those forward-looking statements include statements related to: the ability of Com21, Inc. to continue to meet marketing,
technology and customer demands as it relates to its products within the broadband market; and Com21's ability to
introduce a cable modem termination system (CMTS), and be a viable commercial solution for the domestic and
international markets. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the ability of the Company's
CMTS to pass CableLabs' qualified status, numerous technological, operational and financial challenges associated with
deploying, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and servicing broadband products. The matters discussed in this press
release also involve risks and uncertainties concerning Com21's products and services described in Com21's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In particular see the risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, and Form 10Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1999. Com21
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
Note to Editors: Com21, Inc.®, and DOXport(TM), DOXcontroller(TM) and ComUNITY® Access System are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Com21, Inc., Milpitas, California, U.S.A. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
Contact:
Com21, Inc.
Mia Bradway, 408/953-9787 or 888/214-5165
mbradway@com21.com
or
FutureWorks Public Relations
Ramin Ekhtiar, 408/428-0895 Ext. 108
ramin@future-works.com |
