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Tuesday February 10, 6:01 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Thomson Consumer Electronics Joins Harmonic Lightwaves' Cable Modem Partnership Program
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 1998--Harmonic Lightwaves Inc. (NASDAQ:HLIT - news) today announced that Thomson Consumer Electronics has joined Harmonic's Cable Modem Partnership Program.
Combining Harmonic's cable television headend equipment with consumer electronics vendors' cable modems, the program offers operators complete, standards-based, end-to-end systems for providing high-speed Internet services to subscribers.
The North American cable television industry's adoption of the Multimedia Cable Network System's (MCNS) emerging Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) will ensure that all MCNS-compliant cable modems will interoperate with headend equipment. This interoperability will give consumers the freedom to choose any cable modem for any reason, and still be assured that their cable operators' network will support it.
As one of the world's largest and oldest consumer electronics firms, Thomson is well positioned to be a leader in the growing market for digital cable modems. The company has already proved its ability to deliver advanced digital products, having shipped over four million digital set top receiver/decoders.
Additionally, Thomson is a recognized pioneer in HDTV technology. Thomson's technical expertise is complemented by its commanding distribution presence in independent retail outlets around the world through its Thomson, RCA, GE and ProScan brands.
''Cable operators are eager to offer subscribers high-speed Internet services, but they don't want to make the capital investment necessary to supply the cable modems,'' said Ed Thompson, vice president of new business development for Harmonic Lightwaves. ''Working with a consumer electronics giant like Thomson, we can make the operators' dream of retail cable modem sales a reality.''
Al Baker, general manager-digital product management, Thomson Consumer Electronics, said: Thomson ''can take advantage of its commanding retail presence with prominent brand names to help the cable industry move new products and services into consumer homes in a timely and cost-efficient manner. We have the ability to deliver retail distribution across the country for our new products, including digital cable modems.''
As part of Harmonic's Cable Modem Partnership Program, partners will work closely with Harmonic to ensure the interoperability of each other's products, to support DOCSIS and other emerging industry standards, to identify and pursue joint sales opportunities and to participate in joint marketing activities.
In addition to these benefits, participating cable modem vendors can certify that their modems work with Harmonic's headend equipment, which should make it easier for them to sell directly to operators and subscribers. The program is designed to benefit all partners, but does not bind them to exclusive contracts.
Daewoo Electronics and Panasonic Video Communications Company are also members of Harmonic's Cable Modem Partnership Program.
A complete DOCSIS-compliant, two-way cable modem system consists of a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) residing in a cable operator's network headend and low-cost cable modems located in subscribers' homes. Such DOCSIS-based systems will allow subscribers to download data from the Internet at speeds of up to 27 Mbps.
About Thomson Consumer Electronics
Thomson Consumer Electronics, as one of the world's leading suppliers of digital decoders, plans to develop a variety of cable networked products providing high-speed Internet access, data services and video services to a broad spectrum of consumer households throughout the Americas.
Along with RCA-brand DSS systems and RCA Cable Set-tops/Modems, Thomson designs, manufactures and markets RCA, ProScan and GE brand consumer electronics products including color TVs, camcorders, Network Computers, audio and communications products.
About Harmonic Lightwaves
Harmonic Lightwaves Inc. designs, manufactures and markets digital- and lightwave-based communications systems that deliver video, audio and data over hybrid fiber/coax (HFC), satellite and wireless networks. Harmonic's advanced solutions enable cable television and other network operators to provide a range of broadcast and interactive broadband services that include high-speed Internet access and video-on-demand.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Harmonic maintains its New Media Communication subsidiary and an R&D facility in Israel, along with a sales and support center in the United Kingdom. Harmonic is ISO 9001-certified and employs more than 250 people. The company's stock is traded on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol ''HLIT.''
For more information, check the company's Web site at harmonic-lightwaves.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the emergence of new markets and industry standards, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth in documents that Harmonic Lightwaves with the SEC, specifically reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q.
Note to Editors: Product and company names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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More Quotes and News: Harmonic Lightwaves Inc (Nasdaq:HLIT - news)
Related News Categories: computers, internet, telecom
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