Cable Modem Business Heating Up
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- TCI.NET, the broadband data
division of the cable system operations of Tele-Communications, Inc. and part
of the TCI Group of assets (NASDAQ:TCOMA), will purchase cable modems and
associated headend equipment made by four leading suppliers.
After issuing an RFP in September 1997 to identify manufacturers of high-
speed data equipment that meets specifications as set out by the CableLabs
DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) effort, TCI.NET has
selected two primary cable modem headend suppliers and three cable modem
suppliers.
3Com Corp. and Bay Networks Inc. will supply TCI.NET with cable modem
headends, identified in the DOCSIS specification as Cable Modem Termination
Systems (CMTS). 3Com will also supply cable modems to TCI.NET, as will
Thomson Consumer Electronics and General Instrument Corporation.
"Adherence to the industry's cable modem specification was a key element
in our rigorous evaluation process," said Susan Marshall, Vice President of
Products and Technology for TCI.NET. "We fully expect that, prior to
deployment, each of our vendor's products will be certified by the CableLabs-
led DOCSIS Certification Program."
"This is a networking and modem business and TCI.NET has invested in the
best of both worlds," said Levent Gun, Vice President and General Manager,
Cable Access division of 3Com. "Their pursuit of interoperability, economy
and retail distribution is trail blazing. We look forward to an active and
expansive relationship with TCI.NET."
Karl May, Vice President and General Manager of the Broadband Technology
division at Bay Networks, said that the decision validates the manufacturer's
plan to be among the first in supplying standards-based equipment to the cable
industry. "This proves that cooperation between competitors on
interoperability works," he said, referencing a decision between Bay and 3Com
last year to jointly pursue interoperability.
Thomas J. Lynch, Senior Vice President and General Manager of General
Instrument's Satellite Data Network Systems, called the selection of its
SURFboard modems a critical step forward. "TCI.NET and, actually, the entire
cable industry have a significant competitive edge in the delivery of high-
speed data services to residences and businesses. TCI.NET's selection of GI's
modem recognizes the strength of our product line and our commitment to making
this emerging business a success. GI's strength is in providing end-to-end
systems solutions in a variety of customer applications."
Al Baker, General Manager, Digital Product Management for Thomson, said
"We are pleased to join the TCI.NET initiative for two-way digital cable
modems. With our number-one ranked consumer electronics brand 'RCA' and the
largest retail network in the electronic industry, we are ideally positioned
to quickly expand consumer availability of these products."
3Com Corporation (NASDAQ:COMS) enables individuals and organizations
worldwide to communicate and share information and resources at anytime from
anywhere. As one of the world's preeminent suppliers of data, voice and video
communications technology, 3Com has delivered networking solutions to more
than 100 million customers worldwide. For further information, visit 3Com's
World Wide Web site at 3com.com, or the press site at
3com.com.
Bay Networks - Where Information Flows(TM). Bay Networks, Inc. (NYSE:BAY)
is a leader in the worldwide networking market, providing a complete line
of products that serve corporate enterprises, service providers and
telecommunications carriers. The company offers frame and ATM switches,
routers, shared media, remote and Internet access solutions, IP services and
network management applications, all integrated by Bay Networks' Adaptive
Networking strategy. For additional information, visit the company's World
Wide Web site at baynetworks.com or call 800-8-BAYNET.
General Instrument Corporation (NYSE:GIC), headquartered in Horsham, Pa.,
is the world leader in analog and digital systems that provide video, audio
and high-speed Internet/data services over cable and satellite TV networks.
GI's cable and satellite TV operations have approximately 7,000 employees and
annual sales of approximately $1.8 billion.
Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., is
the country's largest manufacturer and marketer of television receivers and
related video products under the RCA, ProScan and GE brands. A leader in the
development of digital video and convergence products, Thomson introduced the
mini-dish RCA Digital Satellite System in 1994, pioneering the use of
interactive on-screen program guides.
Tele-Communications, Inc. is traded through the TCI Group, the TCI
Ventures Group and the Liberty Media Group common stocks. Series A and Series
B TCI Group common stock (TCOMA/TCOMB); Series A and Series B TCI Ventures
Group common stock (TCIVA/TCIVB); and Series A and Series B Liberty Media
Group common stock (LBTYA/LBTYB) are traded on the National Market tier of the
Nasdaq Stock Market.
SOURCE Tele-Communications, Inc.
-0- 04/30/98
/CONTACT: LaRae Marsik of TCI, 303-267-5277, or marsik.larae@tci.com; or
Brian Johnson of 3Com, 408-326-1962, or Brian_Johnson@3com.com; or Greg La
Brache of GI, 619-404-3967, or glabrache@gi.com; or Matthew Burke of Bay
Networks, 978-916-1320, or mburke@baynetworks.com; or James Harper Thomson of
Consumer Electronics, 317-587-4347, or harperj@indy.tce.com/
/Web site: tci.com
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