Joey,
Re -- AT&T's aquisition of TCI.. ATHOME and BAY NETWORKS..
One of the BIG beneficiaries of the $5billion to ATHOME will be BAY Networks whose Cable Modem headend gear has been selected by TCI.
biz.yahoo.com
TCI.NET Selects Key Data Equipment Vendors
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 - news), 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 - news) 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 - news) 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 - news), 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. |
