EGHT.. oversold, downtrodden, great technical announcement, earnings soon:
"8x8 and Com21 Demonstrate First-Ever Broadband Internet videophone Technology. 8x8 H.323 Terminal and Com21 Cable Modem Combine to Provide Near Television-Quality Internet Video Telephony Solution"
"Monday July 27, 8:31 am Eastern Time
SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- 8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq: EGHT - news) and Com21, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMTO - news) announced today that they have used Com21's ComUNITY Access cable modem system and 8x8's ViaIP broadband videophone development system to make Internet video calls over a cable television (CATV) network. The system delivers near broadcast-quality video, a feat that previously required multiple, expensive ISDN lines, which are not suitable for residential applications.
The demonstration consisted of a point-to-point video call over a Com21 ComUNITY Access system, which provides a broadband Internet Protocol network over a cable TV coaxial backbone. During the tests, an 8x8 ViaIP Internet Videophone was connected to a ComPORT cable modem at each end of the video call. The ViaIP units communicated via a ComCONTROLLER Headend Channel Switch at 384 kilobits per second. At this data rate, ViaIP videophones deliver up to 30 frames per second video at the resolution of VHS videotape.
''Our ComPORT cable modem combined with an 8x8 ViaIP Videophone is an excellent way to deliver broadband videoconferencing to residential and SOHO markets,'' said Buck Gee, Com21's vice president of marketing. ''We believe that multiple services such as toll quality voice and videoconferencing are ideal for cable television networks and see the simplicity and audio quality delivered by 8x8's ViaIP Internet Videophone as a critical step in taking these types of applications to a mass market.''
''The cooperative effort between Com21 and 8x8 shows the promise of broadband Internet telephony and the new services that can be delivered. Broadband video conferencing is one of the most exciting services, and we are pleased to pioneer this opportunity with Com21,'' said Mike Noonen, 8x8's vice president of business development.
The 8x8 ViaIP broadband videophone prototype uses a standard TV for display and touch-tone phone for dialing and control. Like all of 8x8's videophone systems, ViaIP systems are designed to be
as easy to use as a regular telephone, with simple on-screen menus to control videophone options. The ViaIP broadband videophone is based on 8x8's VCP processor, which runs 8x8's H.323 software for video communication using Internet Protocol. Support for H.323 allows for
interoperability and communication with other solutions such as Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT - news) NetMeeting. The ViaIP system includes a built-in 10BaseT Ethernet interface, which allows for a
direct connection to Com21's cable modem. The ViaIP broadband videophones are currently at prototype stage and will be the basis for future 8x8 broadband video communication products.
Com21's ComUNITY Access system comprises headend equipment, subscriber cable modems, network management software, and noise containment technologies. The cable modem system enables cable operators to provide high-speed, cost-effective Internet access to corporate
telecommuter, SOHO and residential users in the U.S. and internationally, and enable them to address the distinct price, performance, security and other needs of these different end-user groups.
Both 8x8 and Com21 plan to use this interoperability effort as a head start towards delivering video telephony services in the future. 8x8 and Com21 will continue to work together as each company makes enhancements and releases new products such as MCNS Cable Modems from Com21 and H.323 advancements from 8x8.
About 8x8
A leading manufacturer of video communication systems, semiconductors and software, 8x8, Inc. is committed to providing both businesses and consumers with a more complete way of communicating. From high-performance video processors to affordable videophones, 8x8's products offer a full range of video communications and telephony solutions. The company is headquartered at 2445 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, California 95054. For more information, call toll free 888-VIEW-8X8, or in London for European sales, 8x8, Ltd., Harleyford Estate, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2DX England,
011-44-1628-402800, fax 011-44-1628-402829.
About Com21
Com21 Inc., designs, develops markets and sells value-added, high-speed communications solutions for the broadband access market. The Company's ComUNITY Access system enables cable operators to provide high-speed, cost-effective Internet access to corporate telecommuter, small office/home office (''SOHO'') and residential users in the U.S. and internationally, and enables them to address the distinct price, performance, security and other needs of these different end-user groups. Com21's products include headend equipment, subscriber cable modems, network management software and noise containment technologies. Com21, Inc. is listed on the Nasdaq
Stock Market under the symbol CMTO. For more information visit the Com21 web site at www.com21.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. 8x8's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed, implied or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to factors including
in particular the uncertainty of market acceptance of videophones, the limits of existing videophone technology, rapid technological change, compliance with industry standards, dependence on key personnel, dependence on new product introduction and current and potential competition. Further information on these and other factors that could affect the actual results of 8x8 are included in 8x8's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbors created by those sections. These forward-looking statements include statements related to: 8x8 and Com21, Inc.'s ability to develop and deploy videophone technology in the relevant markets and demand for the service. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of risks. In particular, the successful and timely introduction of the service and the scope of its deployment is subject to: obtaining all necessary corporate approvals; numerous technological, operational and financial challenges; potential competition from other broadband Internet providers; and the degree of customer acceptance of the service in the relevant markets. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties described in Com21's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In particular, see the risk factors described in Com21's final Prospectus for the Company's initial public offering dated May 21, 1998. Com21 assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
SOURCE: 8x8, Inc.
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