Comcast Cable to Launch Interactive Digital Service in Charleston, S.C. Using Scientific-Atlanta Network and Set-Tops Comcast selects Charleston, S.C., as third city, along with Baltimore, Md., <>
[All, How much of this timing do you attribute to the ATT/TCI deal? Frank C.
"... will be able to enjoy Internet access, video-on-demand and IP telephony via the TV when these applications become available."]
August 4, 1998
ATLANTA, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation -- Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. announced today that Comcast Cable Communications, Inc., will offer Charleston, S.C., consumers interactive digital services using Scientific-Atlanta's Explorer(R) 2000 advanced digital set-tops and interactive network. Comcast is the fourth-largest cable system operator in the United States, with 4.4 million subscribers.
"Our customers in Charleston will soon benefit from the most advanced interactive cable technology available today," said William R. Goetz, Jr., regional senior vice president for Comcast. "This high-speed, high- performance connection to our customers' television sets will deliver an attractive suite of digital services through our two-way, Internet Protocol (IP)-based broadband network."
The Charleston cable system, serving 80,000 homes, is the third Comcast system to deploy digital interactive services using Scientific-Atlanta's interactive network and advanced set-tops.
Comcast is also launching services using Scientific-Atlanta technology in its Baltimore, Md., and Chamblee, Ga., systems. Consumers in all three cities will be able to enjoy Internet access, video-on-demand and IP telephony via the TV when these applications become available.
"Comcast is committed to the needs of its customers, and we're pleased to be a part of their tremendous digital deployment program," said Michael P. Harney, Scientific-Atlanta's corporate vice president and general manager, Digital Subscriber Networks. "We said digital interactive was going to happen in 1998, and it is."
Comcast expects commercial deployment beginning in the third quarter of calendar year 1998.
In Charleston, Comcast is deploying Scientific-Atlanta's digital network, including headend components, a digital network control system (DNCS) and Explorer 2000 advanced digital set-tops.
Scientific-Atlanta's Explorer 2000 set-top and
interactive network -Technical Background
The Scientific-Atlanta Explorer 2000 advanced digital set-top and interactive network has high-throughput two-way communications and sufficient processing power, memory, and graphics to enable a variety of two-way, interactive applications for consumers, including Internet access, video-on- demand and IP-based applications.
Features of the Explorer 2000 set-top and interactive network include the following:
-- Instantaneous, two-way communications based on Internet Protocol
-- The most powerful high-speed RISC processor presently available in the
cable set-top industry
-- Based on OpenCable(TM) specifications (ensures system meets industry
standards)
-- Ethernet 10BaseT and universal serial bus (USB) interface (supports
hook up to the PC, printers, and other peripherals)
-- PowerTV(R) Operating System
-- Multiple middleware choices including HTML, and JavaScript,
PersonalJava(TM) (for application development)
-- PowerKEY(TM) Security System (for E-commerce)
-- Smartcard slot (for added security and electronic commerce
transactions)
-- Eagle(TM) multimedia technology (for high resolution, photo-realistic
graphics)
-- Dolby AC3 digital audio
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation is principally engaged in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks, cellular and personal communications systems and the provision of content. Comcast, the fourth- largest domestic cable company, also provides satellite video service through its equity interest in Primestar and holds ownership interests in cable and telephony businesses in the United Kingdom. Comcast's cellular operations serve markets with a population of more than 8.4 million, while personal communications services are provided through the company's investment in Sprint PCS. Comcast provides content through its majority-owned subsidiaries, QVC, the world's premier electronic retailer, E! Entertainment Television, Comcast-Spectator and Comcast SportsNet and through other investments including The Golf Channel, Speedvision and Outdoor Life.
Comcast's Class A and Class A Special Common Stock are traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbols CMCSA and CMCSK, respectively. More information on Comcast Corporation can be found on the company's Web site on the Internet at www.comcast.com.
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (NYSE: SFA) ( sciatl.com) is a leading supplier of broadband communications systems, satellite-based video, voice and data communications networks, and worldwide customer service and support.
"Forward-looking statements," as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may be included in this news release. A variety of factors could cause Scientific-Atlanta's actual results to differ from the anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking statements. Investors are referred to Scientific-Atlanta's Cautionary Statements (Exhibit 99 to the Company's most recent Form 10-Q), which statements are incorporated into this news release by reference.
Explorer is a registered trademark and PowerKEY is a trademark of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. PowerTV is a registered trademark and Eagle is trademark of PowerTV, Inc. All other products or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
/CONTACT: Kerri Dimke, Scientific-Atlanta, 770-903-6306, Fax: 770-903-3088, or email: kerri.dimke@sciatl.com; Caroline March-Long, Crescent Communications for Scientific-Atlanta, 404-287-2000 ext. 124, Fax: 404-287-2001, or email: cmlong@crescomm.com; or Joe Waz, Comcast Corporation, 215-981-7607 (office), Fax: 215-981-7712, or email: joe_waz@comcast.com/ /Web site: sciatl.com (SFA)
[Copyright 1998, PR Newswire] |