Com21 is Now Leading Supplier of Cable Modems in Europe
Friday November 20, 1:00 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Com21 is Now Leading Supplier of Cable Modems in Europe
MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 1998--Com21, Inc., (Nasdaq:CMTO - news) is now Europe's leading
provider of cable modem technology, according to a report shortly to be released by telecom and cable analyst group, RHK (Ryan Hankin Kent, Inc.), South
San Francisco, Calif.
The new report, to be issued by RHK in November, names Com21 as the leading cable modem supplier in France, Switzerland and Denmark and a strong
contender in the Netherlands. The RHK report, ''International Cable Modems: European Market Analysis, Country Profiles, and Forecast,'' cites Com21's
product features, operator satisfaction and Com21's system integration assistance and support, as reasons for their success.
The report forecasted approximately US$70 million in cable data services revenue for European cable operators in 1998, and approximately US$4.7 billion in
revenues by 2003.
''Com21 is now the dominant cable modem provider in Europe,'' said Pete Fenner, CEO and president at Com21. ''We have done this by rapidly exploiting the
remarkable potential and growth in the market that the RHK report reveals. Com21 is determined to drive this market forward with the most tested and
advanced technology,'' concluded Fenner.
''A key focus for us right now is building international relationships with the leading cable players in Europe,'' said Buck Gee, vice president of Marketing at
Com21. ''Our customers and partners are our number one asset, and our successful relationship with companies such as Siemens, Philips and France Telecom
have given us a leadership position in the European cable modem market,'' he added.
ComUNITY Access® Cable Communications System
The company's primary product is the ComUNITY Access® cable communications system designed to make high-speed data services more profitable for
cable systems of all sizes and architectures -- suburban or metropolitan, HFC or coax, one-way or two-way. The underlying ATM technology facilitates a
wide range of differentiated services, from low network demands on latency and throughput (such as e-mail or electronic commerce applications) to very high
network demands (such as multiplayer gaming, videoconferencing or voice applications).
Com21's modular system is designed to later incorporate telephony-over-cable, providing connections to private and public networks. While the telephony
technology is still being tested in Com21's labs, this migration strategy will, in the near future, allow MSOs to deploy high-quality voice over Hybrid Fiber Coax
(HFC) infrastructures.
''Our ComUNITY voice telephony technology is being designed to leverage the existing ATM architecture of the ComUNITY Access System, providing the
features, quality and reliability of traditional circuit switched telephony at a fraction of the cost,'' Gee said.
''We realize that this area is still new to a lot of people and that there is a lot to be done to demonstrate how cable modem technology adds value and exactly
what it offers. The key point for us is that, while services are being planned and implemented, we are ready to offer an interoperable, scalable and most
importantly -- fast, Internet connection,'' concluded Gee.
About Com21
Com21 is a leading global provider of cable modem technology for delivering high-speed Internet access over CATV systems. The company enables cable
operators and service providers with the abilities to provide high-speed, cost-effective Internet access to corporate telecommuters, small businesses, home
offices and residential users.
Founded in 1992 and completing its initial public offering in May 1998, its stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol CMTO. Com21 is
headquartered in Milpitas, and maintains international sales and support offices in the Netherlands, and Japan. For more information, visit the Com21 Web site
at www.com21.com.
About RHK
RHK is a leading market research and consulting firm specializing in the analysis of advanced technologies for the public telecommunications network. The
company provides syndicated services and custom consulting to technology vendors, service providers, and the investment community. RHK's areas of
expertise include WDM & Optical Networking, SONET/SDH, Loop Access Systems (NGDLC, xDSL, and FITL), ATM, Core Switching & Routing,
Network Management, Cable Modems, Internet Content, Systems for Voice over IP, Internet Video, and other emerging technologies. RHK is located in
South San Francisco, Calif.
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:
Com21,Inc.'s ability to deploy its technology on schedule in the relevant markets and demand for the service, and its ability to successfully deploy, develop,test
and manufacture telephony-over-cable products. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of risks.
In particular, the successful and timely introduction of Internet and telephony-over-cable services 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 and the company's Form
10Q dated Nov. 2, 1998. Com21 assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
Note to Editors: Community Access® is a registered trademark of Com21, Inc. All other trademarks or brands are the property of their respective companies.
Contact:
Com21, Inc.
Mia Bradway, 408/953-9787 (Public Relations)
mbradway@com21.com
or
RHK
Lee Kurnoff, 650/737-9600 (Public Relations)
Lee_Kurnoff@rhk.com |
