Leading Vendors Agree to Expedite MCNS Interoperability Testing
Independent Developers to Begin Open Testing in January
ANAHEIM, Calif. Dec. 10, 1997 - Major manufacturers of data-over-cable
solutions today announced their intent to conduct joint interoperability
testing of the Multimedia Cable Network System (MCNS)-based cable modem
and headend products. The companies desire to accelerate the global
deployment of data communications over cable networks, based on the Data
Over Cable Service Integration Specification (DOCSIS), as specified by
the MCNS partners. Their efforts, in conjunction with Cable Television
Laboratories, Inc., will promote multi-vendor participation within the
industry and enable interoperability among multiple systems. Cable modem
technology will provide businesses and households the ability to access
the Internet and other high bandwidth data services with unprecedented
speed.
The participating vendors include: 3COM Corporation, Bay Networks,
Cisco Systems, Harmonic Lightwaves, NEC America, Phasecom and Toshiba.
Following their announcement in October to begin open interoperability
testing, Bay Networks and 3COM engineers have drafted requirements and
procedures to facilitate the testing of cable modems and headend products
during development, and provide an opportunity for early identification
of problems affecting multivendor interoperability. Technical staff from
all participating companies will meet in January to contribute to the
test plan and establish the initial product testing schedule.
This program is designed to complement the testing being conducted by
CableLabs and to achieve a high degree of interoperability when
submitting products to CableLabs for evaluation. Further, the results of
interoperability testing will be made available to the MCNS development
community in order to reduce the product development cycle for all
vendors and accelerate the availability of cost-effective and
interoperable data-over-cable products and services.
"We are very pleased to see these vendors come together toward the
shared objective of interoperable systems," said Bob Cruickshank,
director, digital network technologies for CableLabs. "Such cooperation
bodes well for the growth of this industry and consumer choice, and is at
the heart of CableLabs' intent and goals."
The DOCSIS protocols were initially drafted by the MCNS partners, and
are supported by CableLabs. The objective of MCNS is to provide a
non-proprietary data-over-cable standard to promote multi-vendor
participation in the cable market, which is estimated at 65 million
households in the United States.
"The industry's support of MCNS can only speed operators' deployment of
end-to-end cable modem systems and enable subscribers to get online
sooner," said John Dahlquist, vice president of marketing, Harmonic
Lightwaves. "We will gladly work with other vendors to ensure the
interoperability of all our products, which will give operators and
consumers the freedom to choose."
"NEC America looks forward to being part of this joint interoperability
testing," said Dr. Kunihiko Niwa, associate senior vice president of NEC
America. "This will help expedite the process of delivering a
standards-based MCNS cable modem to cable industry consumers, and permit
high-speed access to the Internet as well other services."
"Mass deployment of cable modems in the United States is dependent on
the availability of standards-based, interoperable, low cost cable
modems," said Shaul Berger, president and CEO, Phasecom. "All of us are
aware of network and interoperability issues that will drive this market.
We are committed to working with each other to ensure true
standards-based interoperability at both ends of the spectrum - the
headend and the client modem," Berger said.
"With broad interoperability, consumers will be able to purchase a cable
modem from a variety of vendors at a reasonable price with confidence
that it will work on any MCNS cable system," said Sam Nalbone, vice
president and general manager, Toshiba America Information Systems (TAIS)
Inc., Multimedia Systems Division (MSD). "We are committed to universal
interoperability and will take a very active role in this testing
program."
About 3COM
3COM Corporation 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. With global reach and local
touch, the company provides enterprises, network service providers and
carriers, small businesses and consumers with comprehensive, innovative
information access products and system solutions for building
intelligent, reliable and high performance local and wide area networks.
3COM has worldwide revenues of more than $6 billion and employs
approximately 13,400 people in 45 countries. For further information,
visit 3COM's World Wide Web site at http://www.3com.com.
Contact: Brian D. Johnson
3COM Corp.
408-326-1962
brian_d_johnson@3com.com
About Bay Networks
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. With headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif., Bay Networks markets
its products and services around the world, providing 24x7 support
coverage. For additional information, visit the company's World Wide Web
site at http://www.cisco.com.
Contact: Clare Whitecross
Cisco Systems
408-525-2957
cwhite@cisco.com
About Harmonic Lightwaves
Harmonic Lightwaves, Inc. is a worldwide supplier of highly integrated
fiber optic transmission, digital headend and element management systems
for the delivery of interactive services over broadband networks. These
products are used by major communications providers, such as cable
television operators, in bi-directional networks. Headquartered in
Sunnyvale, Calif., Harmonic Lightwaves was founded in 1988 and employs
over 240 people. An ISO-9001 certified company, Harmonic distributes its
products internationally and maintains sales and support centers in
Philadelphia, Pa. and the United Kingdom and an R&D facility in Caesarea,
Israel. For more information, visit the company's World Wide Web site at http://www.harmonic-lightwaves.com.
Contact: John Giddings
Harmonic Lightwaves
408-542-2692
john.giddings@harmonic-lightwaves.com.
About NEC America
NEC America, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets a complete line of
advanced communications products and software for public and private
networks, including digital key telephone and PBX systems; ATM switching
systems; PCS equipment; fiber optic transmission systems; data
communications products; digital microwave radio; satellite
communications and network management systems. NEC America, Inc. is an
affiliate NEC America Corporation, a leading provider of cable products
in Japan. NEC America Corporation and its affiliates worldwide are a $40
billion global leader whose 152,000 employees are dedicated to providing
leading-edge computer, communications and semiconductor products and
services. For more information visit the company's World Wide Web site http://www.nec.com.
Contact: Frank Scaraglino
NEC America
516-753-7394
scaraglf@ccgate.ml.nec.com.
About Phasecom
Phasecom Inc., based in Cupertino, Calif., is a privately held company
specializing in the design, manufacture and marketing of voice and data
communications products for CATV networks. The company develops
standards-based cable modems that enable telecommunication and
interactive multimedia applications over broadband HFC networks. Its
customers include cable operators, telecommunications companies, and
organizations that own private networks. For more information visit the
company's World Wide Web site http://www.speed-demon.com.
Contact: Yvonne Avery
Phasecom
408-777-7799
yavery@speed-demon.com.
About Toshiba
Toshiba, a world leader in high technology, is a manufacturer of products
spanning information and communications systems. The company is
dedicated to creating advanced systems and products, and is highly
sensitive to changing needs and demands. Toshiba America is in every
sense a U.S. based company. A $6.5 billion diversified electronics and
high-technology enterprise employing nearly 8,000 people across the
nation.
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