Cisco and Comcast Lead in First J.112/DOCSIS Standards-Based Cable Modem Rollout
Move Paves Way for Standards-Based Broadband Data, Voice and Video Appliances
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- August 12, 1998 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. today announcedthat it has been chosen by Comcast Corporation to supply broadbandnetworking solutions, including the Cisco uBR7246 universal broadbandrouter, to create a next-generation infrastructure that will enable Comcastto deliver advanced data, voice and video services across the Comcast network.
Comcast, one of the world's largest telecommunications and entertainmentcompanies, serves 4.3 million cable customers in 21 states. Eighty percentof its customers are located within ten large geographic clusters, witheach cluster serving more than 100,000 customers. Comcast is aggressivelydeploying two-way, fiber-rich broadband facilities within major clustersand will begin deployment of ITU J.112 or DOCSIS standards-based solutionsin Q3 1998. The Data-over-Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS),endorsed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as J.112,provides one global standard for computing and consumer electronicsmanufacturers to develop broadband appliances (including modems, personalcomputer adapters, networked game players, voice gateways and Web-enabledset-top boxes) for cable. Comcast is the first major multiple systemoperator (MSO) in the U.S. to launch a DOCSIS-compliant Internet accessservice and will begin rollouts in the Atlanta, GA and Chesterfield, VAmarkets.
Comcast offers residential broadband online services and Internet accessthrough Comcast@Home, a high-speed online service delivering 24-hour,unlimited broadband Internet access and national and local content directlyto a user's personal computer via state-of-the-art cable modemtechnologies. With data transmission speeds 100 times faster thantraditional dialup phone modems and approximately 15 times faster than ISDNconnections, Comcast@Home brings its customers an entirely new, media-richonline experience. The subscription package includes communications toolssuch as a Web browser, e-mail, news groups and chat rooms.
Comcast also offers business services including the Comcast@Work andComcast Cable Internet Services (CCIS) broadband-based turnkey solutions.Both offer leading-edge virtual private network (VPN)-based telecommuting,branch and remote access for larger firms.
The Cisco uBR7246 is a next-generation, highly scalable cable modemtermination system (CMTS) with broadband service provider-class routing ina single RF-hardened, rack-mounted modular package. Cisco's uBR7246 willenable Comcast to offer broadband data to residential and businesscustomers today and more advanced services tomorrow.
Cisco's end-to-end ITU J.112 and DOCSIS-based solutions for the cableindustry include a suite of retail-targeted modems produced by globalconsumer electronics leaders, broadband head end and hub equipment such asCisco's uBR7246, dial access servers and a suite of leading multigigabit,carrier-class ATM and IP regional and wide-area backbone solutions.
"Cisco's solution integrates extremely well with our existinginfrastructure and allows us to bring Comcast@Home to new, growingmarkets," said Richard Rasmus, vice president, Comcast OnlineCommunications. "With the Cisco solution, we can provide reliable, secureInternet access for our customers at unbelievable speeds."
"Comcast is a world-class telecommunications and entertainment company, andwe look forward to expanding our partnership with their outstanding team todeliver new world services via broadband cable networks," said Paul Bosco,general manager of Cisco's Cable Products and Solutions. "Our joint effortsare beginning to deliver results, and we look forward to working with thisindustry-leading team on the trials and roll-out of DOCSIS standards-basedsolutions."
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation is principally engaged in the development, managementand operation of broadband cable networks, wired and wirelesstelecommunications systems and the provision of content. Comcast, thefourth-largest domestic cable company, also holds ownership interests inPrimestar, a satellite video provider, and in cable and telephonybusinesses in the United Kingdom. Comcast's wireless operations servemarkets with a population of more than 8.4 million, and also include thecompany's investment in Sprint PCS. Comcast provides content through itsmajority-owned subsidiaries, QVC, the world's premier electronic retailer,E ! Entertainment Television, Comcast-Spectacor and Comcast SportsNet andthrough other investments, including The Golf Channel, Speedvision andOutdoor 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.
Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. athttp://www.cisco.com.Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarksof Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All othertrademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respectiveowners.
