3Com, Cablevision Systems to Provide Retail Distribution and Instant Installation for High-Speed Cable Internet Access; Self-Install Kit Enables Cablevision Customers to Get Up and Running Quickly.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 22, 1999--

3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today announced an agreement with Cablevision Systems Corporation (ASE: CVC) to provide easy setup and instant installation of 3Com's cable modem and Cablevision's Optimum Online service for customers in Long Island, N.Y. The bundled product and service are configured for customer installation, eliminating the truck roll and associated delays.

The 3Com(R) U.S. Robotics(R) Cable Modem CMX, an external two-way cable modem available for both Macintosh and PC users, will be bundled with the 3Com U.S. Robotics Installation Starter Kit. The kit, which includes a splitter and cable optimized for data over cable, as well as an instructional video, is designed for easy, immediate setup in the customer's home.

Consumers can purchase the 3Com cable modem and self-installation kit at THE WIZ electronics outlets. THE WIZ, a division of Cablevision, offers the 3Com cable access kits at six of its Long Island locations and two Connecticut locations.

"3Com is dedicated to providing the best Internet experience," said Levent Gun, vice president and general manager of 3Com's Cable and Home Networking Division. "Retail availability of our cable modem and the Self-Installation Kit from 3Com and Cablevision provides instant availability to high-speed Internet access. The service will be set up before the customer leaves THE WIZ so the customer won't have to wait for a visit from the cable installer to get up and running."

Customers in Cablevision service areas will receive a $200 instant rebate from Cablevision on the purchase of the 3Com U.S. Robotics Cable Modem CMX before December 31, 1999, provided that the customer enters into a two-year contract for Cablevision's Optimum Online high-speed Internet Service. The estimated street price of the cable modem is $299.

Earlier this year, 3Com's external two-way cable modem received CableLabs certification, a rigorous standard of approval for cable modems. CableLabs certified product ensures the interoperability and performance among cable systems. This high level of compatibility enables consumers to purchase their new cable modems at retail locations.

Cable modems provide high-speed access to the Internet by utilizing the bandwidth capacity of cable television networks, enabling potential download speeds far exceeding phone-based speeds of analog modems or ISDN devices. The digital service does not require a phone line and provides a reliable, low-cost connection to the Internet.

"As the number one modem manufacturer in the world, 3Com understands customer needs and the growing demand for high-speed Internet access to the home," added Gun. "As customers grow accustomed to a broadband, always-on connection in the home, sharing that connection with an easy-to-use home network will be a natural next step."

About 3Com:

With over 300 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs and consumers. 3Com - More connected.(TM) For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.

3Com and U.S. Robotics are a registered trademarks and More connected. is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.