3Com Carrier Networks Business Introduces New Flexible Provisioning Solution for Data-Over-Cable Operators.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2000

DOCSIS and EuroDOCSIS-Compatible CommWorks(R) 5480 Provisioning and

Access Manager Helps Cable Operators Reduce Time-to-Market for New

Value-Added Features and Services

3Com(R) Corporation's (Nasdaq:COMS) Carrier Networks Business, an industry leader in supplying access infrastructures and Internet protocol (IP) solutions to service providers around the globe, today introduced a new provisioning solution that helps data-over-cable operators reduce the time it takes to introduce new services and features to subscribers. The CommWorks(R) 5480 Provisioning and Access Manager is a standards-compliant software platform that addresses a major challenge facing cable operators: how to provision subscribers quickly and economically and how to offer new services quickly. Together with the Total Control(R) 1000 Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) from 3Com(R) Carrier Networks Business, this new provisioning solution allows cable providers to easily rollout Quality of Service (QoS) differentiation and other enhanced new services.

"Data-over-cable providers cannot afford to 'slow-roll' new services and features to their subscribers," said Todd Landry, vice president, product management, 3Com Carrier Networks Business. "The growing demand for broadband access means operators must act quickly or lose the opportunity to establish a strong customer base to competing broadband service providers. With the CommWorks 5480 Provisioning and Access Manager, cable operators now have a solution that allows for the quick and efficient provisioning of millions of new subscribers. Reducing the time it takes to introduce new services enables the cable operator to realize more revenue more rapidly. Faster service activation also results in higher customer satisfaction and retention."

The CommWorks 5480 Provisioning and Access Manager enables cable operators to more quickly and efficiently introduce support for new billable features, such as multicast video and voice-over-IP (VoIP) to enhance revenue streams and differentiate their services. It also provides for service level agreement management, so data-over-cable providers can offer tiered services to their customers.

The provisioning and access manager features high performance and scalability. It can perform 1,600 lease transactions per second -- two to ten times more than competitive products offer. This translates to faster modem registration time. It also scales to as many as 1 million users; again, two to ten times more than available in competitive offerings.

The CommWorks 5480 Provisioning and Access Manager is compatible with the Total Control 1000 CMTS platform from 3Com Carrier Networks Business or any DOCSIS- or EuroDOCSIS-compliant CMTS or cable modems. It is available now for deployment by cable operators around the world providing data over cable applications.

Flexible Provisioning Options

The CommWorks 5480 Provisioning and Access Manager enables a variety of provisioning models to allow data-over-cable operators to quickly and efficiently provision cable modems. With its open application programming interface (API), it offers virtually unlimited possibilities for the creation of custom application/provisioning software. The CommWorks 5480 Provisioning and Access Manager provides the features necessary for rapid service provisioning, including:

-- auto-provisioning and other provisioning model support using open API and
subscriber databases;

-- cable modem vendor filtering, which allows only chosen modem brands to
access the network;

-- Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) forwarding, which enables
compatibility with any DHCP server;

-- bootfile management, which allows service providers to easily manage
bootfile assignment;

-- integrated Structured Query Language (SQL) database;

-- subscriber service-level policy management, which enables differentiated
service levels; and

-- provisioning model support, including retail, inventory and hospitality.

The easy control over the provisioning process provided by the CommWorks 5480 Provisioning and Access Manager also gives data-over-cable providers the flexibility to address future quality of service issues for the coming wave of broadband edge devices, including IP telephones, Internet appliances and home network gateways.

Broadband Access in the CommWorks Architecture

Broadband access solutions are key elements in the CommWorks architecture, 3Com Carrier Networks Business' versatile solution for multiservice packet-based networking. The CommWorks architecture allows service providers to deliver narrowband enhanced data services, IP telephony, wireless data, and broadband access over a single converged network.

The architecture consists of:

-- the Media Processing tier for universal connectivity through a

variety of network access options;

-- the Control and Network and Service Management tier for

universal signaling and control via protocol mediation, as

well as powerful network management, element management and

load-balancing services; and

-- the Service Creation tier, which provides an open service

creation environment that leverages open interfaces and 3Com

strategic partners to enable rapid application and service

deployment.

The CommWorks 5480 Provisioning and Access manager is part of the second tier of the CommWorks architecture, where the open API allows it to interface with third-tier service creation software. The Total Control 1000 CMTS resides in tier one, the media processing layer.

About 3Com Corporation

With more than 300 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people and organizations to information and each other in more innovative, simple and reliable ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers web-enabled solutions to consumers, small- to medium-sized business locations and network service providers. For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.

Note to Editors: 3Com, CommWorks and Total Control are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.