3Com Ships Industry's First 10 Megabit Phoneline Network Products; Dell Computer to Announce First PCs with 3Com's 10 Mbps Phoneline Solutions.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 18, 1999--

3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) today began shipping the industry's first 10 Mbps (megabits per second) phoneline products based on the forthcoming HomePNA 2.0 specification. The 3Com(R) HomeConnect(TM) Home Network Phoneline products use existing home phone wires and jacks to connect multiple PCs. This revolutionary product line also features up to ten times the performance of current phoneline home network products, reliable connections over a broad range of home wiring structures and unparalleled ease of setup and use.

This week, Dell is expected to announce Dimension(R) desktop PCs with 3Com's phoneline networking products. 3Com home network phoneline products are also expected to be available from a variety of retail stores in early November 1999.

Today's announcement further extends the 3Com/Microsoft co-branded home networking product line; earlier this month, the two companies announced the HomeConnect Home Network Ethernet series. At the beginning of this calendar year, Microsoft and 3Com announced an alliance based on a common goal of creating networks that are simple and provide cost savings. Today's consumers require innovation from their communications networks, and the two companies are committed to making Windows the best software platform to enable network convergence.

3Com/Microsoft home networking kits and adapters include Microsoft(R) HomeClick(TM) Network Software to simplify network setup and use. The Microsoft HomeClick Network Software features a step-by-step setup wizard that makes complex network configuration functions transparent to consumers. Users are led through a simple series of steps to get their home networks up and running. In addition, an included Network Center application provides easy access to shared resources, such as hard drives, printers or Internet connections.

"3Com is proud to deliver 10 Mbps home phoneline network products in time for the upcoming holiday season," said Brent Lang, director of marketing for 3Com's Wireless and Home Connectivity Division. "This exciting new technology represents the first step toward a true home networking revolution."

"3Com's home networking enables Dell to deliver a complete, plug and play home networking solution to our customers," said Ron Van Dell, director for Dell Dimension desktop PCs. "As multiple PC households become increasingly more common, we anticipate custom-built PCs with preinstalled home networking and high-speed Internet access equipment will appeal to this rapidly growing market segment."

Pricing and availability

3Com HomeConnect Home Network Phoneline products will be available in two-station kits and one-station adapters.

3Com HomeConnect Home Network Phoneline Kit (10 Mbps, PCI) All the necessary components for a two-user network in one box.

Contains: Two 10 Mbps internal PCI phoneline network adapters;

two seven-foot standard phoneline cables; Quick Start Guide;

Microsoft HomeClick Network Software CD; Windows 98 Second

Edition Update CD; Microsoft Games Sampler CD.

Estimated street price: $149.99

(all prices listed are in U.S. currency)

3Com HomeConnect Home Network Phoneline Adapter (10 Mbps, PCI) Add additional computers to the network.

Contains: One 10 Mbps internal PCI phoneline network adapter; one

seven-foot standard phoneline cable; Quick Start Guide; Microsoft

HomeClick Network Software CD; Windows 98 Second Edition Update

CD; Microsoft Games Sampler CD.

Estimated street price: $79.99

About Dell Corporation

Ranked No. 125 among the Fortune 500 companies and No. 363 in the Fortune Global 500, Dell Computer Corporation is the world's leading direct computer systems company, based on revenues of $18.2 billion for the past four quarters. Dell designs, manufactures and customizes products and services to customer requirements and offers an extensive selection of software and peripherals. Information on Dell and its products can be obtained through its toll-free number 1-800-388-8542 or by accessing the Dell World Wide Web site at www.dell.com.

About 3Com Corporation

With more than 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 is a registered trademark and More connected. and HomeConnect are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. Microsoft, Windows and HomeClick are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.