8x8 And 3Com Establish Broadband Cable Telephony Lab; Lab Will Ensure Interoperability Between 8x8 Audio and Video Telephony Terminals and 3Com Cable and Networking Products.

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 1998--8x8, Inc. (Nasdaq:EGHT) and 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) today announced the formation of a lab to accelerate the development and deployment of interoperable 8x8 and 3Com products compliant with the CableLabs PacketCable Specification. End-to-end systems built from 8x8 and 3Com equipment will be installed at the lab, which will be located in Santa Clara, Calif. Features and services tested at this lab will support field trials and eventually result in deployment by cable operators. The work will initially focus on ensuring the best possible audio and video quality for PacketCable customers.

Both companies will contribute hardware and personnel to this effort. 3Com will contribute their DOCSIS-compliant U.S. Robotics Cable Modems, Cable Modem Termination Systems and network infrastructure. 8x8 will contribute both audio and video Multimedia Terminal Adapters based on their Audacity IP telephony technology. These products will be demonstrated together at the Western Cable Show in both 3Com's booth (no. 563) and in the CableNet exhibit area.

The cooperative work for broadband telephony is an extension of the co-marketing agreement already in place between 8x8 and 3Com for PSTN H.324 video telephony.

"8x8 and 3Com can provide an end-to-end PacketCable solution for a cable operator," said Niraj Jain, director of strategic alliances for Cable Access products for 3Com. "By forming this Interoperability Lab we hope to demonstrate, prove and accelerate deployment of our respective PacketCable products."

"8x8 and 3Com already enjoy an excellent relationship from our cooperative efforts in the area of consumer video telephony," said Mike Noonen, vice president of business development. "Our decision to create this PacketCable Interoperability lab was a natural extension of this relationship. By working with 3Com, a leader in networking and cable products, we look forward to establishing a mass market for PacketCable voice and video telephony."

About 3Com

With more than 200 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.

About 8x8

A leading manufacturer of multimedia communication systems, semiconductors and software, 8x8, Inc. is committed to providing both businesses and consumers with a more complete way of communicating. From high-performance digital telephony processors to affordable videophones, 8x8's products offer a full range of video communications and telephony solutions. The company is headquartered at 2445 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara, California 95054. For more information, call toll free 888/VIEW-8X8, or in London for European sales, 8x8, Ltd., Harleyford Estate, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 2DX England, 011-44-1628-402800, fax [phone].

This press release contains forward-looking statements. 8x8's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed, implied or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to factors including in particular dependence on key customers, the uncertainty of market acceptance of IP telephony, the limits of existing IP telephony technology, the lack of infrastructure support for IP telephony (such as limited cable and xDSL modem availability), dependence on IP telephony service providers, rapid technological change, dependence on new product introduction, dependence on proprietary technology, compliance with industry standards, dependence on key personnel, the need for additional capital and current and potential competition. Further information on these and other factors that could affect the actual results of 8x8 are included in 8x8's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 8x8 assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Note to Editors: 8x8, the 8x8 logo and Audacity are trademarks of 8x8, Inc. 3Com and 3Com -- More Connected are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.