BigBand Networks Announces Next Generation Broadcast Grooming; Available Now, New BMR System Redefines Broadcast Solutions To Meet Network Operators' Needs.

Business Editors and Technology Writers

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 8, 2001

BigBand Networks, Inc. today announced the immediate availability of Broadcast Grooming for the company's Broadband Multimedia-Service Router (BMR(TM)) which, for the first time, provides cable multiple system operators (MSOs) with a multi-port, carrier-class grooming solution featuring unmatched efficiency, control and functionality.

Through the BMR, MSOs receive a "best of breed" solution for pressing broadcast needs, while at the same time embarking on a future-proof migration path, with the ability to cost-effectively add new advanced services as they grow.

"BigBand provides the best broadcast grooming solution to its customers with the BMR," said Amir Bassan-Eskenazi, president and CEO of BigBand Networks. "The BMR is the first product for video services that offers the full flexibility of switching and routing, and combines this with video grooming and processing capabilities in a single, highly compact device."

Multi-Port Broadcast Grooming Platform

With the addition of the Broadcast Grooming Module, the BMR now allows MSOs to select any combination of incoming program networks from different sources and create new packages of program networks for their subscribers. This conserves valuable bandwidth, and represents a dramatic improvement over existing single port legacy systems.

With the Broadcast Grooming Module, the BMR receives pre-encoded MPEG-2 video feeds and repackages them along with other MPEG-2 video or data information carried over the network. MSOs can customize delivery to their subscribers by routing digital programs from any of the BMR's inputs to one, several, or all BMR outputs.

Flexible Switching Capability

The BMR's carrier-class, 32 gigabit per second switching platform, with built-in redundancy, brings networking technology to the broadcast world and enables true video switching. Operators have the freedom to customize their programming across all the QAM modulators throughout an entire headend, avoiding expensive re-wiring of equipment. Channel line-up changes can also be configured on the fly without interruptions at any time of the day, either manually or by automatic scheduling.

Greater Space Efficiencies

Until now, MSOs were forced to allocate four rack units (RU) of space per single output (or single QAM). BigBand Networks has resolved this issue by building a device that takes up less than one RU space per QAM. This highly integrated device frees much needed space in the headend that leads to tremendous cost savings.

Greater Network Control

With the Broadcast Grooming Module, digital program line-ups can be changed easily and flexibly through an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) that does not require external wiring configuration changes. This provides MSOs with the ability to better manage, control and monitor their headend. The GUI based network management tool 3-3-3-3 BigBand Networks Announces Next Generation Broadcast Grooming also provides greater bandwidth efficiency, more economic utilization of resources, and new functionality for advanced services, combining different media and content sources.

Interactive Television Ready

The BMR offers cable operators a "building block" approach that enables the operator to add new functionality through new service-enabling modules such as for interactive television. With such modules, MSOs can enhance their broadcast services or efficiently introduce new services sharing resources with broadcast. Adding these incremental modules only requires a simple download of software into the BMR with no additional hardware needed.

SCTE Demonstration

For the first time, BigBand Networks will demonstrate publicly the capabilities of the new Broadcast Grooming Module at the SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, booth number 1621, at the Orange County Convention Center, from May 9-11 in Orlando, Florida.

About BigBand Networks

BigBand Networks, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells and supports Broadband Multimedia-Service Routers (BMR). The BMR is a new class of router built on the company's NativeMedia(TM) technology that uniquely routes and integrates video, audio and data in their native formats and enables service providers to deliver broadcast-quality content and advanced, interactive services to the mass market. The company is funded by Redpoint Ventures, Pilot House Ventures, Cedar Fund and Evergreen Investments and is based in Fremont, California. Additional information can be found at www.bigbandnet.com.