Comcast Deploys Sigma Systems Provisioning Solution For Its High-Speed Internet Service.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2002

Sigma's Software Solution Supports More Than One Million

High-Speed Internet Subscribers

Sigma Systems, the cable industry's leading provider of service management solutions announced that Comcast Cable Communications Inc., the third largest cable company in the United States, is using key components of the Sigma(TM) Service Management Portfolio, Sigma's fully-automated service activation and provisioning solution, to provision its high-speed Internet subscribers. This has enabled Comcast to deliver high-speed Internet services to more than one million residential customers.

Sigma's platform supports the high-speed data services critical to Comcast's rapid subscriber growth. The Sigma solution deployed at Comcast interfaces with Convergys' ICOMS subscriber management system, DST Innovis' DDP/SQL billing platform and Lucent's Vital Access(TM) element management system that enables provisioning for Comcast's high-speed Internet customers. These core components of Sigma's Service Management Portfolio today serve as the cornerstone of Comcast's back office. Earlier this year, Sigma Systems played a key role in Comcast transitioning more than 950,000 subscribers onto the company's high-speed Internet network in a greatly compressed timeframe.

"We are pleased to work with Sigma in deploying reliable, scalable and modular service management solutions. This is key in building on our ability to smoothly bring our customers new products and services on our new Comcast-managed high-speed network," says Ray Celona, Senior Vice President, Comcast. "Sigma brings key industry experience with a proven scalable solution that will help us deploy new service offerings quickly and easily in today's highly competitive environment."

Automated cable service provisioning and activation focuses on rapidly defining and deploying services, as well as capturing and retaining subscribers all at lower costs - key business objectives for cable operators today. Not only does the Sigma Service Management Portfolio support high-speed Internet, but Sigma's proven track record enabling the delivery of video and voice services has resulted in the company's pre-eminent position in cable service management.

"With the proven scalability and reliability of our service management portfolio, we look forward to growing with Comcast as they further build their broadband business," said Steve Nicolle, CEO and President, Sigma Systems. "Our portfolio seamlessly provisions advanced services. We continue to demonstrate to Comcast the scalability of our platform as well as our ability to contribute to the faster and more efficient deployment of services."

Domain knowledge stored in the Sigma(TM) Service Management Portfolio includes configurable business rules, technology models, service definitions, process workflows, over 55 proven off-the-shelf adapters, embedded protocols and data mapping transactions built specifically for Sigma's many implementations. ServiceBroker(R), the core of the Sigma Service Management Portfolio processes up to 30,000 order requests per day at Comcast.

"MSOs are moving to automate the service fulfillment process in response to growing demand for broadband data services," said Larry Goldman, Senior Analyst, RHK Consulting. "They need systems that are cost-effective, scale with millions of subscribers, and can handle new IP-based services. Comcast's ability to convert their @Home subscriber base to their own network with Sigma Systems' help reinforces Sigma's position as a leader in North American cable service management."

The Sigma(TM) Service Management Portfolio, the company's flagship product line, automatically and reliably activates service to a market increasingly dependent on broadband access to the home. Cable operators deploying Sigma's platform enjoy increased subscriber satisfaction and therefore retention, improved operating margins, increased operational efficiencies, and subscriber-base growth, in addition to being able to more rapidly deliver services.

About Sigma Systems

Sigma Systems is the global leader in developing and deploying service management solutions for cable system operators. Sigma's OSS (Operations Support System) products enable service providers to automate service management, deliver service with reliability and scalability, improve operating margins, increase customer retention, and enable subscriber growth.

The award-winning Sigma(TM) Service Management Portfolio is a rapidly-deployed solution suite for service provisioning and diagnostics of cable broadband services, including high-speed residential and commercial Internet, digital TV, interactive TV, video on demand and cable telephony services. Sigma's products have been deployed at the largest cable operators in the US including AT&T Broadband, Comcast, and Cox. Internationally, Sigma's software serves such major MSOs and ISPs as @Home Benelux (Belgium and the Netherlands), @NetHome (Japan), Cogeco (Canada), Essent Kabelcom (the Netherlands), Rogers (Canada) and Shaw (Canada).

Sigma's clients serve a combined total of over 35 million subscribers globally. Established in 1990, Sigma is headquartered in Toronto, with its European base in London and sales offices in 9 other cities worldwide. Strategic investors in Sigma include: Cisco Systems, Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, and Redwood Ventures. Additional information about Sigma Systems can be found at www.sigma-systems.com.