HomePlug(R) Powerline Alliance Boosts Adoption of HomePlug Technology and Reaches New Milestones; Alliance Celebrates New Leadership, Members and the Shipping of Three Million HomePlug(R)-Enabled Products.

SAN RAMON, Calif. -- Driving the worldwide acceptance of high-speed networking over powerlines, the HomePlug Powerline Alliance today announced that it has achieved a number of organizational and product-related milestones in 2005. One of the most notable achievements for HomePlug was the ratification of HomePlug AV, a standards-based connectivity solution that enables simultaneous high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) video distribution, whole-house audio, VoIP, IPTV and data networking. HomePlug developed the global industry-standard specification, HomePlug AV, as the high-speed broadband backbone in homes.

Additionally, the HomePlug Alliance added several top-tier companies to its board of directors including industry heavyweights such as Cisco-Linksys, GE Security, Intel, Motorola Inc. and Sony. Intel's Matt Theall, powerline initiative manager, was also named as the Alliance's new president. Matt joins Alliance officers from Arkados, Inc., Cisco-Linksys, Comcast and RadioShack. These players had a strong presence at the HomePlug Alliance's inaugural technology conference in San Francisco this past September. Nearly 250 industry professionals attended the kick-off conference to discuss emerging issues in consumer technology and networking to hear about HomePlug technology plans from companies such as Bell Canada, Comcast and Sharp.

"From a consumer standpoint, HomePlug technology really makes a lot of sense. It promotes interoperability and we view it as a convenient way to share broadband Internet services throughout the home," said Mark Francisco, senior director of advanced technology products, New Media Development, Comcast Corporation. "Consumers already have a number of broadband-enabled devices in their homes, and we anticipate HomePlug playing an even greater role in the future as additional products and services come to market."

In-Stat research shows that the HomePlug standards are receiving renewed support this year. In 2005, the Alliance's initial specification, HomePlug 1.0, continued to achieve mass adoption. Earlier this year, the HomePlug Alliance surpassed its three millionth HomePlug powerline communications product shipped.

There are more than 60 different products embedded with HomePlug 1.0 technology. Some of the companies that have announced HomePlug-compatible products this year include Intellon, NComputing, NETGEAR, Sling Media and Telenet. Building on this momentum, the HomePlug Alliance plans to engage in broader educational efforts in 2006.

Implementers Forum

As a result of increased HomePlug technology adoption, the HomePlug Alliance announced the formation of an Implementer's Forum. This group, comprised of sponsor members, is designed to help educate and promote the family of interoperable global standards supporting an in-home broadband backbone for the distribution of rich multimedia content (HomePlug 1.0 and AV), the forthcoming low-speed command and control standard (HomePlug Command and Control) and to-the-home broadband access through the utility power grid (HomePlug BPL). According to a December report from ABI Research, the implementation of BPL technologies may allow utility companies to implement new cost-saving services.

HomePlug Technology Update

In 2005, the HomePlug Alliance:

--Approved the HomePlug AV specification - the fastest and most robust and secure industry standard for powerline communication targeting digital entertainment home networking;

--Commenced the next stage of the Alliance's efforts to develop a specification for an advanced command and control technology, known as HomePlug Command & Control (HPCC);

--Developed a co-existence solution that allows multiple powerline communications technologies to share the same wire, while maintaining robust transmission speeds, effective quality of service (QoS) and a favorable user experience.

"With the introduction of the specifications for the next-generation of the HomePlug technology, major product manufacturers and service providers are interested in integrating HomePlug AV into future products," said Matt Theall. "Since these products will be based on the Alliance's open standards and will work together, we expect that the introduction of these products to market in 2006 will continue to propel the adoption of HomePlug technology."

Worldwide Presence and Events

--January 5 through 8, 2006 - The HomePlug Alliance will attend CES in Las Vegas where it will demonstrate HomePlug AV and HomePlug 1.0 and will showcase compliant products from a variety of HomePlug-member companies at booth # 26924 in South Hall 2, Tech Home section at the Las Vegas Convention Center;

--November 16, 2005 - HomePlug hosted its premier Japan executive seminar with speakers from HomePlug members Arkados, Intel, Intellon, RadioShack and Sharp. This highly-successful event educated consumer electronics companies about the HomePlug technology and addressed challenges including interference, co-existence and worldwide regulatory issues as they pertain to Asia;

--October through December 2005 - HomePlug kicked off its first world tour to help unify the powerline communications market and bring interoperable standard technologies to the world. Alliance officials traveled to Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea and Europe and participated in events including Intel Developer Forum (IDF), Net-atHome Conference and PLC World Summit.

--For more information about HomePlug events, visit www.homeplug.org.

All interested parties are invited to join the HomePlug Powerline Alliance and contribute to the development of its specifications and broaden the growing list of applications. Companies interested in receiving information about the HomePlug Powerline Alliance are invited to contact Executive Director Rob Ranck ([e-mail]) for details on membership and activities.

About the HomePlug(R) Powerline Alliance:

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. is an industry-led initiative established to create specifications for home high-speed powerline networking products and command & control among platforms within the home, and broadband access services to the home. The Alliance accelerates demand for HomePlug-enabled products and services worldwide through the sponsorship of market and user education programs. Membership in the Alliance has grown to include over 55 industry-leading companies. HomePlug Sponsor companies include Cisco (CSCO); Comcast (CMCSK); EarthLink (ELNK); GE Security, Inc., an affiliate of General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE); Intel Corporation (INTC); Motorola (MOT); RadioShack Corporation (RSH); Sharp Laboratories of America; and Sony (SNE). Contributor members include Arkados, Inc. a subsidiary of CDKNet.com, Inc. (OTCBB:CDKN); Conexant (CNXT); and Intellon Corporation. Additional information about the Alliance, including a complete listing of certified products, is available at http://www.homeplug.org.

HomePlug is a registered trademark of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks mentioned and/or used belong to their respective owners.