ITU Approves HomePNA 3.1 as a Global Multimedia Home Networking Standard.

HomePNA No-New-Wires Technology Earns Unrivaled Standardization With ITU-T Recommendation G9954 (01/2007)

SAN RAMON, Calif. -- HomePNA announced today that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has standardized the HomePNA 3.1 multimedia home networking specification, making HomePNA the only internationally standardized existing-wire home networking technology. HomePNA 3.1 enables service providers to offer high-speed, triple-play Internet services over both phone wires and coaxial cables at speeds up to 320 megabits per second.

ITU standards promote technology adoption because they facilitate interconnectivity and enable telecommunication services to be provided on a worldwide scale. While the ITU standardizes technology at the global level, HomePNA members develop, promote and certify market-worthy technology.

"Standards are an absolute necessity before service providers proceed to mass deployments of home networking solutions," said Steve Rago, principal analyst at iSuppli Corporation. "Telcos and MSOs require a guaranteed chain of supply - multiple vendors offering interoperable products - and standards enable guaranteed supply. Major consumer product suppliers also need standards to guarantee interoperability with other consumer networking devices in the home."

"This announcement is an excellent example of the spirit of cooperation that now pervades in the standards world," said Malcolm Johnson, director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, ITU. "International standards in home networking will facilitate access to global markets and allow for economies of scale in production and distribution. We applaud HomePNA's initiative and look forward to working together in the future."

HomePNA technology facilitates interoperability and convergence of all networked entertainment and computer Internet Protocol (IP) data devices in the home over existing coax and phone wires. The technology can enable service providers to reduce installation costs, utilize remote management and diagnostics to reduce operational expenses, and even lower end-user costs through unified billing.

"Working together, HomePNA members have driven the development and standardization of HomePNA technology. They will be the first to benefit from the standard," said Rich Nesin, HomePNA president and vice president of marketing for Coppergate Communications. "The ITU Recommendation demonstrates to the home networking market that HomePNA technology enables a worldwide market for advanced home networking applications like triple-play IPTV, VoIP and other next-generation services."

About HomePNA

HomePNA is an incorporated, non-profit association of industry-leading companies working together to promote adoption of networking industry standards using existing home wiring. Members of HomePNA develop industry standards over both phone line and coaxial cables with the intent to rapidly bring to market a range of interoperable data and audio/video home networking solutions.

Founded in June 1998, HomePNA members represent cutting-edge international companies that span the networking, telecommunications, hardware, software and consumer electronics industries. For more information on HomePNA, visit www.homepna.org.

About ITU-T

The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is one of the three Sectors of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ITU-T was created on 1 March 1993 within the framework of the "new" ITU, replacing the former International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) whose origins go back to 1865. The ITU-T mission is to ensure an efficient and on-time production of high quality standards (Recommendations) covering all fields of telecommunications except radio aspects. The main products of ITU-T are the Recommendations.