Thomson to Provide Cox Communications with CableLabs DOCSIS 1.1 Certified RCA High-Speed Digital Cable Modems Under Joint Agreement.

Business & High-Tech Editors

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2002

Latest Agreement Extends Thomson's Commercial Relationships

With All Major MSOs Now Embracing RCA Modems for

Residential and Commercial Network Use

Cox Communications, Inc. and Thomson multimedia (Paris Euronext:18453) (NYSE:TMS) today announced a joint agreement naming Thomson as a Cox Inventoried Cable Modem Vendor for CableLabs(R) DOCSIS 1.1 certified RCA DCM245 high-speed digital cable modems.

The arrangement allows for the RCA DCM245 to be purchased directly by all Cox systems. The RCA DCM245 has the connection flexibility of both USB and 10/100BaseT Ethernet with auto-sensing. The agreement also strongly enhances the close commercial relationship Thomson has established with major cable operators, evidenced by the fact that the RCA cable modem is among the only brands approved for network use by all major MSOs.

"Today's agreement with Cox Communications marks a significant validation for our modem design which not only optimizes MSO revenue opportunities but also reduces the cable operator's cost of doing business," said Thomson's Peter Polit, General Manager -- Broadband Data and VoIP. "The Thomson/Cox alliance is mutually beneficial -- it expands Thomson's broadband data strategy supporting CableLabs standards and it provides Cox with the latest RCA digital cable modems. Like other operators, Cox can benefit immensely from our value-added features and reduce their costs."

"With the RCA DCM245, we recognize Thomson as an industry leader both in cable modem product development and in field support," said Jay Rolls, Vice President, Data Engineering, of Cox Communications. "While we have supported subscriber-supplied RCA cable modems on our networks all along, we look forward to working with Thomson as a direct supplier of units for the Cox network."

Polit said Thomson's field technical support organization provides training, trouble shooting and maintenance both by telephone and onsite for Tier II and III support. The company utilizes a simple but effective diagnostic tool that enables sophisticated trouble shooting from any NOC (Network Operating Center) or call center. In addition, Thomson's flexible and responsive development team quickly assimilates field-engineering reports into enhanced software code. Key features of RCA high-speed digital cable modems include the following:

-- USB and 10/100 BaseT Ethernet connections.

-- Quick installation with start-up LED sequencing.

-- Built-in advanced diagnostics.

-- Data on/off button for xtra security.

-- DOCSIS 1.1 certified.

-- Support for up to 32 PCs.

-- Available with advanced home network management software delivering extra values for operators and consumers. When authorized by the MSO, the software can:

-- Enable the modem to act as a NAT/PAT router for up to 254 PCs.

-- Deliver a Statefull inspection firewall.

-- Include Pop-up, JAVA and Cookie Content Filters.

Thomson is among the world's leading suppliers of solutions for the convergence of entertainment and information technologies and has shipped over two million digital cable modems worldwide.

Certain statements in this press release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of Thomson is contained in Thomson's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Thomson

With sales of 10.5 billion Euros (U.S. $9.3 billion) in 2001 and 73,000 employees in more than 30 countries, Thomson multimedia (Paris Euronext: 18453) (NYSE: TMS) provides a wide range of video (and enabling) technologies, systems, finished products and services to consumers and professionals in the entertainment and media industries. To advance and enable the digital media transition, Thomson multimedia has five principal activities: Digital Media Solutions, Displays and Components, Consumer Products, Patents and Licensing and New Media Services. The company distributes its products and services under the THOMSON, RCA and TECHNICOLOR brand names. For more information: www.thomson-multimedia.com.