HP Announces Plans For Migrating HP QuickBurst Cable Modem And HP QuickBurst Link Router To The MCNS Specification; HP's Dual-mode Link Router Allows Easy Migration to the MCNS Specification While Protecting Cable Operators' Existing Investments

Business Wire, March 17, 1997

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 1997-- Hewlett-Packard Company today announces its MCNS (Multimedia Cable Network System)-specification migration plan that, when fully implemented, makes the HP QuickBurst Link, including the HP QuickBurst Cable Modem and the HP QuickBurst Link Router, compliant with the MCNS specification released to date.

"Our dual-mode link router will position HP as one of the first solution providers with an MCNS-specification-compliant product," said Bill Hahn, manager of operations for HP's Interactive Broadband Products, Video Communications Division. "This migration plan illustrates HP's leadership position as a supporter of industry standards and provides operators with a simple and cost-effective transition program that protects their pre-MCNS investments."

DUAL-MODE LINK ROUTER

To achieve this compliance, HP developed a dual-mode Link Router, which allows HP's current MXL (Multimedia Transmission Link) protocol to co-exist with the MCNS protocol. As a flexible and robust headend platform, the Link Router is able to accept both MXL and MCNS card sets. HP's dual-mode Link Router is available now with the MXL card set. The corresponding MCNS card set and a compatible cable modem are expected to be available in early 1998.

With this dual-protocol configuration, each protocol can operate simultaneously either in different nodes or on different frequencies in the same nodes. This allows the cable operator to migrate easily to a MCNS-specification-compliant product simply by adding the additional MCNS card sets.

North American cable operators developed the MCNS specification and are expected to deploy MCNS-compliant products to take advantage of the specification's various benefits, including its scalability, foundation for future applications and services, ability to work with ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) technology, capability to deliver guaranteed bandwidth or quality of service, and overall performance.

HP's Interactive Broadband Products, Video Communications Division, provides broadband network operators with products, including the HP QuickBurst Link, to enable interactive services for the home. As part of HP's end-to-end Broadband Internet Delivery System or as a best-in-class component, the HP QuickBurst Link provides PC users with media-rich interactive data services that transform their online experience. Information about HP QuickBurst Cable Modem products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/info/QuickBurst .

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global manufacturer of computing, communications and measurement products and services recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 112,800 employees and had revenues of $38.4 billion in its 1996 fiscal year.

CONTACT: Hewlett-Packard Company

Jeff Hornung, 408/343-5446

jeff_hornung@hp.com

or

Golin/Harris for HP

Chris Olmstead, 213/623-4200

colmstead@golinharris.com