Actiontec Announces Home Networking/56K Modem Combo Card; Uses Home Phone Wiring for Easy Installation

Business Wire, April 28, 1999

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 1999--

Actiontec Electronics Inc., a leading manufacturer of data communications and wireless products, announced today the ActionLink(TM) Home Networking/56K Modem Combo Card. The card combines the easy-to-use ActionLink home networking system and a high-performance 56K modem into a single card solution that uses just one expansion slot normally occupied by the PC's modem.

With the powerful all-in-one PCI interface card, users can utilize existing telephone lines to connect multiple PC's and peripherals to each other and the Internet, and turn PCs into complete home office communication centers. Fast and easy to install, the Plug-n-Play card interconnects multiple PC's over existing home telephone wiring without interfering with telephone service. One of the first products in Actiontec's expanding ActionLink home networking product line, the card eliminates the expense and inconvenience of running dedicated networking cables.

"The growing number of households with multiple computers has created a huge demand for in-home networks," stated Alex Hewko, vice president of channel sales and marketing for Actiontec. "The ActionLink Home Networking/56K Modem Combo Card is a convenient and comprehensive solution for home networking that also satisfies a user's entire data communication needs, and it is easy to install."

Assuring interoperability between PC's and peripherals as the network grows, the ActionLink Home Networking/56K Modem Combo Card is HomePNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance) compliant. The card communicates at a fast 1 Mb/second for robust, high-speed communications, and supports all popular Internet applications, including Web browsing, E-mail, news readers, multiple user games and more.

Unlike conventional networking solutions, the ActionLink technology does not need either special network wiring nor a detailed knowledge of networking protocols. By eliminating the traditional need for trained networking specialists, ActionLink brings the installation and setup of home networks within the reach of virtually all PC users.

The internal V.90 56K modem takes advantage of the PCI bus interface for the most efficient PC bus utilization and compatibility with the latest PC's. The plug-and-play modem maintains its speed efficiency, even when multi-tasking. Supporting even the most sophisticated high-speed data communication needs, the modem operates at up to 56 Kbps, and provides full duplex operation with throughput up to 115,200 bps. The modem is fully compatible with all common modem standards to ensure reliable connections when lower speeds are needed. In the FAX mode, the modem offers send/receive fax capability up to 14,400 bps and provides Group 3 fax support.

The ActionLink Home Networking/56K Modem Combo Card includes Actiontec's DynaNAT(TM) Technology for easy installation, setup, and Internet access. With the DynaNAT software, every family member can surf the Web independent of the others, while sharing the same Internet account to save money. For maximum security, the software includes a secure firewall that prevents unauthorized access from the Internet to the connected computers and provides for user-selectable URL filtering to manage and control Internet usage.

The 32-bit PCI bus card is ACPI power management compliant and supports Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT. The card will be available in late May with an MSRP of $89.

About Actiontec

Actiontec has earned an enviable list of awards worldwide, including the prestigious Best of Show award at Retail Xchange, and the Editors Choice award from CNET's computer.com. Actiontec is also collaborating with Lucent Technologies Microelectronics Group in the "The Lucent Edge" campaign.

Actiontec Electronics, Inc. is a significant global player in the data communications marketplace. Actiontec's technically sophisticated products target the needs of SOHO and consumer users of mobile and desktop computers. The company has a track record of growth, attributed primarily to strong relationships in the data communications product marketplace. Actiontec's product line includes a complete line of Home Networking products, Mobile and Desktop Fax/Modems, and Ethernet cards, as well as Internal and External PC Card Read/Write Drives for SmartMedia, CompactFlash and ATA Flash PC Cards. Actiontec's broad range of connectivity and storage products enables desktop computer users to increase productivity and allows mobile computer users to communicate effectively from non-traditional locations.

Actiontec products are available through national distribution and retail outlets as well as through private label and OEM relationships. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA and maintains branch offices in Philadelphia, PA, Government Sales in Arlington, VA, and International Sales in Irvine, CA. Actiontec Inc. can be reached via the Internet at http://www.actiontec.com, or by phone at 408/752-7700.

Actiontec, the Actiontec logo and DynaNAT are trademarks of Actiontec Electronics, Inc. All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective holders.