Epigram iLine10 Powers Cisco Systems' CES Consumer Network Demonstration; Concurrent Voice, Video and Data at 10 Mbps With No New Wiring Key to Consumer Networking Deployment

Business Wire, Jan 7, 1999

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 1999--Highlighting a unified home network for Internet applications, telephone service and TV service, Epigram announced today that its InsideLine(TM) home networking technology is the foundation of Cisco Systems' Consumer Electronic Show (CES) home network demonstration.

The Cisco network uses existing phoneline and standard telephone (RJ-11) wall jacks for a single home network supplying concurrent voice, digital video and computer data to household phones, TVs and PCs.

Cisco's CES demonstration highlights several of the devices and applications ready for high-speed, easy to use home networks. Cisco is using products based on Epigram's iLine10(TM) chipsets to connect multiple computing and consumer electronic devices through a 10mbps phoneline backbone while aggregating both category 5 wire and wireless network branches.

iLine10 chipsets extend 10 Mbps Ethernet to 20 million miles of installed phoneline throughout households and small business locations everywhere. More than 100 million U.S. households and small businesses are now pre-wired for next generation networks.

"Epigram's InsideLine technology makes an important contribution to Cisco's demonstration of consumer devices and networked applications at CES," said Robba Benjamin, vice president and general manager of Cisco's Consumer Line of Business. "The potential for home networks will be enhanced by the ability to offer easy installation, no new wiring and high-speed performance."

The momentum behind home networking is gaining considerable steam as the broadband networking engine brings high-speed networking to the home and small business. In a related CES keynote Cisco CEO John Chambers plans to demonstrate how the company will deliver broadband into and throughout the home.

Much of this new network within the home hinges on Cisco working with leading consumer device manufacturers and technology suppliers like Epigram.

Simple as Plugging in a Telephone

Creating tens of millions of home networks continues the Internet revolution. According to industry statistics, there are more than 18 million U.S. households with multiple PCs. Plugging in iLine10-enhanced devices, such as a PC modem, into standard telephone wall jacks immediately makes any consumer an expert home network installer. Suppliers of easy to use networking products are quickly growing in number.

Consumer electronics manufacturers, network equipment suppliers and PC manufacturers are already planning to sell iLine10-equipped devices for enabling shared access to the Internet and to other connected devices in the home. Epigram's iLine10 chipset expands vendor options for creating products capable of offering information access to any information-thirsty device using existing phoneline without affecting telephone service.

"Epigram is proud to deliver concurrent 10 Mbps capabilities for Cisco's network at CES," said Jeff Thermond, President and CEO of Epigram, Inc.

"Pairing the leader in networking for the Internet with the originator of high-speed home networking demonstrates that broadband networking applications throughout the home will happen in 1999. Both small businesses and households are ready now to experience lightening fast networking over their existing wiring without disrupting voice communications," added Thermond.

About Epigram

Epigram, founded in 1996, delivers silicon for 10 Mbps high-speed networking throughout the home using existing phoneline. The company's InsideLine local area networking technology gives consumers and small business owners a concurrent digital dial tone with their telephone service.

Epigram's iLine10 chipset family moves 10 Mbps and higher Ethernet over challenging copper wiring environments including existing phonelines. These silicon devices are easily embedded within a PC, Modem, Cable Modem, Set Top Box, television or any other products with a thirst for information. Additional Epigram information is available at http://www.epigram.com.