Consumer Demand For Home Networking Remains Steady; Parks Associates' Home Networking Findings to be Presented at Pre-CEDIA Workshop on September 4, 2001

Business Wire, August 16, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 2001

A recent survey of 2,500 U.S. households from Parks Associates has revealed steady demand for network connectivity solutions among multiple-PC households, which supports the firm's current forecasts for the home networking market.

The survey, Bundled Services and Residential Gateways, conducted in July 2001, also found that these consumers are most likely to seek home networking solutions based on their ability to share Internet access and peripherals first. A secondary driver for home networking includes entertainment applications.

"This latest batch of research helps us better understand the role of the early-adopter consumer and sheds new light on how home networking will evolve," said Kurt Scherf, vice president of research for Parks Associates. "With a more detailed profile of the purchasers of home networking solutions, we are better able to build forecast models that we believe are more accurate in presenting the outlook for this market."

Parks Associates will present its latest findings on the home networking marketplace on Tuesday, September 4, 2001, in a special workshop prior to the Custom Electronic Design and Installation (CEDIA) Expo in Indianapolis, Ind. Led by Kurt Scherf, vice president of research, and Grayson Evans, president of The Training Department, the workshop is appropriate for both home networking neophytes who need a solid understanding of the networking market and industry veterans who are seeking new market opportunities. The instructors will offer a comprehensive understanding of the consumer and analyze the systems and solutions vying for shelf space, the home builder's perspective on structured wiring and integrated systems, and the essentials for installing and maintaining wired and wireless home networking products and systems.

For additional information about Parks Associates' research and events, including this special workshop, please contact Steve Harvey or Dan White at 972/490-1113 or at sales@parksassociates.com.

About Parks Associates: Parks Associates is a Dallas, Texas-based market research firm specializing in emerging technologies and services for the home and small business. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates provides primary and secondary research on home systems, in-home networks, home security, consumer electronics, telecommunications, Internet service, energy utility, and subscription TV industries. Parks Associates' clients include both Fortune 500 companies and small start-ups. Services include syndicated reports, multiclient studies, custom consulting, workshops, and conferences.