DoBox Inc. Launches Field Trial with Leading Cable Company; Kansas-Based Sunflower Cablevision is First to Conduct Home Server Gateway Field Trial for Cable Subscribers

Business Wire, May 9, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2001

DoBox Inc., a leading provider of software to power Home Server Gateways and provide parental control management of Internet use, Wednesday announced that Sunflower Cablevision in Lawrence, Kan. is conducting a field trial of the DoBox software to offer home networking capabilities to customers of Datavision, the company's high-speed cable Internet access service.

DoBox's Home Server Gateway and patent-pending Family Firewall(TM) parental-control system offers a platform for OEM vendors and service providers to deliver simple, secure home networking products, as well as advanced content and services. Residential users can connect their home network to the high-speed Internet, while using the tools they need to manage the use of "always-on" broadband connections throughout the home.

By linking PCs, devices and other appliances into a centralized network, DoBox's Home Server Gateway allows home users to securely access the Internet, share information and applications, and integrate new content and services. The Family Firewall parental-control system offers added security and privacy -- parents can easily manage, filter and monitor Web content, chat, email and game use.

Industry experts agree that this type of parental control capability is quickly emerging as the "killer app" for residential gateways. According to the recent UCLA Internet Report, 88 percent of adults keep a close eye on how their children use the Internet, with more than 30 percent already using software to help them manage their children's access to information.

Recognizing this trend, Sunflower Cablevision approached DoBox to help support their initiative to bring home networking to its high-speed cable customers. Sunflower's customers include more than 80 percent of the homes in Lawrence; approximately 20 percent of those homes currently access the company's high-speed cable Internet services.

As a privately held cable company, Sunflower is one of the most aggressive in adopting the latest technologies in order to continuously provide its customers with new and innovative service offerings. The company was one of the first in the United States to offer cable modems to its customers, and is now the first cable provider to launch a residential gateway field trial.

"Sunflower is committed to offering personalized tools that help our customers manage their technology effectively. We started this a few years ago with 'Geeks on Wheels,' which offers in-home computer consulting and troubleshooting," explained Dan Simons, director of New Ventures, The World Co., parent company of the Sunflower cable division.

"Home networking is the perfect extension of this commitment. As our customers' homes become increasingly sophisticated, with multiple computers and Internet devices, we want to be there to help them bring it all together within a secure home network. DoBox is helping us achieve this."

In the first phase of testing, Sunflower is deploying the DoBox software in a number of customer homes, in addition to a handful of home offices in the Lawrence area. DoBox is also working with Everex Communications on a complete solution for the Sunflower field trial, featuring the DoBox software running on Everex's IntelliWAY(TM) hardware design platform.

"We are thrilled to partner with Sunflower to provide users throughout Lawrence with an opportunity to test the next generation of home networking for themselves," said Nicole Toomey Davis, president and chief executive officer of DoBox Inc.

"With the DoBox software, Sunflower enables its customers to ensure the protection and privacy of family members using any computer, appliance or device in the home to browse the Internet, share applications and services, and access online chat, email and gaming capabilities."

About DoBox Inc.

Established in 1999, DoBox Inc. is a leading provider of OEM software to power Home Server Gateways for the broadband-connected, networked home. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, the company focuses on developing leading-edge technology to simplify the delivery of broadband connectivity and services to networked residential customers.

DoBox currently offers a complete line of advanced Home Server Gateway and Family Firewall(TM) parental-control software technologies, aimed at helping leading product partners and service providers securely "Internet-enable" a broad range of information and entertainment devices inside the home.

For more information, contact DoBox Inc. at 801/446-4404 ext. 201, or access the company's Web site at http://www.dobox.com.