HomePlug Powerline Alliance Sheds Light on Standardization at Broadband over Power Line Conference

Business Wire, July 26, 2004

SAN RAMON, Calif. -- The Industry's Foremost Standards-Setting Body Delivers Lessons on Standardization to an Audience of Powerline Communications Insiders

HomePlug(R) Powerline Alliance, Inc., an industry consortium that creates specifications for high-speed powerline networking products and services, is being well-represented at IQPC's first-ever North American conference on Broadband over Powerline (BPL) technologies. HomePlug-member companies and BoD members Earthlink (Nasdaq:ELNK) and DS2 are featured speakers at the conference. The HomePlug Alliance is there to share its knowledge about the standardization process for powerline technologies.

"In June 2001, the Alliance delivered the world's only global high-speed powerline specification: HomePlug 1.0. It is a robust technology that has proliferated throughout the world," stated HomePlug president Oleg Logvinov, who is also president and CEO of Arkados, Inc., a subsidiary of CDKNet.com, Inc. (OTCBB:CDKN). "The next generation of the home networking technology, called HomePlug AV, is focused on entertainment networking, and is being driven by consumer electronic companies using the same successful development process. Just recently, we announced the development of the MRD for the BPL market. It is our goal to share our knowledge and help the world of powerline communication to develop into a vibrant marketplace."

The Market Requirements Document (MRD) process for BPL technology is underway, and the Alliance recently announced an invitation to utility companies, service providers, network operators, technology developers and others to participate in the development process for a Broadband over Powerline (BPL) specification. Many believe the standard will spur the proliferation of the technology, which has been lauded by President Bush, the FCC's Michael Powell, and others as a viable third option for delivering broadband service to homes.

"We are very proud of our association with The HomePlug Alliance, and are delighted to welcome them on board as exhibitors at Broadband Over Powerline 2004," stated Emma Beaumont, IQPC's Conference Director. The Broadband over Power Line 2004 conference is presented by IQPC and held in Orlando Florida, July 28th and 29th at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Further information can be found at http://www.iqpc.co.uk.

As an open organization, all interested parties are invited to join the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, and contribute to the development of the specification. Companies interested in receiving information regarding the HomePlug Powerline Alliance are invited to contact the Executive Director, Rob Ranck (rranck@inventures.com).

About the HomePlug Powerline Alliance

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. is an industry-led initiative established to create specifications for home powerline networking products and services and to accelerate the demand for these products and services worldwide through the sponsorship of market and user education programs. Currently, the Alliance is comprised of about 50 industry-leading companies. HomePlug Sponsor companies include Arkados, Cogency Semiconductor, Comcast, Conexant, DS2, Earthlink, Intellon, Panasonic, RadioShack, and Sharp. Additional information about the Alliance including a complete listing of certified products is available at http://www.homeplug.org.

HomePlug is a registered trademark of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, Inc. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks mentioned and/or used belong to their respective owners.