3Com's Visitor And Community Networks Selected By Computer Telephony Magazine As Product Of The Year 2000

"We are very pleased with Computer Telephony's selection of the VCN System as product of the year," said David Hayward, director of marketing, 3Com Corporation's VBN Division. "The award underlines the system's unique ability to help service providers integrate added-value content to their basic broadband service and therefore help increase revenue and differentiate themselves. Ultimately, consumers will benefit from the radically simple and fast access to content that the VCN System offers."

Helping propel the VCN System into the winner's category (see for full details), was its innovative use of Ethernet over VDSL (Very high-bit rate Digital Subscriber Line) technology and its ability to support additional 3Com innovations such as its NBX business telephone systems. "The primary communication language conducted between today's high-speed, in-building corporate networks is Ethernet.

The VCN System leverages Ethernet's popularity, 3Com's 25-years of experience in providing Ethernet-based connectivity for business and home networks, and next-generation broadband technology VDSL. The net result is the VCN System radically simple, high-speed access and new content delivery services over telephone wiring already installed today in the majority of buildings worldwide," Hayward added.

The VCN Server, provided by VCN partner SolutionInc, was highlighted by Computer Telephony for its easy administration, broadband provisioning and web (or "splash") page features. The article also noted how the server makes the best use of routable IP addresses assigning them only when the device and the application demand it.

"We were quite impressed with 3Com's new Visitor and Community Network System," said Ellen Muraskin, editor, Computer Telephony Magazine. "The VCN System stands out from the competition by offering a full dedicated 10 Mbps, plug-and-play access over existing telephone wiring and a very forward-looking VCN Server, which forces the splash pages to users, and gives plug-and-play broadband provisioning."

"We too are very pleased with this recognition of our technology," said Michael Anaka, President and CEO of SolutionInc Limited. "Our SolutionIPTM server an integrated part of the VCN System resold by 3Com delivers radically simple IP provisioning and network management to service providers and property owners. The IP provisioning masks the network complexity, enabling users to simply plug in and get instant access to rich web-based content, use their corporate e-mail, share documents securely, and set up secure work groups with simple point-and-click commands. The SolutionIP Server combined with 3Com's advanced VCN networking hardware gives service providers and building owners a best-of-breed, complete broadband solution."

3Com's system is an ideal solution for Building Local Exchange Carriers (BLECs), Building Service Providers (BSPs) and other service providers seeking to create in-building broadband networks, offer premium Internet service or enhance existing offerings with new value-added, revenue generating services. These new services encompass DVD-quality video on demand, business and consumer application services, on-line gaming and Internet telephony along with video-conferencing and more.

SolutionInc Limited (www.solutioninc.com) develops unique software intelligence that sits at the 'edge' of the network. SolutionIP? Provides a seamless solution for connecting and managing nomadic users of broadband and wireless networks in public access areas including hospitality and conference locations, service provider central offices, multi-dwelling units, multi-tenant and single-tenant units, campuses and airports.

3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use, connectivity products and solutions for consumers and commercial organizations. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network service providers. For further information, visit at www.3com.com or the press site at .

3Com and NBX are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. SolutionIP is a trademark of SolutionInc, Ltd. More information on 3Com's Visitor and Community Network System can be found within the 3Com.com website at .