Digital Trends

Comcast is offering to customers a new all-in-one product by Linksys that integrates a cable modem and a wireless 802.11G router.

Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems, Inc., today announced the deployment of the Linksys Wireless-G Cable Gateways as part of the Comcast Home Networking Platform. This teaming helped deliver the industry's first CableHome deployment, which includes a certified all-in-one networking hardware device —the Wireless-G Cable Gateway (WCG200) — which makes it easy for households to share a cable broadband connection wired or wirelessly throughout the home.

Comcast, the nation's top broadband provider, is offering "Comcast Home Networking" to its current and new high-speed Internet customers. Users who sign up for the service can receive a Linksys wireless gateway, along with network adapters for connecting up to five computers, professional installation, multiple levels of security, and increased downstream speed of up to 4Mbps. Customers can simply add the home networking program by calling, clicking or emailing Comcast customer service.

"We are pleased to incorporate the Linksys wireless gateway technology into Comcast's Home Networking platform. With Comcast Home Networking, customers don't have to worry about the ins and outs of setting up and maintaining a home networking system," said Greg Butz, senior vice president of marketing and business development for Comcast Online. "Comcast Home Networking is a complete end-to-end service platform that finally frees consumers to simply enjoy the benefits of home networking. Linksys is a valued brand, and including their popular gateways into our customers' homes helps us further enhance their enjoyment of the home networking experience."

The Linksys new Wireless-G Cable Gateway provides a number of features that will further enhance Comcast customers' experience on the Internet:

• CableHome 1.0 support for the ability to deliver secure, managed services from Comcast's head-end network to the subscribers' home network.
• DOCSIS 1.0 and 2.0 Certified Cable Modem for an "always-on" connection to the Internet
• Wireless-G (802.11g) and Wireless B (802.11b) functionality for support of the all the families wireless devices
• Full router capabilities which allows multiple devices to share one Internet connection
• 4-Port 10/100 Switch for connection and sharing of wired devices such as printers or scanners
• USB Adapter Port for direct connection to a notebook computer or desktop computer
• Enhanced firewall protection with Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), Internet access time limits, key word blocking, denial of service (DoS), Mac Filtering, WEP and DMZ

Instat/MDR, a leading market research firm, reports that in 2003, there were 11.1 Million home networks installed in the US and by 2005, almost 1/5 of all homes in the US will have a home network. Last year, of the 25 million broadband Internet subscribers in the US, 15.6 Million were Cable subscribers. These numbers show that almost half the broadband subscribers today have a home network; and going forward, most subscribers will have a network.

Mike Wolf, Principal Analyst, Consumer Content and Connectivity for Instat/MDR said, "The teaming of Linksys and Comcast is a milestone for service provider deployments of gateways and home networking services. The gateway is an important differentiator for operators as they look to provide more value through the delivery of Internet and managed IP services. As leaders in their respective industries, the teaming of Comcast and Linksys can help drive the adoption of Internet sharing and connectivity as well as make the deployment of Internet services a reality."

The cable modem + wireless-g router is the first gateway to include CableLabs' industry standard CableHome 1.0, which insures interoperability and compatibility with other CableHome compliant devices as well as enables the delivery of secure, managed IP services from the cable operator's network to the subscribers' home network. The gateway will also enable Comcast to update the gateway with new services and features or perform remote troubleshooting to give customers a more robust and worry-free way to access and share their broadband experience.

Linksys director of broadband, Matthew McRae said, "Comcast's endorsement of CableHome and home networking for their users further supports the additional value and benefits that networking hardware can bring to families with a high-speed Internet connection. Teaming with Comcast to deploy our gateway will help to raise the awareness level on broadband sharing while making it easier for consumers to get all the hardware they need to set up a home network."

Comcast Home Networking is available today throughout most of the Comcast nationwide footprint. More information about this program is available at www.homenetworking.comcast.net. Detailed information about the Linksys cable gateway can be found online at: Linksys: WCG200 - Wireless-G Cable Gateway. Please note that speed estimates for data transmission may vary due to individual and environmental conditions.