News Release
Charter Communications to Accelerate Deployment of Digital Services via Scientific-Atlanta Explorer Set-Tops and DOCSIS Cable Modems
ATLANTA and ST. LOUIS – Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. and Charter Communications jointly announced today an agreement that will further advance Charter’s vision of providing subscribers with a gateway to global and local information and entertainment. Under the agreement Scientific-Atlanta will supply Charter with products including 1,300,000 Explorer® 3000 digital interactive set-tops and 200,000 DOCSIS cable modems, subject to certain conditions, over a two-year period.
In addition to the set-tops and modems, the agreement includes a commitment to purchase 15 Continuum® headends for select systems by the end of calendar year 2000. Scientific-Atlanta’s SciCareÔ Broadband Services will support Charter in rapidly implementing these new networks and products.
The new agreement extends Scientific-Atlanta’s existing relationship with Charter, which to date includes 26 cable systems bringing digital interactive services to consumers. These orders are a key component needed to enable Charter to implement its strategy of offering expanded digital interactive services such as video-on-demand, InternetTV, e-mail and e-commerce to its subscribers.
“Charter has taken a leadership role in pushing forward a vision of what the interactive digital network can become,” said Jim McDonald, president and CEO of Scientific-Atlanta. “We’re delighted to partner with them and help them launch interactive services and achieve new levels of success.”
“Charter is well positioned to bring consumers advanced digital services for the home and office,” states Jerald L. Kent, president and CEO, Charter. “Scientific-Atlanta’s cable modem and Explorer 3000 set-tops are unique in their ability to operate in a single, integrated, IP-based network. That capability will give us the flexibility to leverage our digital network to provide each household with the optimal mix of digital services, set-tops, and cable modems.”
About Charter Communications
Charter Communications, a Wired World company, is among the country’s leading broadband communications companies. Charter serves approximately 6.2 million customers. Charter offers an array of services including cable television under the Charter brand; high-speed Internet access via Charter PipelineÔ; advanced digital video programming services under the Charter Digital CableÔ brand and Charter PagingÔ. Charter is traded on the NASDAQ National Market under the ticker symbol “CHTR.” More information about Charter can be accessed on the Internet at www.chartercom.com
About Scientific-Atlanta
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc (NYSE:SFA) (http://www.scientificatlanta.com) is a leading supplier of broadband transmission networks, digital interactive subscriber systems for video, data, and voice networks, and worldwide customer service and support.
“Forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may be included in this news release. A variety of factors could cause Scientific-Atlanta’s actual results to differ from the anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking statements. Investors are referred to Scientific-Atlanta’s Cautionary Statements (Exhibit 99 to the Company’s most recent Form 10-Q), which statements are incorporated into this news release by reference.
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities, Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Charter Communications’ business which are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause accrual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the reports and documents the company files from time to time with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
For Further Information:
Peggy Ballard
Scientific-Atlanta
770-236-7871
770-331-3814 (mobile)
peggy.ballard@sciatl.com
Stephen Brown
Ketchum Public Relations
404-287-2000 ext. 184
404-277-3467 (mobile)
stephen.brown@ketchum.com
Anita Lamont
Charter Communications
314-543-2215
alamont@charter.com
SciCare is a trademark and Explorer and Continuum are registered trademarks of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. All other products or brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.