Cable Builds on its Commitment to Carrier Ethernet

Several new members, new certifications and training opportunities
mark the fast-growing relationship between the Metro Ethernet Forum
(MEF) and the cable industry. Tomorrow sees the first full day of
training for cable engineers organized by the MEF in conjunction with
the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), while the
cable industry's commitment is exemplified by the news of
CableLabs(R)' joining the MEF.

Charles Bergren, Engineer, CableLabs, commented: "CableLabs is
working actively with Cable MSOs and the MEF to ensure the
interoperability, manageability, scalability, and deployment of
Business Ethernet Services. "Toward these ends, we are also taking
steps to align DOCSIS HFC as an access technology for cable
operators."

The last 12 months have seen a surge in MEF membership, including
an influx of new members from the cable industry committed to Carrier
Ethernet for competitive Business Services. Building on existing MEF
cable operator members Cox Communications, ntl:telewest, Optimum
Lightpath, RCN and Time Warner Cable, the latest additions from the
cable industry include, in addition to CableLabs, service providers
Comcast Communications, Suddenlink and Bright House Networks.
Collectively, MEF US cable operator members now represent over 75% of
the cable footprint in the U.S. In the words of Andre Martineau, Sr.
Director, Business Solutions, Bright House Networks: "As a member of
the MEF, we are ideally placed to keep pace with developments and
opportunities as well as to play our part in shaping Carrier Ethernet
developments to match the future needs of our customers."

The MEF's certification program is a key element in MEF's strategy
to promote Carrier Ethernet as the leading global communications
technology. Beginning in 2005 with certification of vendor systems'
ability to deliver MEF-compliant services, the program expanded last
year to include the world's first service provider certification
program and is now extending to certification of compliance to MEF
Quality of Service attributes too. Cox Communications, the third
largest cable television company in the United States, recently
received certification of compliance to MEF9 global Carrier Ethernet
Service definitions. "Our customers count on us to deliver robust and
reliable next-generation Ethernet services to support their needs for
rapidly increasing bandwidth and greater network simplicity," said
Kristine Faulkner, VP Product Development and Management, Cox Business
Services, "the MEF's focus on standardization and operability has many
benefits to our customers, including ease of management and delivery
of reliable, multiple services over one pipe."

Tomorrow the MEF, in conjunction with the Society of Cable
Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), will host a full day of training
for the cable industry engineering community. Co-located with the SCTE
Cable-Tec Expo conference, this provides another example of the
growing cooperation between the industry leaders.

About the MEF:

The MEF is a global industry alliance comprising more than 120
organizations including telecommunications service providers, cable
MSOs, network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors
and testing organizations. The MEF's mission is to accelerate the
worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services.
The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and
implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment
of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.

For more information about the Forum, including a complete listing
of all current MEF members, please visit the MEF web site at
http://www.MetroEthernetForum.org/

Editors Note:

-- Please join MEF press conference call on Tuesday, June 19th at
11am ET for a major industry announcement concerning the
world's first certification program for Service Providers,
URL: www.netevents.tv/docuplayer.asp?docid=109 - Tel: +44 20
8974 7900, Passcode: 397 662

-- If you are visiting SCTE in Orlando please join the MEF press
briefing in the SCTE Media room W209 B/C at 3:00pm ET on
Wednesday June 20th