2WIRE HOMEPORTAL 1000HW/1800HW IMPROVES DSL MODEM PERFORMANCE.

2Wire, Inc., a provider of intelligent DSL gateways, has extended wireless networks to more rooms and more homes with the launch of the HomePortal 1000HW and 1800HW products. The residential gateways enable DSL service providers to offer a one-box solution that delivers the best wireless data rate over the footprint of an entire house.

The latest versions of 2Wire's DSL product line feature a new hardware platform that help to eliminate wireless "coldspots" in the home, where users are unable to access the network. The new platform increases Wi-Fi reach and DSL performance, while still providing the ease of use and remote manageability that DSL service providers require.

The gateways incorporate 2Wire's high-powered 802.11b wireless technology that extends Wi-Fi reach while maintaining maximum throughput. By increasing the transmission power of the gateways to 400 milliwatts, approximately seven times the power of most Wi-Fi products sold in retail today, 2Wire extends Wi-Fi coverage to more rooms in the home. The new products also feature three antennae, instead of the more common two, to improve receive sensitivity, while reducing transmission power losses.

The HomePortal 1000HW and 1800HW gateways also include new ADSL modem technology, which improves DSL performance for homes farthest away from the local exchange, allowing service providers to reach more customers with improved service. The new modem also minimizes common interference with devices in the home such as dimmer switches, fluorescent lighting, AM radio and alarms connected to the ADSL line.

"We know from our customer care center that the most common problems consumers face when setting up a wireless home network are associated with wireless coverage," said Jaime Fink, director of product marketing at 2Wire. "The common view is that increased bandwidth is the top priority -- but if you can't access the network from many of the rooms in your house, all the bandwidth in the world won't help you."

2Wire's high-power technology and three-antenna design permit consumers to access the network from each room in their home by increasing reach. Additionally, to further reduce the likelihood of truck rolls or troubleshooting calls, the new ADSL modem eliminates problems associated with interference from other devices in the home.

"Intelligent residential gateways are becoming the central platform for delivering an ever-widening range of broadband voice, data and entertainment services to subscribers," said Kurt Scherf, vice president of research at Parks Associates. "Service providers are therefore seeking enhanced gateway reliability and performance, while at the same time reducing support costs. By enhancing Wi-Fi performance, 2Wire has found a way to meet consumer demands for wireless connectivity throughout the home and meet the industry's demands for a more reliable and cost-effective ADSL modem."

The HomePortal 1000HW residential gateway includes an integrated ADSL modem, a high-performance router, 1-port 10/100 Ethernet switch, a professional grade firewall and an integrated 802.11b access point. HomePortal 1800HW residential gateway includes the same features but offers a 4-port 10/100 Ethernet switch. The products are available from leading service providers.

About 2Wire

2Wire is a provider of intelligent service delivery platforms for the DSL broadband market. Its flagship products include the HomePortal residential gateways, the first to allow broadband subscribers to connect to the high-speed Internet with an integrated DSL modem, network multiple devices in their home via Wi-Fi, Ethernet and HPNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance), protect every device on the network with a professional grade firewall, and access a variety of advanced broadband services.

2Wire's gateways are distributed exclusively by the major DSL service providers, including SBC, BellSouth and BT plc. 2Wire helps its partners acquire subscribers and grow revenues by offering a range of broadband applications that can be delivered via its platforms, such as its Firewall Monitor, Parental Controls and Web Remote Access enhanced services. The company continues to invest in developing technologies that allow DSL service providers to offer a complete "triple-play" of data, voice and entertainment services.

Customers also benefit from an integrated back-end management system that reduces customer support calls by enabling remote diagnostics, pre-emptive troubleshooting and automated software upgrade delivery.

Headquartered in San Jose, California, 2Wire was founded in July 1998 by Brian L. Hinman, a co-founder of PictureTel Corporation and Polycom, Inc.

2Wire can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.2wire.com/.

For more information, call 415/277-5463.