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BigBand Networks and NETGEAR® Succeed In Channel Bonding Integration For Faster Broadband Access


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Key emerging DOCSIS practices being demonstrated at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo

SCTE CABLE-TEC EXPO, DENVER – June 21, 2006 – BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data, and NETGEAR, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking products, today announced successful integration of their products for channel bonding. This practice is designed to combine multiple downstream cable modem channels for higher broadband access speeds. The companies announced their collaboration last month, and are now exhibiting their integrated solutions at SCTE (Society of Cable and Telecommunications Engineers) Cable-Tec Expo, which runs here through Friday, June 23.

“With increasing competition between service providers to provide the fastest Internet access, BigBand Networks and NETGEAR are providing timely solutions for the cable industry to achieve downstream speeds of 100 megabits per second or more,” said David James, director of broadband service provider products for NETGEAR. “Moreover, this integration highlights our companies’ dedication to enabling technologies like channel bonding through standards-based interoperability between best-of-breed components from multiple vendors like the BigBand modular CMTS solution and the NETGEAR CM232 Channel Bonding Cable Modem.”

Based on emerging DOCSIS standards from CableLabs, channel bonding practices have potential to increase broadband subscribers’ downstream access speeds by factors ranging from 2 to 20 or more. NETGEAR and BigBand Networks are leveraging their respective strengths in open customer premises equipment and carrier network infrastructure to achieve an end-to-end channel bonding solution based on these standards. The companies have integrated the NETGEAR CM232 Channel Bonding Cable Modem with a modular CMTS (cable modem termination system) solution that combines the BigBand Cuda® CMTS and BigBand BME™ (Broadband Multimedia-Service Edge). The M-CMTS approach is designed to enhance cost effectiveness, density and performance in the headend by dissociating DOCSIS MAC (media access control) functionality on a CMTS platform from physical QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) functionality on an edge platform.

“At Cable-Tec Expo, we are showing some of the most advanced capabilities cable operators can use to economically expand broadband access speeds including the BigBand M-CMTS solution and our collaboration with NETGEAR on channel bonding,” said Gil Kaufman, BigBand Networks’ executive vice president of worldwide engineering. “The rapid completion of channel bonding integration is testament to diligent and focused work by the NETGEAR and BigBand Networks engineering teams.”

The channel bonding integration by NETGEAR and BigBand Networks is being demonstrated at the BigBand Networks booth (#156) at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, in Denver, CO, June 21 – 23. In the demonstration, the BigBand modular CMTS solution delivers multiple downstream channels bonded together to a NETGEAR CM232 accessing this payload at speeds in excess of 100 megabits per second.

About BigBand Networks
BigBand Networks, Inc. is a leading provider of broadband multimedia infrastructure for video, voice and data. Utilizing unique combinations of open technologies, the company’s solutions are designed to process, optimize, and deliver services such as broadband Internet, VoIP, digital broadcast television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, local advertising, VOD, interactive TV and IPTV through any network. Service providers use BigBand Networks’ platforms in efforts to cost-effectively expand revenue-generating offerings of rich content and advanced interactive services. Customers include seven of the ten largest North American cable operators, US telecommunications companies, as well as leading service providers in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Founded in 1998, BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, CA with offices worldwide. For more information, please call 650-995-5000, email info@bigbandnet.com or visit www.bigbandnet.com.

About NETGEAR®, Inc.
NETGEAR® (NASDAQ: NTGR) designs technologically advanced, branded networking products that address the specific needs of small and medium business and home users. The Company’s product offerings enable users to share Internet access, peripherals, files, digital multimedia content and applications among multiple personal computers and other Internet-enabled devices. NETGEAR is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information, visit the Company’s Web site at www.netgear.com or call (408) 907-8000.

© 2006 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Cuda, BME and other BigBand Networks brand and product names are service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of BigBand Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR’s products may not met the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers, product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions, the ability to NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology, and the impact and pricing of competitive products and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled “Part II - Item 1A. Risk Factors,” pages 23 through 32, in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2006. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.



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