Wave Broadband Selects BigBand Networks' VOD Edge; Seattle-Area Operator Expands Existing...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2004

BigBand Networks, Inc., a leading provider of broadband multimedia platform solutions for broadcast television and on-demand services, today announced that Wave Broadband is deploying BigBand

VOD Edge to launch video-on-demand services in its cable systems serving Western Washington. This BME50(TM) (Broadband Multimedia-Service Edge) installation achieves Gigabit Ethernet networking, QAM modulation and RF upconversion at high port density, alongside the operator's existing use of BigBand HDTV on the BMR(R)(Broadband Multimedia-Service Router).

"VOD and HDTV are important and exciting offerings for Wave Broadband subscribers, and we are pleased to collaborate with BigBand Networks on both," said Steven Weed, chief executive officer for Wave Broadband. "Our selection of BigBand Networks' platforms is validated by this expansion, which further leverages their excellent products and customer support services. BigBand Networks' pay-as-you-grow model provides Wave Broadband with attractive options as we continue rolling out advanced services for our subscribers in a timely and cost-effective manner."

Wave Broadband subscribers connected to the BigBand VOD Edge deployment gain instant access to movies and basic programming with full control over their viewing experiences. The deployment integrates the BME50 with nCUBE's nABLE interactive management software and on-demand server. IP connections network VOD servers to BME50s at edge locations. The BME50 assures video quality and performs QAM modulation and RF upconversion for accessibility by any digital set-top box. Service uptime is maximized through multiple redundant and hot-swappable components on the BME50.

"BigBand Networks is proud to partner with Wave Broadband as it continues expanding its line-up of advanced services for subscribers," said Brian Bentley, senior vice president of worldwide sales for BigBand Networks. "The NativeMedia architecture underlying all of BigBand Networks' platforms provides Wave Broadband with strengths in networked deployment, software management, and service reliability for HDTV, VOD, and any additional services the operator chooses to introduce."

BigBand VOD Edge on the BME50 incorporates IP switching and routing, and intensive media processing, within a networked, multi-service environment. Benefits include:

-- Support of any VOD deployment architecture and all major

server and physical transport providers;

-- Rapid and easy launch and scaling of VOD and other services

through intelligent software management tools;

-- Protocol conversion, de-jitter, and QAM/RF at greatest video

quality, space efficiency, and performance reliability; and

-- IP networking, media processing and platform programmability

provide flexibility for ongoing enhancements.

ABOUT BIGBAND NETWORKS

BigBand Networks, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells and supports platforms for broadband multimedia services. These platforms are built on the company's NativeMedia(TM) technology uniquely capable of communicating and processing video, audio and data in their native formats. The field-upgradeable architecture combines advanced hardware and software technologies for high performance with agility to optimize for each service supported. This enables network operators to cost-effectively expand revenue-generating offerings of broadcast-quality content and advanced, interactive services. Services supported by BigBand Networks' platforms include digital broadcast television, HDTV, transport of high quality video, ad insertion, VOD and iTV. The company's customers include Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Adelphia Communications, Mediacom Communications and Rogers Cable. BigBand Networks is based in Redwood City, CA. For more information on BigBand Networks, please visit www.bigbandnet.com.

ABOUT WAVE BROADBAND

Wave Broadband is a newly formed company currently providing high speed Internet, cable television and digital cable to approximately 50,000 customers in Western Washington. Wave Broadband intends to offer the best cable products at the best value to its customers including HDTV and VOD. Owned and operated by local industry leaders, Wave's customers are supported by decades of cable know-how. For more information on Wave Broadband, please visit www.wavebroadband.com.