StarHub and Motorola to Spearhead Cable Broadband Development with Center of Excellence for Asia

StarHub and Motorola to Spearhead Cable Broadband Development with Center of Excellence for Asia

StarHub plans to launch public trial soon to allow surfing at up to 100Mbps, with commercial launch targeted for 2H 2006

SINGAPORE, June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- StarHub, Singapore's second largest info-communications provider, and Motorola, Inc., (NYSE:MOT), the global communications leader and a pioneer in developing channel-bonding solutions for Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) networks today announced that the companies will work together to establish a DOCSIS(R) 3.0 Center of Excellence for Asia which will be based in Singapore.

The center will be used to support deployments of channel-bonding technology based on the proposed DOCSIS(R) 3.0 specification, as well as serve as a knowledge hub to other operators in Asia that are looking to bring ultra-broadband access capabilities into their cable networks using channel-bonding technology.

The proposed DOCSIS(R) 3.0 specification, currently in development, is an open standard that will allow cable operators to optimize their high-speed data transmission more efficiently. Channel bonding technology enables a cable operator to bond multiple physical network channels into a single, virtual, high-bandwidth channel. StarHub is currently upgrading its broadband HFC cable network to be compliant with the proposed DOCSIS(R) 3.0 specification, which will provide ultra-broadband access capabilities up to 100Mbps. StarHub will be the first operator in the world to rollout channel-bonding technology nation-wide.

StarHub plans to launch a public trial soon for its consumers to surf the Internet at up to 100Mbps. A commercial launch is targeted for the second half of 2006.

"The strong relationship between Motorola and StarHub is a key factor for our on-going business expansion in Asia. Once the deployment of our channel-bonding platform in StarHub's cable network is completed, we are confident that Singapore will become a technology showcase for other similar initiatives in Asia," said Dan Moloney, President, Motorola Connected Home Solutions. "The formation of the Center of Excellence is designed to help other operators in the region understand the challenges and benefits of the new technology and how they can better optimize their own networks."

Motorola is a leader in contributing to the current channel-bonding specification, which is part of the proposed DOCSIS(R) 3.0 standard currently in development by CableLabs(R), an initiative that StarHub strongly believes will propel Singapore's broadband access speeds forward.

Said Thomas Ee, senior vice president of IP Services, StarHub, "StarHub sees technology support as a critical component in ensuring that our overall service attributes are of a high quality. As the first operator in the world to upgrade its network with channel-bonding technology nation-wide, we believe that our experience will be useful for the forthcoming rollout of the technology in Asia. In addition, this planned initiative will not only help the local broadband IT industry by boosting new skill sets for IT professionals here, but will also elevate Singapore's role as it will become a key contributor in the overall development of cable broadband technology in the region."

Beyond the near term provision of up to 100Mbps broadband speeds to residential homes in Singapore, both Motorola and StarHub are looking into enhancing the channel-bonding platform to potentially reach up to 1Gbps within the next two to three years.

About Motorola

Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of Seamless Mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you get and stay connected simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $36.8 billion in 2005. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com/ .

About StarHub

StarHub is Singapore's second largest info-communication company and the sole operator delivering a full range of information, communications and entertainment services over fixed, cable, mobile and Internet platforms. StarHub operates a 3G mobile network in addition to its GSM network, and is the exclusive provider of the i-mode mobile Internet service over its 2.5G and 3G networks. StarHub also operates its own nation-wide HFC network that delivers multi-channel cable TV services (including Digital Cable), voice and Internet access for both consumer and corporate markets. StarHub is listed on the SGX-ST.

Driven by a passion for listening and providing what customers want, StarHub endeavours to bring affordable and premium quality services with innovative and useful features to all its customers. StarHub raises the level of competition in Singapore, challenging others as well as itself, to constantly introduce new world-class services at competitive prices. This unwavering commitment will further strengthen Singapore's position as a leading info-communication hub in the region.

Visit http://www.starhub.com/ for all your communication needs.

MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. DOCSIS and CableLabs are registered trademarks of Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

Some of the statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. These forward-looking statements reflect our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include known and unknown risks. Because actual results could differ materially from our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about the future, you are urged to view all forward-looking statements contained in this news release with caution.

Source: Motorola, Inc.

CONTACT: Lynn Chan of Motorola, Inc., +65-6486-2286, or Mobile,
+65-9737-5006, Lynn.Chan@motorola.com; or Wong Voal Voal of Hill & Knowlton
for Motorola, +65-6390-3334, Mobile, +65-9799-0551,
voal@hillandknowlton.com.sg; or Cassie Fong of StarHub, +65-6825-5165, Mobile,
+65-9101-2211, cassie@starhub.com

Web site: http://www.motorola.com/
http://www.starhub.com/

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