Motorola Broadband Technologies Enable All-Digital System Upgrade in Aster City

As lead technology provider, Motorola will install the first digital cable head-end in the Central European region, and supply optical transport, conditional access, and digital set-top technologies

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – 11 Sept. 2003 — Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) Broadband Communications Sector today announced the company was selected by Aster City, Poland, as a provider of digital head-end, digital set-top technologies and optical equipment for its all-digital upgrade. The announcement was made at the IBC2003 trade show, held September 12-16 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Motorola Stand 131, Hall 1).

The upgrade will be available to the whole municipality of Warsaw. The first stage of the upgrade will cover only premium services, which will eliminate the piracy of premium products.

The Motorola OmniStar® GX2 will serve as the foundation for Aster City’s planned rollout of digital services. This optical broadband transmission platform enables operators to offer additional revenue generating services by supporting both 1310nm and 1550nm architectures.

Subscribers will connect to the upgraded digital network through the recently announced Motorola DVi700 broadcast-only all-digital set-top. Aster City will use the Motorola MediaCipher® Conditional Access system to facilitate access control and ensure the security of the DVB/MPEG-2 digital signals.

“Motorola is proud to be selected by Aster City to provide end-to-end technology – from the head-end to the home – to enable a secure platform for delivering new broadband services to their subscribers,” said Paul King, Motorola vice president and general manager – Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

“As a customer-oriented company, Aster City is delighted to offer its customers state-of-the art Motorola technology. We are convinced that this new addition will increase our customers’ satisfaction,” said John Arciszewski, president of Aster City Cable Ltd.

About the Motorola OmniStar® GX2
Motorola’s OmniStar® GX2, which supports advanced HFC networks, accepts 16 plug-n-play application modules in 4 RU chassis. Any system architecture can be accommodated with the full complement of OmniStar GX2 application modules: 1310nm and 1550nm Broadcast Transmitters, 1550nm Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers, DWDM Narrowcast Transmitters, Analog and Digital Return-Path Receivers, Optical Switches, and RF Switches. Each module features the PowerPC^® microprocessor for increased intelligence and computing power.

The GX2’s user-friendly design features front-panel hot-swappable application modules that maximize in-service time and a new Quick Swap module capability. The platform can be monitored and controlled locally through a Web browser interface or through a network management system using Ethernet-based SNMP.

About the Motorola DVi700
This simplified, cost-effective broadcast-only set-top is designed to support secure video and simple interactive services over DVB-compliant cable networks. The Motorola DVi700 is a cost-effective solution that enables operators to meet the financial requirements of deploying an all-digital network, and to bring digital cable to every analog television in their system. The set-top can also be deployed in hybrid analog/digital networks – providing another means for operators to increase digital penetration by enabling interactive services from additional screens in the home.

About the MediaCipher Conditional Access System
Motorola’s DVB-compliant MediaCipher conditional access system offers industry-leading security and access control for the delivery of DVB/MPEG-2 digital signals. Motorola offers scalable access control solutions designed to meet the needs of a full range of network sizes and digital deployment plans. With its unique suite of local, regional, and continental access control solutions, Motorola offers cost-effective digital solutions for a wide range of systems. First launched in 1993, Motorola’s digital satellite/cable/terrestrial conditional access technology is currently installed in approximately 27million set-tops. The Motorola MediaCipher conditional access technology offers the world's most advanced security features.

About Aster City Cable
Aster City Cable Ltd. has been operating on the Polish market since 1994. It is the biggest cable operator and broadband Internet access provider in the capital city of Warsaw and Greater Warsaw area. Aster City provides services to over 280,000 CATV subscribers and almost 30,000 broadband Internet users. Its services reach 530,000 households. Most of its offering is addressed to individual clients as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. For more information about Aster City visit www.astercity.net. Aster City is a leading company of Aster City Group that consists of Autocom in Kraków and ZTP in Zielona Góra. Aster City Group reaches about 700,000 households and provides services to over 370,000 CATV subscribers and over 30,000 broadband Internet users.

About Motorola Broadband Communications Sector
The Motorola Broadband Communications Sector provides a scalable, integrated end-to-end system for the delivery of broadband services that keeps consumers informed, entertained and connected. Its technology enables network operators and retailers to create and execute on new business opportunities by providing innovative products and services to the home. Customer-responsive design and manufacturing expertise further contribute to the company’s position as the world's leading supplier of digital cable set-tops and cable modems. For more information about the Motorola Broadband Communications Sector, visit www.motorola.com/broadband.

About Motorola
Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) is a global leader in wireless, automotive and broadband communications.  Sales in 2002 were $27.3 billion.  Motorola is a global corporate citizen dedicated to ethical business practices and pioneering important innovations that make things smarter and life better, honored traditions that began when the company was founded 75 years ago this year.  For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.

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Media Contacts:
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Motorola
Helen Yarrow
+44 - (0) - 1189-227-546
helenyarrow@motorola.com

North America
Motorola
Bev Dribin
1-215-323-1156
bev.dribin@motorola.com

Jeanne Russo
1-215-323-1873
jeanne.russo@motorola.com

Aster City Cable Ltd.
Joanna Pasynkiewicz
+48 22 411 50 83
+48 604 158 005
jpasynkiewicz@astercity.com.pl


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