Com21 Leads European Cable Modem Market; Dell'Oro Group Finds Com21's Market Share in Europe Growing.

Business/Technology Editors

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2000

Com21, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMTO), a leading supplier of system solutions for the broadband access market, announced today that market research firm Dell'Oro Group reported in "Q4'99 Routers, Access & Voice Worldwide" that Com21 finished 1999 as the top supplier of cable modems in Europe.

Based on units shipped, Com21 captured 31.4% of the overall European cable modem market for the quarter ended December 31, 1999 by shipping 27% more modems into Europe than its closest competitor. Cable modem shipment figures are based on a combination of Com21's ATM-based ComPORT(R) and DOXport(tm) family of CableLabs(R) Certified(tm) cable modems. This data follows the 1998 independent study of Ryan Hankin Kent, Inc., a telecom and cable analyst group, which reported that Com21 was the leading European cable modem supplier.

"We are extremely pleased to see Com21's increased penetration into the international and European markets. Com21 is in the advantageous position of being able to offer some of the best ATM and DOCSIS solutions available today, as consumers around the world are demanding faster broadband access to the Internet," said Peter Fenner, Com21 president and CEO. "And as the industry moves toward integrated voice-over-IP and tiered high-speed data services in the immediate future, Com21's customers will already be prepared. It's a great time to be in the broadband access industry."

In all international markets outside of Europe for 1999, Com21 ranked as the second largest supplier, with 23% market share. In North America, Com21 ranked third, growing to 8.4% market share in 1999 from 5.2% in 1998. Worldwide, Com21 has a market share of 11.4% for all of 1999, and 12% in the fourth quarter of 1999.

According to the Dell'Oro Group study, the cable modem market group grew from 873,000 cable modems shipped worldwide in 1998 to nearly 2.5 million in 1999. The Dell'Oro Group estimates that worldwide cable modem shipments will be 4 million in 2000.

About Com21, Inc.

Com21, Inc. is a leading global supplier of system solutions for the broadband access market. The Company's DOCSIS, DVB, and ATM-based products enable cable operators and service providers to deliver high-speed, cost-effective Internet and telephony applications to corporate telecommuters, small businesses, home offices, and residential users. Worldwide, Com21 has shipped 524,000 modems through March 31, 2000.

Com21 is an ISO 9001 certified company with headquarters in Milpitas, California, and maintains sales and support locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Safe Harbor Act Clause

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbors created by those sections. Those forward-looking statements include statements related to the growth of the cable modem market as estimated by a third party. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including numerous technological, operational and financial challenges associated with deploying, manufacturing, marketing, distributing and servicing broadband products. The matters discussed in this press release also involve risks and uncertainties concerning Com21's products and services described in Com21's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In particular see the risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 10K. Com21 assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Note to Editors: Com21(R) and DOXport(tm) are trademarks or registered trademarks of Com21, Inc., Milpitas, California, USA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.