ATLANTA -- In a major move that accelerates and enhances its presence in Europe, Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (NYSE: SFA), announced today that it has signed agreements to purchase BarcoNet NV (Euronext Brussels: BARN), a leading provider of end-to-end distribution solutions for broadband and broadcast applications throughout Europe and Asia headquartered near Brussels, Belgium. Under the terms of the acquisition, Scientific-Atlanta will launch a public tender offer for all the outstanding common stock of BarcoNet at a price of 5.70 euro per share in cash, together with all outstanding options, warrants and convertible securities, for an aggregate value of approximately USD154 million (173 million euro). The offer, which has been approved by the board of directors of Scientific-Atlanta, and is fully supported by the board of directors and major shareholders of BarcoNet, is expected to close in December 2001, subject to regulatory approval. Major shareholders representing approximately 40% of the outstanding shares of BarcoNet have undertaken to sell their shares to Scientific-Atlanta. BarcoNet generated USD98 million (110 million euro) in revenue for the twelve months ended June 30, 2001 and, with synergies, the transaction is expected to be accretive to Scientific-Atlanta's earnings in FY2003. "This highly strategic acquisition increases our European and Asian presence, gives us the largest European penetration of DVB head-ends and expands our product set into open standards solutions, as well as access to one of the best customer bases in Europe," said Jim McDonald, chairman, president and CEO of Scientific-Atlanta. "We expect significant synergies from Scientific-Atlanta's and BarcoNet's complementary product solutions and geographic fit."Scientific-Atlanta Inc.