3Com and Ingram Micro LP to Broaden Availability of Networked Telephony Solutions for Canadian Businesses

World's largest technology distributor to offer 3Com® NBX® product line

MISSISSAUGA, ONT. - January 2, 2002 - 3Com Canada today announced an alliance with Ingram Micro LP in Canada that will see the country's largest technology distributor deliver 3Com's entire award-winning NBX® networked telephony solutions. 3Com's voice and data products are helping to satisfy the growing demand of Canadian businesses eager to harness the cost savings and enhanced functionality of a converged network.

"Signing Ingram Micro as an authorized 3Com networked telephony distributor means greater visibility for our telephony product line within the Canadian reseller channel, and allows 3Com to strengthen its foothold in the Canadian telephony market," said Nick Tidd, managing director, 3Com Canada. "Ingram's established presence in Canada will help us grow 3Com's leadership position by engaging new reseller accounts."

Ingram Micro is 3Com's second authorized distributor of networked telephony products in Canada, following Graybar Canada which began distribution in January 2001. 3Com's NBX Networked Telephony Solutions offer businesses a single network for voice and data communications. The systems integrate a sophisticated call-processing feature set with standards-based, Ethernet technology in a powerful IP-based business telephone system. This advanced technology was recognized in September 2001 by Phoenix, Arizona-based Synergy Research Group, which reported in its Voice over IP (VoIP) Equipment Worldwide Market Shares Report that for the third straight year 3Com Corporation retained the #1 market share position worldwide with 31 per cent of total networked telephony system shipments for the first half of calendar year 2001.

3Com's market share will be further strengthened with this new alliance. 3Com selected Ingram because of its solid commitment to the telephony market, said Tidd. The introduction of strategic voice products is part of Ingram Micro's greater vision of delivering the solutions that resellers need. Both 3Com and Ingram Micro recognize that VoIP will soon be as commonplace as the PC is today, spurring a dedicated investment by both companies to succeed in this market.

"Ingram Micro and 3Com have continued to forge an excellent relationship," said Dave Walsh, vice president, marketing, Ingram Micro Canada. "3Com brings to the table a history of innovative and successful products. Ingram Micro brings our expertise in servicing a mass of resellers in the most effective manner possible. We look forward to building on our mutually successful relationship."

About Ingram Micro LP
Ingram Micro LP is the largest global wholesale provider of technology products and supply chain management services. The company operates in 36 countries with sales of $30.7 billion for the fiscal year 2000. Ingram Micro's global regions provide the distribution of technology products and services, marketing development and supply chain management services to more than 175,000 technology solution providers and 1,700 manufacturers. The company is focused on maximizing shareowner value and achieving customer satisfaction through innovation in the information technology supply chain. Visit www.ingrammicro.com or Ingram Micro in Canada at www.ingrammicro.ca.

About 3Com
3Com is the global leader in functionally-rich, easy-to-use networking products that connect businesses to their employees, customers and suppliers anytime, anywhere. 3Com is also a leader in Internet protocol (IP) service platforms and access infrastructure for the network service provider market. In 1979, the company was founded by one of the inventors of Ethernet technology on which virtually all local area networks are based. Since then, 3Com has sold more than 340,000,000 Ethernet connections. 3Com employs approximately 6,000 people in locations worldwide and has headquarters in Santa Clara, California. For further information, please visit http://ca.3com.com.