@Home heads to work >BY SHIRA LEVINE, New Media Editor

Former Netcom senior executive Don Hutchinson is set to lead @Work, the new business-to-business division of @Home Network, the cable modem service provider is expected to announce this week.

Hutchinson will become senior vice president and general manager of @Work, reporting directly to Tom Jermoluk, chairman and chief executive officer of @Home Network.

The @Work division offers businesses high-speed managed data services so they can connect their local area networks to the Internet and to remote and home offices without compromising network security.

@Work will use both the hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) technology of @Home's cable TV partners and high-speed telephone lines, Hutchinson said.

"The idea is to build on @Home's network," he said. "One major advantage that we have is the [HFC] infrastructure built for the residential market. We're planning to take advantage of that infrastructure to facilitate corporate activity.

One of the first services that @Work will roll out is @Work Remote, which is targeted at telecommuters.

An employee could access his corporation's LAN through a cable modem, which would send data over the HFC network to the cable operator's headend. The data would then travel to @Home's regional data center over @Home's backbone, then get delivered to the company over a dedicated T-1 or fractional T-3 line.

A company would also use a high-speed dedicated line to connect to the Internet through the regional data center. For both services, @Work provides end-to-end service management and data encryption.

"We're creating a virtual private network between a corporate LAN and a distance worker, ensuring high-speed data with a certain level of security," he said.

@Work may expand its product offering in conjunction with partners in the telco and computer industries, Hutchinson said. Other possible applications include videoconferencing and distance learning. @Home partners Tele-Communications Inc. and Cox Communications will be the first to roll out @Work with the @Home service in San Diego, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay area.