Netopia Previews New netOctopus Software Delivery System at MacWorld

New Tool Enhances netOctopus Systems Manager Software Suite

EMERYVILLE, Calif., January 6, 2004 Netopia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTPA), a
market leader in broadband gateways and service delivery software,
announced today that it is previewing its new netOctopus Software Delivery
System (SDS) at Macworld in San Francisco. Netopia’s new software
distribution tool will be offered as part of the netOctopus Enterprise
Systems Manager, a suite of network management tools that enables
administrators to inventory computers and hardware, remotely manage
workstations and servers, and install software, upgrades and patches
throughout a network. netOctopus supports both Windows and Macintosh
computers.

“netOctopus has been a leader in systems management for over a decade,”
said Tom Skoulis, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Netopia, “We
believe that this new tool delivers the kind of automation and distributed
systems management that will produce a much higher ROI and improved IT
staff productivity for our enterprise customers.”

netOctopus SDS is a policy-based software delivery system which enables
administrators to “set and forget” installation packages on predetermined
schedules from staging servers throughout the network with server loads and
network traffic automatically balanced. Multiple configuration options
ensure that software is delivered only to computers that need it while
comprehensive logging verifies the success of installations. netOctopus
can be used to deploy new applications, upgrades, operating system updates
and patches, and custom packages created with netOctopus’s included
InstallerVISE software.

netOctopus SDS is being previewed at MacWord from January 6 9, 2004 and
will be generally available in late March, 2004..

About Netopia
Netopia, Inc. is a market leader in broadband and wireless
products/services that simplify and enhance broadband delivery to
residential and business-class customers. Netopia’s offerings enable
carriers and broadband service providers to improve their profitability
with feature-rich DSL smart modems, routers and gateways, software that
simplifies installation and reduces ongoing support needs, as well as
value-added services to enhance their revenue generation. Netopia’s
WiFi-CERTIFIED=D4 gateways include 3-D Reach=D4 technology delivering enhanc=
ed
wireless range, security and performance.

Netopia’s DSL smart modems, routers and gateways come with a suite of
installation wizards and support utilities that offer a comprehensive
approach to installation, deployment, service provisioning, application
setup, self-diagnostics and troubleshooting. Netopia provides value-added
services with its server software platform, including the netOctopus=D2 suit=
e
of gateway and PC management and customer support software solutions, as
well as the Web eCommerce server software. netOctopus Desktop Support and
eCare software enable broadband service providers and enterprises to
support customers and devices by remotely viewing and operating the desktop
or other device.

Netopia has established strategic distribution relationships with leading
carriers and broadband service providers including BellSouth, Covad
Communications, EarthLink, Eircom, France Telecom, Hong Kong Telecom/PCCW,
MegaPath Networks, Netifice, SBC Communications, Swisscom, Telecom Italia
and Verizon.

Headquartered in Emeryville, Calif., Netopia’s common stock trades on The
Nasdaq Stock Market=AE under the symbol “NTPA.” Further information about
Netopia can be obtained via phone 510-420-7400, fax 510-420-7601, or on the
Web at www.netopia.com.