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3Com in the World Community
 
We do business in a world of interrelationships that don’t
always show up on a balance sheet. Nevertheless, they’re
all part of the greater social and ecological balance vitally
affecting us as a company and as members of our local and
world communities.
Bridging the Digital Divide
The digital divide is the gap that separates those people
who can and do use information technology from those who
cannot or do not. Paradoxically, the digital divide is widening
even as the networking industry keeps growing and Internet
use increases by leaps and bounds.
This division between technology haves and have-nots is a
complex, multidimensional problem influenced by many
variables, including education level, income, age, geography,
race, and gender. Whatever the causes, the result is groups
of people left behind as the rest of society moves forward
into the information age.
3Com is working on several levels to help bridge the digital
divide. One approach, of course, is to make the technology
simpler to use and more accessible. But we feel the ultimate
answer is informational literacy — the empowerment that
comes with education and training.
To this end, we’re providing discounts and online assistance
to schools and libraries that need help building networks and
applying for grants. And in collaboration with the U.S.
Conference of Mayors we established our Urban Challenge
Grant program, through which we contribute equipment,
training, and consulting to select cities for improving
education and building high-speed metropolitan area
networks.
In addition, 3Com’s Connected Entrepreneur program
recognizes and rewards successful small business owners in
economically hard-pressed areas who become mentors and
role models by offering internships to local youths. We’ve
also teamed with the YWCA to give girls the opportunity to
explore computing under the tutelage of tech-savvy women
mentors as part of the NetPrep® GYRLS program. NetPrep is
an innovative curriculum developed by 3Com to encourage
networking literacy.
Safeguarding the Environment
3Com has a long-standing commitment to earth-friendly
business practices. In June 2000 we became one of the first
networking companies in the U.S. to receive certification in
the ISO 14001 standard for environmental management
systems. All our manufacturing sites worldwide are now
certified.
3Com has a networked team dedicated to addressing
environmental issues extending from product design through
operations and even out to our supply chain. We also
sponsor environmental training and education programs for
employees.
A decade ago, we were among the first to eliminate
ozone-depleting CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) from our
production process. In 1999, 1.9 tons of paper and
cardboard were recycled by 3Com facilities around the
world, representing over 90 percent of the waste stream
that would otherwise have ended up in landfill. We also help
prevent lead contamination by recycling all our lead solder
waste, and we’re working to implement lead-free
alternatives.
One way to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion is to
work from home. More than 60 percent of 3Com employees
telecommute regularly, using 3Com solutions for their
connections.
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