NETOPIA ANNOUNCES NETOCTOPUS=E2 ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENTS

New Version to include Installer VISE Software Distribution Utility

EMERYVILLE, Calif., January 6, 2003 - Netopia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTPA), a
market leader in broadband equipment, software and services, today
announced an exciting addition to the netOctopus Enterprise Systems Manager
planned for release in March 2003. In partnership with MindVision Software,
Netopia will include a special version of Installer VISE, along with a
snapshot utility, with all netOctopus licenses, enabling administrators to
build, distribute and execute software packages on all Windows and Mac
computers.

Installer VISE is an application that automates a variety of tasks involved
in the installation of software. This includes putting different pieces of
software in the correct folders on a drive, decompressing data, and
assembling data from smaller files. With this powerful new addition to the
netOctopus suite, administrators will be able to take comparative snapshots
before and after installing software, then build a VISE installer package
based upon the recorded file differences. Although netOctopus already
supports execution of VISE installer packages, this integration will be
improved with automatic launch and quit after execution.

A special version of Installer VISE will be included with every new
netOctopus volume license sold, and will be available in the netOctopus
Resource Center for Netopia customers with service agreements. Customers
will also have an opportunity to upgrade to MindVision's full Installer
VISE at a special discount.

Further improvements specific to Mac OS X are also planned for this
release, and will be previewed in Netopia's booth at MacWorld San Francisco
from January 7-10, 2003. These new netOctopus Enterprise Systems Manager
enhancements include:

=B7 Ability to execute OS X ".pkg" and ".mpkg" files, enabling administrator=
s
to use netOctopus for software updates, such as OS 10.2.1 to 10.2.2

=B7 Ability to execute shell scripts on OS X, giving administrators access t=
o
low level Unix tools for multiple computers simultaneously.

=B7 Ability to execute installers with root privileges, avoiding
authentication dialogs requiring manual input.

=B7 Ability to specify target volumes when executing installers

About Netopia

Netopia, Inc. develops, markets and supports hardware, software and
services that simplify and enhance the delivery of broadband services to
residential and business-class customers. Netopia's offerings enable
carriers and broadband service providers to improve their profitability
with feature rich modems, routers and gateways, software that manages to
the edge of the network to reduce costs, and value added services to
enhance revenue generation. Netopia's broadband equipment is interoperable
with all major central office equipment suppliers, including Alcatel,
Cisco, Copper Mountain Networks, Ericsson, Lucent Technologies, Nokia,
Paradyne, Siemens, and Zhone Technologies. Netopia has established
strategic distribution relationships with leading carriers and broadband
service providers including BellSouth, Comcast, Covad Communications,
EarthLink, France Telecom, Hong Kong Telecom/PCCW, MegaPath Networks,
Netifice, SBC Communications, Telecom Italia and Verizon.

Netopia's service delivery platform includes the netOctopus suite of
gateway/PC management and customer support software solutions, and the Web
eCommerce server software. netOctopus server software products enable
remote support and centralized management of installed broadband gateways
and end devices, allowing carriers and broadband service providers to
"manage to the edge" of the network. netOctopus Desktop Support and eCare
software enable broadband service providers and enterprises to support
customers by remotely viewing and operating the customer's desktop computer.

Headquartered in Emeryville, Calif., Netopia's common stock trades on The
Nasdaq Stock Market 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.

About MindVision Software

Founded in 1987, MindVision Software is a recognized industry leader
specializing in software delivery systems for Macintosh and Windows as well
as their turnkey software sales solution, eSellerate. Installer VISE has
long been the industry standard installer for the Macintosh, and is
recognized as an excellent choice for Windows. Thousands of software
companies, including Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, Netscape, Macromedia, AOL,
Connectix and FileMaker have come to rely on our software to deliver
professional, easy-to-use installers to their customers.