Industry Veterans to Build National Network
biz.yahoo.com
Tuesday August 3, 4:10 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Metricom Recruits Industry Veterans to Build National Network
Network Operations Augmented for Aggressive Ricochet Service Rollout
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 3, 1999--Metricom, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCOM - news), leading provider of mobile data networking and technology, today announced the appointments of Bob Schellman to Senior Vice President of Network Operations and Services and, reporting to Schellman, Bill Walker as Vice President of Network Operations.
Schellman is chartered with driving the aggressive deployment of Metricom's 128 kbps mobile data network, which begins delivering commercial service in 12 markets by the middle of next year.
``Lighting up cities and delivering high-speed data service for mobile professionals is our number one goal over the next several quarters. The addition of two industry veterans the caliber of Robert and Bill will help us successfully execute against plan and meet this goal,' said Tim Dreisbach, President and CEO for Metricom. ``We are gratified by their decision to join us as we are getting set to change the way people work and live with information.'
Schellman brings 25 years of experience, including managing network growth and operations for UUNET/MCI WorldCom, MCI Telecommunications, and Sprint. At UUNET, Schellman led the organization responsible for global IP network expansion, and quadrupled network capacity within eight months. Prior to UUNET, he created and managed network operations centers at both MCI and Sprint. In addition, Schellman served as General Manager for Sandwell, Inc's DATAP Systems Division. Most recently, he headed operations for Telocity, Inc, a Venture Capital-funded company positioned to provide DSL and high-speed Internet services. Schellman began his career in the US Army and holds a BS, Electrical Engineering degree from the Citadel. Schellman will leverage his long-standing experience to help Metricom move forward with its rapid expansion into 46 markets in the next 24 months.
``Metricom is poised to lead the industry in mobile data access, and I am eager to apply my experience to help achieve and maintain that position,' said Schellman. ``Rarely does such an opportunity present itself to get in on the ground floor of an industry altering endeavor.'
Schellman is assuming the network and field implementation and operations functions previously shared within the Company by Robert Mott, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing, and Lee Gopadze, Senior Vice President of Field Operations and Right of Way. Mott will focus on engineering, research and development, and manufacturing infrastructure delivery. Gopadze will continue to drive right of way and government regulatory activities.
Reporting to Schellman, Bill Walker will apply his 17 years in network engineering and operations to help Metricom scale network operations to support the impending rapid growth of its high-speed mobile data network. Walker joins Metricom from his position as Vice President of Network Operations and Telecommunications for SkyTel Communications where he has been responsible for network expansion, support and monitoring of a nationwide network consisting of several thousand base transmitters and receivers. In this role, Walker ran SkyTel's network operation centers based in two locations, which monitored the Wide Area Network consisting of all telecommunications equipment, frame relay, Points-of-Presence, DSU/CSU, and Satellite providers. Prior to SkyTel, Walker held management positions at Lockheed Martin Corporation including Program Manager for SkyTel where he managed a team supporting the development and operations of the SkyTel 2-way paging system. Walker also managed the pilot mobile computing platform for BellSouth service technicians.
Metricom's network deployment is scheduled to begin later this year and result in a 12-market light up by the middle of next year, culminating in 46 markets gaining 128 kbps service by mid-2001.
About Metricom
Metricom, Inc. is a leading provider of mobile data networking and technology. The Company's Ricochet service provides mobile professionals with high-performance, cost-effective untethered access to the Internet, private Intranets, local-area networks, e-mail, and other online services. Ricochet is generally available in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas; in select areas of New York City; on corporate campuses; and at gate areas at major airports throughout the United States. For more information, call 1-800 Go-Wireless, or visit Metricom's Web site at metricom.com.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those described in Metricom's 1998 Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Metricom and Ricochet are registered trademarks of Metricom, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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Contact:
Metricom, Inc.
Jeannie Slone, 408/399-8136 |
