Lucent put this press out in March, then ADAP responded to it with a press release of its own(follows LU press). Basically, LU is offering its own version of wireless services. It does not mean ADAP can't succeed, and in fact the retort article was compelling, but it has to go up against a solid company with huge pockets. Something to discuss and keep in mind.
lucent.com
Lucent Technologies introduces industry's most comprehensive
network solution for high-speed wireless access to the Internet
FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY MARCH 17, 1999
HANNOVER, GERMANY - Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today introduced a wireless
end-to-end network solution enabling local exchange companies and Internet Service Providers
(ISPs) to offer consumers and businesses a direct high-speed wireless connection to the Internet or
to corporate intranets.
The Wireless Internet Access System provides operators an opportunity to enhance their portfolio
of services with a high-speed fixed wireless data access network solution. It can be used to bypass
conventional wireline switched networks or to off-load data traffic from circuit-switched voice
networks.
Because it is based on packet technology, the data connection is nearly instantaneous and does not
tie up phone company circuits like conventional computer modems used to dial up an ISP. The
system is designed to deliver data rates of 1.5 megabits per second to a customer location - more
than 26 times faster than today's 56 kilobit-per-second computer modems.
The system's data networking capabilities are based on the Internet Engineering Task Force
protocol standards, allowing a service provider to rapidly deploy Internet as well as private or
corporate intranet wireless data access. Compliance with standard Internet protocols (IP) also
enables the Wireless Internet Access System to be used to offer virtual private network services,
allowing users to transparently run Windows®-based Internet and firewall-protected intranet
applications. Moreover, by adding servers and other Internet infrastructure equipment, the network
operator can become a full-fledged ISP.
The Wireless Internet Access System is initially being offered to carriers with licensed 3.4 to 3.6
GHz spectrum. It consists of a neighbourhood base station that provides coverage to wireless
modems that are installed on the outside of a home or building. The coverage area is up to three
kilometres in suburban environments, while larger coverage areas are possible in rural
deployments. The system can be deployed using a combination of tower, wall or rooftop
installations. Additional hardware is required at the customer site for power conversion and cabling
to user desktops. The wireless connection is unnoticeable to the user, except for the
near-instantaneous access and no need for dial-up.
The system's comprehensive provisioning, maintenance and operations systems extend to customer
account management and customer care, including usage statistics for adjunct billing systems.
Network management features a graphical user interface to key network elements.
"The Wireless Internet Access System is ideally suited for rapid deployment of data
communications services and is the latest in our growing portfolio of wireless data solutions for
both the licensed and unlicensed spectrum bands," said Nitin J. Shah, vice president-wireless data
networks for Lucent's Wireless Networks Group.
Shah noted that while Lucent has identified the Wireless Internet Access System as a service
provider solution for consumers and enterprises. It is part of a complete suite of solutions for the
enterprise and ISP marketplace in both licensed and unlicensed bands including:
Products like NetWEAVER and WaveLYNX, which Lucent obtained through its
acquisition of WaveAccess, Ltd., and is using to extend private networks to multiple
locations
A newly-enhanced WaveLAN® network mode that speeds in-building wireless data access
to wired Ethernet LAN rates (EDITORS' NOTE: See separate news release.)
Broadband wireless networks that provide network operators the equivalent throughput of
fibre (45 mbps) over a fixed wireless connection, ideal for small to medium-size business
locations
A range of wireless local loop offers optimised for any mix of voice or data at different
transmission speeds and for varying subscriber density and customer segments.
The Wireless Internet Access System is in controlled introduction, with general availability planned
in 4Q99. Additional information can be obtained by visiting lucent.com on
the Web.
The ADAP response...
shareholder.com
CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE DISPUTES LUCENT
TECHNOLOGIES CLAIM TO HAVE "INDUSTRY'S
MOST COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK SOLUTION
FOR HIGH-SPEED WIRELESS ACCESS TO THE
INTERNET"
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA - CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE, INC.
(Nasdaq National Market: CMIC) said today that its Adaptive
Broadband* AB-Access* packet-on-demand, high-speed, wireless
broadband access product is far superior to the product that Lucent
Technologies' made public yesterday in a press release. In a release issued
from the CEBIT trade show in Hanover, Germany, Lucent claimed to have
introduced the "Industry's Most Comprehensive Network Solution for
High-Speed Wireless Access to the Internet." According to California
Microwave's chief technology officer, Dr. Daniel Scharre, "I have analyzed
Lucent's product offering as presented in their press release. When
compared to our AB-Access product, feature by feature, it is difficult to
imagine that anyone could conclude that the Lucent product is the 'most'
comprehensive." California Microwave's product comparison is detailed
later in this press release.
AB-Access: Faster Data Rate, Longer Distances, Available Now As a
summary product comparison, California Microwave makes note of three
key differences:
1. AB-Access' data rate is 25Mbps over the air, which is 450 times faster
than today's 56Kbps computer modems. Lucent proclaims that its product
operates at 1.5Mbps, or 26 times faster.
2. AB-Access' geographic range is 3-5 kilometers; Lucent's is 2-3
kilometers
3. AB-Access is in field trials now; commercially available in May. Lucent
says their product will be available in the fourth quarter of 1999.
California Microwave "Aghast"
"We were the only company, reportedly, to demonstrate a fully functioning,
high-speed, point-to-multipoint, wireless broadband Internet access
product at the CTIA Wireless '99 show in February. Lucent not only
visited our booth and reviewed the product, but even referred market
analysts to us, with the guidance that we knew what we were doing and
had a real product. We are aghast that a company as reputable as Lucent
would claim to have the 'most comprehensive' solution, as they did in their
press release, given their knowledge of our product. We would be pleased
to compete head-to-head on the facts in the marketplace and challenge
Lucent to do the same," stated Frederick D. Lawrence, California
Microwave's chairman and chief executive officer.
Wireless Internet Access System Product Comparison
CHART
Adaptive Broadband* Packet-On Demand Technology Delivers
Walk-About Internet Access, Instant Provisioning
AB-Access is a key component of California Microwave's April 1998
strategic initiative plan that focuses company resources on delivering
end-to-end Wireless Broadband Solutions for telecommunications and
service providers world-wide. The patent-pending design of the
AB-Access MAC layer uniquely provides service companies with an
instant provisioning capability and customers with portability for Internet
and other data needs. As data traffic overtakes voice traffic, providers are
moving away from dedicated circuit-based, to packet-based network
infrastructures. Packet-based networks offer providers an efficient method
to supply Internet, data, video, and multimedia applications over the same
infrastructure. The "packet-on-demand" aspect of the AB-Access system
fits well within this infrastructure shift and offers higher data rates (up to 25
Mbps) and superior bandwidth management than competitive alternatives,
such as xDSL and cable modems.
AB-Access at Any Frequency: 2-42 GHz
The core, patented AB-Access technology was engineered to work at any
frequency from 2-42 GHz. Adaptive's first release of AB-Access is for
applications that use the 5 GHz "Unlicensed National Information
Infrastructure" (U-NII) frequency band. Other frequencies are currently
under development.
California Microwave, Inc. (http://www.calmike.com) is a leading supplier
of terrestrial wireless and satellite-based systems to support ultra-high
speed Internet access, broadcast digital TV transport and worldwide
Internet backbones. California Microwave also provides industry-leading
solutions for satellite-based data communications and terrestrial wireless
telemetry networks.
With its emergence as a leading architect of the wireless broadband
evolution, California Microwave will change its name to better express this
new identity. Effective April 29, 1999, it will become Adaptive Broadband
Corporation (ADAP). |
