NEWS - Sierra Wireless Licenses Metricom Technology, Signs Supply Agreement to Deliver Ricochet 128 kbps Modems
New Devices to be Made Available for Mobile Professionals Beginning in Late 2000
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1999-- Metricom, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCOM), a leading provider of mobile data networking and technology, and Sierra Wireless, Inc. (TSE: SW) a leading wireless data communication systems company, today announced an agreement for the licensing of Metricom technology.
In addition, Sierra Wireless has agreed to develop, manufacture and supply Ricochet 128 kbps subscriber equipment. The supply agreement has a value exceeding US$30 million and calls for the delivery of wireless modems to Metricom and its distribution channels over a twelve month period commencing in the first quarter of 2001 or sooner.
"Sierra Wireless is a leader in wireless modem development, bringing innovative solutions to the market," said John Wernke, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Metricom. "By combining Sierra Wireless' expertise in wireless modems and PC cards with Metricom's leadership in mobile access solutions, we will extend the options for mobile professionals allowing them to better remain connected to information with high-speed, always-on performance."
In addition, Metricom becomes a member of Sierra Wireless-founded WirelessReady Alliance, which was initiated to unite leading computing and communications vendors in the development of complete and compelling wireless data solutions. With the new Ricochet subscriber products and 128 kbps mobile access, the portable computer user will be able to experience the full power of untethered access to information allowing the productivity of in-office computing without the confines of the office. Ricochet 128 kbps service is scheduled for availability beginning in Summer 2000.
"Sierra Wireless believes that Metricom's Ricochet 128 kbps service will open significant new markets for wireless data access," said Andrew Harries, Vice President of Marketing for Sierra Wireless. "We expect that the combination of our wireless development expertise and alliances with Metricom's high speed service and distribution partnerships will lead to rapid market penetration."
Ricochet customer devices are outfitted with small antennas that exchange data with Ricochet micro cell radios mounted on city streetlight and utility poles. These "poletop" radios communicate with each other and local wired access points using a meshed frequency-hopping network architecture, which is interconnected to a wired local network and the national Internet backbone. In this way, customers can stay connected to data anywhere in coverage areas, without being tied to a wall jack, even while moving at speeds up to 70 miles an hour.
About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless is a leading wireless data communication systems company. The leader in cellular packet data subscriber products, Sierra Wireless delivers a broad range of products including PC Cards for portable computers, rugged vehicle-mounted modems, the AirPac end-to-end transaction-based solutions, OEM modules for embedded applications, telemetry modems, and software tools and utilities. For more information about Sierra Wireless, visit www.sierrawireless.com. The company's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol "SW."
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 select corporate campuses; and at gate areas at major airports throughout the United States. For more information, visit Metricom's Web site at metricom.com.
Metricom and Ricochet are registered trademarks of Metricom, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including those related to future market conditions, future competitors, future partners, market rollouts and future technology, are forward looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. Among other things, additional competition from existing and future competitors may impact the market. Projections of market size, partners, market acceptance, technological rollout and competition are estimated based on preliminary information as well as certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable at this time.
All forward-looking statements are subject to the successful completion of the actions described in the Sierra Wireless agreement and in this press release. In addition to the factors set forth elsewhere in this press release, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified in Metricom's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect the forward looking statements contained in this press release.
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Contact:
Metricom Technology
Jeannie Slone, 408/399-8136
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