[Here is a new find...]
BW0039 APR 15,1997 5:03 PACIFIC 8:03 EASTERN
( BW)(WARP-DRIVE-NETWORKS) Warp Drive Unveils Breakthrough High-Speed Internet Access Solution; 1st Company To Deliver T1 and Fractional T3Access at ISDN Prices Using MDS and UHF Wireless
Business Editors/Computer Writers
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 1997--Warp Drive
Networks, a pioneer in the high-speed Internet access market, today
unveiled a new high-speed wireless Internet access solution for small
to mid-sized businesses and individual high end PC users.
Using wireless spectrum licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), Warp delivers users 40 to 400 times better
performance than a 28.8Kbps modem for only a small price premium.
The service will be available in bandwidth increments between
256Kbps and 10Mbps, and is scheduled for initial availability in the
Silicon Valley and Seattle during the second quarter of 1997. Other
regions including Los Angeles and Portland will come on-line later in
1997.
Warp Drive is the first to receive FCC approval for the use of a
low power UHF signal for the transmission of its wireless Internet
Access Service in Silicon Valley.
The new Warp Access Service offers a compelling solution to the
Internet bottleneck problem. Low-speed access links between users
and the Internet result in slow downloads on any graphically
intensive Web site or file, and threaten the viability of the
emerging multimedia industry.
In addition to offering very high data rates, the Warp service is
based on cost-effective premises equipment and is easy to install.
Businesses and individual end users inside the Warp service area
simply add an antenna and a Warp wireless router to their existing
equipment to provide shared access to the high speed link.
"The access bottleneck is threatening the value of the entire
Internet infrastructure," said Bruce Lichorowic, vice president of
marketing at Warp Drive Networks. "While everyone is very aware of
the problem, until now, no one has been able to solve it. ISDN,
Frame Relay, ADSL and cable company services each have significant
problems. As a result, a vast majority of users and LAN-based
businesses are still relying on a standard 28.8Kbps for Internet
access. With the Warp Internet access service, users now have a
high-speed access option that is scalable, easy to deploy and
cost-effective. The cost of equipment is low, and monthly fees are
roughly the cost of ISDN. This is a very significant announcement
for the entire Internet community, including business users, Internet
service providers, system integrators and content providers."
The initial release of the service will provide broadband
wireless down stream connectivity and users will maintain their
existing Internet connectivity for outbound traffic. Unlike
alternative higher speed services such as ISDN or Fractional Frame
Rely, which provide only limited bandwidth improvement over a
28.8Kbps modem, the Warp service can easily scale to speeds up to
10Mbps.
Unlike alternative services, the Warp solution provides customers
with a smooth, low-risk, low-disruption transition. Users can either
add capacity to their existing service, or transition their entire
Internet access capability to Warp. And unlike ADSL and other
high-speed twisted-pair services which are still in the development
phase, the Warp Access Service is based on production-tested
technology.
The Warp Access Service infrastructure consists of land-based
transmitters located in key geographic regions, which are connected
to the Warp network operations center via microwave. Warp maintains
a high-speed, T3 link between the transmitters and the Internet
backbone to ensure high-throughput performance. Warp customer
equipment is less than a quarter the cost of Frame Relay access
equipment. The Warp routers comes in single and multi-user
configurations and can be attached to a single antenna.
Service access options will be made available for a range of
speeds. Basic service will begin at $125 per month for 256Kbps
service and customers will be able to grow to a maximum speed of
10Mbps. Customers will be able to easily add Internet access
capacity-without purchasing new equipment or initiating a new
service. The Warp service will be made available through
partnerships with leading Internet Service Providers and system
integrators. By offering complete high-speed Internet access
solutions, service providers will be able to offer customers a single
point of contact for equipment installation, service initiation and
customer service.
About Warp Drive
Warp Drive Networks, a privately held company founded in 1996,
delivers high speed access through wireless router technology to
provide high-bandwidth users and businesses with an extremely fast
and economical link to the Internet backbone. Focusing on the gap
between basic ISDN dial-up services and costly Fractional T1, T1 and
Fractional T3 services, the Warp Access Service starts at 256Kpbs and
scales up to a shared 10Mbps connection. The company has brought
together a strong technical and management team and is uniquely
positioned as the first to market with a high-speed wireless Internet
access solution.
--30--eh/sf* jf
CONTACT: Dave & Bairey Communications
Peter Dave, 415/882-9905
peter@dbcomm.com
or
Warp Drive
Bruce Lichorowic, 408/938-9030
bwl@warpdrive.net
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED
INTERACTIVE/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET PRODUCT
REPEATS: New York 212-752-9600 or 800-221-2462; Boston 617-236-4266 or
800-225-2030; SF 415-986-4422 or 800-227-0845; LA 310-820-9473
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