Wi-Lan........Wi-LAN Inc.: DTS Enters Broadband Wireless Internet Market With Technology License
DTS enters LMDS Market by Licensing Wi-LAN's Patented W-OFDM Technology
ATLANTA & CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2000--
Digital Transmission Systems, Inc. (DTS) (OTCBB: DTSX - news), a leading telecommunications equipment manufacturer, and Wi-LAN Inc. (TSE:WIN. - news), a leading innovator of high speed wireless data/Internet communications, today announced that DTS has agreed to license Wi-LAN's patented W-OFDM (Wideband Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technology. W-OFDM technology effectively permits several independent channels to operate within the same band allowing multipoint networks and point-to-point backbone systems to be overlaid on one another in the same frequency band. W-OFDM is at the foundation of the IEEE802.11a and ETSI BRAN wireless local area network standards.
According to the terms of the agreement, Wi-LAN will provide DTS with the exclusive right to develop W-OFDM products for local multipoint distribution systems (LMDS) operating above 10GHz and below 100 GHz. DTS will acquire W-OFDM technology from Wi-LAN in the form of consulting and through an OEM agreement for purchasing W-OFDM modules and will develop LMDS products based on them. LMDS has gained much popularity in the last few years with companies like WinStar, Nextlink, (AT&T Wireless Services,) and Teligent building national infrastructures.
``We are excited about partnering with Wi-LAN in promoting and furthering the development of W-OFDM technology for high-frequency broadband wireless data transmission,' says Andy Salazar, DTS CEO. ``We believe that LMDS will witness explosive growth in the next few years as wireless carriers migrate or upgrade their networks to offer broadband data services to business and residential customers alike.'
Most of the transmission bandwidth being used today is for data - file transfer, Internet access and intra-company communications. In the home, W-OFDM is a less expensive wireless alternative to cable modems and ADSL which require expensive deployment strategies and are limited to 10Mbps.
``We are excited about this new development with DTS. W-OFDM could solve the multipath issues related to LMDS,' said Dr. Hatim Zaghloul, CEO and Chairman, Wi-LAN Inc. ``Also, the widespread use of W-OFDM in the IEEE and ETSI BRAN will result in inexpensive semiconductor chips which will reduce the overall cost of LMDS products.'
Wi-LAN's technology is intended to form the basis for new products from DTS to address applications in broadband data transmission by wireless carriers. DTS has been in the business of supplying network access products to wireless carriers for the past five years and W-OFDM technology will allow DTS to supply an integrated solution for broadband data services.
About Wi-LAN Inc.
Wi-LAN, based in Calgary, Alberta, is a leading innovator in the field of high-speed wireless data communications, specializing in high-speed Internet access, LAN/WAN extension and wireless local loop. Wi-LAN's patented W-OFDM technology is at the foundation of the IEEE 802.11a standard. Wi-LAN's recently launched I.WiLL(TM) 30 Mbps wireless access point is based on the company's patented W-OFDM technology. Wi-LAN's Hopper(TM) and Hopper Plus products have been sold in more than 50 countries on six continents. Wi-LAN is the 1999 recipient of the CATA Alliance Award of Distinction for Emerging Technology. Wi-LAN's common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ``WIN.' Detailed information on Wi-LAN can be found on the Web at wi-lan.com. |
