Wednesday November 11, 3:21 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Metricom Strategy Validated by
Microsoft/Qualcomm Wireless Data
Announcement
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1998--Metricom, Inc. (Nasdaq:MCOM -
news), the industry leader in wireless Internet access products and technology, stated today that
the recent announcement by Microsoft and Qualcomm validates the wireless data market that
Metricom has pioneered since 1985.
''Today's business professionals want low-cost, reliable access to their personal and company
data regardless of time or place, and without having to be physically connected to the Internet,''
said Roger Nolan, Vice President of Strategic Alliances at Metricom. ''Microsoft is a company
with a great track record for seeing the 'big picture' and executing quickly on it. Microsoft's
planned entry is excellent news in that it shows that the wireless data market is moving forward
now.''
With Metricom's Ricochet wireless Internet access, users such as sales professionals, customer
service agents, and mobile professionals today are able to connect to the Internet at any time
without having to find a compatible Internet connection. Users are also able to securely access
their Web-based business applications and desktop environments from anywhere within a
Ricochet coverage area.
While the wireless data market has long been of interest to the technical community, skeptics have
questioned how quickly the market will grow and how quickly the wireless networks will be
available to the average user.
GartnerGroup projects 55 million mobile workers in the USA alone by year 2000. Analysts
believe wireless access has the potential to be one of the fastest-growing network access methods
if a high-quality national network build-out happens quickly. They say wireless access will do for
computing what the cell phone did for voice communications.
Metricom in the Wireless Internet Access Market
-- Metricom has 25,000 satisfied wireless customers in the San
Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC metropolitan areas today.
These users benefit from Metricom's current Ricochet service that
delivers wireless Internet access at 28.8 kbps.
-- Metricom's Ricochet subscriber base has grown 34% year over year.
-- Metricom currently has its new 128 kbps test network (which
consists of 80 poletop radios) running in the San Jose, Calif.,
area. The Ricochet II network will offer data rates three to four
times faster than rates planned by cellular data services.
-- Metricom currently delivers wireless Internet using
industry-standard Internet routers rather than highly expensive
telco voice switches to route the traffic. This results in
further cost-savings to customers and potential network partners.
-- Unlike cellular-based data offerings, Metricom is not impacted by
the current shortage of telephone numbers to deliver service.
-- Metricom offers gateway products that allow users secure remote
access to their corporate LAN environments over the open
Internet.
-- Metricom's largest investor is Vulcan Ventures Inc., the
investment organization of Paul G. Allen.
This press release contains 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 1997
Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Metricom
Metricom, Inc. is the leading provider of wide-area, portable wireless data services. The
company's Ricochet products and services provide portable and desktop computer users with
high-performance, cost-effective wireless access to the Internet, private intranets, local-area
networks, e-mail, and other online services. Ricochet service is generally available in the greater
San Francisco Bay, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas; on corporate campuses;
and at select gate areas at eleven major airports throughout the United States. For more
information, call 1-800 Go-Wireless or visit Metricom's Web site at metricom.com.
Note to Editors: Metricom and Ricochet are registered trademarks of Metricom, Inc. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Metricom
Susan Kohl, 408/399-8198 (PR)
Terri Bicknell, 408/399-8201 (IR)
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