All, Paul Allen Too!>
Metricom Strategy Validated by Microsoft/Qualcomm
Wireless Data Announcement
BUSINESS WIRE
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1998--[ Metricom, Inc. ]
(Nasdaq:MCOM), 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.
(Copyright 1998)
_____via IntellX_____
Publication Date: November 11, 1998
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