Company Press Release
Metricom Deploys Industry's First 128KB Mobile Data Network
Field Trials on Alpha Network Now Underway for Ricochet2
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 1999--Metricom, Inc. (Nasdaq:MCOM - news), leading provider of wireless data networking and technology, has completed deployment of the industry's first 128 Kbps radio frequency equipment into an alpha network and today launched field trials supporting the forthcoming high-speed wireless Ricochet2 service.
Following an intensive internal test cycle and aggressive deployment schedule, the Company now begins field trials for the service in four cities within Silicon Valley. Ricochet2 will more than quadruple data speeds to build on the success of the Company's current service, which allows mobile workers to access corporate resources and Internet information from anywhere.
''This trial represents a major step forward in making Ricochet2 technology a reality for our customers who require mobile access to critical information,'' said Robert Mott, Vice President, Engineering for Metricom. ''Our momentum developing leading technology is reflected in Ricochet2 which builds on the success of our current network to serve the growing market of remote workers who require high-speed access allowing their virtual office to accompany them where ever they go.''
As a significant extension of on-going work in indoor and outdoor capacity labs, the field trial deployment consists of about 300 poletop microcellular radios, 3 ISM Wired Access Points (WAPs), and the first deployment of a WAP using licensed, WCS spectrum.
Focusing on proving performance, reliability and stability of the 128 Kbps network in a real-world deployment scenario, the field trials will evaluate mobility support; network manageability; Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity; and backward and forward compatibility with the current Ricochet network.
Ricochet2 utilizes two bands of unlicensed spectrum: the 900 MHz band and the 2.4 GHz band in addition to the licensed 2.3 GHz Wireless Communications Services (WCS) spectrum which Metricom purchased in 1997.
When this phase is completed, the Ricochet2 testing will proceed into customer field trials. The Company expects to exit all testing during the Summer and begin deployment of Ricochet2 in select service areas through the second half of 1999.
''Metricom's deployment of the alpha Ricochet2 network not only allows us to gain valuable data about our new hardware and software, but allows us to address operational, manufacturing and deployment issues unique to the Ricochet2 architecture,'' said Mott. ''These trials, coupled with our accelerated progress acquiring right of way coverage in fourteen major metro areas, positions Metricom to further our leadership track providing solutions to the ever increasing mobile workforce.''
About Metricom
Metricom, Inc. is the world's leading provider of wireless and mobile Internet access networking and technology. 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 Area, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas; on corporate campuses; and at select gate areas at 12 major airports throughout the United States. For more information, call 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. This press release may contain 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.
Metricom's Ricochet Wireless MicroCellular Data Network (MCDN) is a digital packet-switching radio network with a nationwide wired backbone. The network consists of radio transceivers (Microcell Radios) mounted to street lights or utility poles, Wired Access Points (WAPs), which collect and convert the RF packets for transmission to the wired IP network backbone through a T1 frame-relay connection. The network operates within the license-free (902-928 MHz) portion of the Radio Frequency spectrum and incorporates Metricom's patented frequency-hopping mesh architecture which provides Ricochet subscribers with an affordable wireless solution and an alternative to standard telephone modems requiring phone line connections.
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Contact:
Metricom, Incorporated
John Wernke, 408/399-8315
Robert Mott, 408/399-8396 |
