Hmmmm, maybe. Why would they need to "acquire" a company to produce GSM and W-CDMA chips? They could do it on there own. What do you think the handset division fetch? How long do you think it and Ericson stay in San Diego?
On another note; note the word "mobile" in this release. Seems I got hammer a while back about this. More confusion for the consumer. Gotta love it... Hey them ETYS are finally rocking...
October 6, 8:20 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Metricom Prepares to Deploy Upcoming 128 kbps Mobile Data Network
Contracts Deployment Companies for Rapid Local Buildout
LOS GATOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 6, 1999--Metricom, Inc. (Nasdaq:MCOM - news), leading provider of mobile data networking and technology, today announced contracts with three companies for the physical deployment of key components for its Ricochet 128 kbps mobile data network.
Wireless Facilities, Inc. (WFI), General Dynamics Worldwide Telecommunications Systems, and Whalen & Company will work simultaneously in the initial markets to ensure Ricochet commercial availability in 2000, with the first 12 markets coming online in the Summer.
The firms will be responsible for tasks involved in the deployment of local Wired Access Points (WAPs), which are the central points of connection between Ricochet local wireless networks and the local wireline and national Internet backbone networks.
``Our number one goal over the next several quarters is executing our network buildout to deliver on the promise of high-speed wireless data service for mobile professionals,' said Bob Schellman, Senior Vice President, Network Operations and Services, for Metricom. ``Working with high-caliber deployment experts such as WFI, General Dynamics, and Whalen is a key component in our strategy and will help Metricom light up markets on time.'
WAPs are integral to the Ricochet meshed frequency-hopping network architecture that incorporates micro cell radio transmitters hung on streetlight and utility poles. These intelligent self-configuring ``poletop' radios allow users to send and receive data from Ricochet wireless data modems anywhere in coverage areas.
Ricochet WAPs collect RF data packets from the poletop radios and convert them for transmission over the local wireline and national Internet backbone networks. The three contractors will provide WAP site acquisition, zoning approval, architectural and engineering management, construction management, and WAP installation services.
In addition, Metricom and WFI have entered into an agreement whereby WFI will perform all the Radio Frequency (RF) engineering to guide local installation of poletop radios and WAPs in Metricom's targeted metropolitan areas. Based on Metricom's patented RF technology, these RF ``blueprints' comprise the first step in local deployment, which is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter.
About Metricom
Metricom, Inc. is a leading provider of mobile data networking and technology. The Company's Ricochet service provides mobile professionals with high-performance, cost-effective untethered access to the Internet, private Intranets, local-area networks, e-mail, and other online services.
Ricochet is generally available in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas; in select areas of New York City; on select corporate campuses; and at gate areas at major airports throughout the United States. For more information, call 800/Go-Wireless, or visit Metricom's Web site at metricom.com.
About WFI
A global leader in telecommunications outsourcing, Wireless Facilities, Inc. (WFI) designs, deploys and manages wireless networks for some of the largest telecom carriers and equipment suppliers worldwide.
With in-depth experience in all forms of wireless technology, WFI provides a complete range of network services -- from business and market planning to fixed network engineering, RF (radio frequency) engineering, GIS (geographic information systems), construction, installation, optimization and maintenance.
Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., WFI has grown to more than 625 employees working in 26 countries since the firm was founded in late 1994. The company has offices in Washington, D.C., Mexico City, Sao Paulo, New Delhi and London. WFI is on the Web at www.wfinet.com.
About General Dynamics Worldwide Telecommunication Systems
General Dynamics Worldwide Telecommunication Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - news), is a market leader in the wireless industry, having built more than 6000 wireless sites domestically and internationally. Worldwide Telecommunication Systems provides a full range of turnkey wireless deployment services from initial network design through equipment installation and testing for PCS/cellular, AMR, broadband, microwave, satellite and other wireless voice/data networks.
Worldwide Telecommunication Systems also engineers, furnishes and installs a full range of communications systems including large digital switches, satellite communications systems, campus distribution systems and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. For more information about General Dynamics Worldwide Telecommunication Systems' wireless services, please call 800/733-7745 or visit www.gd-wts.com/wsso.
About Whalen & Company
Whalen & Company, Inc. is the most experienced system development company in the telecommunications industry. Founded in 1987, it has developed over 15,000 wireless communications sites in the United States and abroad. Whalen provides site acquisition, zoning, permitting, construction and installation management, and other related services to the wireless, wireline, and cable television industries.
Whalen currently has over 300 project managers deployed in 22 cities in the United States. Whalen is based in Lafayette, California and can be contacted at 925/283-7700 or on the Web at www.whalen-company.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 1998 Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
