To: P2V who wrote (714 ) 10/19/1999 10:21:00 AM From: Don MacKenzie Respond to of 16863
New TODAY Tuesday October 19, 9:35 am Eastern Time Company Press Release Wi-LAN Stakes Position On 3G Technology In Patent Statement to ITU Wi-LAN's Patented Multicode Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Technology Believed Relevant to 3G Cellular Phone Technology CALGARY, ALBERTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 1999-- Wi-LAN Inc. (ASE:WIN), a leading innovator in the growing wireless Internet/data communications sector, today announced that it has filed an intellectual property (IP) statement with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) offering to make Wi-LAN's Multicode Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (MCDSSS) patented technology (US patent number 5,555,268) available for licensing on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms. The IP statement targets the ITU's International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT-2000) standard, which is the foundation for third generation (3G) mobile radio networks, including cellular phones. The ITU, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland is an international organization that sets global telecom network and service standards, and acts as the ``one stop shop' for 3G global standards to ensure that the radio recommendations for IMT-2000 meet industry needs worldwide. The ITU will meet in Helsinki starting October 25 for final consideration of worldwide 3G standardization. Wi-LAN's IP statement is based on the company's belief that the IMT-2000 proposals under consideration for 3G standardization, utilize Wi-LAN's MC-DSSS technology. If passed, IMT-2000 will enable a global platform of services in the cellular industry, including multi-media and high-bit-rate packet data communications. Commonly known as a cellular telephony technology, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) assigns a single code to each user in the network. Wi-LAN's MCDSSS enables multiple CDMA codes to be assigned to a single user in a CDMA network, thus increasing throughput. Various proposed 3G standards use multiple codes per user. Wi-LAN expects to license its technology to a variety of interested parties who are using or plan to use MC-DSSS, including the cellular equipment and component manufacturers and cellular service providers. ``We have long believed that our patented multicode technology is a major improvement over CDMA. It's exciting that multicode is taking its place at the heart of proposed 3G standards now being established,' said Dr. Hatim Zaghloul, Wi-LAN co-founder, Chairman and CEO. About Wi-LAN Inc. Wi-LAN Inc., based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 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. The company'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(TM) common shares trade on The Alberta Stock Exchange under the symbol ``WIN.' Detailed information on Wi-LAN can be found on the Web at wi-lan.com .