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Gold/Mining/Energy : KERM'S KORNER -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Herb Duncan who wrote (10710)	5/14/1998 8:59:00 PM
From: Herb Duncan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 15196

CORP / Wi-LAN's Wireless Hopper (R) Modems Automate Wascana Energy Oil Fields ASE SYMBOL: WIN MAY 14, 1998 CALGARY, ALBERTA-- Oil and gas company renews major preferred-supplier agreement to buy Wi-LAN Hopper(R) modems Wascana Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd., announced today that it has renewed its relationship with Calgary-based Wi-LAN Inc. (ASE:WIN), as a preferred supplier of spread spectrum radio equipment for its field automation initiatives in Western Canada. Wascana currently has more than 750 of Wi-LAN's Hopper(R) wireless modems in service, and expects to double that number. "Wascana Energy initially chose the Hopper wireless modem for its robustness in transmitting and managing critical data in the often rugged environment of the oil patch," says Nico Roelofsen, Vice President, Sales at Wi-LAN. "Wascana is on the leading edge of SCADA wireless development in the oil and gas industry. This deal, valued at one million dollars, will ensure that Wi-LAN's technology advancements will continue to support Wascana's groundbreaking wireless initiatives." REDUCING THE COST OF DATA ACQUISITION Wi-LAN's wireless modems play a key role in Wascana's move towards automating the remote multi-site data management of its oil fields, by collecting data from each well-site. They constantly monitor well status and can deliver essential information to a processing station in only a few seconds. Wascana's automation initiative began in 1995 in its Southeast Saskatchewan business unit with a state-of-the-art supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. Prior to the SCADA system, field personnel had to drive to 700 different sites in a 12,000 square-kilometre area, making on-site data collection a costly and time-consuming operation. Since this initial system was implemented, Wascana has developed a number of other SCADA projects in its operating areas throughout western Canada that use Hopper wireless technology. Today, Wascana staff report to their field office in the morning, log on to a computer and read up-to-the-minute information supplied by Wi-LAN's wireless remote units that are attached to remote terminal units at each well. "Wireless communications goes where other technologies can't. Wi-LAN's wireless modems are reliable, highly scalable and give us great performance," says Tom Foord, Automation Coordinator, Wascana Energy. "The flexibility, ease-of-use and low price of wireless telemetry is undoubtedly the technology of choice for transmitting information from remote sites with little existing network infrastructure." Wi-LAN's spread-spectrum technology was chosen over standard narrow-band wireless SCADA systems, which are often subject to interference and can be delayed by costly and time-consuming licensing regulations. Hopper modems operate in licence-exempt ISM radio bands, freeing users from licensing fees or monthly data-line charges. Brian Weninger, Buyer at Wascana Energy comments, "Wi-LAN has demonstrated strong dedication and involvement in enhancing Wascana Energy's award-winning SCADA system over the past two years, and Wascana intends to develop this further in the years to come." He says Wascana is considering future applications for other Wi-LAN products such as the Hopper Plus(R) wireless Ethernet bridge. WI-LAN CHARTS CONTINUED GROWTH This latest agreement follows the April 14th announcement that Wi-LAN has entered into a two-phase contract to supply Wireless Local Loop systems to a major European communications company that cannot be named at this time. In the first phase, Wi-LAN's products will be used in a fixed high-speed wireless data network providing nation-wide services to businesses and homes. Wi-LAN expects the initial phase of the contract to generate $1.6 million in revenue in 1998 through product deliveries and development fees. Wi-LAN expects to provide at least 50 per cent of the company's Wireless Local Loop (WLL) equipment requirements from 1999 to 2005. Based on the terms and conditions of this contract, the value of the second phase to Wi-LAN will range from $75 million to $150 million. ABOUT THE HOPPER Companies around the globe use the Hopper to replace or extend standard wire lines, including many areas where wires are unavailable or impractical. Highly cost effective, Hoppers are used in a wide range of commercial, industrial and municipal applications, including remote monitoring, fleet control, traffic control and waster water management, or wherever reliable and secure data acquisition, control or transmission is essential. ABOUT WI-LAN INC. Wi-LAN Inc. is a research, development and engineering company whose mission is to design, build and market innovative, leading-edge spread spectrum wireless networking technologies for its global customers. Wi-LAN delivers spread spectrum wireless data communications products that feature consistent high performance, easy installation and superior quality at significantly lower costs than traditional wire-based networking alternatives. The company's products have been sold in more than 30 countries on six continents. Wi-LAN shares trade on the Alberta Stock Exchange under the symbol WIN. More information on Wi-LAN can be found on the Web at wi-lan.com