Siemens and P-Com Announce Partnership
Agreement for Wireless Broadband Solutions
OEM Agreement Includes Joint Development Activities for
Point-to-Multipoint Systems
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 1998--Siemens AG has chosen P-Com Inc.
(NASDAQ/NMS:PCMS - news) as the joint development partner for wireless broadband and Local Multipoint Distribution
Service (LMDS) solutions.
The agreement includes joint development by both companies. The point-to-multipoint (PMP) system is an access product that
enables wireless broadband operators to offer voice, data, fast Internet access and voice services. The agreement brings
together Siemens AG, one of the world's leading telecom suppliers, with P-Com, an innovator in radio technology systems.
PMP technology offers a more cost-effective way to provide a multiplicity of two-way services that are broadcast from one
hub. Unlike a wired solution that requires an up-front investment, once a hub has been commissioned a wireless broadband
network can grow with demand, thus limiting inventory. A PMP network enables a single radio at a hub location to
communicate with many remote terminals located within a cluster of buildings. The Asynchronous Transfer Mode
(ATM)-based hub unit can send, receive and switch two-way transmissions to and from each remote terminal. The PMP
network operates at selected frequencies ranging from 2 GHz to 42 GHz.
''Wireless broadband is a key technology for Siemens' key component of our broadband product portfolio strategy,'' said
Fred Fromm, president and CEO of Siemens Telecom Networks, Boca Raton, Fla. ''It's an efficient way for competitive local
exchange carriers (CLECs) and alternative carriers to reach the last mile. Siemens and P-Com provide complementary
expertise and help our customers by offering a number of products and services from one supplier. P-Com also is unique
because their experience includes both global and U.S. markets.''
''Siemens provides P-Com with a world class partner that can offer turnkey solutions that are among the best in the industry,''
said George Roberts, chairman and CEO of P-Com. ''Wireless broadband is now a viable solution for customers who want a
full multi-service network and an integrated solution from one supplier. This relationship is truly global. It will address the
worldwide market for broadband wireless PMP services.''
''Siemens has world-class integration expertise in wireless, ATM and voice telephony networks. We selected P-Com based
on their successful track record in successfully pioneering millimeter wave radio systems and their expertise in developing
wireless broadband modems. Siemens will integrate P-Com's Point to Multi-point Radio Hub equipment to its ATM switch
technology,'' said Thomas Rambold, president, Broadband Networks, Siemens AG Public Communication Networks Group,
Munich, Germany.
In recent related news, WinStar Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:WCII - news) has announced an expansion of the
agreement with Siemens Telecom Networks for the supply of point-to-multipoint equipment and systems integration services.
Under the new agreement, Siemens will add P-Com manufactured point-to-multipoint systems to WinStar's wireless
broadband demonstration network in Washington, D.C. Siemens also will provide ATM equipment, network management
systems and integration services for this network.
WinStar is a national local communications company, serving business customers, long distance carriers, fiber-based
competitive access providers, mobile communications companies, local telephone companies and other customers with
broadband local communications needs. Siemens has been working with WinStar as a systems integrator for the 38 GHz
wireless broadband multipoint network since the two companies announced their initial agreement in October 1997.
''We are pleased to continue working with Siemens, a world-class leader in telecommunications technology and network
systems integration, and P-Com, with whom we have had an excellent long-term relationship,'' said Nathan Kantor, president
and chief operating officer of WinStar.
P-Com Inc., headquartered in Campbell, Calif., develops, manufactures and markets network access systems for the
worldwide wireless telecommunications market. The point-to-point, spread spectrum and point-to-multipoint radio links
provided by P-Com are designed to satisfy the network requirements of cellular and personal communications service,
corporate communications, public utilities and local governments. Home page: www.p-com.com.
Siemens AG's Public Communication Networks Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of solutions for
telecommunications infrastructure systems. In North America, Siemens AG serves the public network through its subsidiary,
Siemens Telecom Networks. Siemens Telecom Networks, headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., is a leading provider of
telecommunications solutions to the public network service providers in North America. The company designs and
manufactures digital central office switching equipment, access network solutions, broadband switching systems, wireless
solutions, end-to-end multimedia solutions, Internet solutions, network management products and transmission products.
Siemens AG has annual revenues of $63.7 billion (FY 96-97) and has operations in 193 countries. Home page:
www.stn.siemens.com.
Siemens is a registered trademark of Siemens AG.
Contact:
Media Contacts:
Siemens AG (Germany)
Guenter Gaugler, + 49-89-722-36798
guenter.gaugler@oen.siemens.de
or
Siemens Telecom Networks, Boca Raton
Tom Phillips, 561/955-3670
thomas.phillips@stn.siemens.com
or
Robert Bartolotta, 561/955-3140
robert.bartolotta@stn.siemens.com
or
P-Com
Karl Spurzem, 408/866-3666
karl_spurzem@p-com.com
or
WinStar
Beth-Ellen Keyes, 212/584-4098
bkeyes@winstar.com |
