Found this press release and wanted to know if anyone could tell me if this is the same Siemens involved with FNTN and if it is, does anyone think it will mean anything to FNTN in the future? Thanks for your comments.
WinStar and Siemens Telecom Networks Expand Point to
Multipoint Agreement
Siemens To Provide ATM and Network Management Equipment and
Integrate P-Com Radios Into Network
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 1998--WINSTAR COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(NASDAQ - WCII) and Siemens Telecom Networks today announced an expansion of their
agreement for the supply of point-to-multipoint equipment and systems integration services. Under
this new agreement, Siemens will integrate P-Com point-to-multipoint systems into WinStar's
wireless broadband demonstration network in Washington, D.C. Siemens will also provide ATM
equipment, network management systems and integration services for this network.
This agreement enables WinStar's point-to-multipoint broadband network to incorporate
equipment from multiple vendors on the same hub sites. Point-to-multipoint systems manufactured
by Broadband Networks Inc. (BNI), that are currently installed in WinStar's point-to-multipoint
network, will continue to be supported by Nortel, which acquired BNI in late 1997.
WinStar's existing full-duplex, ATM-based point-to-multipoint demonstration network in
Washington, D.C. incorporates three fully interconnected hub sites which provide high-speed
voice, data and video services to customer buildings located in different geographical sectors.
Traffic is routed through an ATM over-the-air interface and integrated with WinStar's ATM
metropolitan area backbone network and its Class 4/5 local and toll switched network. This
existing network incorporates BNI point-to-multipoint radios which were supported by Siemens.
Under the new agreement, P-COM point-to-multipoint radios which will be supported by Siemens
will be added to WinStar's demonstration network while Nortel will assume responsibility for the
existing equipment.
WinStar's point-to-multipoint network is ushering in an era of advanced communications services,
including enhanced video conferencing, LAN-LAN interconnections, file transfer, MPEG-2 video
and distance learning. ''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. ''We are also pleased that Nortel will continue to support WinStar's multipoint
network. We believe a multi-vendor strategy encourages efficiency and innovation from our
vendors, and insures that we are not dependent upon a single supplier.''
Commenting on today's announcement, Fred Fromm, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Siemens Telecom Networks, said, ''Siemens is confident that, working with WinStar, we will help
bring an unprecedented level of flexibility and innovation to the telecommunications services
marketplace.''
WinStar said today it remains on schedule to begin initial commercial deployment of its
point-to-multipoint network. The point-to-multipoint network design greatly increases the efficiency
with which WinStar utilizes its spectrum while also providing very significant reductions in capital
costs. The combination of reduced costs and the relative ease of installation will allow the
integration of voice, data and video communications into one network.
WinStar Communications, Inc. 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. The company provides its Wireless Fiber(SM) services using its licenses in
the 28 and 38 GHz spectrum. The company also provides long distance, Internet, data and
information services. Home page: www.winstar.com
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 Telecom
Networks is a subsidiary of Siemens AG, which has annual revenues of $63.7 billion (FY 96-97)
and has operations in 193 countries. Home page: www.stn.siemens.com
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
Except for any historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release
contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which are described in the
company's SEC reports, including the 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1997, and the
10-Q for the period ended March 31, 1998.
WinStar is a registered trademark, and Wireless Fiber is a service mark of WinStar
Communications, Inc. Siemens is a registered trademark of Siemens AG. |
