Siemens and P-Com Announce Partnership Agreement for Wireless Broadband Solutions; OEM Agreement Includes Joint Development Activities for Point-to-Multipoint Systems
BusinessWire, Monday, August 10, 1998 at 08:07
BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 1998--Siemens AG has
chosen P-Com Inc. (NASDAQ/NMS:PCMS) 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)
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. |
