New Devices expected to be made available for Mobile Professionals Beginning in Late 2000 Los Gatos, California and Vancouver, B.C. - November 10, 1999 -- Metricom, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCOM), a leading provider of mobile data networking and technology, and Sierra Wireless, Inc. (TSE: SW) a leading wireless data communication systems company, today announced an agreement for the licensing of Metricom technology.
In addition, Sierra Wireless has agreed to develop, manufacture and supply Ricochet 128 kbps subscriber equipment. The supply agreement has a value exceeding US$30 million and calls for the delivery of wireless modems to Metricom and its distribution channels over a twelve month period commencing in the first quarter of 2001 or sooner.
"Sierra Wireless is a leader in wireless modem development, bringing innovative solutions to the market," said John Wernke, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Metricom. "By combining Sierra Wireless' expertise in wireless modems and PC cards with Metricom's leadership in mobile access solutions, we will extend the options for mobile professionals allowing them to better remain connected to information with high-speed, always-on performance."
In addition, Metricom becomes a member of Sierra Wireless-founded WirelessReady Alliance, which was initiated to unite leading computing and communications vendors in the development of complete and compelling wireless data solutions. With the new Ricochet subscriber products and 128 kbps mobile access, the portable computer user will be able to experience the full power of untethered access to information allowing the productivity of in-office computing without the confines of the office. Ricochet 128 kbps service is scheduled for availability beginning in Summer 2000.
"Sierra Wireless believes that Metricom's Ricochet 128 kbps service will open significant new markets for wireless data access," said Andrew Harries, Vice President of Marketing for Sierra Wireless. "We expect that the combination of our wireless development expertise and alliances with Metricom's high speed service and distribution partnerships will lead to rapid market penetration."
Ricochet customer devices are outfitted with small antennas that exchange data with Ricochet micro cell radios mounted on city streetlight and utility poles. These "poletop" radios communicate with each other and local wired access points using a meshed frequency-hopping network architecture, which is interconnected to a wired local network and the national Internet backbone. In this way, customers can stay connected to data anywhere in coverage areas, without being tied to a wall jack, even while moving at speeds up to 70 miles an hour.
[ Home | Contact | MobiChat | Experts database | Let's do it ]
Comments to the content of this page can be posted on the MobiChat discussion group