Quarterhill Inc T.QTRH

How about MONTANA?

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Call me a pumper but when something is good, secure, dependable, is inexpensive and gets the job done. People notice. Sometimes it's slow but people notice. Wi-LAN AND INFOMINE OF THE ROCKIES CELEBRATE ONE YEAR OF SUCCESSFUL NETWORK OPERATIONS Network Provides Essential Services to Six Counties in Montana CALGARY, Canada and HELENA, Montana - June 17, 2004 - Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN), a global provider of broadband wireless communication products and technologies, and InfoMine of the Rockies, Inc. (InfoMine), a computer network solutions company headquartered in Helena, Montana, today announced one year of uninterrupted service for a growing broadband wireless network. The network connects the essential municipal services of six counties in Central and Southern Montana using Wi-LAN's broadband wireless systems. Users of this mission-critical network include hospitals, courthouses, 9-1-1 dispatch, police, correctional institutions and mental health institutions. "This is a fantastic achievement," said Gerard Kern, Northwest U.S. Regional Sales Manager, Wi-LAN Inc. "The links of this network span over 300 miles, supplying municipal and state-sponsored organizations with video conferencing capabilities, voice over IP services and Internet access. The system has much more capacity for far less than the cost of T1 connections between these counties." "What we really like about the Wi-LAN products we have deployed in the network are their reliability, outstanding quality and capacity to handle high levels of traffic," said Phillip Curtiss, Vice President Technology, InfoMine of the Rockies, Inc. "We were looking for a wireless solution which would comply with U.S. HIPPA regulations, support 9-1-1 medical services and provide connectivity to local and state authorities. After a detailed review of the various vendors we selected Wi-LAN." "Wi-LAN's products are ideal for an emerging wireless solutions provider like InfoMine that demands reliable, long range, high throughput, multipoint solutions," said Mr. Kelson Colbo, President, InfoMine of the Rockies, Inc. "We have Wi-LAN broadband wireless systems deployed at elevations exceeding 10,000 feet in very remote areas of Montana and their performance has been outstanding. The wireless portion of the network has proven to be the most sustainable in terms of cost and provides the most capacity for future expansion of the network. We are currently proposing various extensions to the network to serve additional counties and cities within the State." - more- -2- "Montana's rugged, rural landscape had left many parts of the state without affordable telecommunications services. Bringing these areas into the 21st century via traditional cable and telecommunications services was unrealistic due to the upfront infrastructure costs and recurring charges associated with those options," said Marko Lucich, President of the Montana Juvenile Probation Officers Association. "I applied for an appropriation of funds through U.S. Senator Conrad Burns, specifically to provide videoconferencing services to the judicial districts across the entire State. Now, with Wi-LAN's broadband wireless systems installed by InfoMine, we can deal with judicial offenders professionally and confidentially, save the court system money and reduce travel expenses substantially." "InfoMine has been installing Wi-LAN equipment for over 5 years now. The first units they bought are still running in mission-critical links. They are excellent examples of Wi-LAN quality and service," said Nico Roelofsen, Vice President, Global Sales, Wi-LAN Inc. "We rely on the expertise of system integrators like InfoMine to deploy great networks, in this case using our Ultima3 and AWE product series, which we have been selling for several years. Wi-LAN customers today can also take advantage of our industry-leading LIBRA product series, with our patented non-line-of-sight W-OFDM technology that has been adopted by the Wi-MAX Forum(1)." Available in license-exempt and licensed frequency bands, Wi-LAN's broadband wireless access products are certified for deployment in most countries worldwide. Wi-LAN products are designed for commercial outdoor broadband wireless networks and are ideal for high-density non-line-of-sight (NLOS) point-to-multipoint configurations, medium-density ad-hoc networks, and long-distance point-to-point backhaul applications. Customers who deploy Wi-LAN's LIBRA product line are protected by Wi-LAN's CONTINUITY PROGRAMTM. The core of the CONTINUITY PROGRAM is Wi-LAN's commitment that any current LIBRA Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) will operate side by side, in the same network, the same cell and even the same sector with future WiMAX Certified(1) CPE's. The CONTINUITY PROGRAM will minimize network and revenue disruption and protect customers' investment in current technology when networks are transitioned to WiMAX Certified equipment. The CONTINUITY PROGRAM offers Wi-LAN customers a solid migration path to Wi-LAN's Wi-MAX Certified systems, which are expected to be available in the first half of 2005. - more- -3- About InfoMine of the Rockies, Inc. InfoMine of the Rockies is a Montana based, locally owned and operated computer network solutions company serving schools, libraries, health care facilities, private businesses and individuals. InfoMine is the state leader in using computer and telecommunications technology to connect people with resources within their communities to the world beyond. With our main office located in Helena, Montana, InfoMine has additional branch offices located in Missoula and Butte. About Wi-LAN Inc. Wi-LAN is a global provider of broadband wireless communications products and technologies, offering businesses, including telecom service providers, and government enterprises effective, economic and secure wireless high-speed communications solutions. Wi-LAN specializes in high-speed Internet access, data network extension, and wireless data and telephony backhaul, utilizing its high quality products and industry-leading technologies. Wi-LAN believes its portfolio of patents, including its core W-OFDM patents and 17 patents and patent applications acquired from Ensemble Communications in May 2004, are necessary for the implementation of devices using the IEEE 802.16 WirelessMAN Standard (1) and the ETSI BRAN HiperMAN(1) standard (the WiMAX Forum(1) standards). As well, Wi-LAN's W-OFDM patents are believed to be required for the implementation of devices using the IEEE standards 802.11a and 802.11g (the 2nd generation WiFi Alliance(1) standards), and the ETSI BRAN HiperLAN/2(1) standard. Wi-LAN licenses its patented technology and has executed non-exclusive W-OFDM license agreements with semiconductor and broadband wireless equipment companies. Wi-LAN is the Chair Company of the OFDM Forum (www.ofdm-forum.com) and an active member of the WiMAX Forum (www.wimaxforum.org). Wi-LAN's common shares trade on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "WIN." Detailed information on Wi-LAN can be found at www.wi-lan.com. Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, may include forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties. These may include, without limitation, statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties related to all aspects of the wireless communications industry. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not restricted to, continued increased demand for the Company's products, the Company's ability to maintain its technological leadership in the field of high-speed wireless communications, the Company's ability to attract and retain key employees, the enforceability of the Company's patents, and the availability of key components. These uncertainties may cause actual results to differ from information contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change. (1) All trademarks and brands mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners. -30- - more- -4- For more information please contact: Wi-LAN Inc. Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Ken Wetherell Ph: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] InfoMine of the Rockies, Inc. President Kelson Colbo Ph: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] To place an order please contact: Wi-LAN Inc. Sales - NW USA Gerard Kern Ph: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: < a href="mailto:[e-mail]">[e-mail] Wi-LAN Inc. Global Sales Ph: [phone] Toll-free: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] https://www.wi-lan.com/news/press/20040617.htm