NEWSWi-LAN's Broadband Fixed Wireless Access Products Gain Traction in Russia
CALGARY, CANADA and MOSCOW, RUSSIA--
CompTek International and Diamond Communications Add Recently Certified Ultima3
to Their Product Offerings
Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN), a global provider of broadband wireless communications
products and technologies, announced today two major system integrators and
product distributors in Russia, CompTek International and Diamond
Communications, have added Wi-LAN's Ultima3 Series broadband fixed wireless
access products to their extensive suite of integrated network solutions. The
Ministry of Communication of the Russian Federation recently approved the
Ultima3 Series for deployment in Russia. CompTek is a well-established
distributor of high technology networking and telecom equipment with a
distribution network covering almost all of the Former Soviet Union (FSU),
including active authorized regional dealers in more than 120 cities. Diamond
is a leading network technologies system integrator and product distributor in
the Russian telecommunications market.
"Wi-LAN's broadband fixed wireless access products are in a class of their own
in Russia's rapidly growing wireless communications market," said Inna
Plotnikova, President of Diamond Communications. "Wi-LAN's solutions allow us
to successfully implement broadband wireless networks offering fully integrated
services such as voice telephony, high-speed Internet access and data
transmission services."
"I am very pleased to add Wi-LAN, a broadband wireless leader, to our product
offering," said Peter Kochegarov, CompTek International's Technical Director.
"The Russian broadband wireless access market has very large growth potential,
and CompTek's relationship with Wi-LAN will allow us to increase our
participation in this growth and bring leading-edge communication
infrastructure to Russia."
CompTek International and Diamond Communications will both be exhibiting at
SVIAZ / EXPO COMM, May 12 to May 16, 2003 at the Krasnaya Presnya Fairgrounds
in Moscow, Russia. With over 100,000 attendees, 787 exhibiting companies and 33
countries represented, leading telecommunications and information technology
equipment manufacturers and service providers come to SVIAZ/EXPO COMM MOSCOW to
meet with top government and corporate decision makers from throughout Russia
and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
"Broadband fixed wireless access has excellent potential in Russia's largely
underserved telecommunications market, so we are very pleased to sign up
CompTek and Diamond to assist us in penetrating this large and growing market,"
said Nico Roelofsen, Vice President, Global Sales, Wi-LAN Inc.
"Both CompTek and Diamond are leaders in telecommunications product
distribution and system integration in Russia. The Ultima3 is an excellent
product for this market, and we look forward to adding additional products to
our Russian offering as they are certified by the Ministry of Communication,"
said Patrick Bodnar, Regional Director, Russia and Commonwealth of Independent
States, Wi-LAN Inc.
Available in the 5.8 GHz license-exempt bands, Ultima3 is suitable for
deployment in most countries worldwide. Ultima3 is certified for use in all
major global telecommunications markets, having received certification from the
USA Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the State Regulatory Radio
Commission (SRRC) of the Peoples' Republic of China, Industry Canada (IC) and
the Ministry of Communication of the Russian Federation, and having received
the CE Mark indicating the product conforms to the standards of the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
Wi-LAN's Ultima3 Product Series
Built on eight years of field-proven technology and experience, the 5.8 GHz
Ultima3 series is designed to meet the needs of license-exempt wireless
Internet service providers and enterprises looking to build or extend broadband
communications infrastructures. Ultima3 series products can be used for
broadband access applications alone or in combination with wired alternatives.
When paired with Wi-LAN's TEmux T1/E1 multiplexer, Ultima3 point-to-point
products can also be used for transmission of up to 30 voice channels to
provide a robust, reliable and cost-effective alternative to traditional leased
T1 or E1 lines. The current hardware is capable of supporting several
generations of enhancement to the system software. Features such as video
services and additional network management features are being made available,
as the market requires, via over-the-air software upgrades. Also, future
generations of products will be compatible with existing products.
The Ultima3 series includes Rapid Deployment (RD) and Extended Range (ER)
products for point-to point applications, and Multi-Point (MP) products,
including the new Long-range CPE (LCPE), for point-to-multipoint applications.
Using a cellular-based frequency reuse point-to-multipoint network design
linked by point-to-point units, Wi-LAN's Ultima3 solution can easily serve a
large customer base. Coverage cells can be added and expanded quickly and cost
effectively. By starting small and expanding, network operators experience
early profits, and enterprises realize incremental cost savings.
The AWE (Advanced Wireless Ethernet bridge) Product Series, which includes the
Ultima3 Series as well as the AWE 45-24 and AWE 120-24, is offered in the
license-exempt 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands. The AWE Series meets the requirements
of service providers and enterprises without the need to obtain spectrum
licenses. The 5.8 GHz Ultima3 series and the 2.4 GHz AWE 120-24 products
feature Wi-LAN's patented MC-DSSS technology, which is designed to support
constant service over distance through increased data rates, enhanced
reliability and cost-effective performance. MC-DSSS technology also improves
security due to built-in data scrambling that prevents unwanted eavesdropping.
Wi-LAN's advanced wireless Ethernet bridges are designed to be easy to use,
install and manage. Enhanced scalability allows a service provider to add new
customers easily.
The MC-DSSS Advantage
Wi-LAN's patented Multi-code Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum technology
(MC-DSSS) is the world's most spectrally efficient spread spectrum radio
technology, and is the technology that makes it possible to multiply the
carrying capacity of traditional spread spectrum systems by as much as ten
times. Wi-LAN believes that MC-DSSS is the foundation for third generation (3G)
mobile radio networks, including cellular phones, and Wi-LAN has filed an
intellectual property statement with the International Telecommunications Union
offering to make MC-DSSS available for licensing on fair, reasonable and
non-discriminatory terms.
Wi-LAN Customer Support
As part of the Wi-LAN turnkey wireless network solution, the company provides
engineering services to help customers and business partners plan and install
wireless networks. From preliminary engineering service, such as system design
and maintenance planning, to consulting and on-site service and training,
Wi-LAN offers a full range of engineering services to help customers get the
most from their wireless network equipment.
About CompTek International
CompTek is a well-established distributor of high technology networking and
telecom equipment operating at the technology intersection of computers and
communications. Principal network technologies are microwave, fiber optic, and
wireless "last mile" solutions, enabling computer telephony, IP-telephony, and
Internet services, including full-text retrieval engines designed specifically
for the Russian language. CompTek has distribution agreements with Cisco
Systems (1998 - 2002 In-Country Distributor of the Year), Avaya Communications,
Intel/Dialogic, Everex Systems, Wi-LAN Inc. and other vendors. CompTek has
established a distribution network covering almost all of the FSU including
active authorized regional dealers in more than 120 cities.
About Diamond Communications
Diamond Communications, a network technologies company founded in 1991, is a
leading system integrator and product distributor in the Russian
telecommunications market. The company distributes hardware and software
products from world-class vendors throughout Russia and designs, develops and
deploys large-scale information systems and geographically-distributed
multiservice integrated network solutions for a wide spectrum of customer
communications requirements, including deployment of wireless solutions for
manifold goals. Diamond Communications takes part in partnership programs with
leading wireless vendors including Cisco Systems, Avaya Communications,
Alvarion, MobileMark, California Amplifier, Wi-LAN and others.
About Wi-LAN Inc.
Wi-LAN is a global provider of broadband wireless communications products and
technologies, specializing in solutions for secure wireless provision of
high-speed data and telephony over distance for enterprises and telecom service
providers. Wi-LAN's broadband wireless access products are known worldwide for
their high quality and industry-leading technology. Wi-LAN believes its W-OFDM
patents are necessary for the implementation of devices using the IEEE
standards 802.16a, 802.11a or 802.11g, the ETSI BRAN HiperLAN/2 standard or the
current draft of the ETSI BRAN HiperMAN proposed standard. Wi-LAN licenses its
W-OFDM technology and has executed non-exclusive W-OFDM license agreements with
semiconductor 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 data 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 data communications, the Company's
ability to attract and maintain 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.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT :
Wi-LAN Inc.
For more information - Ken Wetherell
Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
Phone: (403) 207-6329
Email: kwetherell@wi-lan.com
or
CompTek International
Tatiana Loginova
Phone: +7 (095) 785-2525
Fax: +7 (095) 785-2526
Email: tz@comptek.ru
or
Diamond Communications
Svetlana Boldareva
Phone: +7 (095) 956-6676
Fax: +7 (095) 369-7415
Email: s_boldareva@diamond.ru
or
Wi-LAN Inc.
To place an order - Patrick Bodnar
Sales: Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States and E.USA
Phone: (202) 537-1424
Fax: (202) 966-6465
Email: pbodnar@wi-lan.com
or
Wi-LAN Inc.
Global Sales
Phone: (403) 273-9133 or Toll Free: (800) 258-6876
Fax: (403) 273-5100
Email: info@wi