News Release Details

Wi-LAN Continues to Press for OFDM Acceptance in Unlicensed Band

09/15/2001

FCC Deems W-OFDM Too Spectrally Efficient for Unlicensed 2.4 GHz Band

Calgary, Alberta
September 15, 2000

Wi-LAN Inc. (TSE: WIN), an innovator of high-speed wireless data/Internet communications, has been notified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the US regulatory body responsible for telecommunications, that it does not intend to certify OFDM systems for use in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency band in the United States. Wi-LAN is appealing the FCC's ruling. The ruling affects only a specific market segment that is effectively addressed by other Wi-LAN products, and will not have significant impact on Wi-LAN's overall business objectives moving forward.

To date, the FCC has denied the use of OFDM technology in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, including Wi-LAN's patented W-OFDM technology. The Wi-LAN spread spectrum transmitter met the FCC's published technical test requirements. However, because OFDM technology minimizes the bandwidth necessary to transmit data, the FCC ruled that OFDM does not fit the definitions of a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) System, and therefore is outside the intended use of the unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency band as conceived by the FCC.

"This is one of those hurdles that leading-edge technology companies face being first to market," said Bill Hews, President and COO, Wi-LAN. "W-OFDM enables efficient use of limited spectrum in the 2.4 GHz band; therefore, we continue to seek FCC certification. We will maintain our aggressive pursuit of lucrative market opportunities in the licensed and unlicensed frequency bands."

The FCC ruling only affects Wi-LAN's marketing of W-OFDM products for the unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency band in the United States. Wi-LAN will continue to develop W-OFDM products such as the I.WiLL(TM) product line in the licensed MMDS and unlicensed UNII band, both of which offer potential for significant market growth. In addition, several other Wi-LAN products operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, including the recently announced Hopper Plus(TM) 120-24 wireless Ethernet Bridge built with Wi-LAN's patented MC-DSSS technology, have received FCC certification and are unaffected by the recent ruling.

The spectrum is a limited resource; by increasing spectral efficiency, OFDM technology uses less bandwidth and thus is a better use of this limited resource. Wi-LAN's W-OFDM products have already been certified for use in the 2.4 GHz band by the relevant regulatory bodies in both Europe (ETSI) and Canada (Industry Canada).

With our Interactive Analyst Center (IAC), historical financial data, both quarterly and annual, is available in an easy to access spreadsheet format. View and export our financial statements, non-GAAP reconciliations as well as share information.

Disclaimer

Please note that you are now entering a website directly or indirectly maintained by a third party (the "External Site") and that you do so at your own risk.

Wi-LAN Inc. and its affiliates (“WIN”) have no control over the External Site, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Site is provided for convenience purposes only.

By clicking “Accept” you acknowledge and agree that neither WIN nor third party provider Virtua Research, Inc. (“Virtua) is responsible, or accepts or assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, the content, the data or the technical operation of the Linked Site. Further, by entering the External Site, you also acknowledge and agree that you completely and irrevocably waive any and all rights and claims against WIN and Virtua and further acknowledge and agree that in no event shall WIN or Virtua, or their respective officers, employees, directors and agents be liable for any (i) indirect, consequential, incidental, special, compensatory or punitive damages, (ii) damages for loss of income, loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of data or business information, loss of or damage to property, (iii) claims of third parties, or (iv) other pecuniary loss, arising out of or related to the Legal Notice, this disclaimer or the External Site

By entering the External Site, you further acknowledge and agree that the disclaimer of warranties and limitations of liability set out in this disclaimer shall apply regardless of the causes, circumstances or form of action giving rise to the loss, damage, claim or liability, even if such loss, damage, claim or liability is based upon breach of contract (including, without limitation, a claim of fundamental breach or breach of a fundamental term), tort (including, without limitation, negligence), strict liability or any other legal or equitable theory, and even if WIN and Virtua are advised of the possibility of the loss, damage, claim or liability. The waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute(s).

If in any jurisdiction, any part of this disclaimer is held to be unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such part of this disclaimer shall be restricted or eliminated to the minimum extent and the remaining disclaimer shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

Please note the information presented is deemed representative at the time of its original release. Changes in historical information may occur due to adjustments in accounting and reporting standards & procedures.

Non-GAAP Information

In addition to disclosing results determined in accordance with GAAP, WIN may also disclose certain non-GAAP and pro forma non-GAAP results of operations, including certain ratios, operational and miscellaneous data, as well as net income, diluted earnings per share, operating expenses, and operating income that make certain adjustments or exclude certain charges and gains that are outlined in the schedules included in this website. Management believes that this non-GAAP and pro forma non-GAAP information provides investors with additional information to assess WIN operating performance by making certain adjustments or excluding costs or gains and assists investors in comparing WIN's operating performance to prior periods. Management uses this non-GAAP and pro forma non-GAAP information, along with GAAP information, in evaluating its historical operating performance. WIN and Virtua also take no responsibility for third party pricing data provided for informational purposes and certain ratio results formulated from the provided third party pricing data.

The non-GAAP information is not prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to non-GAAP information used by other companies. The non-GAAP information should not be viewed as a substitute for, or superior to, other data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Decline Agree