New Product in Award-Winning Ultima3 Series Provides Unmatched Coverage
CALGARY, Canada - March 4, 2002 - Wi-LAN Inc. (TSE:WIN), a global provider of broadband wireless communications products and technologies, today launched its Ultima3 LCPE (Long-range Customer Premise Equipment) product, which features point-to-multipoint coverage that extends farther than any other product in its class. The Ultima3 LCPE also includes all of the market-leading features of its sister product, the Ultima3 RD (Rapid Deployment), which was ranked best-in-class for range, advanced features and functionality, and monitoring and management capabilities in a 5 GHz product comparison recently conducted by Network Computing magazine. The Ultima3 RD has also been selected as a finalist for Network Computing's 9th Annual Well Connected Awards.
The new Ultima3 LCPE features point-to-multipoint coverage up to 38 kilometers (24 miles), and the Ultima3 ER (Extended Range) has demonstrated point-to-point links of up to 67.8 kilometers (42.4 miles). Ultima3 provides all of the features that customers have grown to expect of Wi-LAN, including superior scalability, multi-layered security, automatic power control, tiered network service management, and a user-friendly network management interface, all in a rugged, weatherproof, single unit design. The Ultima3 LCPE can be configured with various antennas, depending on customer requirements, making it more flexible and scalable. The single unit design eliminates the need for expensive accessories and coaxial cable, is easier and less expensive to install, can be mounted indoors or outdoors without the need for additional climate control, and enables longer-range coverage due to reduced line and connector losses. As with all Wi-LAN products, the Ultima3 LCPE is supported by Wi-LAN applications engineers, with many years of experience with Wi-LAN products in network design, troubleshooting, component selection and customer training.
Available in the 5.8 GHz license-exempt bands, the 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 having received the CE Mark indicating the product conforms to the standards of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
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 Network Computing's Well-Connected Awards Well-Connected Awards honor the year's outstanding technology products and services. They are chosen by Network Computing's technology editors from products that have been tested and evaluated in Network Computing's labs. The awards are only for products that have been through Network Computing analysis in the previous year.
All the finalists are announced in early spring. Winners will be announced in Network Computing's first issue in May. Well-Connected Award winners and finalists are also honored at a special awards ceremony at the Network+Interop trade show in Las Vegas in May. Additional information about Well-Connected Awards is available at http://www.nwc.com/wca2003/wca2003_faq.html.
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 telephone 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). 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.wilan.com.