Roughly the geographic size of New York City, MSOYNET X network combines Wi-LAN's patented W-OFDM broadband wireless technology for backhaul with Radionet's Wi-Fi Hotzone technology for last mile-connections
CALGARY, Canada and MÄNTSÄLÄ, Finland - June 1, 2004 -Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN), a global provider of broadband wireless communications products and technologies, and Radionet Oy, a leading supplier of Wi-Fi Hotzone technology, today announced the sale of broadband wireless equipment for the expansion of the Mäntsälä regional wireless network in southern Finland. Owned and operated by the local energy company Mäntsälän Sähkö, the expanded Mäntsälä network will cover an area of over 800 km2, roughly the size of New York City, in the Municipality of Mäntsälä as well as neighboring cities and municipalities. Upon its completion in early June the new network, MSOYNET X will cover a population of over 60,000 people. In addition to regional population centers, the network also brings wireless broadband connections and adds Wi-Fi connectivity to sparsely populated areas.
"The combination of Wi-LAN's and Radionet's technology enables us to cover the whole of Mäntsälä - private households, local companies, the Mäntsälä municipal authority, as well as rural areas, where also farms can benefit from wireless broadband connections," said Vesa Selikare, Director, Networks, Mäntsälän Sähkö. "After looking into the alternatives on the marketplace, the combination of Wi-LAN and Radionet products proved to be by far the best solution for us. Wi-LAN's equipment provides the high-capacity non-line-of-sight capabilities that are needed for backhaul and customers who need high bandwidth. Radionet's robust outdoor equipment provides users with ubiquitous broadband and Wi-Fi access within the coverage area."
MSOYNET X combines licensed frequency technology from Wi-LAN for wireless backhaul with Radionet's license-free technology for last mile connections. The network utilizes Wi-LAN's LIBRA 3000 W-OFDM based non-line-of-sight (NLOS) broadband wireless products and Radionet's Wi-Fi broadband wireless equipment. Additional sales of Wi-LAN and Radionet products are expected to follow as Mäntsälän Sähkö expands the network with additional base stations.
In addition to broadband services to households and companies in the region, Mäntsälän Sähkö, as a member of a coalition of Finnish WISP's (Wireless Internet Service Providers), offers roaming services between citywide Wi-Fi Hotzones in Finland as well as instant access services to visitors.
"Mäntsälän Sähkö has been one of the pioneers in adopting new wireless broadband technologies. Established in 2000, the company's wireless broadband network has been a commercial success, and Mäntsälän Sähkö has achieved a market-leading position in broadband Internet access in the region. The Mäntsälä network demonstrates that by using licensed wireless technology for backhaul connections and license-free Wi-Fi technology for end user access, large wireless broadband networks can be built quickly and cost-effectively," said Henry Valtonen, Director of Sales and Marketing, Radionet.
Mäntsälän Sähkö is protected by the Wi-LAN CONTINUITY PROGRAMTM, which offers customers who deploy Wi-LAN's Libra series broadband wireless systems a clear migration path to Wi-LAN's Wi-MAX Certified(1) systems, expected to be available in the first half of 2005.
"Our CONTINUITY PROGRAM allows Mäntsälän Sähkö to extend the network in a non-disruptive way with our new WiMAX Certified systems as they become available. The CONTINUITY PROGRAM will minimize network and revenue disruption and protect customers' investment in current Libra technology when networks are transitioned to WiMAX Certified equipment. With the proactive use of new network technology, the Mäntsälän network illustrates how WISP's can create robust and reliable wireless broadband networks with the performance of future WiMAX Certified networks using technology available today," said Adrian Wheeler, Regional Director, Europe, Wi-LAN Inc.
"This model of deployment solves, in a very elegant way, the provisioning of a very low cost CPE for residential applications. The Mäntsälän Sähkö network is at the leading edge of technology. We see growing demand for these kind of roll-outs, not only in Finland but globally, and Wi-LAN and its partners will be there to serve them," said Nico Roelofsen, V.P., Global Sales for Wi-LAN Inc.
The MSOYNET X network features QoS (Quality of Service) functionality, which enables Mäntsälän Sähkö to provide its customers with constant performance levels and Radionet's MageIP technology, which enables seamless subnet switching for reliability and improved connection speed. The network also features advanced security features such as VPN and AES.
Inspired by the success of the MSOYNET X network, Mäntsälän Sähkö and municipalities in the mid-Uusimaa region are exploring the possibility of extending the wireless broadband network to the cities and municipalities of Kerava, Järvenpää, Tuusula and Nurmijärvi. These have a combined population of over 150,000 inhabitants.
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 W-OFDM patents are necessary for the implementation of devices using the IEEE 802.16 WirelessMAN Standard * and the ETSI BRAN HiperMAN* standard (the WiMAX Forum* standards), the IEEE standards 802.11a and 802.11g (the 2nd generation WiFi Alliance* standards), and the ETSI BRAN HiperLAN/2* 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 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.
* All trademarks and brands mentioned in this release are the property of their respective owners.
For more information please contact:
Wi-LAN Inc.Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
Ken Wetherell
Ph: (403) 207-6329
E-mail: kwetherell@wi-lan.com
To place a product order please contact:
Wi-LAN Inc.
Global Sales
Ph: (403) 273-9133
Fax: (403) 273-5100
E-mail: info@wi-lan.com
Radionet Oy
Sales and Marketing
Henry Valtonen
GSM: +358 500 500 601
E-mail:
henry.valtonen@radionet.fi
Mäntsälän Sähkö Oy
Janne Wickman
Ph: +358 19 689 948
E-mail:
janne.wickman@msoy.fi
Vesa Selikare
E-mail:
vesa.selikare@msoy.fi