News Release Details

Wi-LAN PROVIDES BROADBAND WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS TO REMOTE OILFIELDS

10/14/2004

CALGARY, Canada - October 14, 2004 - Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN), a global provider of market-leading broadband wireless communications products and technologies and a charter member of the WiMAX Forum(1), today announced that its broadband wireless communications products have been deployed to create a wide-area network providing voice, data and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) for remote oilfields in the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska for Marathon Oil, a large U.S.-based integrated oil and gas company. Marathon Oil is benefiting from dramatically improved communications and reduced operating costs, thanks to a uniquely designed wireless network using Wi-LAN’s VIP 110-24 broadband wireless access systems. The network was designed and installed by Quadco Inc., a systems integrator and 20-year veteran in the oilfield business.

"The ruggedness, durability and quality of Wi-LAN’s equipment is self-evident with this network," said Glenn Pollock, VIP Product Manager. "Wi-LAN equipment was chosen because of its ability to operate in harsh climates and difficult terrain. The equipment in this case is working amongst mountain ranges and across large bodies of water such as the Cook Inlet."
Marathon’s Kenai Peninsula broadband wireless network, directly south of Anchorage, Alaska, provides local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and SCADA connectivity in a large geographically dispersed oil field. The unique features of Wi-LAN’s VIP product series allow Marathon to use its network to provide mobile and fixed communication services throughout a 1,000 square mile area.

"Wi-LAN’s VIP 110-24 is a great choice for this type of application," said David Vandehay, a Quadco manager. "The VIP’s structured mesh non-line-of sight (NLOS) capability was perfectly suited to this difficult terrain. The VIP’s unique features made it possible to exceed Marathon’s requirements."

Drilling rigs typically move every 30 - 45 days, making them ideally suited to broadband wireless services. When a rig arrives on site, oil workers simply erect the derrick and the rig is automatically connected to the network. This unique "self assembling" network feature of Wi-LAN’s patented VINE technology is extremely useful for this application. When the oil wells are completed, SCADA equipment is installed and connected to the wireless network as well. Currently, over 100 wells in this field have SCADA connections.

Wi-LAN’s Ultima3, VIP and LIBRA product series now include an all-inclusive 2-year parts and labour warranty. As well, 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.

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* standards), the IEEE standards 802.11a and 802.11g (the 2nd generation Wi-Fi* 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.wilan.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.

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