News Release Details

Wi-LAN Announces Executive Changes

02/24/2005

William Dunbar Appointed CEO Effective Immediately; Hatim Zaghloul Resigns Executive Responsibilities but Retains Chairman Role

CALGARY, Canada - February 24, 2005 - Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN), a global provider of broadband wireless communications products and technologies, today announced that Mr. William (Bill) Dunbar, C.M., has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Dunbar, Chairman of the Compensation Committee of Wi-LAN’s Board replaces Dr. Sayed-Amr (Sisso) El-Hamamsy as President and CEO. Dr. Hatim Zaghloul will remain as Chairman of the Board, but will no longer have any executive responsibilities at Wi-LAN.

"The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Sisso for his dedicated service to Wi-LAN over the past four years," said Bill Hews, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee of Wi-LAN’s Board. "Sisso led Wi-LAN through some very challenging times. During his tenure the company has made major strides forward in supply chain operations and product design, and, more recently, sales and marketing capability. The Board felt it was appropriate to make a change as we move into the next phase of Wi-LAN’s development, with WiMAX and all the challenges that it will bring. We are confident that Wi-LAN’s talented and seasoned team, under Bill Dunbar’s guidance, will continue to advance the best interests of Wi-LAN’s customers, employees and shareholders."

"Wi-LAN has been a very exciting experience for the past thirteen years, and I look forward to seeing the company prosper and grow under Bill Dunbar’s leadership," said Dr. Hatim Zaghloul, Chairman of the Board of Wi-LAN. "Bill has been a Director on the Board for six years and has a strong understanding of the business and the Company."

"I have great confidence in the employees of Wi-LAN, and I look forward to leading them through this transition," said William Dunbar.

William Dunbar has forty years of experience in the Canadian and International telecommunications industry. Mr. Dunbar has previously held the office of President and CEO of Northwestel Inc. and WIC Connexus Inc. Under his guidance, Northwestel purchased the telecommunications operations for the eastern Northwest Territories from Bell Canada in 1992. WIC ConneXus was the Local Multipoint Distribution System (LMDS) license holder for 33 city markets in Canada including Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton. Mr. Dunbar led this startup company through its early stages arranging investors, vendor selection, vendor financing, and supply agreement to enable the company to enter the Competitive Local Exchange market in its licensed cities. This plan did not proceed due to a change in control of the parent company. In addition, Mr. Dunbar was the Chief Operating Officer of Vesper S.A., a Bell Canada International investment and a major Brazilian telecommunications company, during its critical startup phase, implementing telecommunications systems in 29 cities over 16 states, and growing the company from startup to over 2,000 employees.

In 1995 Mr. Dunbar became a member of the Order of Canada.

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, wireless Voice-over-IP, and wireless data and telephony backhaul, utilizing its high quality products and industry-leading technologies. Wi-LAN’s broadband wireless solutions feature an all-inclusive 2-year parts and labor warranty and are supported by 24/7 customer service.

Wi-LAN believes its portfolio of patents, including its core W-OFDM patents and 17 patents and patent applications acquired from Ensemble Communications in May 2004, are necessary for the implementation of devices using the IEEE 802.16 WirelessMAN Standard (1) and the ETSI BRAN HiperMAN(1) standard (the WiMAX Forum(1) standards). As well, Wi-LAN’s W-OFDM patents are believed to be required for the implementation of devices using the IEEE standards 802.11a and 802.11g (the 2nd generation Wi-Fi Alliance(1) standards), and the ETSI BRAN HiperLAN/2(1) standard. Wi-LAN licenses its patented technology and has executed non-exclusive W-OFDM license agreements with semiconductor and broadband wireless equipment companies.

Wi-LAN is the chair company of the OFDM Forum and a charter 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.

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