CALGARY, Canada - February 1, 2006 - Wi-LAN Inc. (TSX:WIN) announced today that it has engaged Ray & Berndtson, an executive search firm, to find a successor to Bill Dunbar, its President and CEO. This search will be global, and will seek internal and external candidates. Mr. Dunbar has been President and CEO of Wi-LAN since February 2005, and has led the company through a transition period as it has increased its focus on its core broadband wireless intellectual property business. Mr. Dunbar will work with the successful candidate to ensure continuity of the business plan and will remain as a member of the board of directors after the new President and CEO is appointed.
"Bill Dunbar stepped in to provide the leadership required at a difficult time as Wi-LAN reorganizes to focus on its core strengths," said Bill Hews, chairman, Wi-LAN Inc. "This executive search engagement implements a succession plan that supports the new needs of the company as it goes forward."
"I took on the challenge of transitioning Wi-LAN into a valuable asset for its shareholders and a provider of leading edge intellectual property products and services to its customers," said Bill Dunbar, president and CEO. "My objective is to position the company for a profitable future."
About Wi-LAN Inc.
Wi-LAN is a global provider of broadband wireless communications products and intellectual property, offering effective, economic and secure wireless high-speed communications solutions. Wi-LAN believes its portfolio of patents is necessary for the implementation of WiMAX Forum Certified (1) devices and devices using the IEEE standards 802.11a and 802.11g (the 2nd generation Wi-Fi Alliance (1) standards). Wi-LAN is a charter member of the WiMAX Forum (www.wimaxforum.org). 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.
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