3rd Pipe Communications Inc. Signs Agreement to Acquire Tucson Broadband; Gains Established Wireless Network and Technology for Expansion of Fixed Wireless Services.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2001

3rd Pipe Communications Inc., a provider of fixed wireless broadband (FWBB) services, today announced an agreement for the acquisition of Tucson Broadband, a wireless broadband network in Tucson, Ariz., formerly owned by AirMedia Wireless.

Tucson Broadband has been providing high-speed wireless Internet access in the Tucson area since 1999. With this acquisition, 3rd Pipe quickly establishes a presence in the Tucson market from which to expand the company's fixed wireless services throughout the region. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

3rd Pipe Communications builds fixed wireless broadband networks and provides high-speed Internet access through a distribution network of local and regional facilities in the U.S. The company's state-of-the-art wireless network provides reliable Internet and telephony services at speeds up to 50 times faster than traditional dial-up services.

"Tucson Broadband is an established wireless provider in the Tucson area that has been addressing the needs of commercial and residential consumers not served by other high-speed communication services," said George Hall, president of 3rd Pipe. "This strategic acquisition gives us an established market with a growing customer base as well as providing a base for rapid expansion into the region."

Over the past two years, Tucson Broadband has been offering high-speed wireless Internet service and virtual private networks in Tucson. Tucson Broadband has invested in and built a robust wireless network infrastructure that covers more than 168 square miles of Tucson. 3rd Pipe will benefit from the existing customer relationships and Tucson Broadband's brand recognition, which will help speed up 3rd Pipe's entry to market.

Broadband fixed wireless communications offers several advantages over other high-speed alternatives. Fixed wireless communications provides symmetrical, fiber-quality, high-data-rate information for a variety of applications. Fixed wireless solutions are quick to install and use unobtrusive rooftop antennas, eliminating the need for trenching in cable and fiber solutions and costly towers in older wireless products.

About 3rd Pipe Communications Inc.

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, 3rd Pipe Communications Inc. provides fixed wireless broadband (FWBB) high-speed Internet connections via a state-of-the-art wireless network utilizing the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz radio frequencies. Recent advances in radio technology and 3rd Pipe's proven technical expertise provides a solution to the high demand for increased digital bandwidth to under-served areas in the U.S. For more information, visit www.3rdpipe.com.