Aeris.net Introduces Advanced Wireless Service for Machine-to-Machine Communications; VBurst provides North America with rapid bi-directional solution for high bandwidth applications.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CTIA WIRELESS I.T. 2000

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2000

Aeris.net, the leading provider of Web-to-wireless, machine-to-machine communication services, announces the release of VBurst(TM), a full duplex, universal roaming, kilobyte packet data messaging service. VBurst service operates as an overlay on Aeris.net's MicroBurst(R) network environment. VBurst does not require new network infrastructure, making it a low cost wireless messaging solution. Key features include a new store-and-forward architecture, bi-directional communications over digital and analog service in addition to increased data capacity, reliability and security.

Aeris.net MicroBurst carrier partner, Rogers AT&T Wireless Inc., Canada's largest wireless carrier, has begun VBurst field trials. Ericsson, the leading provider in telecommunications worldwide, has integrated VBurst technology into its DM-10 and DM-20 mobile radios, available in quantities today. VBurst service uses digital network packet solutions where available, and falls back to Aeris.net's proprietary packet analog solution to provide a dual mode, universal roaming data solution.

"As well as providing the robustness that the telemetry market requires, VBurst will provide larger data payloads, facilitating enterprise solutions that require greater bandwidth," said David Neale, vice president for Rogers AT&T Wireless. "The VBurst solution complements the MicroBurst offering not only by its much higher and bi-directional data transport, but also by enabling customers to reconfigure their applications over the air."

The demand for a higher bandwidth service from Aeris.net first came from the utility industry. Deregulation of the utility market will give companies the opportunity to provide service to people outside of their immediate service area. By incorporating VBurst-enabled mobile radio devices into utility usage meters, utility companies will be able to continuously and instantly monitor customer usage and power quality, and reconfigure the meters remotely. In addition to meter reading, other examples of applications well suited for VBurst service are vending machine monitoring, point of sale, supply chain management and high-end alarm panels.

"VBurst service is an evolutionary extension of Aeris.net's MicroBurst service," said Dick Gossen, president and CEO at Aeris.net. "We are excited about Rogers AT&T Wireless and Ericsson's participation; we see their enthusiastic support of VBurst as confirmation that Aeris.net is providing services needed by our customers, as well as theirs. Because VBurst service has increased its data capacity, its security and can now communicate bi-directionally using the same size data payload in both directions, there are endless opportunities for telemetry and mainstream customers."

Like MicroBurst service, Aeris.net's current 50-bit network solution, VBurst service uses existing cellular control channels and the SS7 network as the pathways to prepare and synchronize the VBurst terminal device. Aided by this out-of-band signaling paradigm and Aeris.net's state-of-the-art DSP quick connect technology, the full-featured kilobyte session occurs in seconds, with unmatched reliability and data integrity.

Significant new features of VBurst service include:

-- Increased Data Capacity - allows approximately one kilobyte of data, up to
1,045 bytes, to be communicated bi-directionally within seconds

-- Increased Security - sophisticated encryption sends a new key, out-of-band,
for each transmission

-- Increased Reliability - robust error detection and correction with automatic
retries ensures reliable delivery of data

-- Rapid Interconnection - even in analog, VBurst packetizes the analog
network, with fast set-up, transmission and tear-down of the VBurst connection

-- Store-and-Forward Architecture - allows one-to-many machine-to-machine
communications to work during off-peak hours

These new features offer a level of network flexibility, functionality, cost-effectiveness and data security previously unavailable to wireless telemetry customers. VBurst is fully compliant with cellular industry standards and requires no special hardware or software to be deployed at the cellular carrier.

About Rogers AT&T Wireless

Rogers Wireless Inc. operates under the brand name Rogers AT&T Wireless and is Canada's largest wireless communications service provider, with over 2.7 million customers and offices in Canadian cities from coast to coast. Rogers AT&T Wireless provides a complete range of wireless solutions including Digital PCS, cellular, paging, two-way messaging, and wireless data services. Rogers AT&T Wireless is wholly owned and operated by Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. (TSE: RCM.B; NYSE:RCN), which, in turn, is 51% owned by Rogers Communications Inc. and 33.3% owned equally by AT&T Corp. and British Telecommunications plc.

About Aeris.net

Aeris.net, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., provides web-to-wireless connectivity and control for a broad array of packet signaling and messaging services using its proprietary MicroBurst(R) and VBurst(TM) utilities. MicroBurst technology employs the control channel infrastructure of the cellular network as a transmission utility to achieve low cost of service and ubiquitous coverage. VBurst technology builds upon the MicroBurst network to provide applications expanded bandwidth and functionality. Aeris.net currently has contracts deploying MicroBurst service in cellular service areas in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Initial applications include vehicle position and condition reporting, security and equipment monitoring and utility meter reading. For more information on Aeris.net, call 888-GO-AERIS or visit www.aeris.net.

Aeris(TM), MicroBurst(R) and VBurst(TM) are trademarks of Aeris Communications, Inc. All other company or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.