Aether Systems Introduces Aether PocketRescue, First Wireless Handheld Application for Fire Services.

Business Editors/Hi-Tech Writers

RENO, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2001

New Wireless Query, Messaging and Records Update Tool

Supports RIM, Palm and PocketPC Handhelds

Aether Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:AETH), a leading provider of wireless data products and services, announced today at the FireRMS User Conference the release of Aether PocketRescue,(TM) the first wireless handheld application for mobile fire services. Aether PocketRescue allows fire services personnel to wirelessly access and update records in the field, enhancing the ability to make informed decisions. Aether's latest handheld application supports multiple devices, including Palm(TM) Vx, Symbol(TM)1733, RIM 950/957(TM) and Pocket PCs(TM). The application is scheduled to be generally available within the next 30 days.

Aether PocketRescue provides fire services personnel with instant, wireless access to occupancy data, on-duty rosters, certifications and hydrants as well as incident and EMS information, enhancing firefighter safety and efficiency. Beta tests of Aether PocketRescue are being conducted now by agencies in Garland, Texas and Broward County, Florida.

John Schildknecht, Assistant Chief of Broward County Fire Rescue, said, "We have found Aether PocketRescue to be an invaluable tool for our Fire Prevention staff to complete accurate re-inspections while reducing time spent thumbing through paper files or making calls. In the past, Fire Prevention officers were forced to carry what amounted to small filing cabinets, in order to have access to past inspections and violations. With PocketRescue, accurate and up-to-date information is at their fingertips."

Email Anytime, Anywhere

Aether PocketRescue also addresses the absence of e-mail capabilities for fire services personnel. Its BlackBerry(TM) by Aether(TM) service, an end-to-end wireless email solution developed by Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM) that includes Aether's value-added services, provides access to an electronic mailbox and address book and allows fire personnel to relay messages, manage their schedules, and store contacts quickly and easily anytime and anywhere.

Wireless Access and Updates Improves Productivity of Fire Personnel

Employing a standard web browser, Aether PocketRescue provides improved efficiency by allowing fire personnel to update building inspection data in the field in real time. This eliminates the typical procedure of using paper notes that need to be re-entered at the department. Aether PocketRescue also allows users to save time by quickly retrieving occupancy data from the field.

Flexibility of Subscription or Licensing Plans

Aether offers flexible purchase plans, which give agencies the option of either a traditional license purchase, or a monthly subscription similar to most cell phone plans. With Aether's subscription plan, agencies have low upfront costs and an economical monthly fee that includes software, wireless network airtime, maintenance and customer support via a toll-free number.

"Fire departments are increasingly adopting wireless and mobile data applications as they realize the power of instant information at their fingertips," said David Rosi, Vice President and General Manager, Aether's mobile government division. "Our first handheld application for fire services is tightly integrated with the industry's leading fire records management system. This is just the beginning of our plan to extend our suite of mobile applications to fire services. We will continue to expand our applications with new wireless products supporting a wide range of mobile devices."

Over 2,800 public safety agencies nationwide currently use Aether's wireless, mobile and enterprise products. In addition to Aether PocketRescue, Aether offers a laptop-based wireless information access solution, Aether PacketCluster(TM) Rescue, an industry leading Records Management Systems with Aether FireRMS(TM) 5.0, in Standard and Enterprise editions, as well as Aether FireRMS Web for accessing RMS data via the Internet.

About Aether Systems, Inc.

Aether Systems helps enterprise customers improve efficiency and profitability by providing the services, software and support necessary to extend existing and future business applications from the desktop to any wireless device. Through Aether Fusion(TM), Aether's wireless enabling technology foundation, Aether develops, deploys and manages wireless solutions built on industry standard technology and backed by Aether's expertise in wireless hosting, software and services. Aether provides the worlds of business and government with a single source for reliable, scalable and cost effective wireless solutions. For more information, please visit www.aethersystems.com.

All product names and logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Aether Systems, Inc., unless stated otherwise.

This press release includes forward-looking statements based on current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions about Aether that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Aether to successfully develop the products and services described in this release. These risks and other risk factors are described in Aether's report on Form 10-K with respect to the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Aether undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.