Bandspeed Inc. Unveils Revolutionary Wireless LAN Infrastructure Technology; Unique Wireless Switch Extends Range and Coverage in Both Indoor and Outdoor Environments.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2003

Switch technology took Ethernet to almost every corner of the business world. It will do the same for wireless communications. Bandspeed today unveiled its Gypsy(TM) wireless LAN (WLAN) spatial division multiple access (SDMA) switch technology for access points (APs). Gypsy technology will be incorporated into WLAN infrastructure manufacturers' equipment. Gypsy allows WLANs to extend their range up to three kilometers line-of-sight and provide bandwidth up to six times greater than conventional APs.

Bandspeed's technology differs from other wireless "switch" solutions in that a basic level of packet switching takes place at the AP, where up to six independent 802.11 a/b/g sectors converge. This approach delivers more megabits per second per square foot than gangs of traditional omni-directional APs wired back to a switch.

"Wireless LANs are proliferating at an unprecedented rate. They are becoming very popular for home use, and, commercially, we've seen "hot spots" pop up all over the country," says Walt Thirion, Chairman of the Board of Bandspeed Inc. "As we address security and manageability issues in 2003, we'll see also see tremendous growth in the enterprise market as well. But, as the demand for more coverage and bandwidth increases, the wireless LAN infrastructure must evolve to more sophisticated technology, such as our Gypsy switch."

Because Gypsy innovates at the RF level, the technology is inherently compatible with typical enterprise and SME (small-to-medium enterprise) class AP approaches as well as with approaches that use an access point controller in the wiring closet. The form factor is targeted to be the same as that of conventional APs and is bundled with a smart antenna to allow WLAN manufacturers increased flexibility as to how they deploy the Bandspeed technology.

"We're working very closely with 802.11 infrastructure manufacturers to ensure a seamless integration between their unique offerings and our Gypsy architecture," says Thirion. "That way we can ensure speedy implementation that is transparent to users."

Key Benefits

The Gypsy architecture is initially targeted for enterprise and carrier class equipment applications and enables a migration path to high-volume implementations. The architecture implements features that increase range, increase bandwidth, improve flexibility, ease deployment and reduce total cost of ownership. Key benefits of the Gypsy architecture include:

    --  Flexibility for range or density modes. The Gypsy architecture
        enables WLAN products that can offer a range mode of up to
        three kilometers line of sight (LOS) in outdoor environments
        while tripling the aggregate throughput of the AP. Indoor
        environments also see an increase in range of up to three
        times over conventional APs for similar deployments. Diligence
        was exercised in ensuring the range modes will meet FCC and
        ETSI compliance criteria. The same unit also offers a density
        mode that allows an aggregate throughput of up to six times
        that of traditional omni-directional APs. More importantly,
        the sectorized nature of the AP allows it to provide up to
        11Mbps coverage near the edge of adjacent SDMA cells providing
        nearly complete coverage of the desired space at 11Mbps.
        Conventional APs provide progressively lower data rates
        emanating concentrically from the AP. Typically, 11Mbps is
        experienced in about half of the coverage area.

    --  Dynamic bandwidth allocation. Bandspeed's Gypsy architecture
        focuses bandwidth where it is needed. The adaptability of the
        solution allows coverage to be enhanced in high-demand areas,
        minimized in areas with low throughput requirements and
        dynamically optimized as required. Because coverage areas are
        independent, the transmit power of these coverage areas can be
        set such that range can be increased in certain sectors over
        other sectors to better match the coverage areas to the
        requirements.

    --  For use in indoor and outdoor applications. The Gypsy
        architecture's smart antenna technology, combined with
        intelligence software and silicon, can be used in either
        indoor or outdoor applications replacing directional antennas
        that are complicated to deploy. This is particularly
        applicable in residential environments where obstacles and
        angles make 802.11 access an especially tricky problem.

    --  Ease of deployment. Gypsy's intelligent architecture greatly
        simplifies deployment as the sectorized APs communicate,
        listen and learn from one another to allow for an
        installation that greatly reduces site planning and human
        intervention requirements. Because of the small form factor
        mirroring that of existing conventional APs, special site
        licensing permit requirements are mitigated.

    --  Total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction. Wireless SDMA
        switches built with the Gypsy architecture will cost
        substantially less than the capacity-equivalent number of
        traditional WLAN APs. Additionally, Gypsy addresses
        scalability concerns through both its software configurability
        and the capacity to handle up to six times as many users as a
        single conventional AP.

About Bandspeed

Bandspeed is a privately held, Austin, Texas-based company developing revolutionary products that enable wireless LAN networking infrastructure equipment. Bandspeed's solutions significantly improve the performance, scalability, manageability and total cost of ownership of WLANs. Bandspeed's Gypsy WLAN access point switch architecture is a giant step forward for system administrators to intelligently deploy easy-to-manage, multi-node networks that far exceed the performance capabilities of current WLAN products.

For more information on Bandspeed and its Gypsy technology for WLAN infrastructure evolution, contact the company at 512/358-9000, or visit Bandspeed's Web site at www.bandspeed.com.

Bandspeed and Gypsy are trademarks of Bandspeed Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.