MeshNetworks Demonstrates Prototype Multi-Hopping 4.9GHz Radio.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MAITLAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2004

High Performance MeshConnex(TM) Technology Increases Wireless

Broadband Coverage and Throughput for First Responders

MeshNetworks, Inc., an industry leader in the development and commercialization of mobile mesh networking solutions will be demonstrating its multi-hopping(TM) network technology on 802.11a radios operating in the 4.9 GHz spectrum. The FCC recently allocated this spectrum exclusively for high data rate communities for public safety agencies. These first ever capabilities leverage the company's MeshConnex software development suite which adds high performance ad hoc networking features to industry standard radio platforms. MeshConnex software, currently in beta testing, can be seamlessly integrated with standard 802.11a/b/g radios operating in 2.4, 4.9 and 5.8 GHz frequency bands. General availability for MeshConnex is scheduled in the second quarter of 2004.

The demonstration will show high resolution, full motion video hopping through multiple radios. High quality video streams require high data rates and low latency end-to-end connections. By turning every radio in the network into a router/repeater for every other radio, MeshConnex greatly enhances the range and end-to-end system throughput between devices, while introducing very little latency.

In addition to video surveillance, MeshConnex-enhanced radios will allow public safety agencies to implement both permanent city-wide and instant on-scene tactical wireless networks for sending and receiving real-time data, mug shots, GIS maps, medical files, building layouts and other bandwidth intensive multimedia information.

MeshNetworks' technology creates self-forming, self-healing (ad hoc) broadband networks that can operate with or without pre-deployed wireless infrastructure. According to the project MESA web site: "The ability to create an ad hoc network is particularly important for public safety personnel who are responding to large-scale emergencies or natural or man-caused disasters." Project MESA is an international partnership created by ETSI and TIA who have agreed to co-operate for the production of mobile broadband specifications for public safety.

"This first of its kind demonstration shows the power and flexibility of combining MeshConnex and 4.9 GHz radio technologies to create a state-of the art broadband solution for first responders," said Peter Stanforth, CTO of MeshNetworks. "Mesh networking minimizes the cost and complexity associated with network backhaul and infrastructure equipment, as well as enabling the formation of instant tactical networks at an incident. Given the demands facing public safety and homeland security agencies today, we are committed to developing technology that will help them better communicate in even the most challenging situations."

MeshNetworks solutions leverage battlefield networking technology originally developed for the US military under DARPA directed programs. As a result, MeshConnex software contains important capabilities not found in competitive solutions, including: ultra-fast route acquisition, dynamic bandwidth allocation (fairness), real-time congestion management, QoS, assignable user priority and proven scalability. MeshConnex technology features a small code footprint that optimizes processing resources. Its adaptive routing algorithm performs optimally for both large and small-scale applications.

MeshNetworks will be performing demonstrations of its prototype multi-hopping 4.9 GHz radio in booth #434 at the ITS America 2004 Meeting and Exposition April 26 - 28 in San Antonio, TX.

About MeshNetworks

MeshNetworks delivers innovative mobile broadband network solutions based on patented ad hoc peer-to-peer technology. The Company's MeshNetworks Enabled Architecture (MEA(TM)) and Quadrature Division Multiple Access (QDMA) technology provides wireless broadband connectivity to fixed, portable and mobile devices. Voice, video, data, telemetry and position-location are supported to specifically meet the needs of mission critical communications networks. MEA/QDMA technology has been successfully deployed and is in use worldwide, most recently in Medford, Oregon and Garland, Texas, the home of a 57-square-mile mobile mesh system. A live network in Maitland, Florida, has been in continuous operation for over three years. MeshNetworks offers these solutions through OEMs, Systems Integrators, and Value Added Resellers.