PacketHop Embraces FCC Decision on 4.9 GHz Band; New Order Promotes use of Open Standards.

BELMONT, Calif. -- Founding Member of the 4.9 GHz Open Standards Coalition Drives 802.11-Based, Commercial Off-the-Shelf Solutions for Homeland Security 

PacketHop, Inc., a leader in wireless broadband communications, and a founding member of the 4.9 GHz Open Standards Coalition, today announced its support of the newly created FCC guidelines for operations in the 4.9 GHz band, the spectrum allocated exclusively for public safety use. Guidelines for open standards will ensure the availability of non-proprietary, commercial off-the-shelf solutions, such as 802.11 standards-based equipment and PacketHop's software system. The PacketHop mobile mesh system delivers instant wireless broadband communications to first responders and homeland security personnel.

A key advocate of the open standards initiative, PacketHop worked directly with the FCC as well as public safety leaders including the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) and other members of the 4.9 GHz Open Standards Coalition. The new guidelines will allow the public safety community to take full advantage of the tremendous innovation that is taking place in 802.11 technology. Solutions that operate in the 4.9 GHz band will be used largely for local incident area network communications, specifically including the kinds of usage scenarios for which PacketHop's mobile mesh system is ideally suited.

"The FCC decision to support an emissions mask that allows 802.11 standards for the 4.9 GHz band will ensure continued technology innovation and more rapid adoption of critical mobile broadband communications for public safety," noted Michael Howse, president and CEO of PacketHop. "Public safety agencies have quickly come to understand and value the functionality that PacketHop brings to the market with its infrastructure-less approach that leverages cost-efficient and non-proprietary commercial off-the-shelf equipment to exceed all of their crucial requirements. As a result, we're seeing more and more public safety agencies moving ahead with deployments of 802.11a/b/g solutions."

PacketHop's secure mobile mesh networking software and applications form a standalone solution that is quickly and easily loaded onto virtually any standard IP radio-equipped device such as laptops, tablets and PDAs. Devices enabled with PacketHop software work together seamlessly and instantly to form a secure and survivable mobile broadband network. PacketHop software facilitates interoperability between agencies and enables real-time communications on-the-fly, wherever users need it.

The PacketHop mobile mesh system is targeted for commercial availability in Q1 2005 and consists of client-based software, a system management center and a complete incident communications application. As 4.9 GHz-capable devices and equipment enter the marketplace over the next 12 to 18 months, PacketHop customers will benefit from the ease to which they can transition users to this frequency band.

About PacketHop

PacketHop meets the needs of first responders and homeland security personnel with a product offering that delivers on the critical demand for instant and survivable networking, security, reliability, interoperability, and improved cost performance. PacketHop's secure mobile mesh system software loads quickly and easily onto virtually all standard IP radio-equipped devices such as laptops, PDAs and tablets, enabling a mobile broadband network to be created instantly on-the-fly wherever wireless broadband communication is needed. This ensures the delivery of mission-critical communications to public safety agencies responding to any incident regardless of where it is located. Founded in January 2003 and based in the Silicon Valley, PacketHop is funded by premier venture firms U.S. Venture Partners, Mayfield and ComVentures, as well as SRI International. More information on PacketHop can be found at www.packethop.com.