Thomcast Communications Enters Strategic Alliance with Third Rail.

Business/Technology Editors

MOUNTAINTOP, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 8, 2001

Thomcast Communications today announced the company has entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement (Agreement) with Third Rail Limited (Third Rail). Under the terms of the two-year Agreement, Thomcast will engage in joint research and development with Third Rail, and represent their products and brand on collaborative marketing efforts.

Wayne Loxton, Third Rail Managing Director, said securing a major international partner such as Thomcast was an important step towards cementing Third Rail's position as the market leader in design and integration of broadband wireless networks using point to multipoint microwave.

Thomcast supports Third Rail's view that the recently announced New Hampshire Army National Guard contract for a WLL communications architecture provides significant growth potential across the United States, and will be the cornerstone of a major international business. Thomcast has been assisting Third Rail to deploy the New Hampshire Army National Guard network in its entirety by the end of June 2001. The agreement applies to business conducted throughout the United States, Africa and Australia and extends to Third Rail as a wireless communications system designer, integrator, builder and manager.

"The alliance between Third Rail and Thomcast represents the cooperation of two industry leaders. Our agreement enables rapid deployment of truly integrated complete end-to-end wireless solutions to our domestic and international fixed broadband wireless access customers," said Jerry Chase, President & CEO of THOMCAST Communications. "We are very excited at the opportunity to work with Wayne and the whole Third Rail team as they deploy wireless communication architectures around the world!"

Third Rail has agreed to lead with products manufactured by Thomcast as its vendor of choice for all sales opportunities in the United States, Africa and Australia. Third Rail is a multi-national provider of fixed broadband wireless voice, video and data transmission solutions. From consulting services to full network roll-outs, Third Rail designs, integrates, deploys and manages manufacturer-independent solutions to bridge the "last mile" telecommunications gap.

About Thomcast

Thomcast, a wholly owned subsidiary of Thales (formerly Thomson-CSF) designs, develops, manufactures and sells equipment, systems and solutions for:

- terrestrial broadcasting (radio and television)

- digital image processing and multimedia broadcasting

- broadband (1.7-3.6 GHz) radio communications applications.

Thomcast has deployed its systems in 168 countries. Thomcast's world wide presence includes operations in France, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.