WiMAX Forum More Than Doubles Membership with Addition of Major Operators, Infrastructure and Equipment Providers.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

WCA's 10th Annual Technical Symposium and Business Expo

Booth No. 416

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2004

AT&T, Covad, Siemens mobile, PCCW, ZTE Corporation

Among 39 New Members Joining Forum

The WiMAX Forum, dedicated to certifying the interoperability of broadband wireless access (BWA) products based on global standards, announced today it has more than doubled its membership from 28 to 67 members in a matter of five months. Reflecting the growing industry-wide confidence in BWA standards, operators such as AT&T (NYSE:T), Covad (OTCBB:COVD) and Hong Kong-based PCCW (SEHK:0008)(NYSE:PCW) and infrastructure providers such as Siemens mobile (NYSE:SI) and China-based ZTE Corporation (SSE Code: 0063) joined the Forum.

Among the new members are a number of established BWA original equipment manufacturers including Axxcelera Broadband Wireless, Beamreach Networks, Intracom (ASE:INTRK), KarlNet, NextNet Wireless, REMEC (Nasdaq:REMC) and Vyyo (Nasdaq:VYYO). For a complete list of WiMAX Forum members, visit www.WiMAXForum.org.

"We are delighted to have the active participation of prominent operators, infrastructure providers and BWA innovators that share the belief that interoperability of standards-compliant systems are essential to delivering cost-effective broadband services on a global scale," said WiMAX Forum President Margaret LaBrecque. "BWA is here, it's proven, and its potential is clear, and WiMAX Forum members are critical in driving growth and delivering innovation for the industry. This is the first of what will be many significant milestones for the WiMAX Forum this year, as we work to bring WiMAX-Certified(TM) products to market."

Through WiMAX-led efforts, the economies of scale made possible by standards-based, interoperable products will drive price and performance levels unachievable by proprietary approaches. As a result, service providers across global markets will be able to deliver economical broadband data, voice and video services to both residential and business customers.

"With the IEEE 802.16a standard, carriers are able to offer enterprise and residential customers more options for broadband connectivity at a lower cost. For many people worldwide who cannot get access to broadband connectivity via cable or DSL, the new wireless technology will be their way to the Internet," explains Christoph Caselitz, president of networks within the Information and Communication Mobile Group of Siemens.

"AT&T is investigating network access alternatives for both its business and consumer customer base. Standardization and interoperability efforts, like those proposed by WiMAX, traditionally drive down costs. We would welcome that outcome with broadband wireless access systems," said Christopher Rice, director of Broadband Networking Technology at AT&T Labs Research. "We look forward to participating in WiMAX, working with their members, and providing carrier insight into how broadband wireless solutions can be used to cost-effectively deliver network services."

Building on the organization's growth and momentum, the WiMAX Forum will host "WiMAX Forum Day" Tuesday, January 20 in San Jose, Calif., immediately preceding WCA's 10th Annual Technical Symposium and Business Expo January 21 - 23. This open session, coupled with a series of WiMAX Forum member presentations during the Symposium, will highlight the organization's recent activities and future roadmap for delivering WiMAX-Certified products. A complete agenda is available at www.WiMAXForum.org.

Please visit the WiMAX Forum booth at the WCA Symposium, No. 416.

About WiMAX Forum

The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, non-profit corporation formed to help promote and certify the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products using the IEEE 802.16 and ETSI HiperMAN wireless MAN specifications. The forum's goal is to accelerate the introduction of these devices into the marketplace. WiMAX-Certified(TM) products will be fully interoperable and support Metropolitan Broadband Fixed and Portable Applications. For more information about the WiMAX Forum and its activities, please visit www.WiMAXForum.org.

"WiMAX-Certified" is a registered trademark of the WiMAX Forum.