MobileStar Selects IBM to Grow Broadband Wireless Network

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Wireless Developer Network - Daily News

MobileStar Selects IBM to Grow Broadband Wireless Network

URL(s): www.ibm.com/services; www.mobilestar.com

RICHARDSON, Texas, April 12, 2001-- MobileStar and IBM to Equip Airports, Hotels, Coffeehouses and Restaurants With Wireless Broadband Internet Access

MobileStar Network Corporation announced today that it has selected IBM as a key partner to deploy its network infrastructure for the company's growing wireless Internet access service.

As part of MobileStar's goal to expand its wireless network to more than 2,000 sites by year-end 2001, IBM will provide site surveys, equipment build and deployment, and cabling and wiring.

MobileStar offers an unparalleled network for broadband, wireless Internet access and maintains the largest wireless footprint in the U.S. Business travelers, mobile professionals, sales teams and field service teams can increase their productivity by wirelessly communicating at T-1 speeds from heavy traffic locations such as coffeehouses, restaurants, airport terminals and hotels. More importantly, the Mobilestar network does not require enterprises to modify their Intranets to accommodate Mobilestar connected users. "IBM has been building wireless systems since the late '90s, helping the world's largest companies extend e-business to mobile devices," said Dean Douglas, general manager, mobile e-business Americas, IBM Global Services. "The value that WLANs and MobileStar bring to the enterprise workforce is substantial. Now we're helping the leading provider build its wireless infrastructure that will bring wireless Internet services to millions of people."

"For today's mobile professionals, the always-on availability of their corporate Intranet or the Internet is crucial. Providing those individuals with high-speed access in locations along their travel ribbon allows them to maximize their productivity," said Ali Tabassi, chief technology and development officer of MobileStar. "IBM's bench strength and wireless expertise will help us facilitate and deliver the high-quality service to meet the market's rapidly increasing demand."

Currently MobileStar has more than 170 locations in operation providing easy-to-use, reliable wireless Internet connectivity at speeds up to 50 times faster than typical dial-up modem connections and up to 100 times faster than other current wireless technologies. The MobileStar network utilizes both popular WLAN technologies -- Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b, direct sequence) and OpenAir (frequency hopping) and is accessible in frequently traveled business locations. MobileStar plans to expand its footprint to include Starbucks coffeehouse locations nationwide.

IBM's mobile and wireless solution delivery team is part of IBM Global Services, the world's largest information technology services provider. With nearly 150,000 professionals serving customers in 160 countries, IBM's services revenue exceeded $33 billion in 2000. IBM Global Services integrates IBM's broad range of capabilities -- services, hardware, software and research -- to help companies of all sizes realize the full value of information technology. For more information, visit: www.ibm.com/services.

MobileStar Network Corporation, headquartered in Richardson, Texas, is the leading provider of broadband wireless Internet access for business travelers in hot spots such as airports, hotels, conference centers, restaurants and other public places in the United States. Since its inception in 1996, MobileStar has created the largest wireless broadband data communications network designed to give mobile professionals access to the Internet and their corporate intranets remotely. MobileStar is the first to provide a true wireless subscription service with authorization and authentication specifically designed for wireless Internet access. MobileStar is the first wireless broadband Internet service provider to enter into a roaming agreement in order to provide broadband wireless Internet access in international locations. The company received its funding from investors such as Mayfield Fund, Blueprint Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Sienna Holdings and Texas Pacific Group. For more information, visit MobileStar's website at www.mobilestar.com.

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