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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
TOSHIBA AND COMETA NETWORKS FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
IRVINE, Calif. and SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 20, 2004 - Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS), a leader in computer systems, and Cometa Networks, Inc., a leading Wi-Fi (802.11) wholesale network provider, have announced the formation of a strategic alliance. As part of the agreement, Cometa Networks will have the opportunity to incorporate some or all of the hundreds of Toshiba U.S. SurfHere(tm) hotspot locations into Cometa's expanding hotspot network.
The strategic alliance strengthens both companies' ability to serve the growing mobility market, specifically in the public Wi-Fi space. To help achieve this, Cometa and Toshiba plan to launch a variety of promotional and co-marketing programs to potentially millions of notebook computer customers. The structure of these campaigns will be determined within the next quarter.
"The strategic aim of this relationship is to further unlock the mobility values that our customers expect us to deliver," said Chris Harrington, vice president, strategy and business development for TAIS. "Having helped stimulate the emerging hotspot industry, we believe we can best continue with the strategic intent of the SurfHere Network through this alliance with Cometa Networks."
"We are pleased to contribute to Toshiba' efforts to continually provide greater value to their customers through our dependable, fast and always-on network broadband connectivity," said Gary Weis, chief executive office of Cometa Networks, Inc. "Toshiba is an acknowledged technology industry leader, with many customer relationships serving millions of consumers through their wide array of products and services. We are delighted with Toshiba's decision to form a strategic alliance with Cometa to promote and grow the Wi-Fi market and believe that our aggressive wholesale pricing and a carrier-class network will deliver the type of industry leading Wi-Fi value that customers expect."
About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of three divisions: Digital Products Division, Digital Solutions Division and the Storage Device Division. Together, the three divisions provide mobile products and solutions, communications, storage and imaging products and services. Products include industry leading portable computers, PDAs, projectors, DVD/CD recordable products and hard disk drives for computers, telephony products, digital imaging systems, wireless solutions and services.
TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a world leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems. Toshiba has global sales of over $47 billion and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For more information visit the company's website at www.toshiba.com.
About Cometa Networks
Cometa Networks deploys and operates public Wi-Fi (802.11) wireless broadband Internet access sites in collaboration with national and regional retail partners. The Cometa Hotspot(sm) network is offered wholesale to telecommunications companies, Internet service providers, cable operators and wireless carriers. Cometa has created a rich, community-based network of locations including Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Tully's Coffee Shops, shopping centers, college campuses, golf courses, and more. The company is committed to offering leading industry value for its service. Cometa was formed by technology leaders AT&T, Intel and IBM and global investment concerns Apax Partners and 3i. Cometa is based in Schaumburg, Illinois and has offices in San Francisco and Bellevue, Washington. For more information about Cometa Networks, or for a list of the ever-expanding Cometa Wi-Fi Hotspot Network locations, visit Cometa at www.cometanetworks.com.
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