Proxim Introduces New Tsunami Broadband Wireless Access System and Software Platform to Enable WiMAX Applications Today
November 01 2004 - 8:02AM
PR Newswire (US)
Proxim Introduces New Tsunami Broadband Wireless Access System and
Software Platform to Enable WiMAX Applications Today SUNNYVALE,
Calif., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Proxim Corporation
(NASDAQ:PROXD), a global leader in wireless networking equipment
for Wi-Fi and broadband wireless networks, today announced new
broadband wireless solutions that will enable wireless Internet
Service Providers (WISPs), municipalities, government agencies,
public safety and transportation organizations, and enterprises to
deploy WiMAX applications today, while ensuring a smooth migration
to WiMAX Forum Certified status in the future. The Tsunami MP.11
Model 5054-R is a significant new addition to Proxim's family of
Tsunami point-to-multipoint Broadband Wireless Access Systems
(BWA), which, along with Proxim's unique Tsunami BWA Software
Platform, allows customers to implement WiMAX applications such as
public safety, security and surveillance, last mile access and
metropolitan area networking now, while providing an upgrade path
to WiMAX Forum Certified status later "For most customers, the most
promising aspect of WiMAX is the broad set of applications that the
technology can enable," said Lynn Lucas, vice president of product
marketing for Proxim. "With our Tsunami BWA Systems and, in
particular, our unique, feature-rich BWA Software Platform, we can
enable these applications now, while providing a common software
foundation that can evolve with the WiMAX standards as they are
finalized." Tsunami MP.11 Model 5054-R The latest addition to
Proxim's family of point-to-multipoint BWA Systems includes a
ruggedized enclosure with active heating and cooling technology for
outdoor deployment in extreme weather conditions. The MP.11 Model
5054-R delivers immediate benefits in the form of larger subscriber
coverage areas and lower recurring lease costs. In addition, the
MP.11 Model 5054-R supports three 5GHz bands -- 5.25, 5.47 and
5.725 -- with a total of 20 non-overlapping channels. The system's
performance scales from 6 to 36 Mbps, all selectable via intuitive
user interfaces. Tsunami BWA Software Platform The Tsunami BWA
Software Platform is a comprehensive set of wireless networking
capabilities that enables WiMAX applications today and provides a
clear migration to WiMAX Forum Certified status for the future. In
addition to advanced performance, security and basic networking
features, the BWA Software Platform incorporates unique feature
sets that are purpose-built from the ground up to support WiMAX
applications such as public safety, security and surveillance, last
mile access and metro networking applications now. These
capabilities include: -- Advanced Bandwidth Provisioning:
Particularly crucial for service providers, the Tsunami BWA
Software Platform delivers flexible bandwidth provisioning and
control for DSL, T1 and Ethernet-like tiered services, as well as
support for NAT and DHCP to enable IP- based storage and e-mail
hosting. -- Mobile Roaming: With Proxim's industry-first roaming
capability, Subscriber Units can be placed on moving vehicles,
where they can roam between multiple Base Stations. Parameters can
be tuned to improve convergence time, guarantee minimum data rates
and ensure 100% connectivity. The Tsunami BWA Software Platform's
mobile roaming enables fast hand-off at speeds of up to 200 km (125
miles) per hour, enabling mobile hot-spot or mobile security and
surveillance applications in ferry systems, airport transit buses
and high-speed railway systems. Furthermore, with 36 Mbps data rate
and the ability to set a guaranteed data rate, the mobile roaming
capability allows simultaneous delivery of multiple video streams
and broadband access to commuters. -- Adaptive Wireless Networking:
Using OFDM technology, which enhances non line of sight
performance, and Proxim's own Wireless Outdoor Routing Protocol
(WORP), customers can deploy Tsunami BWA Systems in dense
metropolitan areas. WORP can adjust the system, based on the
changing network load, to prevent wasteful re-transmissions and
vary transmitted packet sizes to ensure optimum performance. --
Advanced Security with Privacy Protection: The Tsunami BWA Software
Platform incorporates advanced security features including AES
encryption, providing secure over-the-air transmissions, intracell
blocking to prevent communication between Subscriber Units, and BSU
and SU authentication to eliminate rogue SUs and man-in-the-middle
attacks. In addition, the Proxim-developed WORP cannot be hacked by
common decryption tools. "We are seeing numerous opportunities for
customers, particularly municipalities, to use broadband wireless
solutions today for WiMAX-type applications," said Lindsay Schroth,
senior analyst, broadband access technologies, at The Yankee Group.
"Proxim has recognized that many of these applications can be
enabled through software -- software that is easily upgradeable as
the standards evolve. By bringing these capabilities to market now,
Proxim is allowing customers to enjoy many of the benefits of WiMAX
today, while providing an upgrade path to certified WiMAX solutions
as they become available." The Tsunami BWA Systems, including the
new Tsunami MP.11 Model 5054-R and the Tsunami BWA Software
Platform, are already being used by Proxim customers to implement a
number of WiMAX applications. Mobile Hot Spot Deployment: The
Washington State Ferries When the Washington State Ferries (WSF)
wanted a solution for providing Wi-Fi service to passengers, it
faced the unique challenge of extending wireless connectivity over
water. Mobilisa (http://www.mobilisa.com/), a leading mobile and
wireless integrator has implemented an innovative Wireless LAN that
delivers services to ferry passengers aboard North America's
largest ferry system. According to Dr. Nelson Ludlow, CEO of
Mobilisa, the unique technical challenges associated with a ferry's
mobility and distance from the shore push wireless to the extreme
limits. "Proxim's Tsunami MP.11 serves as the wireless backbone for
our system, providing seamless connectivity and superior
performance as the ferries roam over the Puget Sound waters, giving
passengers uninterrupted Wi-Fi service while they travel," Dr.
Ludlow said. Last-Mile Broadband Access: Delivering City-wide Wi-Fi
Coverage to Grand Haven In July of 2004, the City of Grand Haven,
Michigan became the first city in the U.S. to achieve complete,
end-to-end wireless Internet access. This landmark deployment, the
result of a public/private venture between the city of Grand Haven
and Ottawa Wireless, Inc., a leading provider of wireless Internet
access and services, utilizes Proxim's Tsunami BWA System, as well
as its ORiNOCO AP-4000 access points to deliver fixed/mobile
high-speed Internet access as well as more advanced services
including point-to-point dedicated VPN connections, wireless video
surveillance and high-speed access for cars up to 55mph and boats
up to 15 miles off-shore. "Our deployment with the City of Grand
Haven is an excellent example of how last-mile broadband access can
be quickly and cost-effectively rolled out to a community to
provide a wealth of services," said Tyler van Houwelingen, CEO of
Ottawa Wireless. "Proxim's broadband wireless solutions were
instrumental in the success of this model deployment and have
helped us win other city-wide projects such as the one we are
currently undertaking with Rio Rancho, New Mexico." Pricing and
Availability The new Tsunami MP.11 Model 5054-R, complete with the
Tsunami BWA Software Platform, is available now. The MP.11 Base
Station Unit with Type-N Connector is priced at $1,999 U.S. list.
The Subscriber Unit with Integrated 23-dBi antenna is priced at
$1,199 U.S. list, while the Subscriber Unit with Type-N Connector
is priced at $999 U.S. list. About Proxim Proxim(R) Corporation is
a global leader in wireless networking equipment for Wi-Fi and
broadband wireless networks. The company provides enterprise and
service provider customers with wireless solutions for the mobile
enterprise, security and surveillance, last mile access, voice and
data backhaul, public hot spots, and metropolitan area networks.
Product families include the Award- winning ORiNOCO Wi-Fi products,
Tsunami Ethernet bridges, and Lynx point-to- point digital radios.
Proxim is a principal member of the WiMAX Forum(TM) and a member of
the Wi-Fi(R) Alliance. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ
under the symbol PROX and is on the Web at http://www.proxim.com/.
Safe Harbor This press release may contain forward-looking
statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from Proxim's expectations in these
statements. For additional information regarding risks relating to
Proxim's business, see Proxim Corporation's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2003 and Forms 10-Q for quarters ended July 2,
2004 and October 1, 2004, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other
relevant materials filed by Proxim with the SEC. Proxim assumes no
obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking
statements. DATASOURCE: Proxim Corporation CONTACT: Sylvia Clark of
Proxim Corporation, +1-408-542-3357, or ; or Lori S. Hultin of LSH
Communications, +1-818-879-4651, or , for Proxim Web site:
http://www.proxim.com/
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