NEXTNET WIRELESS DEVELOPS FIRST OFDM-BASED ASIC CHIP FOR NON-LOS BROADBAND
WIRELESS ACCESS
Large Volume Production Capabilities Pave Way for Rapid MMDS Residential and SOHO Rollouts
Minneapolis, MN – August 22, 2001 — NextNet Wireless, developer
of the industry’s first non-line-of-sight broadband wireless access
system, with indoor, user-installable subscriber equipment, announced
today that it has developed the industry’s first application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, for integration into its Expedience™
broadband wireless access system. The Expedience system utilizes a patented
air interface and MAC architecture, designed specifically to address the
non-LOS broadband wireless requirements of today’s MMDS service providers.
The OFDM-based ASIC enables NextNet to provide wireless operators with
high volume, low-cost subscriber equipment for mass-market rollout of
next-generation broadband wireless services.
“The introduction of this chip is a testament to the maturity of
our Expedience Non-LOS system,” stated Merv Grindahl, NextNet chief
architect. “We believe that standards for broadband wireless should
resolve the unique challenges of wireless communications. Rather than
adapting existing wireline specifications, we developed our own signal
processing techniques to address the critical issues of non-LOS, and integrated
them onto a single, cost-effective chip,” Grindahl added.
“The Expedience ASIC makes rapid deployment
of inexpensive subscriber units a market reality,
stated Charles Riggle, NextNet vice president of
marketing and business development. “This product
milestone, combined with our configurable drop-ship
base station solution, creates a compelling business
case for MMDS operators.”
“We are the only broadband wireless equipment supplier today with
the capability to mass produce non-LOS equipment solutions for the residential,
SOHO and small business markets,” Riggle concluded.
Shipments of the Expedience ASIC-based platform are scheduled for the
third quarter of 2001.
About NextNet Wireless
NextNet Wireless is a privately held company that develops non-line-of-sight
broadband wireless access platforms that provide telecommunications carriers
with solutions for rapid deployment of high-speed, two-way voice and data
services over the “last mile” of the communications network.
The Company’s end-to-end Expedience™ system enables wireless service
providers to deliver low-cost, converged services to small office/home
office and residential subscribers over a single multi-service network.
The Expedience platform is currently available for the MMDS (2.5 to 2.686
GHz) band, and its patented technology is being leveraged to address other
frequency bands and wireless applications under 6 GHz.
NextNet’s primary investors include Cabletron Systems, Inc. (NYSE:
CS), DCM-Doll Capital Management, Globespan Capital Partners, Star Ventures, ZAMBA
Corporation (NASDAQ: ZMBA), and others.
