Business Services Industry

U.S. Robotics Enters High-growth Wireless Market; Company Introduces Its First Peer-to-Peer 802.11b Wireless Network

Business Wire, Jan 6, 2001

Business Editors & Technology Writers

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2001

U.S. Robotics today announced a suite of wireless networking products, including its first 802.11b wireless peer-to-peer network.

The entire suite includes the U.S. Robotics Wireless Access Point, Wireless PC Card and Wireless PCI Adapter and is designed for home and small office users.

U.S. Robotics' Wireless PCI Adapter or PC Cards do not need an Access Point, making wireless connectivity affordable for end users. The cards can create a peer-to-peer network that allows up to three computers to simultaneously share Internet access, files and printers, if they are attached to PCs on the network. Users can connect wirelessly at speeds of up to 11Mbps from as far away as 300 feet in an open environment.

"Peer-to-peer networking at this speed has not previously been affordable or available to homes and small offices," said Christine Pomeroy, Vice President of Marketing at U.S. Robotics. "Many people have connected reliably to the Internet for years through a U.S. Robotics modem, and we are pleased to bring that same heritage of connectivity to wireless networking. U.S. Robotics' wireless products offer an attractive opportunity for those who need simple, affordable wireless connectivity."

For a peer-to-peer network, one of the computers acts as a server and enables wireless connectivity without a standalone Access Point. All networking takes place through antennas built into the PC and PCI Cards. For customers needing to network additional computers, U.S. Robotics offers its Wireless Access Point that can network up to 20 computers.

"U.S. Robotics' wireless solutions are flexible and affordable enough to equip any multiple computer household or small businesses," said Len Landi, Product Line Manager for U.S. Robotics. "U.S. Robotics will capitalize on its global brand and consumer and small business experience to become a major provider of wireless networking in these markets."

U.S. Robotics' wireless products are interoperable with other 802.11b wireless networking products. This interoperability enables U.S. Robotics Wireless PC Cards, PCI Adapters and Access Points to be integrated into an existing 802.11b network. Thus, users can take their laptop from work with its existing 802.11b wireless PC Card and connect to the U.S. Robotics wireless network they have installed at home. In addition, users who connect their laptops to an Ethernet-based LAN at work can easily connect wirelessly at home by equipping their laptop and other home computers with U.S. Robotics Wireless PC Cards or PCI Adapters.

U.S. Robotics' wireless line includes the following products:

- U.S. Robotics Wireless PC Card with built-in antenna; $149 USD

- U.S. Robotics Wireless PCI Adapter with built-in antenna; $189 USD

- U.S. Robotics Wireless Network Combination Set (includes Wireless PC Card
with built-in antenna and Wireless PCI Adapter with built-in antenna); $299 USD


- U.S. Robotics Wireless Network Starter Set (includes U.S. Robotics Wireless
PCI Adapter with built-in antenna and Wireless PCI Adapter with detachable
external antenna; $349 USD

- U.S. Robotics Wireless Access Point; $399 USD

- U.S. Robotics Wireless Access System (includes U.S. Robotics Wireless Access
Point and 3 Wireless PC Cards with built-in antenna); $759 USD

All products in the line come equipped with 64 or 128 bit key WEP wireless data encryption for security. Each product also ships with Quick Installation Guides, U.S. Robotics' Connections software collection and Installation Essentials CD. Products will be shipping in the first quarter of 2001 and will be available at retail locations and through the distribution channel.

ABOUT U.S. ROBOTICS

U.S. Robotics is the world's leading modem provider, bringing the Internet into millions of homes and businesses around the world. For three decades, U.S. Robotics has been at the forefront of modem technology, and in the 1990's was the first to boost analog modem speeds to the V.90 56K standard. This year, U.S. Robotics has reemerged as an independent company and will continue its tradition of making the most reliable, simple and innovative Internet access solutions available. All U.S. Robotics resources - from engineering to customer support - are dedicated to fulfilling that commitment. U.S. Robotics is a privately held company headquartered in the Chicago area.