ArrayComm's CKW Subsidiary Vitalized by Mitsubishi and e-millennium Investment; CKW Wireless to deliver wide-area wireless broadband in Australia

Business Wire, Dec 18, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2002

ArrayComm, Inc. today announced that its Australian subsidiary CKW Wireless Pty Limited (CKW) has secured Mitsubishi Corporation and e-millennium Asia L.P. as strategic partners, investing AU $14 million (US $7.9 million) in cash, AU $6 million and AU $8 million respectively, for the pre-commercial rollout of ArrayComm's i-BURST Personal Broadband System in Australia.

The pre-commercial Phase One rollout, already underway, includes deployment of 12 i-BURST base stations in Sydney, providing high-speed access coverage over 150 square kilometers (approximately 60 square miles). Around 500 customers will be involved in the pre-commercial rollout, which paves the way for CKW's commercial rollout later in 2003.

Mitsubishi Corporation and e-millennium add further momentum to CKW's consortium of market-leading companies committed to Phase One deployment of the i-BURST System. The CKW consortium comprises ArrayComm, mobile operator Vodafone Australia, leading ISP OzEmail, infrastructure builder and project manager TCI, base station site owner Crown Castle and network equipment provider CommWorks, a 3Com Company.

"The backing of world-class investors like Mitsubishi Corporation and e-millennium is a clear endorsement of the market opportunity for cost-effective, high-speed, mobile Internet services for consumers," said Martin Cooper, chairman and CEO of ArrayComm.

"It is not often that a groundbreaking opportunity like the i-BURST system comes along. When the chance came, we knew we had to be part of it. Having experienced the i-BURST Personal Broadband System first hand in Sydney, there were no doubts about its commercial potential," said Dr. Harrison Wang, chief executive officer of e-millennium Ltd.

"Being part of the world's first i-BURST deployment also opens international possibilities. What can be achieved in Australia can easily be exported to other parts of the world," said Masayuki Kasahara, general manager of the International Development Project Unit, Mitsubishi Corporation.

"The excitement about wireless LANs and 3G is just the beginning of what wireless can offer. We firmly believe that CKW will capitalize on this emerging trend and to deliver a service that people really want -- high-speed, mobile access to the Internet," Kasahara continued.

"This announcement builds on the momentum ArrayComm and CKW established in 2002," said Judy Slatyer, director of CKW Wireless. "We established an industry-leading consortium; we progressed to the operations of the CKW venture; we installed the first trial i-BURST networks and are proceeding with wider range of field testing and integration. We're now well on the way to meeting our goal of a commercial availability by mid-2003."

About the i-BURST Personal Broadband System

The i-BURST Personal Broadband System is a carrier grade wide area wireless data network that is designed to deliver high-speed untethered Internet service to consumer and enterprise customers. Distinct and complementary to second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) wireless systems, i-BURST technology delivers a revolutionary Internet experience, combining the freedom of mobility, low cost infrastructure and transmission speeds similar to a typical home broadband digital subscriber line (DSL) connection.

About e-millennium

e-millennium Asia L.P. is a venture capital/private equity fund focusing on rolling out best-of-breed technology companies into the Asia Pacific Region with the support of a distinguished network of reputable strategic partners. The fund and its general partner e-millennium Ltd. are based in the Cayman Islands and the investment advisor is based in Singapore.

About Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Corporation is one of the world's most diverse enterprises. Mitsubishi Corporation has decades of experience doing business around the world, experience that has made it more than just a leader in international trade. The company's seven business groups -- New Business Initiatives, IT & Electronics, Energy, Metals, Machinery, Chemicals and Living Essentials -- work closely with clients to develop new business opportunities. Project coordination, sourcing of raw materials, capital investment and development of sales channels are typical of the ways Mitsubishi Corporation creates value for business partners, customers and shareholders.

About ArrayComm

ArrayComm, Inc. is the world leader in smart antenna technology. ArrayComm's patented IntelliCell(TM) technology -- based on fully adaptive smart antennas -- creates dedicated personal cells of voice or data for wireless subscribers. ArrayComm licenses IntelliCell technology to manufacturers and improves the cost, coverage and capacity of any personal communications system. It is installed in more than 125,000 IntelliCell-equipped base stations worldwide, serving more than 10 million people. IntelliCell technology is also the key ingredient of ArrayComm's innovative i-BURST(TM) Personal Broadband System -- the only wireless Internet access system that offers the freedom of mobility with the high speed of DSL at consumer pricing. ArrayComm was founded in 1992, and wireless industry pioneer Martin Cooper is chairman and CEO. The company has more than 250 patents issued or pending worldwide. For more information, please visit www.arraycomm.com.