GigaWave Technologies to Incorporate Birdstep Mobile IP Client into New Cisco Mobile IP Class; Available First Quarter 2003

Business Wire, Jan 16, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2003

Today, GigaWave Technologies and Birdstep Technology announced plans to integrate Birdstep's Intelligent Mobile IP Client into Cisco Systems Mobile IP Technology training.

Authorized by Cisco Systems Inc., the curriculum will enable network engineers to set up wireless devices as well as entire networks that seamlessly connect and reconnect across different types of infrastructures without application downtime or user intervention.

The updated version of the Cisco Mobile IP Technology training will be available first quarter 2003 in both instructor-led and e-learning platforms. When available, students will be able to register at GigaWave's Web site at www.giga-wave.com.

Mobile IP consists of a seamless and hassle-free handover between various communication access methods. For instance, in a hospital environment, using the Birdstep Intelligent Mobile IP Client, a doctor would be able to roam between floors of a building and across an entire campus environment without ever losing connectivity to the network or experiencing any interruption of service due to TCP/IP limitations or layer 2 connectivity changes.

As an authorized Cisco Learning Partner, GigaWave develops most of the current Cisco Aironet(tm) Series Wi-Fi networking curriculum and works with Cisco to incorporate new, leading-edge advances in Wi-Fi technology into its courseware. Under the agreement, GigaWave will develop, update and deliver the new Mobile IP course for Cisco. As a Cisco Ecosystem Partner, Birdstep develops best-of-breed mobile IP technologies that work with Cisco products, solutions and services.

"Birdstep Technology's solution for seamless handover enables a personal computer or handheld device to utilize mobile IP protocol to seamlessly traverse multiple networks or media connection types including WLAN to LAN or WLAN to cellular connection and back," said Chris Marco, president of GigaWave Technologies. "We're experiencing an explosion in wireless LAN advancements and as a leading provider of wireless networking curriculum development and training, it's our job to ensure our students are exposed to the latest advancements in wireless networking. The incorporation of Birdstep's Mobile IP technology into the Cisco Mobile IP training does just that."

"The shift in mobile services from voice-centric toward data-centric applications is driving the need for robust, secure and low-cost alternatives," said Hans-Arne, CEO of Birdstep Technology. "As the nomadic lifestyles of professionals carrying sensitive information increases, the need for secure, hassle-free connectivity across various communication infrastructures like WLAN, GPRS and CDMA2000 is critical to the success of data-centric applications. This is why we have developed this partnership with Cisco and GigaWave, to educate engineers and developers about the unique characteristics of deploying a Mobile IP solution."

According to the research firm IDC; the Wireless System Infrastructure Software market is projected to grow from $2.6 billion in 2003 to $4.5 billion in 2005.

As part of the two-day class, participants will install and configure the Birdstep client and use the client to verify the configurations of the Cisco Routers for mobile IP. Additionally, students will be able to see how mobile IP works, the relationship between the mobile IP client and mobile IP home agent router and how various configurations impact each unit. The class will also cover mobile IP security issues and troubleshooting.

About GigaWave Technologies

GigaWave Technologies offers innovative wireless networking workshops for IT professionals who want to know how to design, install, sell and secure high-performance Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and bridging technologies. The company offers the most comprehensive suite of wireless LAN training available today. As a leading provider of WLAN training and curriculum development, GigaWave provides its trademark, high-caliber, hands-on training techniques to Cisco partners and IT professionals across the globe. GigaWave specializes in WLAN training and is a privately held company based in San Antonio, Texas. For more information about GigaWave and its comprehensive training curriculum, please visit www.giga-wave.com.

About Birdstep Technology

Birdstep Technology was founded in Oslo, Norway, in 1996 and is traded on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE) under ticker "BIRD". The company has approximately 80 employees in Oslo and Seattle. Birdstep's small-footprint, high-performance database technologies combined with its wireless roaming and access software enables companies to build innovative solutions for embedded systems and the Mobile Internet. Named a 2002 Comet Award winner by Communication Systems Design magazine, Birdstep makes your information accessible anytime, anywhere, on any device and on any infrastructure. For more information, visit www.birdstep.com.