Modems: Gateway to Offer Xircom V.90 and 56Kbps Modem PC Cards for Notebook Users; Companies Work Together to Provide High-Speed V.90 Mobile Connectivity Worldwide - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, March 8, 1999

Xircom, Inc., the world leader in connectivity solutions for mobile computing professionals, Monday announced a strategic relationship with Gateway as a supplier of V.90 and 56Kbps modem PC Cards for its complete line of Solo notebook PCs.

The high-performance Xircom CreditCard Modem 56-GlobalACCESS and CreditCard Modem 56 provide notebook users worldwide with simultaneous V.90 and K56flex capabilities for fast connections to corporate networks, the Internet and other online resources from a wide variety of locations.

High-Speed Modem PC Cards Under the terms of the relationship, Gateway now offers Xircom's CreditCard Modem 56-GlobalACCESS and CreditCard Modem 56 PC Cards as communications solutions for its notebook PCs. The high-performance Xircom modems support speeds up to 56Kbps using either V.90 or K56flex, Digital Shield line protection and a wide range of network operating systems including Windows 95/98 and Windows NT.

In addition, the CreditCard Modem 56-GlobalACCESS provides CountrySelect software for easy connections worldwide and features AMPS cellular and GSM capabilities.

Gateway's Solo line includes four standard notebook models from the all-in-one Solo 2500 system; the thin Solo 5150 notebook, ideal for presentations on the road; the 9100 for a desktop replacement machine; and the 3100 full-featured lightweight system for frequent travelers.

"At Gateway we strive to provide our Solo notebook customers with a complete mobile computing solution and compatible, robust communications," said Bob Burnett, Gateway's vice president of product management and planning. "Xircom's V.90 56K modems allow our notebook users to capture the information they need using high-speed, reliable connections."

"This key relationship with Gateway reinforces Xircom's commitment and ability to bring innovative, mobile communications solutions to market," said Anthony Gioeli, Xircom's vice president of worldwide OEM sales. "By offering our CreditCard Modem 56-GlobalACCESS and CreditCard Modem 56 with their notebooks, Gateway is promising its customers superior, high-performance modem technology."

Product Availability The Xircom CreditCard Modem 56-GlobalACCESS and CreditCard Modem 56 will be available in March by visiting www.gateway.com or calling 800/GATEWAY.

Xircom, Inc., founded in 1988, is the world's leading manufacturer and OEM supplier of mobile communications solutions, including Integrated PC Card and PC Card products, which connect portable computer users to corporate networks, the Internet and other online resources. The company's products are sold and supported in over 100 countries through a global network of distributors, integrators and resellers.

Xircom, headquartered in Thousand Oaks, with regional headquarter offices in Antwerp, Belgium, Tokyo, Japan and Singapore, has 1,100 employees worldwide and trailing four-quarter revenue of $320 million. More information about Xircom and Xircom products may be found at www.xircom.com.

Gateway, a Fortune 500 company founded in 1985, provides complete computing solutions for clients worldwide. The company has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Ireland and Malaysia and employs more than 19,000 people worldwide. Gateway products and services consistently win top awards from leading industry publications. Revenue for 1998 was $7.5 billion. FMI: www.gateway.com.

Xircom is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and has regional headquarter offices in Antwerp, Belgium, Tokyo, Japan and Singapore.