Proxim Announces the ORiNOCO Gold and Silver .11a/b/g ComboCards, the First Business-Class Wi-Fi PC Cards that Connect to Any Wi-Fi Wireless Network, Anywhere
Announcement posted by Proxim 07 May 2003
Proxim Corporation (Nasdaq: PROX), a leading provider of high-performance wireless local area networking (WLAN) and wireless wide area networking (WWAN) products, has announced the new ORiNOCO .11a/b/g ComboCard product line, the first business-class PC card that enables notebook computer users to easily and securely connect to any flavour of Wi-Fi wireless network, anywhere in the world.
The new ORiNOCO ComboCards connect to wireless networks running legacy 802.11b technology, as well as the new high speed, 54 Mbps 802.11a and 802.11g technologies. The card also incorporates the latest IEEE 802.11d World Mode standard that enables the card to automatically configure itself to any local wireless standard, regardless of location.
The ORiNOCO ComboCards are fully compatible with Proxim's lines of AP-2000 and AP-600 enterprise-level access points that support 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. In addition, the ORiNOCO ComboCard is Wi-Fi certified, meaning that it will work with all Wi-Fi certified Access Points. For .11g mode, the combo card has been interoperability tested with access points based on silicon from Atheros, Broadcom and Intersil.
"The three most important issues of mobile computing are interoperability, security, and manageability," said Peter Davison, Regional Sales Manager, Australia/New Zealand. "Regardless of where they are-whether in a coffee shop, a company lobby, or on an airplane-our ORiNOCO .11a/b/g ComboCard users will know that their wireless connection will work and that they can get securely connected, without hassles."
"Mobile users and road warriors need to be able to securely connect to their personal networks and the Internet without worrying about available wireless technologies, security protocols and authorisation schemes," said Russ Craig, research director for Aberdeen Group. Multi-standard ComboCards can provide that capability. "Proxim's new .11a/b/g ComboCard provides users with the flexibility to easily connect to a variety of wireless network types while providing IT managers with enterprise level features, network management and security."
The card comes with the free ORiNOCO Client Utility that enables users to easily manage and update their collection of wireless network and security profiles. Users are empowered to set up their personal wireless network connection in the way that best suits their business and personal lifestyle - when visiting a school, wireless enterprise or hot spot. Power levels for the Gold ComboCard can be adjusted to enhance security and bandwidth in crowded areas.
The Proxim ORiNOCO ComboCard supports all standards-based wireless networking authentication and security technologies including the new WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). As soon as the new WPA standard can be Wi-Fi Certified, expected in Q3, ComboCard users will be able to upgrade with a free software download from the Proxim web site.
The new ComboCard requires a laptop or notebook computer running the Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP). The full-featured Gold ComboCard for enterprise users is available for a recommended retail price of AUD$239 including GST. For home and small business users who don't need extra profiles or power levels, the Silver version is available for a recommended retail price of AUD$199 including GST.
Until the end of May, or while stocks last, the Gold ComboCard is available at a special price of AUD$199 including GST.
More details on the ORiNOCO .11a/b/g ComboCard can be found at http://www.proxim.com/products/all/orinoco/client/abgcard.
The ComboCards are available through Proxim's extensive network of resellers. For a list of resellers, go to www.proxim.com or www.triforce.com.au.
About Proxim
Proxim Corporation is a leader in wireless networking. It is the only company exclusively focused on both high-performance indoor and outdoor wireless networking, with the broadest range of wireless infrastructure and clients products in the world. Proxim's award-winning line of ORiNOCO wireless local area network (WLAN) products support all Wi-Fi standards and provide unsurpassed computing mobility and security. Its line of Tsunami wireless wide area network (WWAN) Ethernet bridges reliably connect networks between locations up to 40 miles apart, and with speeds up to 860 Mbps. The company also makes Lynx, a line of microwave radios used for cellular backhaul. Proxim Corporation was created by the merger of Proxim, Inc. and Western Multiplex Corporation in March 2002. Its web site is www.proxim.com.
Safe Harbor This press release includes forward-looking information and statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Statements regarding the expected benefits of products, including statements regarding the relative performance of Proxim's ORiNOCO products, including performance related to scalability, migration, interoperability, flexibility, speed, security, throughput and reliability, are subject to the following risks: that the expected benefits will not be realized by end customers; that products will not perform as designed; that products will not be available due to manufacturing or supply issues; that the product will not comply with future standards; that the product pricing will not be competitive as anticipated; and other risks and uncertainties associated with Proxim's business. For additional information regarding risks relating to Proxim's business, see Proxim Corporation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, subsequent reports on Form 8-K and other relevant materials filed by Proxim with the SEC
The new ORiNOCO ComboCards connect to wireless networks running legacy 802.11b technology, as well as the new high speed, 54 Mbps 802.11a and 802.11g technologies. The card also incorporates the latest IEEE 802.11d World Mode standard that enables the card to automatically configure itself to any local wireless standard, regardless of location.
The ORiNOCO ComboCards are fully compatible with Proxim's lines of AP-2000 and AP-600 enterprise-level access points that support 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. In addition, the ORiNOCO ComboCard is Wi-Fi certified, meaning that it will work with all Wi-Fi certified Access Points. For .11g mode, the combo card has been interoperability tested with access points based on silicon from Atheros, Broadcom and Intersil.
"The three most important issues of mobile computing are interoperability, security, and manageability," said Peter Davison, Regional Sales Manager, Australia/New Zealand. "Regardless of where they are-whether in a coffee shop, a company lobby, or on an airplane-our ORiNOCO .11a/b/g ComboCard users will know that their wireless connection will work and that they can get securely connected, without hassles."
"Mobile users and road warriors need to be able to securely connect to their personal networks and the Internet without worrying about available wireless technologies, security protocols and authorisation schemes," said Russ Craig, research director for Aberdeen Group. Multi-standard ComboCards can provide that capability. "Proxim's new .11a/b/g ComboCard provides users with the flexibility to easily connect to a variety of wireless network types while providing IT managers with enterprise level features, network management and security."
The card comes with the free ORiNOCO Client Utility that enables users to easily manage and update their collection of wireless network and security profiles. Users are empowered to set up their personal wireless network connection in the way that best suits their business and personal lifestyle - when visiting a school, wireless enterprise or hot spot. Power levels for the Gold ComboCard can be adjusted to enhance security and bandwidth in crowded areas.
The Proxim ORiNOCO ComboCard supports all standards-based wireless networking authentication and security technologies including the new WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). As soon as the new WPA standard can be Wi-Fi Certified, expected in Q3, ComboCard users will be able to upgrade with a free software download from the Proxim web site.
The new ComboCard requires a laptop or notebook computer running the Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP). The full-featured Gold ComboCard for enterprise users is available for a recommended retail price of AUD$239 including GST. For home and small business users who don't need extra profiles or power levels, the Silver version is available for a recommended retail price of AUD$199 including GST.
Until the end of May, or while stocks last, the Gold ComboCard is available at a special price of AUD$199 including GST.
More details on the ORiNOCO .11a/b/g ComboCard can be found at http://www.proxim.com/products/all/orinoco/client/abgcard.
The ComboCards are available through Proxim's extensive network of resellers. For a list of resellers, go to www.proxim.com or www.triforce.com.au.
About Proxim
Proxim Corporation is a leader in wireless networking. It is the only company exclusively focused on both high-performance indoor and outdoor wireless networking, with the broadest range of wireless infrastructure and clients products in the world. Proxim's award-winning line of ORiNOCO wireless local area network (WLAN) products support all Wi-Fi standards and provide unsurpassed computing mobility and security. Its line of Tsunami wireless wide area network (WWAN) Ethernet bridges reliably connect networks between locations up to 40 miles apart, and with speeds up to 860 Mbps. The company also makes Lynx, a line of microwave radios used for cellular backhaul. Proxim Corporation was created by the merger of Proxim, Inc. and Western Multiplex Corporation in March 2002. Its web site is www.proxim.com.
Safe Harbor This press release includes forward-looking information and statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Statements regarding the expected benefits of products, including statements regarding the relative performance of Proxim's ORiNOCO products, including performance related to scalability, migration, interoperability, flexibility, speed, security, throughput and reliability, are subject to the following risks: that the expected benefits will not be realized by end customers; that products will not perform as designed; that products will not be available due to manufacturing or supply issues; that the product will not comply with future standards; that the product pricing will not be competitive as anticipated; and other risks and uncertainties associated with Proxim's business. For additional information regarding risks relating to Proxim's business, see Proxim Corporation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, subsequent reports on Form 8-K and other relevant materials filed by Proxim with the SEC