Boxer Applauds FCC for Taking Next Steps on Wireless Broadband Deployment
May 15, 2003

For More Information:
David Sandretti,
(202) 224 - 8120


Washington, DC - Today, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) issued the following
statement applauding FCC Chairman Michael Powell for taking the next steps to
implement wireless broadband deployment. On Thursday, Powell officially
announced a proposal for the FCC to implement a larger set-aside of broadcast
spectrum for unlicensed wireless devices. Earlier this year, Senator Boxer and
Senator George Allen (R-VA) introduced the Jumpstart Broadband Act to request
just such an allocation.

Senator Boxer said, "Technologies such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and
other such devices can jumpstart our high-tech industry in Silicon Valley.
Senator Allen and I wanted to be ahead of the curve, so we introduced the
Jumpstart Broadband Act to create more spectrum space for the new services these
technologies will provide.

Efforts at the FCC to make more spectrum available for both licensed and
unlicensed use will increase choices for consumers and lower competition for
competitive broadband service providers. It means schools will be able to
connect classrooms the Internet without knocking down walls, and it means
companies will be able to offer their customers the advantages of high-speed
pipelines to the Internet.

I commend the FCC for moving quickly to implement the allocation of spectrum
our legislation requested."

###

I would think that a magazine called "Business Week" would still believe that there is something good about competition. At least they still believe in innovation.

Bill Austin


Is a Wi-Fi Bubble Building?
As one of tech's few growth areas, it's luring startups and VC cash -- in a familiar pattern. First to feel a pop may be consumer outfits

...

THE NEW NEW THING. Wi-Fi may be the hottest tech market to come along since the Web itself. And while that's cheery news, it's also raising red flags in some quarters -- a concern that just as the Web spawned excess investment based on careless projections of future demand, the same thing could be starting to happen in Wi-Fi.

In-Stat/MDR Announces UWB Set to Make Commercial Debut
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2003--With the absence of a currently available and standardized wireless technology that offers robust multimedia transport of multiple digital streams, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) promises to be the technology that delivers the bandwidth and QoS that many consumer electronics companies have been looking for.
In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com) reports that, having seen the gap that Wi-Fi is leaving in the home networking market, UWB proponents are realizing they must step up their development process to capitalize on this opportunity. As a result, a UWB standard is expected to be ratified by 1H 2005, and the high-tech market research firm expects that standard-based end-products should roll out in late 2005 and 2006.

Ultra-Wideband proponents have been scrambling to find their place in the commercial world since the FCC's historic ruling in February 2002. "Overall, UWB has much potential in linking together entertainment devices within a home network, and also may serve to penetrate the business market through its expected penetration in the PC market," says Gemma Paulo, a Senior Analyst with In-Stat/MDR. "However, at this point, it is difficult to project the year in which UWB end-products will ship in volume."

It is assumed that only limited numbers of proprietary UWB end-products will go out, as a standard traditionally provides for a large number of vendors to get into the market relatively quickly, causing prices to drop fast. CE companies are expected to have demonstrations of UWB-enabled end-products at the January 2004 CES. These end-products are expected to be powered by proprietary chipsets from XtremeSpectrum, and perhaps from other UWB silicon vendors such as General Atomics and Wisair. Standards-based chipsets are expected to roll out once ratification of 802.15.3a is near, probably in the 2H 2004 - 1H 2005 timeframe.

In-Stat/MDR has also found that:


-- It is expected that high-end CE devices, such as flat panel
displays, will be the first products to be UWB-enabled.
External cards and dongles for lower-cost CE devices and PC
devices will follow. Consequently, continued chipset
integration and falling costs over time will increasingly
drive embedded UWB.

-- Naturally, many perceive UWB as a high-bit WPAN option that
will serve as a cable replacement technology, especially for
high-speed wired PAN connections such as USB 2.0 and 1394. The
maximum data rate that is being considered for IEEE 802.15.3a
is 480 Mbps, which matches that of USB 2.0.

-- Two major communications companies partnered with two UWB
players in 2003. Motorola announced a relationship with
XtremeSpectrum, and Philips Semiconductors announced a
partnership with General Atomics.

-- Interest in UWB extends to a wide variety of companies,
including CE companies, networking vendors, IC component and
processor specialists, and companies that deal in the imaging
and printing markets. Meetings surrounding the IEEE 802.15.3a
standard have been extremely well attended, with participants
ranging from small UWB players, to the likes of Intel,
Samsung, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Sony and Broadcom.
The report, "The UWB House Party: Ultra-Wideband Set to Make its Commercial Debut" (#IN030727RC), examines the potential of UWB as a high speed Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) technology. The report includes a look at the standards process, an examination of competing/complementary technologies, results of an end-user survey on UWB's potential, vendor profiles, and forecasts of UWB nodes. To purchase this report, or for more information, please visit: http://www.instat.com/catalog/cat-rc.htm or contact Erin McKeighan at 480/609-4551; emckeighan@reedbusiness.com. The report price is $3,195.

About In-Stat/MDR

In-Stat/MDR (http://www.instat.com) offers a broad range of information resources and analytical assets to technology vendors, service providers, technology professionals, and market specialists worldwide. The company stands alone in its ability to integrate both supply-side and demand-side research methodologies into a single comprehensive view of technology markets and products. This capability relies on a unique ability to cover the entire value chain from engineering-level technology, through equipment, infrastructure, services and end-users.

In-Stat/MDR is part of the Reed Electronics Group, a division of Reed Elsevier (www.reedelsevier.com), a world-leading publisher and information provider. With over 38,000 employees worldwide, Reed Elsevier operates in the science & medical, legal, education and business-to-business industry sectors, providing high value and flexible information solutions to professional end users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet.


CONTACT: for In-Stat/MDR
Gemma Paulo, 480/483-4465
Email: gpaulo@reedbusiness.com
or
Kirsten Skedd, 480/609-4534
Email: kskedd@reedbusiness.com

Broadband Central announced plans to launch more than 700 new 802.11 high-speed
Internet access points, or Blue Zones, throughout seven western states.

ZigBee Alliance Hits 50 Members; Global Low-Power Wireless Consortium Hits Milestone in Less Than a Year
SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2003--The ZigBee(TM) Alliance announced today that the organization has reached 50 members in just seven months.
"This amazing growth is evidence of the worldwide interest in what the ZigBee Alliance is doing," said Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance Board of Directors. "Companies want to be part of creating the ZigBee standard, and be able to build products around that standard."

A listing of all ZigBee Alliance members may be found at www.zigbee.org.

The ZigBee Alliance was officially created in October of 2002 and is an association of companies working together to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard.

Alliance members are defining the software layers for interoperable data networking, security services, and a range of wireless home and building control solutions. Devices are expected to transmit 30-75 meters, depending on the RF environment, and will operate in the unlicensed RF bands worldwide (2.4GHz global, 915MHz Americas or 868MHz Europe). ZigBee-compliant solutions will incorporate the new IEEE 802.15.4 worldwide RF standard for low rate, wireless personal area networks.

Current ZigBee Alliance members include ABB Corporate Research; Adcon RF Technology BV; AMI Semiconductor, Inc.; Ardesta LLC; Atmel Corporation; Betronic Design BV; BlueChip Communication AS; Cambridge Consultants; Certicom Corporation; Chipcon; CompXs; CSEM SA; Danfoss A/S; Duolog Technologies; Eaton Corporation; Eazix, Inc.; Ember Corporation; ENQ Semiconductor, Inc.; ETS Dr. Genz (U.S.A.), Inc.; Figure 8 Wireless, Inc.; France Telecom R&D LLC; Helicomm, Inc.; Hewlett-Packard Company; Honeywell; Inovonics Wireless Corporation; Integration Associates; Intel Corporation; Invensys; ITE, Inc.; KETI (Korea Electronics Technology Institute); Leviton Mfg. Company, Inc.; Micrel; Micro Linear; Millennial Net, Inc.; Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc.; Motorola, Inc.; Nanotron Technologies GMBH; National Technical Systems; NTRU Cryptosystems, Inc.; OKI Electric Industry Co. Ltd.; Omron Advanced Systems, Inc.; Philips; RF Micro Devices; Robert Bosch Corporation; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Uniband Electronic Corporation; Xanboo, Inc.; Xemics; Zensys A/S; and ZMD AG.

The ZigBee Alliance will hold its first European Open House June 3, 2003 at the Estrel Convention Center in Berlin, Germany, as part of the ZigBee Alliance member meeting June 2-6. The Open House will provide an overview and progress update of the rapidly emerging ZigBee global wireless specification, an update on the Alliance's activities, and a discussion of current and future solutions and markets. Online registration and detailed information for the Open House is available on the ZigBee Alliance website, www.zigbee.org.

About the ZigBee Alliance


Wireless control that simply works.
The ZigBee Alliance is an association of companies working
together to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly
networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global
standard. The ZigBee Alliance is a rapidly growing, non-profit
industry consortium of leading semiconductor manufacturers, technology
providers, OEMs and end-users worldwide. Membership is open to all.
Additional information can be found at www.zigbee.org.
All company, brand, and product names may be trademarks that are the sole property of their respective owners.


CONTACT: ZigBee Alliance
Bill Chase, 925/275-6655
bchase@inventures.com

CSR Launches New 'Fast Attach' Bluetooth Mobile Phone Chip with Example Designs for Low-Cost Upgrades and Bluetooth Adaptors
RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2003--CSR (Cambridge Silicon Radio) today announced the launch of its latest application specific chip, BlueCore2-Gateway. The new chip is designed to reduce the complexity of adding Bluetooth onto the motherboard of mobile phones and also enable low cost retrofit Bluetooth adaptors for non-Bluetooth phones.
To accompany the chip, the company is making available a full example design for a 'Fast Attach' Bluetooth solution. The ultra-low cost design with an innovative circuit gives OEMs the ability to make one basic design that will connect to any phone. The design offers support for a wireless headset and all Bluetooth connections to a PC including file exchange, PIM synchronization, DUN and FAX using the Audio Gateway, Serial Port Profile, Dial-Up Networking and FAX profile on the BlueCore2-Gateway chip.

BlueCore2-Gateway is ROM-based and supplied in a small 6x6mm BGA package with user configurable software. The chip makes extensive use of an on-chip audio CODEC for quality processing of the audio signals. CSR utilizes configurable ROM - meaning OEMs can benefit from the low cost ROM chips but still have the flexibility to tailor their designs using configurable registers for certain attributes.

A key attribute of the BlueCore2-Gateway design is flexibility. The Bluetooth circuit can be embedded on the phone's PCB itself, implemented inside an accessory battery pack, or in an add-on adapter to plug into the base of the phone.

Whichever approach is adopted by OEMs, CSR's 'one circuit fits all' design for the BlueCore2-Gateway ROM chip provides them with a universal adapter at a very low BOM cost. This example universal circuit uses a combination of techniques to determine the capabilities of what the phone it is connected to. For example, if the phone has a digital interface it will automatically activate the SPP profile, to allow the user to wirelessly connect a PDA or PC to his phone and use the existing set of 'phone tools' software supplied by the mobile phone operator or handset provider. If no digital interface is present it will only expose the headset profile.

The fully embedded Bluetooth solution could be quickly and easily fitted to a mobile phone motherboard for an extremely simple Bluetooth implementation that connects via the standard and familiar AT command interface. This way the phone manufacturer eliminates the need to have complex Bluetooth stack software running on the often already overtaxed phone processor. Adding Bluetooth to a mobile phone has now been made as simple as it is possible to make: mount BlueCore2-Gateway on the phone motherboard or dongle/battery pack, connect the audio and datastreams (through existing mic/speaker connections and data UART port) and the phone is enabled.

When used with pre-paired Headsets or with PC Bluetooth software with a pairing interface, virtually no software changes are required on the phone. CSR's BlueCore2-Gateway is particularly compact so the limited real estate available in mobile handsets can be maximized. This applies equally to the battery pack and add-on adapter designs.

Eric Janson, worldwide vice president, marketing, CSR, commented, "There are still a large number of non-Bluetooth mobile phones which could derive extra value from these retrofit designs by adding additional functionality such as Bluetooth." Janson continued, "We expect to see many mobile handset manufacturers and accessory OEMs using these various design solutions to prolong the life of handset designs."

About CSR

CSR (Cambridge Silicon Radio) specializes in providing single-chip radio devices to the global market for short-range wireless communications, including Bluetooth(TM).

The company's mission is to create the most highly integrated radio devices available, fabricated using standard CMOS technology, to provide its customers with the lowest cost of ownership of high quality digital radio.

CSR was the first company in the world to offer a true single-chip Bluetooth solution with BlueCore, a fully integrated 2.4 GHz radio, baseband and microcontroller. In Q4 2001 CSR released BlueCore2, its second generation family, and offer developed hardware/software bundles for each of the fastest growing Bluetooth applications markets. Users can combine the chips with the CSR Bluetooth software stack to provide a fully compliant solution for data and voice communications or, used with an upper layer host software stack, CSR is able to offer a complete Bluetooth end-to-end solution.

CSR has a growing list of major international companies including Microsoft Corp, NEC, Toshiba, Samsung, Sony, Compaq, IBM, Fujitsu, LG, ALPS, TDK, 3Com, Mitsumi, Siemens and Motorola, who have already used CSR's BlueCore in the development of a range of Bluetooth products. In fact, 70 percent of available pre-qualified modules, as listed on the qualified products page of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) web site, feature BlueCore and it is in 60 percent of all qualified Bluetooth v 1.1 enabled end product designs.

CSR is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, with offices in Richardson, Texas; Tokyo, Japan; Singapore and Aalborg, Denmark.

More information about CSR can be found at www.csr.com and the CSR partner web site www.btdesigner.com

More information about Bluetooth can be found on the SIG web site at www.bluetooth.com


CONTACT: Media Contact
imagio-J. Walter Thompson
Adam Ian Ganz, 206/625-0252
adamg@imagio.com
or
Company Contact
Cambridge Silicon Radio
Alan Woolhouse, 44(1223)692689
aw@cambridgesiliconradio.com

Acoustic Technologies Raises $13.8M in Funding

Acoustic Technologies, a developer of high-quality full-duplex communication
software and ICs for cellular, Bluetooth, VoIP, and other telephony
products, today announced it has closed on $13.8 million in its third round
of funding. The cash will be used to fund additional new product development
and to grow sales and technical support resources to respond to the
increasing demand for the company's new products. The new products include
SoundClear full-duplex voice clarity products used in cellular handsets and
hands-free speakerphone applications.

CDMA2000 Equipment on Track for 2.1 GHz Deployment
COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 19, 2003--The CDMA Development Group (CDG) (www.cdg.org) announced today that leading network and terminal vendors have made rapid progress with product development and testing and are now preparing to offer commercial-grade CDMA2000(R) equipment at 2.1 GHz, one of the IMT-2000-designated 3G spectrum bands. This development is the result of a signed commitment(a) by eight equipment suppliers and the CDG in September 2002 to expand the spectrum offerings of CDMA2000 to include 2.1 GHz.
"Currently there are more than 39 million subscribers enjoying CDMA2000 service on 47 commercial networks operating in 26 countries," said Perry LaForge, executive director, CDG. "It is a natural extension for these vendors, who already have vast experience deploying CDMA2000 at other frequencies, to now offer products for the 2.1 GHz band."

One country that will potentially benefit from the availability of CDMA2000 equipment at 2.1 GHz is China, the largest and fastest-growing wireless market in the world. The wireless industry looks forward to the Chinese regulators' decision with regards to 3G licenses at 2.1 GHz.

CDMA2000 manufacturers have been committed to providing solutions with Chinese partners and customers since the inception of the wireless market in China.

"In China and around the world, Ericsson has built its reputation on the partnerships we establish with our customers to ensure that their business is a success. Our announced completion of CDMA2000 2.1 GHz voice and data calls and our readiness to supply the most advanced and cost-effective 3G solution on the market is further evidence of that commitment," said Ake Persson, president of Ericsson Mobile Systems CDMA.

"In 2001, Huawei became one of the first companies worldwide which could deliver 2.1 GHz band CDMA2000 infrastructure. Our equipment features include large capacity and high integration, low-cost flexible network deployment, smooth evolution capability for the future, giving more choice for operators," said Chengdong Yu, vice president and director of 3G, Huawei Technologies.

Les Cole, president of Mobility Solution, Lucent Technologies China said, "Lucent Technologies has deployed CDMA networks worldwide, and has a very strong base in China. We see tremendous opportunity for CDMA2000 at 2.1 GHz here and are committed to the China market."

In addition to CDMA2000 2.1 GHz infrastructure, terminal devices have been tested and are ready to be introduced to the market.

LG Electronics (LGE) states, "LGE has supplied CDMA2000 terminal and infrastructure equipment to one of Korea's mobile operators, LG Telecom, which has a 3G license. We look forward to sharing the knowledge gained in Korea with the Chinese operators."

"Samsung has extensive experience with CDMA technologies," said Grant Zhou, vice president and general manager, wireless terminals, Samsung China. "We are pleased to be among the first to deliver CDMA2000 terminal and infrastructure equipment for the 2.1 GHz band."

Technology provider Qualcomm and leading manufacturers of wireless equipment further expressed support for the Chinese 3G market.

"As the pioneer and world leader of CDMA digital wireless technology, Qualcomm is committed to facilitating CDMA industry's growth in China. We have provided 2.1 GHz CDMA2000 test terminals (Chester) to domestic and foreign vendors, and are very pleased to see the successful development and commercialization of CDMA2000 infrastructure and terminals at 2.1 GHz band. The expected trials by MTNet of such CDMA2000 equipment at 2.1 GHz band will mark a major milestone towards wide-spread deployment by operators in this IMT2000 band," said Jing Wang, senior vice president and chairman of Qualcomm China.

Simon Leung, senior vice president and general manager, GTSS Asia Pacific, Motorola, said, "The long history of Motorola's CDMA success as the leading manufacturer of wireless handsets and the dominant provider of infrastructure networks in China is derived from a combination of Motorola's long-term commitment to the China market, a strong portfolio of CDMA2000 products and a worldwide CDMA2000 installed base. Motorola is working closely with the operators in China to ensure the successful deployment of CDMA2000 at 2.1 GHz."

"Nortel Networks is strong in supplying and deploying 3G wireless voice and data networks globally. We are certainly ready to provide CDMA2000 networks at 2.1GHz," said Robert Mao, president and CEO, Nortel Networks China.

"CDMA2000 is an excellent platform for advanced services, and we are ready to serve our customers with systems in all possible frequencies (450 MHz, 800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2100 MHz), as the market demands," said James Jiang, general manager of ZTE San Diego.

The CDG will continue to promote and support the commercial deployment of 3G CDMA2000 systems at 2.1 GHz worldwide.

The CDMA Development Group is a nonprofit trade association formed to foster the worldwide development, implementation and use of CDMA technologies. The 110 member companies of the CDG include many of the world's largest wireless operators and equipment manufacturers. The primary activities of the CDG include development of CDMA features and services, public relations, education and seminars, regulatory affairs and international support. Currently, there are more than 500 individuals working within various CDG subcommittees on CDMA-related matters. For more information about the CDG, contact Valerie Christopherson of the CDG News Bureau at +1-714-540-1030, ext. 14, e-mail vchristopherson@bockpr.com, or visit the CDG Web site at www.cdg.org.

(a) Original signatories of the 2.1 GHz Memorandum of Understanding in September 2002 with the CDG were Ericsson, LG Electronics, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, Nortel Networks, Qualcomm, Samsung and ZTE.

Note to editors:

-- cdmaOne is a trademark of the CDG


-- CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications
Industry Association (TIA-USA)



CONTACT: CDG News Bureau
Valerie Christopherson or Ricca Silverio, 714/540-1030
Fax: 714/540-1060
vchristopherson@bockpr.com or rsilverio@bockpr.com