Wireless Future: A Project of IC² Institute

Austin, TX and San Rafael, CA (December 19, 2003) Wireless Valley Communications, Inc. today announced that Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK) has partnered with the company to build and market products based on Autodesk technology for the in-building wireless network management and design market. Under the terms of the agreement, Wireless Valley will create and market wireless planning and management software for original equipment manufacturers and enterprise customers, based on Autodesk's popular AutoCAD OEM software.

Today, there are more than 1 billion cell phone users, and while the number of subscribers increases by 25 percent per year across the world, most wireless carriers have yet to deploy adequate in-building cellular coverage. Even today's popular Wireless LAN (WiFi) networks are in their early stage of deployment, and major equipment manufacturers are scrambling to provide in-building network servers, switches, and related wireless infrastructure that is easy to deploy, manage, and maintain.

According to Wireless Valley founder and Chairman Ted Rappaport, "Wireless Valley has pioneered software for the layout, measurement, and real-time management of wireless networks in and around buildings and campuses. Equipment makers realize the need to offer these capabilities bundled with their own equipment. Today's announcement renews our already close relationship with Autodesk, and ushers in a new line of OEM based products that allow major network equipment makers to bundle Wireless Valley's patented technologies and Autodesk's world-leading computer aided design software for the next generation of in building wireless networking equipment. We are glad to have Autodesk working closely with us to bring our new LT software product line to the nascent in-building networking market."

"This agreement is an important step in offering complete solutions to the wireless industry," commented Mark Strassman, director of marketing, Autodesk Platform Technology Division. "Combining Autodesk's Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology along with its AutoCAD engine and Wireless Valley's world-leading in-building and campus wireless prediction, measurement, and management software will no doubt provide the wireless industry with a solid solution," commented Mr. Strassman.

According to both companies, wireless carriers and network operators must provide adequate coverage and capacity inside and around buildings, as cell phones and computing devices continue to morph into appliances that need reliable indoor service. Network operators require software to reliably predict and manage proper access point placement and network performance, from initial design to real-time infrastructure control. As the in building network market grows, manufacturers must provide such design and management capabilities on shipping hardware platforms. Wireless Valley solves all of these issues with its patented SitePlanner® and LANPlanner® software, and today's announcement officially launches Wireless Valley's new suite of "LT Products" that allow real time design, cost accounting, and management of a wide array of telecommunications networks, with full bundling onto network equipment.

Working with Autodesk, Wireless Valley is now able to provide high volume OEM products for major equipment manufacturers, integrators, component manufacturers, and Fortune 500 network operators wishing to offer private-labeled or customized wireless design and management software, in an easy-to-use, standardized AutoCAD compatible software solution.

About Wireless Valley
Wireless Valley is a pioneer of site-specific network design and management software for all aspects of campus and in-building networks. Over 300 companies and institutions throughout the world are using Wireless Valley's products every day to sell, design, bid, cost, measure, manage, and maintain campus and in-building networks, all within a seamless, easy to use software environment. Major integrators and equipment manufacturers have standardized on Wireless Valley products, and thousands of enterprises, multi-tenant office buildings, and small businesses enjoy excellent wireless network coverage for PCS, Cellular, and IEEE 802.11a/b/g networks with installations performed and managed using the SitePlanner® and LANPlanner® family of products. Wireless Valley has more than 40 patents issued or pending.

See a partial list of companies who have standardized on SitePlanner® and LANPlanner® by visiting www.indoornetworks.com. To obtain more information about Wireless Valley products, or the company itself, visit the web at www.wirelessvalley.com, or call 512-821-1560.

About Autodesk
Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire project lifecycle management processes. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, and AutoCAD, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

SitePlanner®, LANPlanner®, InFielder®, LANFielder®, SiteSpy®, Optimatic®, Predictor^TM, WaveSpy® are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Wireless Valley Communications, Inc in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. (C) 2003, Wireless Valley Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AUSTIN, Texas December 16, 2003 Austins Wireless Future, a major study of wireless influence from an economic and social perspective, will be released to the community by the IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin on January 13, 2004. The wireless activities, sponsored by law firm Andrews Kurth L.L.P., will include an Austin Wireless Alliance (AWA) forum, an Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) presentation and afternoon networking event.

The report is part of a larger IC²-led effort to draw attention to Austins significant wireless assets as they relate to business, community, and public policy development and identifies key actions we can take to ensure the success of wireless ventures in Central Texas, said Eliza Evans, program manager for research at IC². The Institute is bringing national and international thought leaders in wireless to Austin for a national conference, The Wireless Future, in conjunction with SXSW Interactive on March 12-16.

The report has identified Austins growing and diverse wireless industry, said Alex Cavalli, deputy directory, IC² Institute. We have an opportunity to establish Austin as a major wireless market and create hundreds of new jobs in the next three years.

Erin Defosse, director of the IT and wireless division of ATI, will announce ATIs role in accelerating the development of a vibrant wireless industry in Austin. ATI is putting together the elements necessary to enable entrepreneurs to launch wireless-related businesses that can go global on day one, leverage Austins specific strengths within hardware and software, and benefit from the technology commercialization efforts currently under way at The University of Texas at Austin.

The afternoon AWA forum "Wireless 201: The Business of Wireless Technology" will include a session on Wireless Basics by Professor Ted Rappaport, founding director of the UT-Austin Wireless Networking and Communications Group. Following Dr. Rappaport's presentation, a panel of three wireless experts will discuss Wireless: The Next Three Years. Frank Hanzlik, Austin-based managing director of the national Wi-Fi Alliance, will moderate the experts' panel. The forum will conclude with an overview of the 85 wireless companies currently based in Austin and where they fit in the wireless landscape. Six of the wireless companies will be featured and provide a brief snapshot of their role in the wireless ecosystem.

"The forum is part of the AWA's effort to increase local awareness of the many wireless opportunities in Austin," said Randy Baker, president of Tuanis Technology and AWA chairman.

The event will conclude with an afternoon networking event.

Location: MCC building auditorium, 3925 W. Braker Lane

Schedule:
1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. IC² Wireless Future Announcement, Alex Cavalli, Eliza Evans, Jon Lebkowsky
2:00 p.m. 2:15 p.m. Accelerating the Wireless Industry in Austin, Erin Defosse
2:15 p.m. 3:15 p.m. Wireless Basics, Ted Rappaport
3:15 p.m. 4:00 p.m. [Panel] Wireless: The Next Three Years, Frank Hanzlik, moderator
4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Austins Wireless Landscape, Ed Acosta
5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Networking

Registration:
Space is limited. Open to the public. Register at: http://www.austintechnologycouncil.com

About the IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin
IC (Innovation, Creativity & Capital) Institute is an international, transdisciplinary "Think and Do" tank devoted to solving unstructured problems to accelerate wealth and job creation and shared prosperity at home and abroad. As a research unit at The University of Texas at Austin, IC is focused on knowledge exploration, dissemination, and application, across a broad range of academic and applied areas. For more information, visit www.ic2.org.

About ATI
The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) brings together valuable business, government and academic resources to catalyze business development in the technology industry. The ATI's mission is to help promising early stage technology ventures become successful by helping them solidify their business plans, recruit management, acquire adequate financing, and generate sales. ATI currently operates as a non-profit incubator and is a program of the IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. For more information on the ATI visit http://ati.ic2.org.

About AWA
The Austin Wireless Alliance (AWA) is an affiliate of the Austin Technology Council. It is a collection of wireless proponents, business leaders, educators, technologists, and entrepreneurs who are committed to promoting Austin as a center of excellence for wireless research, business development and services. For more information, visit www.austinwirelessalliance.org.

Be sure to attendn this IC² "Wireless Future" report release followed by an Austin Wireless Alliance forum on "The Business of Wireless Technology", January 13, 2004. Register free now

12.2.2003

"Free As The Air"

Wi-Fi Planet interviewed Rich MacKinnon and I about the Austin Wireless City project, a nonprofit we're involved with that's building a network of wireless hot spots in Austin. At the time of the interview, the network had 800 registered users; it's almost doubled since then, now 1500. AWC has built a volunteer organization to identify venues that want to provide free wi-fi and work with them to make it happen. Other volunteers maintain the sites to ensure quick response to technical problems. Rich's idea was to build a model that other cities can replicate, so at some point we'll document the structure and process. [Link]

The project team started off with the idea of being nothing more than a provider of information to businesses and groups wanting to set up free Wi-Fi hotspots. It quickly progressed to actually implementing the hotspots and even soliciting free or cheap hardware for operators.
"It's all volunteer-run and non-profit," Lebkowsky says. "We have hotspotters who do the actual technology installations, walkers who go out and talk to prospective hotspot operators about setting up sites, and caretakers who make sure we have network availability. They're on call to fix things if there are problems."
The AWCP has about 20 volunteers working on the project. They make it relatively painless for businesses to become hotspot operators. The project negotiated donations of free hotspot servers from a company that manages recycling of old hardware for Dell, another Austin-area company. It also sources free access points or negotiates discounts.
As Lebkowsky says, though, "Nothing is free. There's always somebody who has to pay."

12.1.2003

Intel Fields Wireless Desktop Hub

From Wired News: "Intel is building into a forthcoming microchip an ability to let desktop computers act as a hub in home and office wireless networks, taking aim at the market for stand-alone wireless access points." [Link]

First UK On-Train WiFi Service Launches Monday

Slashdot reports a UK train company piloting on-train WiFi for commuters and travelers. [Link]