Global wireless communications company to expand operations in Asia Pacific; UbiNetics to focus on enterprise solutions and aims to support developers community on next-generation wireless devices.

M2 PRESSWIRE-17 May 2001-UBINETICS: Global wireless communications company to expand operations in Asia Pacific; UbiNetics to focus on enterprise solutions and aims to support developers community on next-generation wireless devices (C)1994-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:16052001

UK -- UbiNetics, the leading next-generation wireless communications technology company and part of the PA Group, today announced its expansion in Asia Pacific and officially opens its regional headquarters in Hong Kong.

With offices in the United Kingdom, India and Japan, UbiNetics currently provides to enterprises and consumers with mobile wireless solutions, including GSM accessories for Palm V/Vx, PDAs and notebook PCs, embedded GPRS modules, and 3G special test and measurement products.

Bjorn Krylander, chief operating officer for UbiNetics, said, "UbiNetics' comprehensive ability to revolutionise the way voice and data communications are done wirelessly comes from our worldwide leadership in wireless technology, coupled with the best-of-breed wireless devices and industry-wide partnerships. The establishment of Asia headquarters emphasises our commitment to providing consumers throughout the world with the world-class innovative products and solutions. It signifies an important step in our overall global strategy in growing the potential market."

"Asia Pacific's voracious interest in wireless - and the potential Hong Kong promises as the epicentre of the wireless world - demands that we have strong presence here," said William Yip, general manager of business development in Asia. "We are committed to being a long term growth partner in Hong Kong through a good balance of local expertise and our global know-how and resources, providing leading-edge products and solutions for local customers alike. We will look forward to providing customers with product flexibility, platform dependability and instantaneous access to information, regardless of the wireless devices they prefer."

Supports for Developer Community

As part of the Company's aggressive go-to-market effort and its expansion in Asia Pacific, UbiNetics is expected to recruit new developers in this region targeting specific industries or solution areas. These developers are expected to gain the competitive advantage of UbiNetics' global reach, marketing resources and customer base; they are also expected to build applications on UbiNetics' industry-leading hardware to assemble the most powerful, and widely implementable, customer solutions that generate real revenue growth for both parties.

"UbiNetics is aggressively providing developer support in the industry. Our developer programs reflect our increasing commitment to provide the developers with the tools, resources and partner support they need to succeed in a rapidly expanding mobile wireless marketplace," Krylander added.

Unveils New Products

As part of its expansion plan, UbiNetics also unveiled a collection of products and solutions that aims to provide a richer wireless experience for customers demanding access to voice and data communications. This line of products and solutions furthers UbiNetics' wireless strategy to extend the utility, flexibility and mobility of its products for customers. They include:

* GA100 Palm Clip-on The GA100 is a dualband GSM 900/1800 clip-on device for the Palm V series handheld, supporting voice, data, fax and SMS up to 14.4 kbps.

* GC201 GSM PC Card The GC201 is a extremely compact Type II dualband GSM 900/1800 PC card, supporting voice, data, fax and SMS up to 14.4 kbps.

* GM400 embedded GSM-GPRS module The plug-in dualband GSM-GPRS module for system integrators and terminal/handset manufacturers

* TM100 Test Mobile The TM100 supports multiple modes of operation, enabling infrastructure manufacturers and network operators to verify the compliance of their network to the 3GPP FDD specification. The test mobile provides an in-depth analysis of the air interface, layer 1 performance and functionality of the layer 2 and 3 protocol.

UbiNetics also confirmed that the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) in Hong Kong on 27 April 2001 has granted certificate of type approval for the GA100 Palm Clip-on and the GC201 GSM PC Card. All the above products today are available in Hong Kong.

The use of wireless data technology is expected to boom in the next few years, according to Cahners In-Stat Group (www.instat.com). The high-tech market research firm predicts that the wireless data market will grow from about 170 million subscribers worldwide in 2000 to greater than 1.3 billion in 2004. As a result, more than 1.5 billion handsets, PDAs and Internet appliances are expected to be equipped with wireless capabilities by the end of 2004.

"As wireless devices become ever more fundamental in our daily lives, being wireless means the power to stay connected to personal and business information anywhere, anytime," said Krylander. "UbiNetics is helping to make wireless data communications a reality for the digital generation. Our wireless devices and solutions provide mobile professionals with unparalleled voice and data capabilities, enabling them to access, communicate and manage information."

About UbiNetics

UbiNetics is one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of mobile wireless solutions and products for consumer, commercial and corporate users. It is also the market leader in next generation 3G test and measurement. The company has a unique portfolio of creative products based on GSM, GPRS and W-CDMA wireless networks.

UbiNetics has set the de-facto standard with its 3G Test Mobile system for W-CDMA infrastructure and handset testing which has become widely adopted as the test tool of choice.

The company's innovative GPRS and GSM products includes customised embedded modules, PC cards for handheld and laptop computers and a Clip-on device providing total mobility for Palm V/Vx PDAs.

With global headquarters in Cambridge, England, UbiNetics has additional R&D sites in Swindon, Wiltshire and Bangalore, India and further offices in France, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The company employs over 300 staff worldwide.

For further information visit http://www.ubinetics.com

CONTACT: Sarah Webb, Companycare Communications Tel: +44 (0)118 939 5900 e-mail: sarahw@companycare.com Gordon Brake, UbiNetics (UK) Limited Tel: +44 (0)7714 697 164 e-mail: gordon.brake@ubinetics.com

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