Ricochet Wireless Data Network reaches Cupertino; ...

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

Headline: Ricochet Wireless Data Network reaches Cupertino;  ...
Wire Service: OTC (US Company NewsAlert)
Date: Tue, Jun 28, 1994


LOS GATOS, CALIF. (JUNE 28) BUSINESS WIRE - June 28, 1994--Metricom
(NASDAQ:MCOM) Tuesday announced first commercial availability of its Ricochet
MicroCellular Data Network in Cupertino, Calif.
   The Ricochet network provides wireless access to computers and wired networks
at speeds significantly greater than currently available wide-area wireless
networks.  For the first time mobile computer users can communicate wirelessly
at a price and performance comparable to traditional wired telephone modem
alternatives.  Metricom also announced Ricochet pricing which provides for
service access fees ranging from $2.95 to $29.95 per month and portable wireless
modem rental for $20 per month.  Ricochet optionally provides wireless data
access to the public switched telephone network and will also provide connection
to the Internet.  Additionally, Metricom described its virtual office
connection, a solution which provides subscribers the ability to communicate
wirelessly from their home or portable computer to their office desktop
computer.  Ricochet Reaches Cupertino:
   The Cupertino introduction of Ricochet commercial service marks the first
installation of Metricom's MicroCellular Data Network.  Full service in
Cupertino is now available.
   Service will be expanded to other cities in the San Francisco Bay Area and
other selected locations during the balance of 1994.  Metricom plans to have
Ricochet operational in 30 metropolitan areas across the country by the end of
1996.  Wireless Mesh Architecture with Wired Access:
   The Ricochet network transmits data wirelessly over a mesh network of
microcellular radios located on street lights, utility poles and buildings.  The
network's mesh architecture allows for increased system reliability because data
is dynamically routed through the network. Further, the Ricochet network
contains wired access points which allow wireless connection to the public
switched telephone network.  This access provides Ricochet subscribers with
instant wireless connections to company networks and to services such as
American Online, CompuServe, eWorld and Prodigy.  Faster Than Telephone Data
Rates at Less Expense:
   Ricochet service is available in four performance and price levels. Service
fees are flat rate, per month charges which are independent of network usage and
the amount of data transmitted.  The service pricing levels are:




        Service         Network Access Speed         Service Access Fee


        Economy              2.4 Kbps                 $2.95 per month
        Standard             9.6                      $9.95
        Executive            19.2                     $19.95
        Premier              Unrestricted             $29.95
         Subscribers to the Standard, Executive and Premier plans may rent a
Ricochet portable wireless modem for $20 per month.  Alternatively, subscribers
to any service level may purchase modems for $495.  There is also a one-time
activation fee of $95.
   Enhanced services available for Standard, Executive and Premier customers
include public switched telephone access for a flat fee of $5 per month and
access to the Internet for a flat fee of $15 per month.
   Internet Access Initiated:
   Metricom is initially offering wireless Internet access through the Ricochet
network on a trial basis to a limited number of subscribers. When it
communicates through a Ricochet portable wireless modem, a subscriber's computer
will act as a PPP node on the Internet.  Virtual Office Pricing Established:
   The Ricochet network permits those who use a home or portable computer to
achieve wireless access to their desktop computer.  With two Ricochet portable
wireless modems and appropriate application software, subscribers have wireless
access to all the data on their office computer.  Customers who wish to take
advantage of this virtual office solution may purchase or rent the modems at
standard rates and are entitled to network access for the second modem at 50
percent off the applicable single subscriber rate.
   Founded in 1985, Metricom is a leader in digital, wireless data
communications networking technology.  The firm, headquartered in Los Gatos,
Calif., has developed a license-free, high performance, low-cost regional data
communications network system that can be used in a broad range of personal
computer and industrial applications.
   --30--jar/sf
   CONTACT: Ulevich & Orrange Inc.
    William Orrange or Janis Ulevich, 415/329-1590
             or
    Metricom Inc.
    Brian Salisbury, 408/399-8200
   KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED PRODUCT
REPEATS: New York 212-575-8822 or 800-221-2462; Boston 617-330-5311 or
800-225-2030; SF 415-986-4422 or 800-227-0845; LA 310-820-9473
    Copyright 1994