SAN JOSE, Calif., August 21, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- Hybrid Networks Inc. (Nasdaq:HYBR), the worldwide leader in MMDS fixed broadband wireless Internet-access systems, today announced it has converted its system used by Alaska Wireless Cable Inc. (AWC) in Fairbanks, Alaska, to provide two-way fixed-wireless Internet access.
AWC has operated Hybrid's one-way system for approximately one year in Fairbanks. AWC is Hybrid's 23rd customer to convert to the company's two-way system, which features "always on," high-speed Internet access. "There is a great demand for two-way wireless Internet-access systems from our current customers," said Michael Greenbaum, president and CEO of Hybrid Networks. "Our flexible system easily adapts to two-way service and offers our customers a cost-effective solution to increase their capacity."
Hybrid's system eliminates the need for AWC's customers to have a dedicated phone line for an Internet connection and provides them with data transmission speeds of 50 to 100 times faster than those of a traditional 28.8 kbps modem.
"We operate in an area where many individuals do not have access to wired phone lines reaching their homes, so two-way wireless broadband Internet will be very well received," said Joe Rourke, general manager and partner of AWC. "Our very first two-way subscriber is at the extreme boundary of the service area and is receiving and transmitting high-speed data from his office without any problems whatsoever."
With MMDS two-way fixed broadband wireless Internet access, an AWC customer simply turns on his or her computer and launches an application such as an Internet browser or FTP routine. The customer's request for information is sent through a Hybrid router (modem) up and out through the digital transmitter/receiver on the customer's rooftop (the antenna) to the AWC network router at AWC's radio tower. The data is either retrieved directly from the AWC servers or from the Internet over AWC's high-speed backbone connection. The data is then sent from the AWC transmission site back over dedicated frequencies to the customer's antenna, where it is passed to the Hybrid router and then to the customer's PC or LAN.
About Alaska Wireless Cable
Alaska Wireless Cable Inc. (AWC) is a full-service solutions provider in the field of wireless communications that integrates combinations of wireless and wired technologies to provide clients solutions in the rapidly expanding field of wireless and wired data communications. AWC designs and implements solutions to fit the needs of medical, educational, e-commerce, retail/wholesale, corporate LAN/WANs, disaster recovery and the enhancement of local ISPs. It extends the "last-mile solution" for data, voice and video for local and long-distance carriers. AWC has been designated a beta-test site for a number of wireless products that require testing in Arctic and semi-Arctic conditions prior to FCC approval. For more information contact, Joe Rourke at jrourke@awcable.com or (907) 456-6160, or visit www.awcable.com.
About Hybrid Networks
Headquartered in San Jose, Calif., Hybrid Networks Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and markets fixed broadband wireless systems that enable telecommunications companies, wireless systems operators and network service providers to offer high-speed Internet access to businesses and residences. Hybrid was first to market with proven technology and patented two-way wireless products that focus on the MMDS and WCS spectrum in the United States and similar spectrum abroad. The company's customers include Sprint, WorldCom, Look Communications and Andrew Corp. With systems in place in 51 markets worldwide, Hybrid is part of more fixed broadband wireless deployments than all of its competitors combined.
For more information, call (408) 323-6215 or visit www.hybrid.com.
Some of the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, and we caution our stockholders and others that these statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ from expected results include, but are not limited to, the proposed rollouts not proceeding as currently anticipated, our need to raise additional working capital, the effects of competitive products and pricing, economic and political conditions that may impact customers' ability to fund purchases of our products and services, the company's ability to achieve the costs savings anticipated from cost-reduction programs, fluctuations in international exchange rates, the timing of cash payments and receipts, end-use demands for wireless communication services, and other business factors. For information regarding these risks and other related risks, see the "Risk Factors" section of Hybrid's most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q on file with the SEC. -0-