3Com and Aether Technologies Form New Company to Provide Next-Generation Wireless Data Access
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — June 18, 1999 — 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) and Aether Technologies, a leading provider of wireless data integration solutions and services, today announced the formation of a new company, OpenSky, that will hasten the arrival of wireless e-mail and Internet access to corporations and consumers.
OpenSky will deliver next-generation wireless data services that allow users to securely access their primary e-mail address, extract critical information from the Internet and corporate intranets, and share their schedules remotely through any Palm Computing(R) platform device, Windows CE device, pager or WAP (wireless application protocol)-enabled phone.
3Com and Aether will each hold stakes in OpenSky, which will be headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. Patrick McVeigh, former vice president of worldwide sales for 3Com's Palm Computing division, will be president and CEO of OpenSky.
OpenSky's service will differentiate itself from competitors by providing a full-service, single-source solution for billing, content, customer support and integration. OpenSky expects a nationwide launch of its first service by the end of 1999.
The company will work with wireless carriers worldwide to provide services to corporations and consumers over networks based on CDPD, GSM, TDMA and CDMA protocols. OpenSky will also evolve its wireless service delivery platform through international alliances as the world's wireless infrastructure evolves.
"3Com and Aether are working closely with corporations, carriers and consumers worldwide. We've formed OpenSky to meet their needs for real-time wireless data access that is simple, reliable and affordable and has the flexibility to be deployed on a variety of mobile devices," said McVeigh.
"Now, corporations and consumers can realize a whole new level of business and personal connectivity, accessing critical information from anywhere at any time with our services."
OpenSky will combine 3Com's Web clipping technology, a revolutionary new way to access information from the Internet by extracting only a specific set of information from a specific Web site, and Aether's AIM.net wireless development and connectivity middleware. AIM.net provides a suite of universal, object-oriented technologies that provides the enterprise with access to virtually all wireless networks and handheld devices.
More than 50 leading Internet content providers, including ABCNews.com, Bank of America, E RADE, Mastercard, Moviefone, TicketMaster, UPS, USA Today, Visa International, The Wall Street Journal Interactive and others, have already made content available for Web clipping through the Palm VII(TM) connected organizer.
Aether's Aim.net has been successfully deployed in several systems, including the Reuters MarketClip(TM) wireless information service, as well as in wireless network services for Discover Brokerage and Bear Stearns.
"3Com believes that wireless services like those to be offered by OpenSky will accelerate the next generation of connectivity for enterprises and consumers," said Janice Roberts, 3Com senior vice president of Business Development and president of 3Com Ventures, 3Com's investment group.
"With the growing popularity of mobile devices like the Palm Computing family of products, millions of devices will need wireless connections to access e-mail, the Internet, corporate intranets or other critical data. OpenSky is being formed to address these opportunities, while at the same time advancing 3Com's effort to grow the Palm economy and expand our wireless initiatives for businesses and consumers."
OpenSky's services will bring a rich set of wireless capabilities to 3Com's Palm III(TM) and Palm V(TM) connected organizers. Additionally, the venture plans to support Windows CE-based handheld computers and new WAP-enabled phones.
"With its line of Palm Computing platform products, 3Com has set the standard for handheld computing. Aether and 3Com have a rich history of collaboration, innovation and the ability to deploy wireless services that are working today," said David Oros, president and CEO of Aether Technologies. "We will leverage each company's strengths to create the first wireless data service for handheld devices that is scalable and affordable."
Key Components of the 3Com-Aether Wireless Alliance
OpenSky's next-generation wireless service venture plans to provide a number of unique functions for corporations and consumers, including:
— Real-time access to e-mail, including Web-based e-mail accounts and corporate accounts based on applications such as Lotus Notes or Microsoft Exchange; — Web-based calendar/scheduling for groups or individuals; — Secure access to corporate database applications such as Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management software; — A notification architecture, which can alert users of critical and time sensitive information without requiring a device's antenna to be in use; and — Affordable pricing plans that encourage use.
About OpenSky
OpenSky was formed by 3Com and Aether Technologies to work closely with carriers and infrastructure vendors to accelerate the adoption of high-speed wireless Internet access by corporations and consumers. The new company will provide Internet, intranet and other mission-critical data to a wide range of existing and future IP-enabled wireless devices, including Palm Computing platform devices, Windows CE devices, pagers and WAP-enabled phones.
About Aether Technologies
Headquartered in Owings Mills, Md. with offices in New York and Boca Raton, Fla., Aether Technologies brings real-world real-time wireless data software and services to the enterprise. Aether offers secure and reliable high-end wireless solutions through proven expertise in wireless system engineering, software tools and services, wireless network operations, customer support and product fulfillment.
Aether's broad mix of software, tools and services are ideal for organizations across a broad range of industries who want to expedite their entry into wireless information management to increase operational efficiency or market competitiveness at the most effective cost. For more information, visit the Aether Technologies Web site at http://www.aethertech.com.
About 3Com Corporation
With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people to information in more ways than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com — More connected(TM). For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3com.comorthepresssiteat www.3com.com/pressbox.
Note to Editors: 3Com and Palm Computing are registered trademarks and Palm, Palm III, Palm V, Palm VII and More connected. are trademarks of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
CONTACT:
3Com Corporation, Santa Clara
Barbara Woolf, 408/326-1375 (Public Relations)
[email protected]
or
Coltrin & Associates
Brad Leone, 650/373-2005
[email protected]
or
Aether Technologies, Owings Mills
Jeffrey Mose, 410/654-6400 ext. 219 (Public Relations)
[email protected]
or
A&R Partners
Maria Amundson, 650/363-0982
[email protected]