For more information, contact:
A&R Partners for Be, Incorporated
Elizabeth Conrady, 650/762-2815
econrady@arpartners.com
Proxim, Inc.
Dan Spalding, (408) 731-2619
dspalding@proxim.com
Proxim and Be to Deliver Broadband Wireless Internet Appliance Software Platform Based on HomeRF Standard
HomeRF-equipped Internet Appliances Based on Stinger Platform to Deliver Wireless Media and Broadband Internet Access in the Home
WASHINGTON D.C., Jan. 24, 2000 - Proxim, Inc., (NASDAQ: PROX) and Be Incorporated (NASDAQ: BEOS) today announced a cooperative technology and marketing effort to jointly integrate Proxim's HomeRF wireless networking technology into Be's platform for Internet appliances, code-named Stinger. Proxim and Be plan to offer a seamless wireless extension to Be's Stinger platform, enabling web pads and other Internet appliances and dedicated devices to distribute media and share broadband Internet access wirelessly in and around the home. Be expects to formally introduce Stinger later this quarter.
Stinger is designed for the creation of appliances that deliver information and entertainment over the web. Based on BeOS, Stinger is fully customizable, offers a complete browser, and supports popular streaming audio and video standards. Compaq, National Semiconductor and Qubit have already announced plans to license Stinger for their Internet appliances.
HomeRF-based wireless Internet appliances connected in the home via broadband devices allow service providers to offer high-quality audio and broadband Internet access services to subscribers. Devices utilizing Proxim's HomeRF-based wireless products will be able to interoperate with other solutions based on HomeRF's industry standard.
The HomeRF standard is an open specification supported by more than 100 member
companies to deliver a broad spectrum of affordable, interoperable consumer devices capable of both toll-quality voice and high-speed data networking. Compaq, IBM, Intel, Motorola and Proxim have already announced specific plans for HomeRF-based products, available as early as this quarter. Proxim's HomeRF products are the chosen solution for broadband devices, such as Cayman's DSL gateway and residential gateways from 2Wire and Next Level Communications, targeted to local exchange carriers to distribute high-speed data and telephony services to multiple users conveniently and untethered from phone jacks and other limitations.
"Wireless connectivity greatly adds to the convenience and ease of use of web pads and appliances," said Steve Sakoman, Be's chief operating officer. "Proxim's leading technology for wireless home networking was an easy choice because of its proven success in the marketplace. We've seen the demand for untethered media and high-speed data communications delivered to customers in the home, and together we plan to deliver the full wireless Internet experience."
"Be is a leading provider of Internet and media handling capabilities to web appliances, and we're pleased that they've chosen to integrate our wireless technology for their customers to deliver appliances with all the convenience wireless HomeRF-based technology has to offer," said Kurt Bauer, Proxim's Marketing vice president. "Be's customers will be able to offer end users the added flexibility of accessing information and entertainment anywhere in and around the home using standards-based wireless products, and Proxim's wireless adapters make expanding the networks simple for the user as well."
ABOUT HOMERF
The HomeRF standard is an open specification supported by more than 100 member companies to deliver a broad spectrum of affordable, interoperable consumer devices capable of both toll-quality voice and high-speed data networking. Current supported applications include cordless voice telephony, in-home distribution and sharing of broadband data services, and file and print sharing. Seven leading companies – Cayman Systems, Compaq, IBM, Intel, MobileStar Network, Motorola and Proxim – have recently announced specific plans to launch HomeRF products beginning in Q1'00. Siemens has announced that it will deliver the voice element of the standard.
Planned HomeRF technology enhancements for 2H'00 and beyond will support higher data rates; isochronous voice, audio and streaming video communications; and broadband wireless Internet access outside the home. These enhancements will enable a whole new class of applications, including cordless telephony, streaming music and video, and broadband wireless Internet connectivity in public "hot spots."
ABOUT PROXIM, INC.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Proxim, Inc., has more than 15 years of experience in the wireless LAN market. Today Proxim is the world's leading supplier of spread spectrum wireless LAN products to OEMs and wireless solutions providers. In 1994, Proxim was first to market with its industry-leading RangeLAN2 2.4 GHz frequency hopping wireless LAN product family, which has attracted more than 100 OEMs and wireless solutions providers worldwide. In 1998, the company introduced its high-performance RangeLAN802 product line, which operates at 2 Mbps and is fully compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard. In 1999, Proxim established itself as a leader in the emerging home networking market with its award-winning Symphony suite of cordless networking products for home and small office environments.
Proxim is a founding member of the Wireless LAN Interoperability Forum (WLI Forum), established to deliver and test interoperable wireless LAN products and services (http://www.wlif.com/). Proxim is also a core member of the Home Radio Frequency Working Group (HomeRF), which is committed to providing a broad range of interoperable cordless consumer devices (http://www.homerf.org). See www.proxim.com for additional information.
ABOUT BE INCORPORATED
Founded in 1990, Be Incorporated creates software platforms that enable rich media and web experiences for personal computers and Internet appliances. Be's headquarters are in Menlo Park, Calif., with offices in Paris and Tokyo. It is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol BEOS. Be can be found on the web at http://www.be.com/ .
Proxim, RangeLAN2, RangeLAN802, and Symphony, are all trademarks of Proxim. Be and BeOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Be Incorporated in the United States and other countries. Other brand product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. All rights reserved. For more information on HomeRF, visit www.homerf.org, or contact Aaron Dunn at Lois Paul & Partners at (781) 238-5784 or aaron_dunn@lpp.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbors created by those sections. These forward-looking statements concern accelerating the deployment of wireless broadband information access for homes and small offices, the development and availability of integrated high-speed wireless networking products, the development and availability of integrated voice, video and broadband data communications services, the development of industry standards and strategic partnerships. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, any Federal Communications Commission limit on the speed of frequency hopping products, Proxim's ability to successfully develop, manufacture and gain market acceptance of new products, in particular its home networking products; dependence on the emerging home networking market segment; the cost, availability and quality of assemblies and finished products from contract manufacturers; rapid technological change; evolving industry standards; regulatory changes; the highly competitive nature of the wireless LAN market segment; and other factors more fully described in reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Proxim's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, and the reports on Form 10-Q. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Proxim does not undertake to update any oral or written forward-looking statements that may be made by or on behalf of Proxim.
The statements contained in this Press Release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" including without limitation statements regarding plans for product and reference platform development and release, the market for Internet appliances, future availability and performance of BeOS and third party devices and applications, including Internet appliances, market penetration and market acceptance of BeOS in the Internet appliance market, and the benefit of BeOS to OEM and Internet appliance manufacturers. Actual events or results may differ materially as a result of risks facing Be Incorporated or actual results differing from the assumptions underlying such statements. Such risks and assumptions include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to product development, the competition and market acceptance of BeOS for the Internet appliances market, and Be's ability to meet OEM requirements and establish strategic relationships with OEMs. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements included in Be Incorporated's prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 on July 20, 1999 (Commission File No. 333-77855), and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.