Firetide Launches HotPointFiretide Launches HotPoint

LA JOLLA, Calif. -- Firetide, Inc. today announced that it is introducing its HotPoint wireless mesh router at DEMOmobile 2003, the prestigious annual gathering of technology executives, held here from September 17-19. Firetide provides equipment to deploy large wireless networks quickly, easily, and affordably.

"Firetide offers a break-through approach to wireless networking," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of DEMOmobile. "The HotPoint wireless mesh router, by unwiring the LAN backhaul, will enable the accelerated build-out of our wireless infrastructure." Existing wireless networks are not truly wireless, since access points must be connected to a wired Ethernet infrastructure. Installing Ethernet cabling is expensive, difficult, and time-consuming. As a result, wiring is the most expensive portion of a wireless network.

HotPoint(TM) Wireless Mesh Router

HotPoint wireless mesh routers use advanced routing technologies and IEEE 802.11-compliant radios to "unwire" the Ethernet backhaul and create a self-configuring, self-healing mesh network - a Firetide Wireless Instant Network(TM). Instant Networks are IP networks that support multi-hop, point-to-point, and IP multi-cast routing. Firetide networks scale and self-configure instantly by simply plugging HotPoints into standard AC power outlets.

The Power of Instant Networking(TM)

"Conventional wireless network deployment requires extensive site surveys, disruption of business operations, expensive construction, and skilled technicians to manually configure each access point," said Tareq Hoque, CEO of Firetide. "Firetide's Wireless Instant Networks dramatically reduce the cost of wireless deployments. An entire wireless network can be installed in hours rather than months." Firetide's Instant Networking solution is designed for hotzones such as hotels, airports, convention centers, warehouses, educational institutions, housing complexes, and any place where wiring is difficult, disruptive, or expensive.

Pricing and Availability

Firetide currently has several pilot installations in place and will ship its wireless mesh router in volume in January 2004. HotPoint wireless mesh routers are priced at $799 MSRP and will be available through Firetide's distribution partners.

Firetide Inc.