Monet Launches EV-DO

SEATTLE -- Monet Mobile Networks, a Seattle-based wireless Internet service provider, today announced the commercial launch of Monet Broadband, the nation's first high-speed, mobile Internet service in Duluth, MN. Monet has built and commercially deployed North America's first, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO wireless data network giving people the unique combination of high-speed, mobility and a complete Internet experience. "People should expect more from today's technology than just a fast Internet connection -- with Monet people can go outdoors, travel across town, move from room to room or anywhere in our network, and still have access to the Internet experience they have come to depend upon from their computers at home, school or at work," said George Tronsrue III, chairman and CEO, Monet Mobile Networks. "Monet provides a real value and enhances the quality of people's lives by giving them the freedom and convenience today that has been promised for years." For a flat monthly rate, Monet Broadband offers high-speed, mobile access to the complete Internet, enabling ubiquitous access to e-mail, contact and calendar information, download file attachments, streaming video, multimedia, position location services, live chat and secure access to corporate intranets and databases. Customers can use Monet Broadband by installing the GTRAN Wireless DotSurfer(TM) PC card and/or the DotSurfer CardReader for desktops. The easy-to-install, wireless PC card modem is compatible with desktop, laptop and handheld PCs. The combination of mobility, network speed and device flexibility allows Monet to offer residential users and small businesses an alternative to DSL and cable. Monet will offer packages tailored for the home or business user with features like multiple e-mail accounts with access through the web or standard e-mail packages such as Microsoft Outlook or QUALCOMM Eudora, web hosting space and efax services. Monet is deploying a network based on CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology, an International Telecommunications Union (ITU) IMT-2000 third-generation standard, optimized for data. Monet uses licensed spectrum in the PCS band (1.9 GHz). Monet's networks support data transmission service giving users a mobile, broadband Internet experience with average speeds generally ten times faster than dial-up with multi-megabit peaks. 1xEV-DO is the fastest, most cost-effective 3G data technology in existence today making available applications never before practical or possible over a wide area wireless network. Monet chose CDMA technology because of its clear path to high-speed, packet-based data transmission and the ability to maximize spectrum efficiency. "QUALCOMM congratulates Monet Mobile on the launch of the nation's first commercial CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network," said Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QUALCOMM. "This launch exemplifies what CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology brings to business and residential users -- fast, affordable wireless access to the Internet. CDMA2000 1xEV-DO's flexibility, high-speed, 'always-on' features make it ideal for enabling wireless Internet access in fixed, portable or mobile environments." LG Electronics is providing the network infrastructure equipment and support for Monet's networks. LG is the infrastructure supplier to one of the world's largest 1xEV-DO network located in South Korea. LG has leveraged its experience in South Korea to support the commercial launch of Monet Broadband in the United States. QUALCOMM supports 1xEV-DO with chipsets and system software, including chipsets for the GTRAN Wireless PC modem cards, which offer a variety of advanced features. The commercial launch of Monet Broadband in Duluth expands Monet's service area in the heartland of America. Monet will upgrade its existing networks in Sioux Falls, S.D., Fargo, and Grand Forks, N.D., Moorhead, MN and Eau Claire, WI to 1xEV-DO in November. Monet launched the nation's first 3G, data-only network in October 2001 in Sioux Falls, S.D. using CDMA2000 1xRTT. The company offers its high-speed, mobile Internet service to small and mid-sized markets that have a high Internet penetration, but limited access to broadband. Monet Mobile Networks Inc.