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NEWS
Nokia Selects TESSCO Technologies
as First Reseller to Expand Wireless Broadband Distribution Channels
(August 07, 2001)
Nokia RoofTop Solution Brings Broadband to
Residential Areas and Small Businesses Where Wires Can't Reach
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and HUNT VALLEY, Md. (August 7, 2001) - Nokia (NYSE: NOK)
has selected TESSCO Technologies (NASDAQ: TESS), a leading provider of wireless
communications solutions, to expand distribution channels for its Nokia
RoofTop(TM) Wireless Routing solution -- a unique wireless mesh network
mirroring the wired structure of the Internet. Effective immediately, TESSCO
will offer a "Jump Start Kit" to make it simple for ISPs and carriers
to begin offering wireless broadband services based on the Nokia RoofTop
solution. The Jump Start Kit includes everything ISPs and carriers need to
rapidly deploy and manage their own wireless broadband networks at a promotional
price.
The Jump Start Kits will provide six Nokia RoofTop R240 Wireless Routers; a
Nokia RoofTop R240A AirHead router; the Nokia RoofTop Router Management System (RMS),
software that simplifies the installation and monitoring of the wireless
network; and the Nokia AIR Operating System for intelligent, real-time traffic
routing. Additionally, the package includes a one-day training session to
educate two attendees on how to deploy and operate the Nokia RoofTop solution.
"Time-to-market and cost of deployment are critical factors that affect
whether wireless broadband networks can be profitable," said Ari Leppд,
general manager of Nokia Wireless Routing. "The Jump Start Kit offered to
ISPs and carriers through our relationship with TESSCO will make deployment of a
Nokia RoofTop network faster and easier than installing a satellite dish on a
home. This will provide ISPs a quicker time-to-market and higher return on
investment for delivering high-speed Internet access to residential and small
office/home office (SOHO) markets previously unreachable with wired
solutions."
Nokia established its relationship with TESSCO in 1996 to leverage its strong
customer network and superior supply chain management capabilities to open new
distribution channels for Nokia's Original mobile phone accessories. Most
recently, Nokia expanded its distribution relationship with the leading wireless
communications solution provider to include Nokia's Wireless LAN product line.
"TESSCO's leadership in fixed wireless broadband stems from our ability to
provide a cost-effective channel to a broad and diverse customer base, while
continuously bringing unique solutions to our customers," said Robert B.
Barnhill, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of TESSCO Technologies.
"The Nokia RoofTop solution is an ideal offering to enable our customers to
profit from the tremendous opportunity of wireless broadband for residential and
small business markets."
About the Nokia RoofTop Solution
The Nokia RoofTop Wireless Routers create the first wireless broadband solution
that is viable for residential and SOHO markets. They solve the line-of-sight
difficulties typically associated with residential neighborhoods because they
only require line-of-sight to neighboring nodes, not all the way to a central
base station. Each subscriber acts as a full IP router, routing traffic around
trees, hills, and buildings, and enabling deployment in diverse geographical
locations. This eliminates the need for expensive towers and roof rights,
enabling providers to deploy the new wireless mesh networks quickly, with
minimal upfront investment in engineering and equipment. Each subscriber added
becomes part of the network, increasing coverage and making the Nokia RoofTop
solution more robust and far-reaching than existing broadband network solutions.
The Nokia R240 wireless router is also a home gateway that supports home
networking via standard telephone wires or Ethernet. It enables multiple devices
to share the access link without having to run new in-home wiring, and provides
simple security by masking private addresses. The Nokia Air Operating Systems'
wireless intelligence controls the built-in RF amplifier make scaling the
network simple and automatic.
The Nokia RoofTop Router Management System enables service providers to quickly
and easily configure, monitor and maintain their Nokia RoofTop networks. The RMS
software allows service providers to check network operations at a glance with a
dynamic Graphical User Interface, which provides a real-time display of the
network topology and status. Routers can be configured and managed remotely,
from the network operations center, eliminating the need for on going truck
rolls to make changes to the devices. For additional information about the Nokia
RoofTop Wireless Routing solution, please visit www.wbs.nokia.com.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobile communications. Backed by its experience,
innovation, user-friendliness and secure solutions, the company has become the
leading supplier of mobile phones and a leading supplier of mobile, fixed and IP
networks. By adding mobility to the Internet Nokia creates new opportunities for
companies and further enriches the daily lives of people. Nokia is a broadly
held company with listings on six major exchanges.
About TESSCO
TESSCO Technologies Incorporated is a leading provider of the services, products
and solutions required to build, operate, maintain and use wireless voice, data,
messaging, tracking and Internet systems. The company provides marketing and
sales services, knowledge and supply chain management, product- solution
delivery and control systems utilizing extensive Internet and information
technology.
TESSCO's guiding vision is to be the Vital Link between buyers and
manufacturers. For its customers, TESSCO provides a total source of product
choices and availability, optimized logistics and reduced total procurement
costs. For its manufacturers, TESSCO provides a cost-effective communication,
marketing, sales and distribution channel. The TESSCO mission is to virtually
link knowledge and delivery of the right product, in the right configuration, at
the right time, to the point of use.
TESSCO's operations are centralized in the Global Logistics Center, the
company's ISO 9002 registered headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland. All
customer, manufacturer, product, configuration, sales and delivery activities
are directed by an integrated enterprise information technology platform.
Fulfillment centers in Hunt Valley, Maryland and Reno, Nevada, configure orders
for complete, on-time delivery throughout the world. Its product offerings
consist of over 25,000 items from over 380 manufacturers. TESSCO currently
serves more than 8,500 business customers and 17,000 consumers per month,
including a diversified mix of cellular and PCS telephone, Wireless ISP and
paging carriers, fixed wireless and mobile radio-dispatch operators,
integrators, contractors and dealers, and self-maintained users.
This press release may contain a number of forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward
looking statements may generally be identified by the use of the words
"may," "will," "expects," "anticipates,"
"estimates," and similar expressions and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. For a variety of reasons, actual results may differ materially
from those described in any such forward-looking statement. Consequently, the
reader is cautioned to consider all forward-looking statements in light of the
risks to which they are subject.