HANOVER PARK, Ill., Aug 19, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- PCTEL, Inc. (NASDAQ: PCTI), a global leader in simplifying mobility, announced today that its MAXRAD Product Group launched a new line of directional, high performance sector panel antennas. These innovative antennas establish a new price/performance standard for wireless Internet point-of-presence (WIPOP) network sites. PCTEL will sell the new products to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and network installers.

The competitively-priced, new sector panel antennas offer electrical and mechanical features at price points unavailable in today's market. Operating within the Wi-Fi and WiMAX unlicensed bands, each model addresses specific physical and electrical requirements to ensure optimal wireless coverage in WIPOP installations.

One model - the MSB2401690 shaped beam sector panel antenna - utilizes pattern shaping technology to allow contoured coverage and optimal signal performance within the desired propagation area. The shaped beam sector panel antenna covers frequencies from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz with 16 dBi gain and outstanding front-to-back ratio of more than 28 dB.

"This product launch punctuates PCTEL and MAXRAD's commitment to meeting the communication needs in the unlicensed spectrum," said Steve Deppe, President of PCTEL's Maxrad Product Group. "Over the last few years, we have witnessed the explosion of network deployments within the unlicensed 2.4 GHz spectrum and the growing popularity of the WiMax standard. Increased demand for wireless broadband products in the unlicensed spectrum has resulted in customer requirements for new, high value sector antennas products that can offer a generous mix of electrical and mechanical performance features at affordable prices," concluded Deppe.

Also new, the WISP24017MBH is a 2.4 GHz horizontally polarized sector panel antenna that offers user selectable horizontal beamwidth options of 45(degrees), 60(degrees), 90(degrees) or 120(degrees), and up to 17 dBi gain performance in a compact, UV resistant housing. Its front-to-back ratio of over 30 dB at 120(degrees), 90(degrees) or 60(degrees), and over 26 dB at 45(degrees) ensures that the radiated energy is targeted towards the area of coverage, while a typical cross-polarization discrimination of over 26 dB ensures minimum interference from neighboring vertically polarized antennas.

In addition, two new models covering 2700 MHz to 2900 MHz frequencies are being introduced. The WISP28016MBH horizontally polarized, and WISP28016MBV vertically polarized sector antennas provide user adjustable horizontal beamwidth options of 90(degrees) or 60(degrees), with a front-to-back ratio of (greater than) 25 dB in the horizontally polarized model, and over 35 dB in the vertically polarized model. These antennas feature typical cross-polarization discrimination of over 20 dB or better in high RF traffic areas, with a gain performance of 14 dBi at 90(degrees), and 16 dBi at 60(degrees).

To complement the line, a new wideband adjustable sector panel antenna, covering 4.9 GHz to 6 GHz frequencies will be available in mid September. Model WISP4959018MBV is designed for use in applications within the Wi-Fi, WiMAX and public safety bands at 4.9 GHz. This vertically polarized sector features 60(degrees) or 90(degrees) user-adjustable horizontal beamwidth options, with gains of 16 and 15 dBi respectively. Like the other new models, it features an adjustable pipe mount that permits uptilt or downtilt adjustments of +/-15 degrees for more precise signal performance in the area of coverage.

The new line of high performance sector panel antennas can be ordered through one of the PCTEL's MAXRAD Product Group's distributors. For more information, visit the MAXRAD Product Group webpage, which can be found at http://www.pctel.com.

About PCTEL's MAXRAD Product Group

PCTEL's MAXRAD product group is dedicated to facilitating wireless communications by producing market-relevant antennas and antenna accessories that provide superior performance and reliability. A leading supplier in its field, PCTEL's MAXRAD product group has developed antenna solutions for broadband wireless, wireless LAN / WAN, and LMR (Land Mobile Radio) systems that have placed it at the forefront of the industry. Its product portfolio encompasses over 500 base station, mobile and portable antennas and accessories that represent over 6500 different product SKUs. The world's leading suppliers of radio frequency communication products have chosen to obtain FCC certification using antenna solutions available through PCTEL's MAXRAD product group. MAXRAD, Inc. was acquired by PCTEL (NASDAQ: PCTI) in January of 2004.

About PCTEL

PCTEL (NASDAQ: PCTI), founded in March 1994, is a global leader in simplifying mobility. PCTEL's Mobility Solutions' software tools simplify installation, roaming, Internet access and billing. PCTEL's RF Solutions' portfolio of OEM receivers and receiver-based products, measure and monitor cellular networks. PCTEL's MAXRAD Product Group designs, distributes, and supports innovative antenna solutions that facilitate and simplify wireless communications. PCTEL protects its leadership position with a portfolio of more than 130 analog and broadband communications and wireless patents, issued or pending, including key and essential patents for modem technology. The company's products are sold or licensed to PC manufacturers, PC card and board manufacturers, wireless carriers, wireless ISPs, distributors, wireless test and measurement companies, and system integrators. PCTEL headquarters are located at 8725 West Higgins Road, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60631. Telephone: 773-243-3000. For more information, please visit our web site at: http://www.pctel.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, these forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential benefits resulting from the distribution and use of the new sector panel antennas. These statements are based on PCTEL's current expectations and anticipated marketing benefits and actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the success at marketing, selling and supporting these products; whether such products achieve market acceptance; the ability to forecast customer requirements; competition from other providers; and pricing uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and others that relate to PCTEL's business, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in PCTEL's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, can affect actual results. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and PCTEL disclaims any obligation to update or revise the information contained in any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE: PCTEL, Inc.

PCTEL, MAXRAD Product Group
Ana Bakas, 630-372-6800
ana.bakas@pctel.com
or
Larry Bess, 630-372-6800
larry.bess@pctel.com
or
PCTEL, Inc.
Jack Seller, 773-243-3016
jack_seller@pctel.com

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