PCTEL Upgrades Roaming Client for NTT DoCoMo's Wi-Fi Service Offering in Japan

November 9, 2004

PCTEL Upgrades Roaming Client for NTT DoCoMo's Wi-Fi Service Offering in Japan 18.3 KB

CHICAGO, Nov 9, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- PCTEL, Inc. (NASDAQ:PCTI), a global leader in simplifying mobility, announced today that it upgraded the Roaming Client software used by NTT DoCoMo, Inc.'s Wi-Fi access service to support roaming among NTT DoCoMo's FOMA (WCDMA cellular service), PHS (Personal Handyphone Service) and Wi-Fi networks. This represents one of several features PCTEL will be integrating into NTT DoCoMo's Wi-Fi service to enhance its functionality and usefulness.

This Roaming Client version contains full multi-language capabilities (English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese), a Wi-Fi service area database for Japan, and the ability to switch automatically between NTT DoCoMo's Wi-Fi access service and other roaming or customer-registered Wi-Fi networks. The Roaming Client also provides secure connections for Wi-Fi users with the IEEE 802.1X (TTLS) authentication mechanism, and supports most major Wi-Fi cards distributed in Japan. All of NTT DoCoMo's Wi-Fi subscribers in Japan can download a customized Roaming Client from NTT DoCoMo's Japanese website. This new edition also enables NTT DoCoMo users to use services by a number of major wireless LAN access aggregators when they are outside Japan, demonstrating its ability to provide true roaming among Wi-Fi service providers.

"We are continuing to build upon the momentum that first began in October 2003, when PCTEL entered into an agreement to supply NTT DoCoMo with the Roaming Client for use in NTT DoCoMo's Wi-Fi network," said Biju Nair, Vice President and General Manager of PCTEL's Mobility Solutions Group. We look forward to working with NTT DoCoMo to provide mobile data users in Asia with the broadest array of wireless roaming options available," added Nair.

The Roaming Client is an intuitive utility that gives laptop and handheld device users secure and seamless access and roaming options to Wi-Fi, cellular and PHS networks in public areas, at the office and in the home. The Client benefits both service providers and their subscribers by providing:

    --  Consistent look and feel regardless of operating system
        platform and hardware device manufacturer

    --  Lower support cost associated with wireless data connectivity
        solutions

    --  Automatic presentation of user credentials dependent on the
        network being accessed

    --  User prioritization of network connection choices (between
        multiple available WLANs or WWAN)

    --  Network specific user profiles for automatically launching VPN
        clients, modifying proxy settings, or automatically launching
        other applications, and

    --  Easy location of WLAN networks utilizing an integrated
        database

    About NTT DoCoMo

NTT DoCoMo is the world's leading mobile communications company, serving more than 48 million customers. The company offers a wide variety of leading-edge mobile multimedia services, including i-mode, which provides e-mail and internet access to over 42 million subscribers as the world's most popular mobile Internet service, and FOMA, launched in 2001 as the world's first 3G mobile service based on W-CDMA. In addition to wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe and North America, the company is expanding its global reach through strategic alliances with mobile and multimedia service providers in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. NTT DoCoMo is listed on the Tokyo (9437), London (NDCM), and New York (DCM) stock exchanges. For more information, visit www.nttdocomo.com.

FOMA and i-mode are trademarks or registered trademarks of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. in Japan and other countries. NTT DoCoMo's FOMA service is available only to subscribers in Japan.

About PCTEL

PCTEL (NASDAQ:PCTI), founded in March 1994, is a global leader in simplifying mobility. PCTEL's Mobility Solutions' (http://mobilitysolutions.pctel.com) software tools simplify installation, roaming, Internet access and billing. PCTEL's RF Solutions' (http://rfsolutions.pctel.com) portfolio of OEM receivers and receiver-based products are used to measure and monitor cellular networks. PCTEL's MAXRAD Product Group (http://maxrad.pctel.com) 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 wireless carriers, wireless ISPs, distributors, wireless test and measurement companies, system integrators, PC manufacturers and PC card and board manufacturers. 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.

SAFE HARBOR

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, the statements regarding NTT DoCoMo's and its end user benefits resulting from the distribution and use of an updated release of PCTEL's Roaming Client software used by NTT DoCoMo, Inc. to support its FOMA, PHS and Wi-Fi networks, including multi-language capabilities, ability to switch automatically between Wi-Fi access service and other roaming or customer-registered Wi-Fi networks; the simplified end user experience that enables roaming among networks through compatible cellular phones or PC card modems. These statements are based on PCTEL's current expectations and anticipated customer benefits and product capabilities may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, PCTEL's success at marketing, selling and supporting these products and services; potential delays or errors in product and service development; whether such products and services achieve market acceptance; PCTEL's ability to forecast customer requirements; competition from other providers of wireless technology, and pricing uncertainties with respect to these products and services. The risks and uncertainties in PCTEL's business, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in PCTEL's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, can affect 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, Inc.
John Schoen, 773-243-3000
Jack Seller, 773-243-3016
jack.seller@pctel.com

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