Contact: David L. Renauld
(Vice President, Corporate Affairs)
Phone: 413-665-8551
Falls Church, Virginia — February 23, 2004: YDI Wireless, Inc. (OTCBB:YDIW), a leading developer and supplier of license-free wireless data solutions, announces the availability of its dual-channel 802.11b access point, the YDI AP-Plus, featuring AP+ software with the addition of new Public Authentication Redirect (PAR).
States Robert Fitzgerald, Chief Executive Officer of YDI, “Every new AP-Plus will now come with PAR at no additional cost. We specifically designed this product so every AP-Plus currently in the field can be upgraded to be PAR enabled, an option not offered by all of our competitors. Further, many of our competitors charge extra for enhanced features, especially Hot Spot functionality like that enabled by PAR. Given the significant advantages we believe PAR will offer to our customers and to show our appreciation to our customers, we have decided to permit every AP-Plus previously sold by us to be upgraded at no additional cost.”
The PAR feature enables the AP-Plus access point to provide high-speed Internet in Wi-Fi™ Hot Spots. It currently works with the Toll Booth Authentication and Billing System offered by AuthDirect (www.AuthDirect.com). For those service providers that have a RADIUS server and credit card authorization capabilities, the PAR feature in the access point can readily interact with them.
“With YDI AP-Plus access points, Hot Spot operators do not need to purchase a separate authentication device to offer Internet access to Hot Spot customers,” says Michael F. Young, President and Chief Technical Officer of YDI. “Adding PAR to our AP-Plus enables these authentication functions to take place in the access point itself. When a client attempts to use the Hot Spot for wireless Internet access, our PAR-enabled access point performs a RADIUS request to see if the client is authorized. If the client is already in the RADIUS database, no further interaction is needed and the client’s traffic will pass. If the client is not recognized by the RADIUS server, they will be redirected to a Web server that acts as an interface for authentication. The Web server then presents to the client a login page that can be as simple as asking for a username and password, or as complicated as entering a credit card number for a requested period of time – it is up to the server developer how the user will log in. If the client logs in successfully, they will be added to the table of valid clients in the RADIUS. Once the access point confirms that the RADIUS server has authenticated the client, it will pass all Web traffic for that client.”
The Hot Spot operator can also set up a list of selected Web sites and provide free access to them before a client is logged in (i.e., a “walled garden”). This could be especially useful, for instance, to redirect a client to a Web page that contains online help for the login process. If the client attempts to access a page that is not in the list, they will be redirected to the login page to continue the authentication process.
In addition to Hot Spots, the AP-Plus access point is also ideal for outdoor wireless applications that use YDI’s FCC certified long-range amplified solutions. An example of these applications is the YDI WIPOP In-A-Box (http://www.ydi.com/products/wipop-in-a-box.php).
More information about the AP-Plus access point, the AP+ software features, and applications can be found on YDI's web site at http://www.ydi.com/products/ap-plus.php.
YDI Wireless, Inc. is a world leader in providing extended range, license free wireless data equipment. YDI Wireless is a leading designer of turn-key long distance wireless systems ranging from 19.9 kbps to 1 Gbps for applications such as wireless Internet, wireless video, wireless LANs, wireless WANs, wireless MANs and wireless virtual private networks. Additional information about YDI Wireless as well as its complete product line can be found at the company's web site located at http://www.ydi.com or by contacting the company by telephone at 413-665-8551 or by email at IR@ydi.com.
Statements
in this press release that are not statements of historical facts are forward-looking
statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results
may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements due to risks arising from and relating to the contemplated acquisition
of Phazar by YDI, the two companies' ability and desire to consummate that transaction,
and our ability to achieve the contemplated benefits of that transaction; the
downturn and ongoing uncertainty in the telecommunications industry and larger
economy; the intense competition in our industry and resulting impacts on our
pricing, gross margins, and general financial performance; and the other factors
discussed in our filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and in our other public statements.
Public Authentication Redirect and PAR are trademarks of YDI. Other brand names
appearing in this press release may be trademarks of their respective owners.