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Mitsui to Market Firetide Wireless Mesh Networks in Japan

Posted on: Tuesday, 29 June 2004, 06:00 CDT

LOS GATOS, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Firetide, a leader in wireless mesh networking, today announced a marketing and sales partnership with Mitsui & Co., Ltd., one of the largest trading companies in Japan and its U.S. subsidiary Mitsui Comtek Corp. Under the terms of the partnership, Mitsui will become the master distributor for Firetide products in Japan. The alliance brings Firetide products into Japan for the first time.

"Our valued customers are eager for solutions that allow wireless networks to be rapidly deployed," said Toshi Fukumoto, GM of the Information Business Division of Mitsui Comtek Corp. "Firetide's award-winning mesh routers will allow us to install many more networks to provide 802.11 wireless capabilities in Japan. Together, Mitsui and Firetide can make mesh networking a standard requirement for our customers and channels."

"The prevalence of wireless technologies in Japan makes this an important and strategic step for Firetide," said Bo Larsson, CEO of Firetide. "Mitsui & Co. is an ideal partner for us, given their leadership position with resellers and OEMs in Japan. This partnership allows us to bring Firetide's instant mesh networking into a market that highly values the ability to easily deploy wireless networks anywhere, anytime for applications such as Wi-Fi access or video surveillance."

HotPoint Mesh Routers

Firetide's HotPoint(TM) wireless mesh routers use advanced routing technologies and IEEE 802.11-compliant radios to "unwire" the Ethernet infrastructure. HotPoint mesh routers replace Ethernet cabling and form a Wireless Instant Network(TM), which eliminates costly and time-consuming provisioning and creates a self-configuring, self-healing mesh network. Firetide networks form instantly by simply plugging HotPoint routers into standard AC power outlets, providing a simple and reliable alternative to standard Ethernet cable.

Firetide's wireless mesh routers will be on display at NetWorld+Interop 2004 in Tokyo from June 30 to July 2 in the Mitsui booth, # 2F-10.

The HotPoint 1000S-200 indoor wireless mesh router is available immediately in Japan and is ideal for building out Wi-Fi networks, video surveillance, and temporary networks in a variety of environments, such as public access HotZones, hotels, warehouses, campus environments, or other locations where wiring is difficult, disruptive, or expensive. For more information about the solutions from Firetide, please visit the company's web site at http://www.firetide.com/.

About Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Mitsui Comtek Corp.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Japan, is one of the world's most diversified and comprehensive trading companies. In fiscal year 2003, with total trade transactions of $112 billion, the company placed sixth in "The International 500" by Forbes magazine and 11th in "The Global 500" by Fortune magazine. Headquartered in Tokyo, Mitsui & Co. maintains a global network of 195 offices in 86 countries, and has 746 subsidiaries and associated companies worldwide. Mitsui Comtek Corp. is the advanced technology subsidiary of Mitsui, active in the areas of computers, semiconductors, electronic equipment, and specialized display technology. The company also is involved in the operation of telecommunications and telecommunication-related services including mobile, long distance, international and satellite communication.

About Firetide, Inc.

Firetide, a privately held wireless mesh technology company, develops networking equipment to deploy large Wireless Instant Networks quickly, easily and affordably. Firetide's Instant Networking solution is ideal for building out Wi-Fi networks, video surveillance, and temporary networks in a variety of environments, such as public access HotZones, airports, hotels, campus environments or other locations where wiring is too difficult or expensive to install. Investors include Menlo Ventures, HMS Ventures, and Hawaiian Electric Industries. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.firetide.com/.

NOTE: Firetide(TM), HotPoint(TM), Wireless Instant Networks(TM) and Instant Networking(TM) are trademarks of Firetide, Inc.

Firetide, Inc.

CONTACT: Ed Tan of Edelman, +1-650-429-2734, or ed.tan@edelman.com, forFiretide, Inc.

Web site: http://www.firetide.com/

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